The Flåm Railway: A Local’s Complete Guide
The Flåm Railway, known locally as Flåmsbana, is one of Norway’s most breathtaking train journeys, offering travelers a unique glimpse into the country’s dramatic natural landscapes.
Winding its way through 20 kilometers of sheer mountain scenery, the railway descends 867 meters from the mountainous station at Myrdal to the quaint fjord village of Flåm.
As a local who grew up in the area, this railway was more than a tourist attraction; it was a vital connection to the world beyond our picturesque village. I remember my time working in the ticket office, where I witnessed firsthand the Flåm Railway’s growing popularity among tourists from around the globe, all eager to experience its stunning vistas and rich history.
The journey is not merely a train ride; it’s an unforgettable experience that showcases the natural beauty and engineering marvels of Norway.
In this blog post I hope to answer all your questions about the Flåm Railway, including information about tickets, booking, history and of course a few local tips!
Table of Contents
Article Highlights:
- The Flåm Railway is a beautiful 1-hour train journey from Flåm to Myrdal in western Norway
- It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway, and has been named amongst the most beautiful rail journeys in the world
- It is absolutely necessary to book tickets in advance in the summer months
- Myrdal is just a train station, so you can book a return ticket from Flåm, returning immediately on the same train (2 hours total)
- You can also take the train one-way, and either hike or bike back to Flåm (you can also add the Flåm Zipline)
Side note: If you have arrived in Flåm by train (from either Bergen or Oslo), you have already gone on the Flåm Railway! Instead, you should explore all the other fun activities in Flåm.
The History of the Flåm Railway
The railway project kicked off in the 1920s, with the goal of connecting the little town of Flåm to Myrdal, an important spot on the Bergen Line.
Why? Because back then, Flåm didn’t exactly have highways, and getting anywhere involved either a sturdy pair of hiking boots or a serious skills upgrade in kayaking. Historically speaking, the fjords used to be our highways in western Norway.
Building this railway wasn’t easy as it wasn’t your average straight stretch of track. The Flåmsbana climbs 867 meters from sea level to the mountain, making it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world.
To nail those insane inclines, they had to get creative with tunnels (there are 20 of them!), hairpin bends, and use a lot of sheer determination.
Fun fact: 18 out of the 20 had to be carved by hand. Imagine trying to dig through solid rock with little more than willpower and a pickaxe. Talk about a workout.
The most famous tunnel (and the most impressive, in my opinion) is the 1,320-meter-long (4,330 feet) Nåli Tunnel, which spirals through the mountains to minimize the gradient.
Basically, when you enter the tunnel you have a spectacular view of the Flåm Valley on one side of the train, and when you exit, the same view is on the other side!
Finally, in 1940, after almost two decades of hard work, the Flåm Railway opened. What began as a way to move goods and mail quickly became a sensational way to immerse travellers in Norway’s jaw-dropping natural beauty.
Today, over a million passengers take the ride annually, and it has become one of Norway’s #1 tourist attractions!
Historical highlights / key dates
- 1923: Construction begins – The Flåm Railway project is initiated to connect the village of Flåm with the main railway line in Myrdal.
- 1940: Official opening – The Flåm Railway opens to the public, providing a vital link between Flåm and Myrdal. In 1940 it was mainly used for cargo, and in 1941 it started transporting passengers.
- 1944: Full electrification – The line is fully electrified, marking a significant technological advancement and making the journey more efficient and environmentally friendly.
- 1960s: Increase in tourism – The Flåm Railway starts gaining popularity as a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world to experience the scenic journey.
- 1998: The Flåm Railway Museum opens – The museum is established to preserve the rich history of the railway and educate visitors about its construction and operation.
- 2010s: Record passenger numbers – The railway reaches a milestone of over 500,000 passengers annually, highlighting its importance as a tourist destination. This increases to almost 800’000 by 2015.
These milestones capture the evolution of the Flåm Railway from a functional transportation route to a celebrated tourist experience.
