Highlights of Norway Tours
What is Norway in a Nutshell?
The original Norway in a Nutshell® by Fjord Tours is a trademarked journey designed as a full-day trip between Oslo and Bergen. This classic experience combines the scenic Flåm Railway between Myrdal and Flåm, a fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen, and the bus transfer from Gudvangen to Voss - three different transport legs that follow the Bergen–Oslo train line. The route can be taken in multiple directions, either as a full-day trip or with overnight stopovers, and is an independent, self-guided experience, with clear signage and announcements along the way.
The classic Norway in a Nutshell® by Fjord Tours journey from Oslo to Bergen (or vice versa) can be a busy day, so at 50 Degrees North we recommend extending your visit with a couple of nights in the stunning fjord valleys and villages along the route. The region offers a wealth of activities and cultural highlights: gourmet food walks, charming cafés, art galleries, and memorable restaurants. Several historic hotels, built during the golden age of European travel, are still in operation and lovingly maintained. Taking your time to enjoy the scenery and experiences along the way transforms the journey into a truly memorable adventure.
50 Degrees North is a full service tour operator offering tours with accommodation, activities, porter service, 24 hour support service and transport, and a minimum of 4 nights. Our experienced Norwegian Destination Specialists organise tailor-made tours and are unable to help with just train tickets.
Transportation on the Norway in a Nutshell® by Fjord Tours:
The Flåm Railway journey ascends and descends more steeply than any other non-cog, standard-gauge railway in the world, climbing over 2,838 feet in just 20 kilometres. Along the way, you’ll pass thunderous waterfalls, cross raging rivers, visit picture-perfect villages, and skirt lush, green mountainsides. The route also passes through twenty manually excavated tunnels, showcasing remarkable engineering.
The Fjord Cruise lasts approximately two hours along the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, a dramatic narrow fjord with steep cliffs. Sea mammals and birds often follow the boat, and the cruise includes stops at small villages where locals, hikers, and travellers embark and disembark.
The Bus meets you at the dock and winds through a hairpin route for around an hour, with informative commentary. Several buses operate this section, and the drivers help ensure a smooth and safe transfer.
Please note that vehicles no longer drive the Stalheimskleiva road due to safety concerns. This historic road, built between 1842–1846 with 13 tight hairpin bends, remains a spectacular sight from above as you pass.
Trains from Oslo typically depart early, around 6:25 AM and 8:23 AM, with additional departures later in the morning depending on the season. The earlier and later trains are usually less crowded.
Which 50 Degrees North ‘Highlights of Norway’ Suits You Best?
At 50 Degrees North, we offer a range of Highlights of Norway tours featuring the original Highlights of Norway. Options include winter and active versions of the journey, or the upgraded Highlights of Norway with Premium Accommodation tour with extra inclusions, private guided tours in Oslo, and upgraded accommodation.
For a scenic mini-coach experience, our Beautiful Norway tour also incorporates the vintage Norway in a Nutshell® railway and bus segments. These itineraries allow travellers to enjoy Norway’s fjords, mountains, and villages at a pace that suits them.
Short versions of the Norway in the Nutshell®' tours
If you are short of time and want to know more about the classic 'Highlights of Norway tour', read on to find your perfect ‘Highlights’-rail journey fit. The tours below are all long day tours, where an overnight stay can be added:
Highlights of Sognefjord
Do you want to spend time on Norway’s longest fjord in all her glory, experiencing her breathtaking scenery throughout a 5-hour ferry-ride surrounded by mountains and hills, before arriving in Bergen - the beautiful historic town on Norway’s west-coast? Then ‘Highlights of Sognefjord' is the tour for you. The tour starts in either in Norway’s capital Oslo or in Bergen with a scenic train-ride towards Flåm, followed by an afternoon ferry-ride on, with it’s 200 kilometers, the 2nd longest fjord in the world: the Sognefjord. You’ll arrive in Bergen by the evening. We highly recommend doing this trip in summer where the light of the midnight-sun allows you to enjoy the views until you disembark in Bergen at 9 PM.
Highlights of Norway
Do you believe that a legendary classic is the only way to truly explore Norway’s raw yet idyllic beauty? Do you want to feel the excitement of climbing hairpin-bends by bus and sheer awe on the narrow UNESCO-protected Naeroyfjord? Then our classic 'Highlights of Norway tour' is the perfect journey for you. There’s a reason the destinations featured are one of the most popular tourist-attractions in Norway. Famous for its stunning mountain and fjord views, the classic Norway in a Nutshell® by Fjord Tours journey is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most spectacular scenic rail experiences. Enjoy the striking Bergen- and Flåm-railways, a fjord-cruise on the famous Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord and a beautiful bus ride to Voss. Often considered the most magnificent and romantic way to travel between Oslo and Bergen, this is a railway-journey not to be missed.
