Thoughts on this Denmark/Norway Itinery?

I think your itinerary is good. Just a few things to think about:

• The Norled cruise from Flåm to Bergen goes through the Sognefjord. This is not a particularly scenic journey. Sognefjord is the biggest fjord in Norway and is not surrounded by high hills or cliffs like Nærøyfjord or Geirangerfjord. I believe the train might take you through more interesting scenery.

• You could book boat rides into Nærøyfjord from Flåm and/or Geirangerfjord from Bergen. Might be worth considering.

• You might want to answer your question #2 by getting a guidebook and reading up on things to do in Oslo and Bergen, and especially consider what your 7 year old would enjoy. Bergen is one of my favorite European cities, but I'm not sure most of the reasons I love it would be appealing to a 7 year old girl. Probably taking the funicular (Fløibanen) would be enjoyable, but think about how you will fill a day or two in each of those cities.

Thanks lane - I hadn't thought about the Flam to Bergen cruise as not being that scenic - how does it compare to the typical west coast cruises/ferries?
And isn't the "Cruise to Gudvangen" from Flan through the Nærøyfjord that you mention?

As far as what the 7 year old would be interested in- I know a lot of the stuff isn't at the top of her interests- but we she seem to tolerate our trips (in moderation) when we have hit up the typical RS type things in other cities.

As you travel west from Flåm to Bergen, the fjord gets wider, so it's feels more like being on a large lake. I did the Hurtigruten cruise up the west coast from Bergen a few weeks ago, and that goes through passages that are quite breathtaking and some stretches without any interesting scenery. That's kind of what the ferry on the Sognefjord is like, but not very much of anything breathtaking.

Sorry, yes, you're right, the cruise to Gudvangen does go through Nærøyfjord, so that's great. You can also disembark at Gudvangen and travel by bus from there to Bergen, or a combination of bus and train, transferring at Voss. That's how Norway in a Nutshell operates.

The Flam to Gudvangen boat does take you through the Naeroyfjord, which is often compared to the Geirangerfjord as being one of Norway’s most impressive fjords.

I was in Norway a couple years ago and your itinerary looks like you’ve given yourself ample time at each location. We were in Copenhagen three nights and wish we had more time. Two nights in Oslo is fine. Be sure to visit the Akershus Fortress which has historic architecture—a rarity in Oslo— along with a 13th-century castle where many of Norway’s Kings are interred.

The Gol Stave church has artwork carved into the wooden walls and ceilings by the Vikings. There are dragon. serpent and animal motifs representing figures from Norse mythology. When the church was built between 1157 and 1216, the culture blended Viking symbols with Christian symbols into the carved walls of church.
The Gol Stave church is at the Norsk Folkesmuseum which is a great place to visit outside central Oslo.

In Bergen, the Bergenshus Fortress is on the site where Norwegian King’s lived. Hakon’s Hall from the 1200’s —also on the fortress grounds—is where state ceremonies are often held.

Looking at your trip with the focus on your daughter (and still fun and amazing for Mom and Dad):

Oslo: Take the ferry to Bygdøy Peninsula for the museums. Your daughter can explore the wooden ship with you at the Fram Museumand feed the animals at the the outdoor Folks Museum.

Consider following the classic Norway in a Nutshell route. You can purchase the package with FjordTours or you can easily DIY to save some money. Take the train from Oslo to Myrdal and the Flåmsbana to Flåm. Later in the afternoon take the minibus tour to Stegastein Viewpoint. Spend 1 night in Flåm. The next morning take the scenic ferry to Gudvangen. Maybe spend some time at the Viking Village before taking the bus to Voss and the train to Bergen. Try to book your Flåm hotel early, especially if you want a more economical choice like Flåm Camping and Hostel (they offer cabins and private rooms).

Bergen: If the weather is nice, take the funicular up to Mount Fløyen for views, playground and walking paths. There's also the Bryggen, the Aquarium, the Fish Market and the Science Center.

No worries for your daughter on any of the trains, bus and ferry. Assuming you book the electric ferry between Flåm and Gudvangen, plenty of room inside and out to move around and take in the views.

I took 1 night away from your Flåm stay, so you'd have to play around with what to do with it. If you can find another night, consider flying from Bergen to Ålesund for a 2 night stay. Beautiful art nouveau city on the west coast at the mouth of the Geirangerfjord. You could take a day cruise into the fjord, but, IMO, an even better day would be a small group day tour that takes you on the Trollstigen Road and gives you those fantastic Royal Viking Cruise views overlooking the fjord.

Enjoy discovering Norway!

