Are you visiting Flam on a cruise? Discover how to ride the Flam Railway and other things to do in Flam for cruise passengers.
Waves of anticipation rippled through the train carriage as passengers took their seats amid excited chatter. I was also stupidly excited at the prospect of riding the Flam Railway, or Flaamsbana (Flåmsbana).
The Flam Railway, running between Flam and Myrdal, is considered to be one of Norway’s most scenic train journeys. And in a country as jaw-droppingly gorgeous as Norway, that’s really saying something.
Flam (or Flåm, to be correct) was port number two of my week-long cruise along Norway’s fjords.
Leaving Stavanger the previous evening, all 143,000 tonnes of MV Britannia weaved her way through the bends and turns of Sognefjorden and Aurlandsfjorden to reach the hamlet of Flam shortly after 7 am. Seagulls cried and sheep bleated their respective welcomes.
Tucked between two mountains at the head of Aurlandsfjorden, Flam is a community of around 400 souls, less than 10% of the total occupancy of the ship. Although the hamlet is a good base for hiking and has a visit-worthy 17th-century church, its main tourist draw is the Flam scenic railway.
To help you make the most of your cruise stop in Flam, here are some tips on how to book the Flåmsbana scenic train ride, what to expect and a guide to the other attractions of the hamlet.
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Flam Scenic Railway: Facts & Figures
The Flåmsbana is a marvel of modern engineering.
Completed in 1940, it runs a total distance of approximately 12 miles from Flam, at sea level, to Myrdal, at an altitude of 2,845 feet. At its steepest point, the gradient is 1:18, making it the steepest standard-gauge railway in Europe.
But fear not nervous travellers; the train is equipped with not one, not two, but five sets of brakes.
Building the line was no mean feat. With its 20 tunnels, most of which had to be dug by hand, 10 stations and one bridge, it took 16 years to complete.
Although the Flam Railway was originally constructed to allow local passenger and freight access to the Bergen – Oslo line, it is now a tourist-oriented service operated by the Norwegian State Railways on behalf of Flam Utvikling.
Flam Railway: What to Expect
With a toot of the whistle, the train pulls out of the station.
It passes the old village of Flam before winding its way up a gradient of 5.5%, between rocky cliffs and past river gorges and cascading waterfalls. The Flamselvi River on the right-hand side of the train is your companion for most of the journey as the train cuts its way through the Flam Valley, shaped by glacial erosion over millions of years.
At Breikvam the track splits in two to allow trains to pass one another. If the train makes a short stop here, it is a good opportunity to point your camera out of the window to take a shot along the track.
Around 4km from Myrdal station, the train stops for ten minutes at the Kjosfossen waterfall. With its thunderous waters falling a total distance of 225 meters, prepare yourself for a drenching.
According to Scandinavian folklore, the waterfall is home to the Huldra, mythical siren women who lured men into the forest with their enchanting song. Stay vigilant and you may spot one dancing next to the waterfall, draped in a red cloak.
You are now approaching your final destination. The train skirts the northwestern edge of Reinungavatnet lake to reach Myrdal. After a ten-minute turn-around, get ready to do it all again in the opposite direction.
Flam Railway: Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
During which months does the Flam Railway operate?
The Flam Railway operates year-round.
In the winter months, there are four services in each direction daily. During the peak summer months of June to August, this increases to nine per day.
Check the Flåmsbana timetable here.
When is the best time to travel on the Flam Railway?
As the Flam Railway is open for business year-round and accommodates all weathers, choose the time of year according to the type of scenery you are after and the outside temperature.
These temperatures range from 28 degrees in the winter months to 70 degrees in June, July and August.
How long does the Flaamsbana scenic train take?
The return journey between Flam and Myrdal takes around 100 minutes.
How much does the Flam Railway cost?
The Flam Railway fares are seasonal. In 2023, the cost of an adult ticket for the return journey starts from 500 NOK.
Holders of a Eurail or Interrail pass are entitled to a 30% discount. However, as these discounted tickets aren’t available online you will need to buy them at the station or over the phone.
Where can I get tickets for the Flaamsbana?
I highly recommend that you book your Flam Railway ticket in advance in the summer months. The train is extremely busy on days when a cruise ship – or two! – is in town, or when a Norway in a Nutshell day trip is running.
If you choose to book your ticket as a shore excursion from your cruise operator, you will pay a considerable premium.
Although you can also buy tickets in Flam or Myrdal, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the departure you want.
