Oslo Travel Forum

Hi again -- We will probably do as the wise FletteMette suggested, taking a one way NIN from Oslo- Bergen on 5/12. It seems nicer to stay the night in Bergen and then return, rather than a night train after all that travel. It looks like I can get minipris tickets for the return trip and save some money.

I will be with partner, elderly parents, and a cheerful 4 1/2 year old -- a few questions:
1) are we unwise to do it in one day and land in Bergen that night?
2) advice on comfortable, quiet, not-too-expensive accommodations?
3) Would you recommend staying 2 nights in Bergen so that we have one day to see Bergen, and then leave the next morning to arrive back in oslo (just in time to fly home to U.S. next day
4) are minipris tickets for a particular kind of seat, or just cheap tickets for people who plan ahead?
5) any advice on food (veggie) in Bergen, or on where we go in oslo to prepare a nice basket of cheeses, fruits, bread or something for the trip?

Many thanks-

Haha! ;o)

1) It will be a long day, but at least you change from trains to boats and buses, so it hopefully shouldn't be *that* boring for the 4 1/2 year old? :o) Personally I'd choose to go to Bergen, and stay one or more nights (there's obviously a lot more to do in Bergen than in tiny places like Flåm or Stalheim - and especially for a child that probably isn't really that into scenery and hiking...:o)

2) Budget? What's "not too expensive"?:o) Are you looking for hotels, or apartments...? There's some info here: http://www.bergen-guide.com/652.htm and http://www.bergen-guide.com/accommodation.asp If you want an apartment, then I've heard good things about this one: http://www.alvehuset.no/home.asp(I haven't stayed there myself, though!)

3) I always recommend staying in Bergen as long as possible. ;o) But yes, I think Bergen is well worth a couple of days! There are several activities that should be fun for a 4 1/2 year old - the Aquarium is quite nice, they've got crocodiles and all sorts there now, and penguins of course - the Funicular up to Mount Fløyen is also good fun! (Me, I loved the fish market when I was little, I loved watching the live fish and lobsters swimming around in tanks - ok, perhaps I was a slightly weird kid;o)

4)Minipris tickets are just like ordinary tickets - only cheaper. (And with some restrictions, ie the ticket can't be changed, etc)

5) * Pastasentalen (pasta and pizza -the pizzas are very good!) has loads of veggie food. There are several reviews here on VT (And also one on my veggie blog, link on my HP - I'm going home to Bergen for Easter and will probably update my blog with more restaurant reviews then..:o)
* Harbour Cafe for the veggie burger.
* Vågen Fetevare has great sandwiches, and is an *excellent* place for lunch! (It's pretty cheap too)
* The Vietnamese place in Marken (near the train station), Bambus, has got several veggie options on the menu (lots of tofu..) - all the Indian, Chinese, Thai, Italian...places are generally good places for veggie food.

I second what FletteMette says. It's too long a trip to just do in one day.
btw, there are only a few minipris tickets per train, and they get sold fast

Just to be clear, you are both saying that it's o.k. (if a bit much) to do the entire Oslo-Bergen Norway in a Nutshell in one day, just not the night train back, right?
Thanks so much for all the food suggestions-
Melinda

What I am saying is that Bergen is worth a couple of days at least.