The best place to learn more about the history of Flåmsbana, and its impact on the local communities surrounding it, is by visiting the Flåm Railway Museum. The museum is free to enter, and will really enhance your railway experience.
The Route & Scenery: The Flåm Valley
Now, what exactly does the Flåm Railway experience feel like? First off, I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that this isn’t just a train ride—it’s like stepping into a National Geographic documentary.
The ride begins at Flåm station, a village that on a quiet day feels as cozy as a Norwegian wool sweater. On departure, the Aurlandsfjord will slowly start fading into the distance.
Things only get better from there as the train meanders through tunnels (did I mention there are 20?), scaling those steep inclines like it’s no big deal.
There’s something special around every corner. One minute, it’s a tranquil stream reflecting the sky like a mirror. The next, it’s rocky cliffs that look like they’ve existed since time itself began. And yes, you’ll definitely want to keep your camera handy.
The scenery is completely different from the fjord landscape you see on the fjord cruise to Gudvangen! Here’s why you should do both on your trip.
Thanks to its slow pace, there’s plenty of time to soak in the views or replay the “is this actually real life?” thought in your head. Plus, the train has pretty big windows, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house (I mean, carriage).
Of course, the scenery is different depending on the time of year you visit Flåm. In the spring and summer, the Flåm Valley comes alive with vibrant greens and colors. In the Autumn (my favorite time of year), the valley is bright orange and yellow. Whilst in the winter, as you climb you’ll see the landscape transform from nude and lifeless to a beautiful winter fairytale.
Side note: I’ve covered everything you need to know about visiting the area in the winter here!
Flåm Railway Stations
- Flåm
- Lunden
- Håreina
- Dalsbotn
- Berekvam (this is where the two trains meet – the only spot along the line with two tracks)
- Blomheller
- Kårdal
- Kjosfossen (not a station, but a 5-minute waterfall stop – I strongly advice that you get out of the train to take photos)
- Reinunga
- Vatnahalsen (this is where to get off if you are going on the Flåm Zipline, or staying at Vatnahalsen Hotel)
- Myrdal
Practical Tips & Facts About the Flåm Railway
Below I share some practical information, and my best tips for going on the Flåm Railway!
The carriages have a rather old fashioned layout, with rows of 2 and 3 seats facing each other in groups (you’ll see what I mean in the video further down). This is perfect for families of 4-6, as you can all sit together and enjoy the views through your window.
However, this is a little trickier if you are travelling on your own or in a couple. If you don’t get a window seat, you may be sat out on the 3rd row from the window, and have to look past other people leaning forward to marvel at the view.
Luckily, the windows onboard are big, and ideal for such a scenic journey.
My best tip when it comes to seating is to show up at least 20 minutes before departure to be ready to board. My second best tip is to team up with another pair of travellers, and snag a group of seats together. If you are all travelling on a return trip, you can swap seats halfway.
After all, the train travels up the valley, and then right back down on the same track.
If you are travelling just one way, my opinion is that the best view is on the right side of the train (when going from Flåm to Myrdal – from Myrdal to Flåm it’s the left).
If you are travelling both ways, my best tip is to team up with another group or family and swap sides halfway!
Side note: if you are staying in Flåm, don’t miss my overview of all the hotels and places to stay!
Things to be aware of
Now that I have built up the Flåm Railway and your expectations of the journey are really high, I have to point out some things I think are important.
For the majority of the journey there is no phone signal. So, take your photos and videos and enjoy the view – you won’t be able to post anything to social media until you reach either Myrdal or Flåm again.
Another thing to be aware of is that the train is quite old and running on the steepest tracks in the country. This equates to some insane screeching sounds, that get especially loud in the tunnels (gotta love that echo). My best tip to make this more enjoyable is to close the windows on the train inside the tunnels.
Yes, some windows open at the very top – but not all. And some of the ones who are supposed to open, don’t. You’ll figure it out once you’re onboard.
