Fjord Norway Adventure: Explore 12 Spectacular Trips by Train, Bus, and Boat

Traveling Sustainably in Norway: Exploring the Best Routes

Traveling sustainably means using public transportation for long distances. Norway boasts an extensive network of buses, trains, and boats, enabling you to reach your desired destinations. All three modes of transportation offer scenic experiences, providing a comfortable journey with a low environmental footprint. We’ve compiled some of the best journeys by bus, train, and boat, allowing you to experience Norway from the ground as you travel from city to village!

Bus Tours from Fjord to Mountain

1. The Sognefjord Express from Bergen to Sogndal

• Time: 4 hours
• Description: If you want to see the best of Western Norway, join the Sognefjord Express from Bergen, stopping at the adrenaline-filled Voss, idyllic Flåm, and beautiful Lærdal. For a real adventure, disembark in Voss to try out adrenaline-pumping activities. If you get off at Flåm, you can take the world-famous Flåm Railway, and in Lærdal, you can hike in a beautiful rural landscape along Vindhellavegen.

2. Oslo to Måløy: Coast to Coast

• Time: 10 hours
• Description: Prepare for a coast-to-coast journey from Oslo to Måløy, with stunning mountain landscapes along the way. You’ll pass Lillehammer and Øyer, as well as the popular ski resort Hafjell. The route continues up to Gudbrandsdalen, often referred to as “the valley of valleys” due to its idyllic nature. When the bus turns at Lom, you can choose to travel further by other means to climb the mountains in Jotunheimen or push your limits in adrenaline-filled Loen. Upon arriving in Måløy, you can climb Europe’s highest sea cliff, Hornelen.

3. The Southern Coastal Route: Oslo – Stavanger

• Time: About 9.5 hours
• Description: For a long bus journey along the coast, Norway’s southern coastal route is worth the trip. It runs between the major cities of Oslo and Stavanger, with the capital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, located midway. Relax in comfortable seats and enjoy the view with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. The bus trip takes you through both fjord landscapes and lush forests before finally offering views of the fantastic surf beaches along Jæren. Note that there are not many stops along the way, as the bus only turns into places where tickets have been booked in advance. Consider breaking up the journey before boarding, so the bus driver knows where to drop you off.

Experience Norway from the Water

1. Stavanger – Flørli – Lysebotn

• Description: The boat trip from Stavanger into Lysefjorden has long been a tourist magnet, and for good reason. The view you’ll experience is otherworldly, and you’ll get to see the famous Pulpit Rock stretching out over Lysefjorden from a completely different angle. Stop by Flørli to climb the world’s longest wooden staircase with 4444 steps. At the top, you’ll have an even better view of the fjord. Choose whether to stay overnight in Flørli or perhaps deeper in Lysebotn before returning to Stavanger to get close to nature – although you can also return the same day.

2. Bergen – Rosendal

• Description: Every local Bergen resident knows that the most beautiful and fastest way to get to Hardanger is by boat from Bergen to Rosendal. In the beautiful village of Rosendal, you can visit Scandinavia’s smallest castle dating back to 1665 or wander around the cozy streets and visit charming cafes. A visit to the educational Folgefonn Centre is almost a must, as you’ll get close to the history and environmental efforts for Hardangerfjorden and Folgefonna National Park. This is a great interest point before heading up to Trolltunga or visiting the Folgefonna glacier. The boat trip from Bergen to Rosendal offers spectacular views into the fjords and is a great way to start your adventure in Norway!

3. Ålesund – Hjørundfjorden

• Description: Near the popular Geirangerfjord lies Hjørundfjorden. The magnificent untouched nature stretches up the mountain walls, and the entire fjord is surrounded by the majestic Sunnmøre Alps. On the trip inside, you’ll pass many small village communities with no road connections: the boat is the only way in and out! The ferry taking you inside the fjord acts in many ways as a fjord bus for the inhabitants and is a historical boat as MS Bruvik is Norway’s best-preserved fjord bus. Choose whether you want a short or long trip, how many places you want to visit on the beautiful stretch, and how many overnight stays you have time for. It’s indeed possible to hop from village to village to take in all the hidden gems, or just take a day trip in and out of the fjord in one day.

The Telemark Canal

• Description: If you’re visiting Eastern Norway, the Telemark Canal is a great stop to experience a different way to travel. The unique canal journey takes you from Skien inward to Dalen, considered the gateway to Western Telemark. Here, you’ll ride on classic boats that navigate through a spectacular system of locks. If you choose to go all the way from Skien to Dalen, the journey takes just under 11 hours one way, so here you should combine it with an overnight stay in the idyllic village of Dalen when you arrive.

