Practical Information

How to Travel Between the Fjord Villages

This will hopefully be a relatively short post, outlining how to travel between the fjord villages along the Aurlandsfjord. Travelling between Flåm, Aurland, Undredal and Gudvangen can seem a little challenging when you first start researching, so hopefully this guide will help you out!

So, how do you get from Flåm to Aurland, Gudvangen to Flåm or Flåm to Undredal? You have several options to choose from, each with varying difficulty and cost.

If you haven’t already, make sure you check out my complete guide to the area here!

The village of Flåm, Norway seen from the fjord, with green water in the foreground and bottom half of the photo, and docks in the top half.

Ways to travel between the fjord villages

To break it down, there are 4 main ways to travel between Flåm, Aurland, Undredal and Gudvangen. You can use both public and private transportation. The options are:

  • Rental/private car
  • Taxi
  • Bus
  • Boat

The main thing you need to know is that each of these options are limited. For example, there are only a few taxis available in the area, and less than a handful bus departures.

However, if you’ve checked schedules and done your research in advance, you should have no problem getting where you need to!

Rental Car / Private Car

The villages in the area are perhaps best explored by your own car. As they are all connected by roads, this is the easiest and most convenient way to travel around. If you didn’t arrive with your own car, renting one in Flåm is possible.

However, it is important to note that some roads, like the one leading to Stegastein in Aurland, can be challenging and are not recommended for self-driving due to their narrow and winding nature. And of course due to the insane amount of traffic there in the summer.

A lot of people drive from Bergen to Flåm, and will already have arrived with a rental car. If so, you’ll find that it is super easy to travel between the towns and sights along the fjord. As a reminder of the driving distance:

  • Flåm to Aurland: 10 minutes
  • Flåm to Undredal: 15 minutes
  • Flåm to Gudvangen: 20 minutes
  • Aurland to Gudvangen: 30 minutes

Taxi

There is a local taxi service with a handful of cars. They can be reached on +47 57633400.

Booking a car in advance is advisable, especially if you are arriving by train/boat and have a specific time you would like to be picked up.

Bus

Travelling between the picturesque fjord villages of Gudvangen, Aurland, and Flåm in Norway offers a scenic and convenient experience by bus. These villages are connected by regional bus routes, making it easy for travelers to explore the stunning landscapes and charming attractions in the area.

However, it’s important to note that Undredal is not directly connected by bus to the other villages.

The main bus company operating in this region is Nor-Way, which provides regular services for locals and tourists alike.

During the summer months, Norway’s Best, a local tourism company, also operates shuttle buses to enhance the transportation options for visitors looking to discover the beauty of the fjord region.

Check bus routes here, and check for shuttle bus schedules here.

Boat/Ferry

Last, but not least, you can access the villages using the local fjord cruises!

There are several companies offering fjord cruises between Gudvangen and Flåm, making stops in both Undredal and Aurland along the way. This is perhaps the most scenic way to travel in the area.

Check schedules here and here, and make sure to book in advance to guarantee your seat (especially in the summer months).

Whilst it is very scenic, it is perhaps the slowest way to get between the villages.

Questions about transportation – Anwered!

Below I have answered a few questions you may have had about travelling between Flåm, Aurland, Undredal and Gudvangen.

Which is the most efficient way to get between Flåm and Aurland?

Traveling by car is the most efficient way to get around in the area, with taxi/bus being a close second.

Which transportation mode is the fastest?

Car/taxi is the quickest.

Which mode of transportation is the most scenic?

No matter how you travel along the fjords you will find epic scenery, but traveling by boat/fjord cruise might be the most beautiful.

Is there free parking in Flåm and the other villages?

No, local authorities started charging for parking in 2024. Tip: download the app Easypark to easily pay for and arrange parking on your phone.

Are there any ways to get to Flåm and the area on a tour, without driving myself?

Of course! I have gathered all my favorite ways to see the fjords on a tour here!

Which is the best fjord: the Nærøyfjord or the Aurlandsfjord?

I have covered this in detail here, but luckily you don’t have to choose! A fjord cruise will take you through both fjords!

There you have the best (and only) ways to travel between Flåm and Aurland, Undredal and Gudvangen. If you have any more questions, feel free to leave a comment so I can add it to the post (and answer you, of course)!

Read next: My complete guide to accommodations in Flåm

5 Comments

  • Alex Smith

    Thank you so much for putting together a short, concise and thorough list of all the options for traveling around Aurland! So many other sites just say to go and visit one of the other towns near Flam without saying how to get there, or just saying that there’s a transport service, but not telling the name of the service or contact info. This is SO HELPFUL!!

    • Lisa

      Haha, at first I had to double check to make sure this wasn’t sarcastic! I’m glad you found this helpful 🙂 I put it together after realising this was the main thing people were still unsure about when planning their trip here, so I’m really happy that it did what I intended! Thank you for also taking the time to comment.

  • Alex Smith

    Definitely not meant to be sarcastic! 🙂 Thanks again! Really looking forward to visiting Flam on our travels!! Happy holidays!

  • Sher Bockenfeld

    We are staying in Aurland, but have booked a Flåm to Flåm cruise (Aurland to Aurland was full). We believe we can catch an early afternoon bus Aurland to Flåm, but have been unable to find anything for after 17:30 at the end of the cruise. We will not be renting a car and are not arriving on a cruise ship. Is pre-booking a taxi our only option? We are seniors and are nervous about being able to arrange this. Thank you!

    • Lisa

      If you are returning to Flåm by boat, you can ask to be dropped off in Aurland and I’m sure the crew onboard won’t mind (since the Aurland-Aurland option is full, other people will be getting off). Additionally, Nor-way (www.nor-way.no) is operating a bus from Flåm to Aurland at 18.30 as far as I can see 🙂

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