Lastly, I want to advice you to dress comfortably and according to the season. There is heating systems onboard the train, which is a little helpful in the winter (but still, you need layers as the heaters aren’t the most efficient). However, in the summer, you’ll be disappointed to hear there is no A/C.
Luckily, Norwegian summers are quite mild and comfortable, but if it’s a really sunny day, and the train is at capacity, you’ll have 500 people plus the sun heating up those carriages.
Therefore, just make sure you have dressed comfortably, and that you have all the layers you need to add (or remove) for the journey.
Flåm Railway Quick Facts
Journey time: Just under 1 hour (if you get a return ticket, assume it will take you 2 hours including the time spent at Myrdal)
Capacity: 500 people
Daily departures: 4-9 depending on the time of year – the schedule is posted here
Length: 20,4 kilometers / 12,7 miles
Is there just one train? No, there are two trains/locomotives going up and down the valley, usually departing Flåm and Myrdal around the same time so they can meet halfway
How many tracks are there: There is just 1 track in the Flåm Railway, with a double track at Berekvam station (where the two trains meet)
About Myrdal (how long should you stay there, things to do)
When I worked at the ticket office in Flåm, I spent most of my time trying to talk travellers out of booking separate one-way tickets on the railway. They wanted to do this because they (naturally) assumed that Myrdal was a big attraction where they should spend a few hours before returning to Flåm.
I was constantly asked “what is there to do in Myrdal?” and “How long should we stay in Myrdal?“
And constantly, I had to say “nothing” and “you shouldn’t“.
No hate to Myrdal, it is beautiful up there. But it is just a train station. Literally.
Myrdal is a train station connecting the Flåm Railway to the Bergen line. Some locals have cabins up there, and there is a small café and tiny gift shop inside the station building for those waiting to connect.
Other than that, there is nothing to do in Myrdal and no reason to spend any time there. All you need to do once you’re there is to travel from Myrdal to Flåm.
The Flåm Railway usually waits 5-12 minutes in Myrdal before returning back the same way it came from, and that’s more than enough to allow those connecting from Oslo or Bergen to board.
Hopefully this was helpful to anyone wondering whether they should stay in Myrdal.
Booking Flåm Railway Tickets
It can actually be a little confusing to book tickets for the Flåm Railway, mainly because there are two outlets where you can do so.
Which one to use depends on whether you are travelling one way (either to reach Oslo, Bergen or another destination in Norway) or if you are booking a return ticket (for example if you are staying in Flåm).
If you are travelling just one way on the Flåm Railway, you can book your ticket on the Vy website. There, you can book your entire train journey, as it includes the Bergensbanen (Oslo Bergen Line) as well.
If you are looking for a return trip on the Flåm Railway, starting in either Myrdal or Flåm, you can book it on Norway’s Best.
If you are travelling to Flåm from Bergen, and want to experience both the fjords and the Flåm Railway, you can also book this package including the Sognefjord express boat and the Flåm Railway. I have covered more tours to Flåm from Bergen here.
If you have a Eurrail or Interrail pass, you are entitled to a 30% discount on the one-way Flåm Railway ticket (not the return). The discounted tickets are not available online, and must be purchased at a manned train station in Norway (such as the station in Flåm), or through Vy’s Customer Service.
Booking tickets in advance
A lot of people ask me if they need to book their Flåm Railway tickets in advance. The answer is YES. The Flåm Railway will sell out in the summer months – especially on days there are cruise ships in port.
You can check the cruise arrivals list for Flåm here, but regardless of whether there is a cruise ship in port on the day you are visiting or not, I always recommend you book your ticket in advance.
And if you are one of the passengers on the cruise ship hoping to go on the Flåm Railway, I am happy to share that the Flåm Railway station is just a short walk from the cruise port.
Read later: How much time do you need in Flåm?
