Oslo Travel Forum

This is a variation of several questions posted here: My son and I are going to Stockholm and then Oslo in early June. We have four nights in Oslo. Didn't realize how far Bergen is from Oslo! Can someone tell me how long the train trip is? I guess we'd have to spend one night in Bergen? Do you know if there are bus trips? Maybe we could go at least half-way to see the scenery....My father was born in Oslo, we are very excited to finally go. Funds are very limited.....
Thanks for any help.

There are a couple of ways to do this trip, one is straight from Oslo to Bergen, the other is taking the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour which is a beautiful trip that changes from the first train in Oslo, to a smaller older train that goes thru fabulous scenery, to a long ride thru the fjords, a bus up the mountain where you can see where you came from, then the rest of the train into Bergen.

I cannot answer about bus (I am positive someone will) - but I cannot stress enough making some time for Bergen - at least a night with a good day and a half in Bergen, and that's cutting corners. Oslo is small, we did quite a bit in a long afternoon (although would have welcomed a little longer).

See www.nsb.no - the train ride takes around 7 hours, and I would definitely recommend spending at least one night in Bergen! Oslo-Bergen on a daytrip isn't really an option. Look for the "minipris" ticket on the nsb website (I also have a tip about "minipris" on my Norway page here on VT, feel free to read more there) - you could go by train from Oslo to Bergen for as little as 199NOK if you get one of those tickets (a limited number is available). Yes, you can travel Oslo-Bergen by bus, but it takes even longer than the train. See www.nor-way.no

The most interesting scenery is in western Norway - that's where you'll find the fjords! - and going half-way from Oslo to Bergen wouldn't really be worth it, in my opinion...the scenery gets more impressive as you get closer to Bergen...;o) You could of course do the Norway in a Nutshell if you want to see some of the fantastic scenery we've got in this country (you can't really leave Norway without having seen a fjord, can you?;o) - but if you do the Nutshell as a daytrip from Oslo you won't get to visit Bergen. www.norwaynutshell.com

I did the train trip from Bergen to Oslo and it took about 7 hrs.The scene was fantastic and was 7 hrs on my feet taking pics all the time.
Dont miss the tour of the fjords from Bergen which will take you to to Flam.
From Flam you can ride back with the train to Bergen after the fjord trip.

Hi- I am coming in May and am taking the Norway in a Nutshell tour (booked for 2 adults and a child it came to just under $600, very pricey to me but I have not yet run into anyone who didn't say it was great), and then with the wonderful FletteMette's advice I was able to get online minipris tickets back to Oslo; this saves a bundle. I was also able to book a Thon Hotel in Bergen through Expedia for far less than the Thon sites were showing me (although I have also found that if you email them you get a variety of different prices). I would highly recommend getting online to book the minipris train tickets if you already know your schedule.

oslonewcomer: It may be that you come at a time of a national holiday (if you saw FletteM's pages you probably already know) - if you are there during this time it will probably be a wonderful time to observe and enjoy this celebration.

I would love to take the fjord ferry to Kirkennes - but I already had booked for the VT meeting this year, but I have this in my list for next year!

:o) The national day is on May 17th, so they'll be too late if they come in early June. Late May / early June is my favourite time of the year for a trip to the fjords of western Norway - the weather tends to be nice (no promises, though!! But your chances of nice sunny weather are better than usual..;o) - lots of fruit trees in bloom in the fjord region, nice and green by the fjord but still snow in the mountains - beautiful!!! I really do recommend travelling to Bergen and the fjords - it is, after all, the best part of Norway!! (Biased, me!? Nah...;o)

I can't thank you enough for your response. I will rearrange my stay in Norway to include a couple of days in Bergen. Sounds like I shouldn't miss it!
Thank you again.
Joyce