In Bergen there is also the Mount Ulriken Cable Car- easy to get there by tram or by their own dedicated bus from the Fish Market.
Not for you, but there is a fairly strenous hike between Ulriken and Floyen.

Thanks for all the info. If we did the fjord one day and went back to flam for the night. Would we miss much doing the train from flam to Bergen (change Mydral) vs taking the bus from Gudvangen to Voss, then the train? With the third option being the long ferry (which gets us into Bergen pretty late).

Are you thinking of traveling Oslo-Flåm-Bergen?

If you're going to Flåm and your taking the Naeyorfjord ferry to Gudvangen there is no reason not to do both the Flåmsbana and the bus trip, especially if you're spending the night in Flåm.

IMO, the most scenic parts of the journey ranked

1. Naeyorfjord Cruise between Flåm and Gudvangen
2. Flåmsbana between Flåm and Myrdal
3. Bus between Gudvangen and Voss
4. Train Oslo to Myrdal
5. Train Voss to Bergen

Actually 2 &3 are probably a tie.

By long ferry, do you mean the Norled boat? I think it's a long journey with not a big payoff.

From Flam one day you are there you could take the first train of the day back up the valley as far as Vatnahalsen statiom, then the zipline down, and the bike ride down the valley road back to Flam.
Hopefully the village church will be open. It isn't a stave church but is a 300 odd years old wooden church.
If you are planning to go to Stegastein anyway you could combine that into a group tour which includes the Borgund Stave Kirk and possibly Laerdal as well.
You could also visit The Fjord Farm at Flam- a variety of things to do there including a tour to see the various animals, and the evening concerts of traditional Norwegian music.
With your bikes you could also visit the Otternes Historical farm.

Another possible trip from Flam, which is now possible, is Undredal. It used to be tricky without a car. But Norway 's best now do two daily bus excursions there. I personally would be asking them if I could take the 9.30 Gudvangen bound ferry out and the bus back. Undredal is known for the smallest stave church in Norway, the goats cheese (which you can sample and buy there). It is also said to have inspired Disney's Frozen 2 movie.

You are a good value added tourist, not just the typical Norway in a Nutshell in a day tourist.

If you've done the cruise to Gudvangen and back on arrival day, then you could take the bus direct from Flam to Voss at 1003 or 1334 (or even on to Bergen) then train to Bergen.

The best part of the Bergensbanen line is from Oslo to Myrdal. The Myrdal to Bergen section is unremarkable. So you won’t be missing much by taking the bus from Gudvangen to Voss and beyond.

thanks again
@jeanm- thanks for that ranking - I guess my thought was since I plan on two days in Flam - one day I will do the Fjord cruise shuttle back to Flam - then the next day start the trek to Bergen- I was thinking just the train at first to avoid lugging my luggage (along with our little one) from a boat to a bus to a train - and just let us enjoy the Fjord cruise - and maybe hang out in Gudvangen for a bit (if worthwhile).

and yes- I was talking about the Norled ferry from Flam to Bergen- but the timing and views sounds like not worth it.

@isn31c - zip line and bike are not options with our 7 year old - but sounds amazing

so it sounds like some of your would recommend the bus from Flam to Voss then train to Bergen over the train from Flam to Mydral to Bergen? (this all assuming we don't do the typical NIN Ferry to bus to train.

thanks!

With regards to luggage, there is a Porter Service that will pick up your bags from your Oslo hotel in the morning and deliver them to your Bergen hotel later that day. We used the service (in the opposite direction) and our Oslo hotel held our bags in a locked room until we arrived the next day. This allowed us to travel the route, with our overnight in Flåm, with a small backpack between the 2 of us. Maybe consider use the service for 2 of your bags.

There is storage for luggage available on all modes of transportation if you decide to bring it with you. And it's a fairly short walk between all.

Are you planning 1 or 2 nights Flåm?

jeanm- I will look into the porter service- we plan on 2 nights- just to give us plenty of time to simply decompress and relax a bit.

In pure practicality terms I don't think train or bus from Flam to Bergen makes a deal of difference.
As long as at some stage you have done the cruise and the Flam Railway. The bus from Flam to Voss should be a long distance bus with under bus lockers for the luggage, and stops outside Voss station.
You then join the same train as you would have at Myrdal but the 0935 train from Flam connecting into it will be a packed train with cruise and overnight NiN eastbound passengers, also you get to do the Gudvangen to Voss road.
So on balance the bus is probably the preferred option.
I personally wouldnt rush at Voss for the Oslo to Bergen train. I would wait half an hour or so for the next local train which originates at Voss, so should be much quieter.