Flåm Railway Video
The video below shows a glimpse of what it is like to travel on the Flåm Railway. If you have 9 minutes I recommend you watch the whole thing!
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my inside scoop on one of Norway’s most iconic attractions. Riding the Flåm Railway is more than a simple train ride; it’s an experience, a feast for the senses, and a deep breath of fresh Norwegian air.
Okay, that was dramatic. But I know you’re gonna love it.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone just starting their adventure bucket list, this is a ride you won’t want to miss.
Now, the next move is yours. Book your tickets, pack your bags (don’t forget your camera), and prepare for a truly magical ride.
If you have any questions at all, leave them in a comment! I try to answer comments regularly, and try my best to update these guides if comments/questions come up that should’ve been included in the first place. As a local, it’s easy for me to forget to mention things, so I really appreciate everyone taking the time to leave a comment.
Read next: How to travel between Flåm and the other fjord villages
53 Comments
Byron
Hi, thanks for your helpful insights into activities in the Flåm area. We would like to take the train from Flåm to Myrdal station then bike back to Flåm. Is it best to book a one way train ticket to Myrdal and rent a bike in Myrdal separately for the return, or would it be better to purchase a package that includes one way train ride and bike rental in Flåm? Do you have a recommendation for bike rental (i.e. best bikes and service)? Thanks in advance!
Lisa
If you know you are planning on the train and bike, then you should definitely book the package in advance to be guaranteed your bikes and train tickets 🙂 There are very few bike rentals in the area, and they do on a rare occasion run out of bikes (however, it is more likely that the Flåm railway can sell out). So I would recommend just booking the package 🙂 Have fun!
Anish Patel
Is there anyway to reserve a Taxi or Car to come back from Myrdal Station to Flam Station if you don’t want to use the train? We are 4 adults. Thank you.
Lisa
Please read the guide above, I believe it explains pretty clearly that there is no road connection for cars between Myrdal and Flåm.
Lynn Harris
We want to rent bikes from Myrdal to Flam and train back. We will be coming g from Oslo on our way to Bergen. A few questions:
1. Where can we leave our bags?
2. Even better, Is there a way for our bags to get to Flam while we ride bicycles?
3. Should we stay overnight in Flam?
Thanks for your interesting and helpful post,
Lynn
Lisa
Thank you for your questions! I have done my best to answer them below:
1. There are lockers for your bags at the train stations in Oslo, Bergen and Flåm. There is also a porter service that can transport them from Oslo to Bergen (https://www.porterservice.no/).
2. I’m sure Porter service can transport your bags to Flåm too 🙂
3. YES! I always recommend staying overnight in Flåm to be able to do more than “just” the train/transport through the village. I have lots of guides on this, how long to stay, where to stay, what to do etc. Just keep reading, and use the menu up top! 🙂
John Ingham
Hi Lisa, this is a wonderful guide, thank you.
My wife and I are arriving on a cruise in mid August. I like the advice to buy tickets early but the only item I have think I’ve missed is WHEN do the tickets go on sale please so I can be sure of booking as soon as possible?
John
Lisa
How exciting! It varies from company to company – train tickets on Vy generally become available 90 days before departure, whilst other companies usually publish all their tickets for the year during the winter months (November-January). Accommodation also becomes available the year before. Of course, these are general estimates, and there may be changes each year 🙂
My advise is to just check back regularly (every 1-2 weeks) over winter.
Caroline Jones
Hi, is it possible to get off the train at a station part way along the line and then walk down to Flam? We don’t want to walk the whole way from Myrdal. We will be coming on the train from Oslo, and fancied walking part of the way down to Flam.
Lisa
Yes, that’s possible 🙂 Just book a one way ticket from Myrdal to any of the middle stations on http://www.vy.no.
Alison
Hi and thanks for the info!
