Question: Stockholm-Bergen-Nutshell

Matt - I would tell you if flying is best for you do so. The Oslo-Bergen train is nice for a train ride, but I wouldn't consider it rave worthy. Certainly when you factor in a total of 12 hours of train travel starting in Stockholm. I would furthermore say that if you are doing the Nutshell you will be on part of that train ride anyway and in fact on some of the better parts.

In 2005 we flew to Bergen, rented a car, drove to Voss (Fleischer's Hotel), then to Flam (spectacular drive, took the Flam train round trip), drove to Vik (stave church), ferry to Balestrand (Kvikne's Hotel), drove to Geiranger (Grande Fjord Hotel), ferry down the length of the Geiranger Fjord (absolutely spectacular), drove back to Bergen. We spent two days at each spot except Bergen, but one night would have been OK if time were limited. The trip was spectacular, the scenery the most beautiful anywhere except perhaps Banff-Jasper. PM me if you would like more information. Driving in Norway was very easy, excellent roads.

Mike/Cynthia - Thank you so much for your replies. It sounds like--as I had hoped--that the real goal should be getting to the fjords and that the train ride from Oslo is really just a happy convenience (since most travelers aren't coming from Stockholm).

Would you think 4 days in the Sognefjord area too much time? I'd like to do some kayaking and hiking as well as the usual breath-taking boat tours (and some bits in Bergen).

best,
matt

I would say you summed up my opinion pretty well Matt. Nice if you have to do it but get to the Fjords :)

Is 4 days too much. Ill say this for the region and again just my opinion. The only thing that would make anything too long there is my pocketbook. Otherwise for someone who likes Hiking/Kayaking the outdoors you can find weeks worth of things to do and enjoy.

I was very disappointed in the train ride from Oslo to Flam. Parts were pretty, but nothing was spectacular. I seem to remember going through tunnels where you couldn't see anything. The fjords on the other hand were fabulous, and I loved Bergen.

Matt: flying to Bergen is a great idea. Most of the railroad "scenery" between Stockholm-Oslo-Bergen is trees,,,trees and more trees !!! From Bergen you can do the "nutshell tour" in reverse. Train from Bergen to Myrdal,,change train,,to Flam,,,ferry from Flam to Gudvangen,,,public bus to Voss,,,train back to Bergen

Hi Everyone - Thanks again for your great advice.

I'm thinking of taking the express boat to Balestrand (making that my home base for 3 days) and trying to do the Sognefjord in bits and pieces. Any random thoughts on this?

Or would I be better served taking the Nutshell train in reverse (Myrdal-Flam-Gundvarn), then making my way to Balestrand (or other lodging), and just enjoying the rest of the Sognefjord as I can?

Sorry to be a nervous nelly and asking nitpicky questions...I just don't want to get there and find I screwed up :)

All - I have a followup question, if anyone can help.

I'd like to do the Norway in a Nutshell tour to get to the fjord area, but then hop off and use public transportation to get from Gudvangen to Balestrand and parts beyond.

Has anyone done this? It seems that Gudvangen is a terminus for tour groups...I can't find much info on staying in the area after the Nutshell tour.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Matt - To the best of my knowledge Norway In a Nutshell is just a mechanism to book a bunch of publically available trips in one go and take a lot of the leg work out of it. You can book any part of it yourself through the railroads or fjord1.

Both Gudvangen and Flam are very much in my opinion Tourist Depots. Definitely a couple of places to choose from in Flam though. Know that there is a bus between Gudvangen and Flam that is much cheaper and only takes like 15 minutes.