The Classic Long Journey

• Description: It’s also possible to travel the classic long route to experience everything coastal Norway has to offer. Join the Hurtigruten from Bergen to Kirkenes, which has been named “The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage” multiple times. The entire journey takes 11 days round-trip, and you’ll stop at beautiful coastal towns along the way while experiencing the wildlife along the coast and observing both mountains and fjords. Be sure to book tickets early, as this magical trip is popular among both Norwegians and visitors from all corners of the world!

The World’s Most Beautiful Train Journeys

1. The Dovre Railway

• Length: 485 kilometers
• Time: 6 hours and 45 minutes
• Description: If you’re traveling from Oslo and want to get close to Norwegian nature and rural culture, the Dovre Railway will be an unforgettable journey. You’ll travel through Hamar, Lillehammer, Gudbrandsdalen, Dombås, Dovrefjell, Hjerkinn, Oppdal, Støren, and Trondheim. Hidden treasures lie like pearls on a string, but what can you actually discover along the journey if you wish to disembark the train? The absolute highlights are climbing Snøhetta (2286 meters above sea level) if you get off the train at Hjerkinn and joining a musk ox safari on Dovrefjell at Oppdal station. For a culinary experience, a stop in Gudbrandsdalen is a must, where you can enjoy traditional food in “the valley of valleys.” The landscape in Gudbrandsdalen is incredibly beautiful and offers genuine nostalgic rural museums. For a detour to Dovrefjell or Rondane, you can get off at Dombås station, 659 meters above sea level.

2. The Nordland Railway

• Length: 726 kilometers
• Time: 10+ hours
• Description: To travel environmentally friendly between Trondheim and Bodø, the train is the best mode of transport. This is Norway’s northernmost railway, connecting with the Dovre Railway from Oslo to Trondheim. Here, you’ll see coastal landscapes, inland plains, and high mountains. The British newspaper The Guardian has named the Nordland Railway one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys, and the trip offers many great highlights. If you’re extra lucky, you’ll witness the dancing Northern Lights, and in the summer, you can observe nature as long as you wish thanks to the long bright nights. On the Nordland Railway, you’ll also cross Saltfjellet, where the Arctic Circle is located. Crossing the Arctic Circle, you’ll pass the line that indicates where in the world there is polar night and midnight sun. It’s north of the Arctic Circle where you have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, and it’s also here the sun never sets. This is a natural stop on the journey, and around the visitor center, you’ll find many great hiking trails. One of these leads to Saltfjellet, and another route leads to Svartisen National Park, home to Norway’s second-largest glacier. If you get off at Tverlandet station, you’ll also be able to see Saltstraumen, the world’s strongest maelstrom.

3. The Bergen Railway

• Length: 371 kilometers
• Time: Between 5 and 6 hours
• Description: The Bergen Railway has been named one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys by Lonely Planet, and it has also received significant attention domestically. NRK broadcasted the program “The Bergen Railway minute by minute” so that all Norwegians could follow the dramatic landscape from their own living room, but it’s still a completely different experience to be on the train and take in all the impressions. The route goes from Hønefoss to Bergen, with the highest point at Finse. The first highlight along the Bergen Railway is Hallingdal, where families will find many activities and get close to the predators in the Bear Park. Not far away lies Hemsedal, Norway’s ski paradise in winter, which transforms into a hiking paradise in summer. Midway on the journey, the train stops at Geilo, which has Northern Europe’s longest zipline. After this, the climb to the highest point on the journey, Finse, begins. Shortly thereafter, the descent begins because of Myrdal (where the Flåm Railway starts) and further to the extreme sports village of Voss. Finally, the mountains end, and you will have a panoramic view of the sea as the train rolls into Bergen station.

Norway in a Nutshell

• Description: To have an unforgettable experience, it might be wise to join a combination tour where you can take a train, boat, and bus through the best Norway has to offer. The “Norway in a Nutshell” tour takes you on a train journey with both the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway, a boat trip to Aurlandsfjorden and Nærøyfjorden, and a bus ride down the steepest road you’ll find in Northern Europe, Stalheimskleiva. This is an ideal choice for those who want to experience as much as possible in the shortest time, as the tour can be completed in just one day. It’s also a fantastic choice for those who want a tailor-made package to the most beautiful Norway has to offer, with overnight stays at each location to truly take everything in.