I am looking at taking the Flam railway up to the zipline, ziplining down and taking the train back down from the closest station to the end of the zipline. Bikings not an option for one of our group due to a disability but all the organised tours only seem to include cycling. I’m just a bit concerned re timings as I assume from reading the info and just how busy the train gets that an open return ticket won’t be an option? If not, how long would you allow from arriving at the zipline to booking the return ticket back? Also, are you allocated a specific time for the zipline or is it simply wait your turn when you arrive?
Thanks in advance for the info!
Lisa
You’re right that you won’t be able to do an open return ticket, but the train always keep a few spaces open onboard for people getting on at the middle stations – I would just double check this at the station before you go (in case they’ve changed this). Of course, booking a return is always ideal, and you can book the specific one-way return at http://www.vy.no. From the base station of the zipline (Rallarrosa Stølsysteri on Google Maps) to Blomheller station (the one you would get on at) is around 3 km (1,8 miles).
For the zipline, you are allocated a time slot of about an hour (unless they’ve changed it), but so are other people, so you just show up for your time slot and wait your turn. Sometimes it takes just 5 minutes to get you ready and send you off, sometimes closer to 20 if a lot of people show up at the same time.
Hope this was helpful!
Anish Patel
How much is hike back if we park at Flam Station and not wanting to use the bike? Is there a bus or uber to come back? We just want to travel 1 way as we driving from Sogndal. Thank you.
Lisa
Hi Anish! I am not sure if I understand your question – are you asking how long the hike back to Flåm from Myrdal is? If so, this hike is 4-5 hours. There is no road connection between Myrdal and Flåm, so it is not possible to go by bus or car. There is no Uber in Flåm, only a taxi service.
Joani Lesser
How far in advance can roundtrip tickets be bought for Flamsbana? We will be on a cruise in May, 2026.
Thank you.
Lisa
This changes a little every year, but usually tickets for the summer are published in January of that year. I just saw on http://www.norwaysbest.com that the round-trip tickets for this summer aren’t out yet, so it does vary. I would start checking back weekly around New Year! 🙂
David Parker
We are planning to catch the 12.10 train from Flam to Oslo on a Monday in mid-June this year. I understand bookings don’t open until about 60 days prior but looking at earlier dates it seems I am unable to actually reserve a seat. We will definitely line up early as recommended but could this be a problem at that time of year?
Lisa
There is usually seat reservations from Myrdal to Oslo (but not from Flåm to Myrdal, as the Flåm Railway has open seating). So by the time bookings open you should be able to either select your seat, or (perhaps if they have website issues) be allocated a seat for the Oslo railway 🙂
Angela Arenberg
My husband and I will be travelling with suitcases from Oslo to Bergen. We are older and maybe not as athletic as some so no hiking plans with suitcases in tow. Are you saying that if take the train from Oslo to Bergen we will travel this Flam portion? That we don’t have to get off and board a separate train?
Also, I checked the tours you provided a link to. Would it be best to go to Bergen, check into our hotel, leave our bags there and purchase the tours?
Lisa
No, the train from Oslo to Bergen goes directly between the two cities, and does not include the Flåm Railway. The Flåm Railway is a “side” train line going from Myrdal (a stop along the Oslo-Bergen line) to Flåm. It is a different train.
I would definitely recommend buying the tours in advance. Since many of them leave from Bergen, and you don’t want to be lugging suitcases along, booking them from Bergen might be best 🙂
Jelmer
Hi Lisa hope you are doing fine?
I want to travel this summer with my son from Bergen to Finse on the 3th of August.
The trip we have planed was to go from Bergen to Voss by an early train then by Bus from Voss to the I Viking Valley i Gudvangen after visiting the the Viking town of Njardarheimr we want to travel by Bus to Flåm and take there the Flåmsbana to Myrdal and from there to Finse. Do you think this is posible and how can I orginise/book this trip?
Lisa
Yes, this is possible 🙂
You can book your tickets on http://www.vy.no (train) and http://www.nor-way.no (bus) or http://www.norwaysbest.com (shuttle bus Gudvangen-Flåm).
