Hello. We leave a Viking cruise in Bergen on 7/23 at 8 a.m. with three nights available before our flight. We would like to spend the entire time sightseeing in or around the Sognefjord fjord. A few questions:
(a) Is it worth the train ride to or from Bergen then using the Flam railway vs. taking the express boat both ways.
(b) staying in Flam overnight vs. Aurland or Balestrand.
(c) Taking an additional smaller fjord arm cruise from Flam
(d) Booking ahead with the NiN tour or doing it when we arrive in Bergen
Suggestions of hotels, advanced booking agents, if necessary, etc., are appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1927 posts
Wherever you go in the Sognefjord region, you will see some great scenery. Everyone raves about Nærøyfjord, which I didn't see when I was in Norway this past May, and I still loved everything I did see. So whatever you decide, I doubt you will be disappointed.
I think going one way by train and the other way by boat might make sense.
Flåm is in a beautiful setting, but it is mostly just a transportation hub, crowded with tourists, cruise ships, and ferries. I stayed two nights in Balestrand (at the Balestrand Hotel) and loved it. It's a much quieter town with lovely fjord views. I rented a car for the day I was there and explored the surrounding area; this was the highlight of my time in Norway. (Check the hotel website for info on excursions from Balestrand.)
The Flåmsbana is a very scenic ride. I think it's worth doing, but you'll see gorgeous scenery elsewhere too. You could take land transportation from Bergen to Myrdal on the 23rd, ride the Flåmsbana to Flåm, and then take a Nærøyfjord cruise. That probably means spending that night in Flåm. The next day you could ride the express boat to Balestrand and spend two nights there before heading back to Bergen (depending on the time of your flight).
I would not wait to book your NiN until you're in Bergen. Space could fill up.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.
Posted by
Oak Park
243 posts
We drove from Bergen to Aurland; the landscape is amazing. Since you are leaving the area by ship, I would drive/take the train from Bergen.
I would avoid staying in Flam due to its transportation hub setting, especially since you will be spending multiple nights in the area. We stayed in Aurland in the cabins described in the RS Norway book. There were six cabins with kitchen and dining room, so the slightly higher expense was offset by dinners at the cabin. Plus the views of the fjord at breakfast and dinner were stunning. If you are taking public transit, this may be a little more difficult to get to than Flam, but is worth it.
We did not go to Balestrand, but this was our other option.
One additional note, we rented a car which allowed us to go visit the stave church and visit other local sights.