I am planning a trip to Norway, and am planning to spend 2 days/2nights traveling the Fjords. It seems like there are a lot of different travel packages available, but they aren't the most cost friendly. I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on how to travel from Oslo to either Balestrand or Trondheim (and wich of the two are recommended?), and then from Balestrand or Tondheim to Bergen. (I would be purchasing a rail pass also) Thanks!
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
Hi Nicole - I loved Balestrand - and stayed for a few days at the Balestrand Hotel. The owners are so cool and very friendly (just as Rick says in his book) - they are now a good friends of mine after just one visit! The owner lady married an american and they live in Bay Area SF, but go home to Norway all summer!
I did one of the cruises express boats from Bergen to Balestrand. They also had lots of tours packaged from Bergen - one going to the glacier and the other fjords nearby. Fjord-tours.com is a great start but you can buy local at the TI in Bergen or Oslo. Also Fjordtravel.no is a nice one from the tourist dept i think.
In Baleastrand they also have extra tours to their local glaciers from the town so if you stay a nite or too you can travel around locally. They have speical local tours from the big hotel nearby for all the british travelers too - so the hotel folks can help you book those too!
Have fun!
Posted by
southwest, Missouri, U.S.A.
1717 posts
Hi Nicole. If you want to be on a Fjord, do not go to Trondheim. The bay that is between Trondheim and the Ocean is called a "Fjord", but I think you will not have time for riding on a ship from Trondheim to Bergen. Information about travelling from Oslo to Balestrand to Bergen is in the book "Rick Steves' SCANDINAVIA", under the heading TRANSPORTATION CONNECTIONS at the end of the chapter "MORE on the SOGNEFJORD : Balestrand". And the schedule of the fast boat that goes from Flam to Balestram to Bergen is under the heading "SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES : On the Aurlandsfjord, near the Nutshell Route : Sognefjord Scenic Express Boat" in the chapter "NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL". If you do that trip, I recommend : have overnight accomodation at Balestrand. Doing that trip (Oslo to Bergen, via Balestrand) in two days, requires departing from Oslo in a train at 8:11 A.M. (The train schedule could change). If you go there in the summer, get reservations for everything, two months in advance. That travel route, by trains and boats, is a wonderful scenic way to see Norway.