Janie
Hi Lisa
I am travelling to Flam on a cruise with my mum in June. I would like to do the zipline, however, she does not. My plan is to book the return train from Flam to Myrdal, walk to the zipline with my mum and then for her to get on the train at Vatnahalsen and me to join her at Blomheller. I estmiate my zipline and the walk to Blomheller will take me just over an hour with a zipline time of 1.15pm. I cannot see on any train timetable what time the train gets to each station. I need to know what time my mum needs to get on the train at Vatnahalsen to be at Blomheer at my arrival time of around 2.30pm? Hope you can help! Thanks Janie.
Lisa
How exciting! You can find the timings/schedules for specific stations at Vy.no – just search Vatnahalsen-Blomheller. What you could also do (just a suggestion) is for your mum to get on the first train (they run about once an hour in the summer) from Vatnahalsen and just wait for you at Blomheller and get on the next one with you. That way you know you’ll be on the same one 🙂
Janie Randell
Thank you – I hadn’t thought of that!!
David R
Greetings, Lisa,
I am very much enjoying your website! Thanks much for all the information. I just purchased your guide to Flam and Aurland, which is terrific, but I could not find my question in there. My wife and I are taking a cruise to Norway this summer, and unfortunately all the excursions to the Flam Railway are booked. I found on a rail website that we can just buy round-trip tickets to Myrdal (or Vatnahalsen Lodge,) and back to Flam on the railway. Does this sound correct to you?
Thanks in advance for any info you can supply!
Lisa
Hi David! Thank you so much for buying my guide – your support is means a lot!
And to answer your question: the cruise ship has a certain amount of tickets to sell as their excursion (I have rounded up some other great ones here: https://flamtravelguide.com/flam-shore-excursions/). So that the excursion is sold out doesn’t necessarily mean the Flåm Railway is (all though sometimes it does) 🙂
If the website you have found round trip tickets on is either Norway’s Best or Vy – then you’re good to book those! Those are the same tickets for the Flåm Railway as the cruise operator sells. I do not have experience with any other rail booking websites, but since the two I mentioned are the only official sellers of the Flåm Railway, I would stick with them 🙂 Hope this was helpful!
Dorota
Hello Lisa 🙂 thank you for an amazing guide. I really enjoyed reading all teh information and tips. I am going to Flam on a cruise ship middle of May and it seems liek all possible timings for the railway are booked out. I saw the comment somewhere that they release the tickets gradually, is that the case ? Vy website is slightly more expensive and they still had some tickets but I was wondering if it’s worth to wait for more release or just buy with VY as I definitly don’t want to miss that trip 🙂
Lisa
Hi Dorota! I am not sure where you saw that they release tickets gradually? And who do you mean by “they”? If you mean the cruise company you are travelling with, I have no idea, as I don’t know how individual cruise companies operate their tickets. However, Norway’s Best and Vy should release their tickets at the same time as far as I am aware. If Norway’s Best is sold out, but Vy still has tickets, then Vy is the only option for getting them as far as I know 🙂
Deb
Hi – thanks for these tips! We are hoping to do the one-way railway up and then zipline/bike down on June 24 at 9:35am, but the Norways Best website is showing “Available soon” for this combination package (https://www.norwaysbest.com/en/flam/things-to-do/flam-railway-flam-zipline-and-cycling). I researched the individual components, and see that the railway tickets are available on NB and elsewhere for our dates, and the zipline is also available for separate purchase. I see also that there are bike rentals available in Flam. I’m concerned that if we wait for the rail/zipline/bike package to be available to book together (more convenient and probably less expensive as a package), that the times we want for the train will be sold out. We want to take the same train that our parents are taking – they have already booked roundtrip (they’re not able to do the zipline and bike). Do you think we should wait for the package to be available, or should we book the three components individually? If we book them individually, I would love advice about how to reserve a bike at the bottom of the zipline, rather than in the town of Flam. Thanks for your help!
