Looking for pros and cons for either driving the northern route to the Sonjefjord through Lillehammer and over the "snow road" or doing the train from Oslo incorporating the "Norway in a nutshell" route with a couple days to stay overnight near the fjords. This trip is being planned for next summer. Thanks.
Posted by
Lafayette, Colorado
82 posts
Jeani, Just returned from Norway. We took the train from Oslo, took the scenic train to Flam then took the express boat to Balestrand where we stayed for 2 nights. Loved it. The scenery was incredible and as a person who tends to do a lot of driving, it was a pleasure to sit back and soak in the scenery. We took side trips to Vik to see the wonderful stave kirke, and also went to see the glacier(both items outlined in Rick's book). We then took the express boat to Bergen. The youth hostel in Balestrand has en suite rooms with fantastic balcony views! I can't comment on the driving but the train/boat option worked well for us!
Posted by
343 posts
Having driven that route, I would say do the train. Norway has fantastic public transportation - busses, ferries, and trains - and you can really see great stuff without driving. (We always drive on our trips, but if/when we return to Norway, we won't be driving because of the other great options.)