We need a little help for an unusual Scandinavia itinerary

I'm a bit confused regarding your concern about a mid-trip flight. If you went back to Oslo, were you then planning on taking a train from Oslo to Stockholm? That's a long time sitting in trains.

But one solution might be to fly directly from Oslo to Bergen the day you land in Oslo, so you don't even have to leave the airport. (Of course there's a risk if you are delayed, but you can weigh that against other options.) Then do the NiN eastbound, ending in Oslo, and then stay there however many nights you want before heading to Stockholm.

Personally, I'd recommend spending a couple of nights in Bergen. If I were doing this trip, I'd do 3 nights in Oslo, 1 night in Balestrand, 2 nights in Bergen, and then fly to Stockholm and stay 4 nights there.

It sounds like you're stressing out a bit about this trip. Try to figure out how to leave the stress behind and just enjoy it. You're going to some wonderful places. Pack as light as you can and have fun!

Fly from Bergen to Stockholm. It will be much faster than the train, which is important for a short trip like yours.

I wouldn't worry about running out of things to do in Stockholm if you are there for 5 nights! I was there for 3 nights in May and would have gladly taken 2 more nights there.

I also vote for flying from Bergen to Stockholm.

These are exactly the type of responses I was hoping for. We've been doing trips with a couple 2-4 hour train rides included, like France, Germany/Austria/Prague, and Italy. It's becoming clear that this one doesn't make sense to be done that way. We appreciate the help and I'll re-post if we need more. thanks

I agree with the suggestion to fly from Bergen to Stockholm. Two years ago my wife and I visited Bergen, Oslo and Stockholm--unfortunately for us it rained most of the time. You might want to consider 3 days and nights in Oslo, the fourth day departing Oslo early, experience the "nutshell", and arrive in Bergen the fourth night, the next two days and one night in Bergen, flying to Stockholm the afternoon or evening of the second day in Bergen (sixth day overall), and spend the remaining four days and nights in Stockholm--reserving one of the days to visit the archipelago. Once you disembark the train from Oslo at Myrdal are you planning the Flam Railway-Ferry-Bus loop or doing a two-way trip on the Flam Railway? I would assume the "nutshell" journey from Oslo to Bergen caters to those with luggage, but if you're traveling light (I assume one piece of luggage each and maybe a back-pack) it wouldn't be so bad to change modes a few times. During the visit I mentioned earlier, we were on a train from Zurich to Stuttgart ( yes, it’s a long way from Norway, and that's a long story), and in the middle of the route, there was something awry with the tracks and we had to get off the train, on a bus, off the bus, and on another train—with luggage of course. It was a nuisance, but that's part of the "adventure" one could say.

In response to Jon, we are doing the traditional Nutshell train, ferry, bus inverted-U trip. It looks like we're booked for exactly your suggestion and with the other above input....3 nights in Oslo, Nutshell, 2 nights in Bergen, then fly to Stockholm to finish it out in that area. Can't wait! Thanks to everyone