Lisa
Hello! I believe this package is available now, at least it was when I tried booking for June 24th just now 🙂 Have fun!
Nancy hudson
So glad I stumbled upon your website. I think your guides are going to be very helpful. We are on a cruise and have made reservations for the train ride through the ship. An option was offered to extend the trip by switching to the Bergen line in Myrdal and going down to Voss. Is that worth doing? Or would it be better to spend the afternoon of our only day there in Flam. In addition, the cruise line warns that it will be about a half mile walk from the ship to the rail station. My husband is not supposed to walk that far. Is there a taxi service we could hire in Flam to take us from the ship to the station? Thank you for your help.
Lisa
I would personally not bother going to Voss, unless you had something really specific you wanted to do there 🙂
Half a mile is a bit of a stretch, it’s definitely not that far. I’ve answered this question in more detail here: https://flamtravelguide.com/flam-railway-from-cruise-terminal/
Filip
Thanks for the incredible information ! One question though – we have booked early train tickets from Oslo to Bergen (we ll stay at Bergen for 3 nights) and just wondering which is the best way to visit the Flåm railway and the fjords. Taking the train from mydral to Flåm or arriving at Bergen and taking a cruise including the Flåm railway ? Thank you
Lisa
I have covered this in these guides:
– How to get from Bergen to Flåm: https://flamtravelguide.com/bergen-to-flam-guide/
– Fjord cruises/tours from Bergen to Flåm: https://flamtravelguide.com/tours-from-bergen-to-flam/
– Best day trips from Bergen: https://www.fjordsandbeaches.com/bergen-tours/
Have fun! 🙂
Shelley
Dear Lisa,
Very useful by reading your website and please help with the following question :
regarding the journey : Flam – Mydral by Railway #1862 (1455-1551 hrs), and Myrdal – Voss via R40 (1556-1651 hrs) in Track 1.
If I get off at 15:51 hrs at Mydral railway (which platform?), would it be possible to catch on the R40 (to Voss) at 15:56 hrs just in 5 mins **with my luggage? Since I am not sure if those two platforms are nearby or not.
Besides, I read from your comments that I should leave my luggage at the locker before boarding to the Flam railway, therefore I don’t think I could make it by 15:56 hrs
cheers
Shelley
20 Apr
Lisa
5 minutes is enough to get across the platform. Like I write around the blog, Myrdal is literally just a tiny train station with 2 tracks, so you would just have to walk across the platform. The trains are intended to correspond, so if there are any delays they will usually wait 🙂
I am not sure what lockers you are referring to. There aren’t any lockers on the train, you keep your luggage with you 🙂
Sara
Your guides are AMAZING!
My husband, his parents, our daugher (12) and I want to do the Flam Railway 3 different ways 🙂
His parents will do the round trip on the train, my husband wants to do the trip via (train, hike, bike) and my daughter and I want to do the (train, zipline and bike) how long will his parents be waiting for us in Flam?
Thank you in advance,
Sara
Lisa
I am so happy to hear that, thank you! 🙂
I have covered the trip in more detail (including timings) here: https://flamtravelguide.com/myrdal-to-flam-norway/
evan
hi Lisa- had a question for you if you could help. I’ll be coming from bergen and want to go back to bergen after doing the Flam Railway. id also like to do the zipline/bike down. what is my best overall plan of attack here? do i take train in, switch at myrdal go to Vathahalen, do zipline and bike to Flam and then take train back to Myrdal? or do i remain at Flam then do ferry back to Bergen? if i do zip and bike down am i basically missing the train to Flam? so confused by all this
Lisa
Your first suggestion is a great way to do it (you could also just walk to the zipline from Myrdal)! I have covered the zipline and how to do this here: https://flamtravelguide.com/flam-zipline-norway/
Nisha Punjabi
Hi Lisa! Thank you for your detailed post, and also your replies on the comments!
