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Renting a car and taking the train from Oslo to NIN/Sognefjord

Posted by (Seattle) on

I see many posts on taking the train/ferry or driving, but seldom a discussion on mixing the two. I'm sure there is a problematic reason for this so I thought I could get some answers from some well-seasoned travelers. Thanks in advance for opinions, advice, info.

What are your thoughts on doing the NIN via the train/ferry/bus as described in the book from Oslo to Bergen, but sandwiching renting a car in Aurland (assuming that's possible) to have the flexibility of a car for three days to see other parts of the area (Lustrafjord, etc), overnight in other places before returning the car and resuming the rest of the NIN on transit?

We would like to have our cake and eat it too, I know.

Posted by
2244 posts

When travelling Norway a mix of transport modes is always a good idea. Often with enough time using ships and or ferries is an option to see the wonderful coastline.

Back to you: Sometimes I recommend to interrupt train ride Oslo - Bergen in Voss to rent and return a car there. From Voss or any place at road 13 up Myrkdalen it is a good base for staying 2-3 nights and doing car day trips to Aurlandfjell, Hardangerfjord and Gaularfjell.

From Aurland I see more restrictions because a traveller is then at then end of a big fjord but not between two. A beautiful corner - no doubts.

btw: I travelled Norway four times with my own car and always got a little souvenir damage. Therefore I recommend full insurance protection because in this area the next curve can be full of surprises (falling stones, animals on street, another person crashes your mirror with his fat motorhome and does not stop, ...).

Good luck.

Posted by
162 posts

We are doing something similar by using public transit for most of the trip, but renting a car in Alesund. We couldn't find a rental car location in Flam or Aurland, so please post if you find something. Avis rents in Voss, though.

Posted by
45 posts

My original plan was to use a car to drive and explore the Lustrafjord and the north side of the Sognefjord. I would not go as far as Balestrand, maybe just to Sogndal. I want to drive the "Snow road" but still get to take the ferry Flam to Gudvangen. Which I know, may not make sense if the goal is to see more/different fjords. But rentals do seem rare in the area and so I may have to let this go.

And thank you for the car insurance information. We drove around the Isle of Skye several years back and it "over-insuring" saved us much financial grief.

Posted by
45 posts

8 nights and nine days. With four days in the Songefjord/Naeroyfjord

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