Hello Norway Travelers! We are planning a trip in September - we have plans to go by ferry from Tromso to Trondheim but would like to know if we should continue by ferry to Bergen, or would it be more scenic to take the train from Trondheim to Oslo?
I realize flying is an option but we'd like to see as much countryside/coastline as possible. Would the ferry from Trondheim to Bergen be more of the same sights we saw from Tromso??
It depends on what you want to see, the views are great no matter what option you choose. What does the full itinerary look like? You should also not underestimate the train between Bodø and Trondheim, it's very scenic.
So far the trip begins in Oslo, we fly to Tromso, then take the ferry to Trondheim.
Unsure yet whether we will head from there to Bergen or back to Oslo. I know Norway In a Nutshell is doable if we go to Bergen but would that be worthwhile if we do the train south?? See some of the same sights??
Trondheim to Oslo and Bergen to Oslo are different train routes.
Helpful read: https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around/by-train/
You can watch both train rides on Youtube.
Bergen - Oslo is just more known by NiN.
Imo Bergen is more scenic than Trondheim - the 4 hours there are enough to visit the very impressive cathedral.
Yes. Thanks for that website! ...and you tube tip.
If we do end up taking the ferry from Trondheim to Bergen then for sure we will do the train from there to Oslo, with or without NiN.
Have you already purchased/"locked in" this overall plan? Are you spending some time in Oslo and Bergen, too?
I'm also from the PNW and we're just pretty spoiled with our own mountains and scenery. I used the NIN Oslo to Bergen, although in early July pre-Covid, and to be honest was underwhelmed by the scenery along the route.
I hadn't heard of Hurtigruten - unless that's the ferry you mean? If not, consider checking their coastal options, departing from Bergen. The food (locally sourced) was fantastic and it was a relaxing way to see the coast. It's not "cruise-y" since it's a working ferry and cargo boat, plus people only using it for a stop or two besides the overnight cabins. (No ball gowns! Parkas and hiking boots!) It's expensive, but was a really memorable experience.
Just a thought! I used their on-board excursions including for Trondheim.
Have a wonderful trip!
Info: the coastal transport way Hurtigrute between Bergen and Kirkenes is operated by companies Hurtigruten and since a few years also by Havila. Route and ports are the same. Basic principle 2 ships per day for every port, one northbound, one southbound.
To me, the Hurtigruten scenery along the coast (I didn't go north of Trondheim) wasn't the same as what I saw during the Naeroyfjord ferry segment of the NiN route. And of course the Flamsbana is different in providing an aerial view.
Between Trondheim and Oslo an arguably more scenic rail route is the secondary route via Roros. It ends at Hamar for hourly commuter trains into Oslo.
Also in Trondheim a scenic route to take is the Graakallbanen- the most northerly tram route in the world. I've had great fun riding that (twice) and walking between the stations.
On a (very) light note I did yield to temptation once, and go from Trondheim to Hell and back. Hell being a village close to Trondheim Airport with a commuter station. Needless to say the word has a very different meaning in Norwegian.
I am currently on a Hurtigruten cruise, Day 10. I started in Bergen, went up to Kirkenes, and now we are heading back to Bergen, where we will arrive on Day 12.
The scenery has been good throughout, and it changes, so it's not the same everywhere. However, I would say the section between Tromsø and Trondheim was overall better than the secction between Bergen and Trondheim.
The excursions are different northbound and southbound, because of the time of day arriving in various ports. Since you are only going southbound, you won't have the same excursions (Geirgangerfjord and the Trollstigen road) that I had going northbound. And I don't believe the ship will be entering Geirangerfjord at all on the southbound route.
Tomorrow night I will be doing the excursion on the Atlantic Road, which is supposed to be pretty spectacular. That is south of Trondheim. That's the only thing you would miss if you go by another means of transportation. There is also the option of a very challenging hike in that part of the cruise, going from Kristiansund to Molde.
If you PM me, I can give you suggestions for excursions on the southbound route from Tromsø to Trondheim, both ones I did that I enjoyed and ones I did that I don't recommend.
Wow, thank you everyone!
The trip is not set in stone.....just the part going from Oslo to Tromso and then on to Trondheim.
I would like to do some train travel....maybe even do that on the way north instead of flying.
We will see the coast between Tromso and Trondheim so mostly just deciding where to go from there!!
The train from Oslo to Tromso is about a 32 hour trip. Long but spectacular by either route.
1- Day train Oslo to Trondheim, night train Trondheim to Fauske, Bus Fauske to Narvik, Bus Narvik to Tromso, arrive 1830. Get dinner somewhere and board at midnight.
2- Day train Oslo to Stockholm, night train Stockholm to Narvik, the same bus Narvik to Tromso.
Having done both I narrowly prefer the Stockholm route. It's a tough call, and the Trondheim route is a lot cheaper normally.