My cruise says it docks at 8 am. I have bought a ticket for 9.35 am train. I should be able to make it right? If I can’t, will I be able to change my ticket to next available train?
I am also planning to get off at the station by the church on my way back to walk the village. That is my top priority, to soak in the nature and a little bit of culture!
Thanks a ton!
Lisa
If you have 1,5 hour you should have plenty of time, as the station is just a short walk from the cruise port: https://flamtravelguide.com/flam-railway-from-cruise-terminal/
The tickets are usually non-transferrable, depending on who you have purchased them through. So you’d have to double check this with whoever you bought them from (your cruise company or Norway’s Best, for example).
Gordon
Hi Lisa,
Thank for another wonderful post. We are planning to take flamsbana from Flam to Myrdal in early September, The train will reach Myrdal station at 3:51 pm . We need to return to Bergen. The train from Myrdal to Bergen leaves at 3:56. It seems too short a time to catch that train. Isn’t it, particularly my wife has a mobility issue ( she needs to use a cane)? We can take the next train at 5:04 pm. Would we be able to wait in Myrdal train station? Is there a room or do we need to stand outside for an hour? I would appreciate any advice that you can give us.
Gordon
Lisa
Myrdal is just a transit train station with 2 tracks and a platform in between – the 5 minute window seems short, but those trains were scheduled to correspond and will usually wait for each other if there are any delays 🙂
Fred
We are arriving into FLAM on the Celebrity Apex. It states arrival time is 8:00 AM. Not sure if that is when it actually docks or the gangway opens for passengers to get off. I have tickets for the 8:20 AM train. DO you beleive I will make it and have seats? All the morning trains are sold out. Should I cancel or attempt?
Lisa
You would have to check and confirm this with your cruise company – since I don’t know if docking/arriving at 8am means you can exit the ship at this time or not. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help here.
Priyesh Dinesh Mutha
Hello!
I have read a bunch of your blogs and they have helped me a lot to plan my trip. I just wanted to ask that I was travelling from Oslo to Flam and was wondering whether the 9:18 AM train would be a better option or the 11:42 one ?
I am going to stay in Flam for a night. But my main aim is to enjoy and make the most of the train ride. Please suggest which would be the best.
Thank you!
Lisa
The train ride will be the same regardless which of those times you choose. I would personally just get the 9:18am to make the most of my time by the fjords 🙂
Lucy
Hi Lisa. I have just come upon your site and it’s been incredibly helpful in planning my trip! I’m not sure if you can answer this but I’m planning to do the journey to Flam, stay the night there, and then make the journey back to Myrdal and on to Bergen the next day. I suffer from pretty significant motion sickness, though in a “regular” train I’m just fine. I’m wondering what your experience has been on the Flam Railway with all the turns, do people usually struggle with that? I’m extremely worried about the possibility of not being able to have a seat facing the direction of travel and next to a window. I suppose I could plan on getting to the station very early to be one of the first to board?
Thank you!
Lucy
Lisa
The Flåm Railway is a regular train, so you should be fine if you are okay with trains 🙂 There are a lot of turns, but the train moves slow through them, so the “motion” isn’t too severe. I have never heard of anyone struggling with motion sickness on the Flåm Railway, so I think (and hope!) that you will be okay! And yes, just get to the station early to board first and you should be fine. Have an amazing trip!
Vincent Power
Hi,
I would like to ask about the Flam Train. Is it possible to book a return journey from Flam so i can return at a later time? It appears that when the train arrives at Myrdal, after 20 minutes, the train returns to Flam. Is it possible to get a later return from Myrdal to Flam?
Great information on this web site!
Thanks
Vincent
Lisa
You can book two one-way tickets, however I have covered whether you should spent any time in Myrdal in the post above (direct link here: https://flamtravelguide.com/the-flam-railway/#About_Myrdal_how_long_should_you_stay_there_things_to_do).