Highlights of Norway FIRST CLASS
If you are looking for an upgraded version of the tour with first class tickets and premium boutique accommodation, see our 'Highlights of Norway with Premium Accommodation'. Accommodation can either be a suite at the Fretheim Hotel or as noted in this tour, staying at a boutique riverside lodge several kilometres away from Flåm. We can custom-make this tour for you.
Active versions of the Highlights of Norway tours
50 Degrees North has three active versions of the 'Highlights of Norway'. We have a 3-day 'Highlights of Norway with Cycling'. This takes the less trodden path with a cycling trip along the famous Rallarvegen from Finse to Flåm. The construction route known as the ‘Rallarvegen’ is a 100-year-old man-built transport road designed for the conveyance of men and materials during the building phase of the most mountainous sector of the Oslo - Bergen Railway Line.
Looking to get off the beaten track whilst seeing the highlights of Norway? Our 'Beautiful Norway' tour which is an independent visit to the mountains, fjords and valleys of Norway. You stay at boutique hotels and tour around in our private 50DN minbus. This tour includes a ride on the steep Flåm Railway full of hairpin turns and catches a ferry to Bergen, the capital of the fjords.
The trip runs weekly from May to September with fixed departures from Oslo every Saturday. The trip can also run in reverse starting from Bergen every Monday. 
Good things to know about our Highlights of Norway Trips
Remember that if you do not want to lug your bags/suitcase on and off trains, boats and buses, ask us for our porter service between Oslo and Bergen. We automatically include this in most of our custom-made tours.
This route can be crowded during the peak season and holidays. We do our utmost to guide you off the beaten track and give you are more authentic experience in the Norwegian Fjord region. Please see our complete guide to our Norwegian Fjord tours.
If you want to travel on a first class ticket (called PLUSS), the seats are slightly wider but they don't swivel. This means you might be facing the wrong direction.
Travel times for the complete journey:
Train Bergen-Myrdal: approx. 2 hours
Flåm Railway: approx. 1 hour
Fjord Cruise Flåm-Gudvangen: approx. 2 hours
Bus Gudvangen-Voss: approx. 1 hour
Train Voss-Bergen: approx. 1 hour
Train Oslo-Myrdal: approx. 5 hours
Train Voss-Oslo: approx. 5.5 hours
Train Bergen-Oslo: approx. 6.5 hours
There is no guide on the tour. You travel on your own. The connections are all within close proximity of each other for easy transfer and the stops are always announced over the speakers.
Travelling in Winter? Your tour can be modified depending on when in winter that you are travelling. The sun doesn't come into Flåm in the thick of winter so you visit Flåm during the middle of the day but travel back out to Voss for the evening.
We keep updated on local conditions to benefit your holiday. This may include; a) knowledge on which areas of town have building works taking place which may affect your good nights sleep; b) knowledge of which cruise ship may be docking in small fjord villages when you happen to be there seeking peace and quiet; c) alternative transport options taking you away from the crowds.
Want more on your Norway tour?
Make the most of your Nutshell railway-journey by adding a night or two along the way. We can help you with anything from booking accommodation in gorgeous historic hotels or family-friendly apartments, to organising activities like hiking, kayaking or fjord safaris. The contrast between busy cities and the quieter pace in the countryside adds variety to your Norwegian holiday.
Asko Meriläinen, one of our past Destination Specialists, worked as a Chef in one of the popular Flåm hotels along the route of the 'Highlights of Norway journey. Fabulous seafood platters and ‘Smörgåsbord’ were his specialty, and he has fond memories of his time exploring Flåm. Sampling all the fjord activities on days off, kayaking and hiking was Asko’s favourite. Traversing on foot along the river from Flåm into the valley, you will be surprised to find incredible waterfalls and stunning scenery. There is a lot of publicity around the Norwegian fjords, but Norway’s secret waterfalls are also some of the world’s most impressive.
Add some great activities such as the Stegastein viewpoint. Built in 2006, this smooth wooden shelf jutting out over the fjord can be easily reached from Flåm, and is offered as a morning walking tour. The Stegastein viewpoint is one of a series of breathtaking architectural projects built in scenic areas across Norway; from the rugged Trollstigen plateau; to the windswept Lofoten Islands.
At 50 Degrees North, we are passionate about creating exceptional experiences for our clients, and will ensure every little detail of your trip is looked after.
Image credits: Gjertrud Coutinho, © Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS / www.fjordnorway.com and Paul Edmundson. Hilda Weges Photography and Shutterstock.