We will be on a cruise and it will be docked in Ulvik. Would anyone suggest a trip from there to Flam ?
Is it worth with the time and how would I travel there ?
I only have 9-10 hrs. The cruise recently changed ports , no explanation as to why that occurred .
I am happy to hire an agency to plan the trip.
Millie
I doubt very much you even have the time. Ulvik is a tender port meaning that you are not in control of your own destiny as to what time you get ashore (likely to be ship's excursions first) and will have to be back at least an hour before the official departure time for last tenders.
It is 2 hours, give or take to Flam each way- it would have to be by private car at huge expense. There is public transport but no way will it work to that compressed schedule.
It is very unlikely you would have time either to do the railway or the Naeroyfjord cruise - the two big reasons to go to Flam. You certainly couldn't book either- it would be down to availability on the day.
I'm just scratching my head why you would go to Flam when you are on an arm of the Hardangerfjord- one of three of Norway's greatest fjords but not so well visited probably because it takes rather more effort to get there, than train to bus to train.
Are you aware that there is a Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell package (the same as Norway in a Nutshell)? - https://www.fjordtours.com/en/norway/tours/hardangerfjord-in-a-nutshell
It is normally done as a Bergen to Bergen day trip, but can be done from Voss to Voss.
But you should be able to get someone to put together the highlights of the H in a Nutshell as an Ulvik to Ulvik day excursion. That is what I would fully expect the ship to do, and is a classic case of taking a ship's excursion will clearly be the most efficient way to do it.
IMO, the village of Flåm itself certainly isn't worth the time or the $$. While the cruise on the Naeroyfjord is scenic, you will be in Ulvik. So I would spend my time and $$ on something in the beautiful Hardangerfjord area.
What shore excursions does your cruise line offer? When are you traveling? The area is know as the orchard of Norway. Perhaps take the cider route or go to Vøringfossen Waterfall. You can join a kayaking or hiking trip or the RIB boat safari.
Be sure to be out on deck when you're ship cruises on the Ulvikafjord before arriving in Ulvik.
Thank you .
The ship cancelled the flam excursion and does not offer much on that day.
I appreciate your input .
Millie
The easiest way to get to the waterfall independently is to take the scheduled ferry at 1115 from Ulvik to Eidfjord, returning at 1520- https://www.norled.no/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-Rute-pris-Hardanger-1.pdf
and then the connecting Waterfall Express tour bus- https://www.bookhardanger.com/products/voringsfossen-waterfall-tour/
However, as this is a port change, the cruise line is probably still setting up replacement port excursions.
Note that, without this port change, Ulvik only had 10 cruise ships scheduled in the entire year of 2026, and the same for 2027, so this is a boost for the town. None of those cruise calls was especially big ships- all small to medium sized.
Eidfjord is the usual cruise port in Hardangerfjord.
I would be up at first light and/or up until last light on deck for the long sail in up the Hardangerfjord. I can sleep when at sea!!, and would dine quickly in the buffet that day.