If you are doing the trip independently and are not visiting Flam on a cruise, try to choose the less busy days. My top tip is to check the Norway in a Nutshell timetable and the cruise schedule for Flam.
How do I ride the Flam Railway from Bergen or Oslo?
If you are not visiting Flam on a cruise, you can ride the Flam Railway as part of the self-guided Norway in a Nutshell day trip from either Bergen or Oslo.
The other option is to take the train independently from Bergen to Flam, a one-way journey time of around three hours.
Which direction is best on the Flam Railway?
I rode the Flam Railway in both directions and there’s not much to choose between them.
Of course, you get to see the same scenery, but the downhill journey from Myrdal to Flam was smoother and better for taking photos. The uphill journey from Flam to Myrdal involved more squealing of brakes and side-to-side movement.
Which is the best side of the Flam Railway to sit?
Although the views are great from both sides of the carriage on the Flam Railway, I recommend sitting on the right-hand side if you are travelling from Flam to Myrdal as the light is better. This is particularly the case in the morning, and you also get those sweeping views across the Flam Valley.
If you are travelling on busy days, make sure that you are queuing at the railway station 30 minutes before the train departs to get your pick of the best seats.
Are there any tips for taking photographs on the Flam Scenic Railway?
Because of the train’s movement, it can be difficult to take good photographs from the carriage. My top tip for taking photographs on the Flam Railway is to poke your camera lens out of one of the roll-down windows.
However, as not all of the seats in the railway carriage are next to roll-down windows, choose your seat carefully.
What to Do in Flam From a Cruise Ship
As the return journey on the Flam Railway only takes around two hours, you may be looking for other activities to do in and Flam around, particularly if you are on a cruise ship that is not setting off until the evening.
Here is a selection of what is on offer.
Stegastein viewpoint panoramic tour
One of the most photographed sights in the region, the Stegastein Viewpoint is a popular shore excursion from Flam. Rising over 2,000 feet above the fjord and extending 100 feet from the mountainside, this scenic overlook offers unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape.
The operator will pick you up at Flam cruise port and you’ll get a full refund if the tour is cancelled because of bad weather.
>>> CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
Take a hike around Flam
There is a selection of walks in Flam, taking between 30 minutes to 2.5 hours to complete. Pick up the excellent free map in the tourist office.
Ride a RIB
For an adrenaline rush, take a RIB fjord safari. In 2022, the 100-minute journey costs 820 NOK. Longer fjord safaris are also available.
Rent a talking car
Yes. Really! GPS audioguided tours in electric cars are available from 1,500 NOK for a two-hour journey.
Other top shore activities in Flam
- Get the lowdown about the construction of one of Europe’s most scenic railways at the Flam Railway Museum
- Take a heart-pumping ride on Scandinavia’s longest zipline (Flam Zipline)
- Enjoy a steaming hot sauna with a view at FjordSauna
- Join a guided tour of the Aurlands Shoe Factory
- Visit the Stave church at Undredal
Is the Flam Railway Worth It?
In my view, if you are stopping in Flam on a Norway Fjords cruise, riding the Flam Railway is a must. And let’s face it; what else will you do on a 7-hour cruise stop in Flam?
Although the Flam Railway is expensive, the same can be said for most tourist attractions in Norway. In exchange for your well-earned krone, you will get one of Europe’s most scenic train rides (for me, though, this is trumped by Switzerland’s Glacier Express).
Visiting Flam on a Cruise
How I Visited Flam on a Cruise
- Cruise operator: P&O
- Cruise ship: HMV Britannia
- Time in port: 11 am – 6 pm
Getting to the Flam Railway from the Cruise Ship
Flam cruise port is in the hamlet, a short walk to the train station (Flam is tiny!).
FIND OUT ABOUT THE OTHER STOPS ON THIS NORWAY FJORDS CRUISE
Planning your Norway Fjords Cruise
Packing a guidebook to help you to explore the Norwegian ports of call independently is a wise move. I’m a big fan of Rick Steves and his guide to Scandinavian & Northern European cruise ports is packed full of useful information.
GET HELP WITH BOOKING YOUR CRUISE!
These pictures are literally amazing! Honestly, looks like you had an amazing time!
Thank you! It was great 🙂
I really recommend Norway!
Have a good week
Cool post. Sounds like an amazing train journey
Thanks Sue. It was great!
Wow, it looks stunning. I’ve never heard of Flam before but now I would like to visit. Thanks for sharing!
It was fab! Thanks for dropping by Sarah 🙂
Bridget