The Oslo to Bergen train: what to expect on one of Europe's great rail journeys

The Bergen Railway crosses the roof of Norway in around seven hours, connecting Oslo and Bergen across a landscape that shifts from forested valley to high Arctic plateau to fjord country. Here is what to know before you travel, and how this journey fits into a longer experience of western Norway.

Norway does not reveal itself easily from the air. To understand the scale of the country, the depth of its valleys and the extraordinary emptiness of its central plateaus, you need to travel through it at ground level. The Bergen Railway, running between Oslo and Bergen across 496 kilometres of some of northern Europe's most dramatic terrain, offers exactly that kind of encounter with a landscape.

It is one of the highest mainline railways in Europe, reaching 1,237 metres above sea level at Finse, and one of the most scenically varied. In a single journey the train passes through six distinct landscape types: the broad agricultural valley north of Oslo, the lake country of Numedal, the treeline of Hallingdal, the high Arctic plateau of the Hardangervidda, the steep descent toward Myrdal and its connecting valleys, and finally the softer coastal landscape approaching Bergen. Few train journeys in the world offer that range in a single sitting.

The journey in brief

Oslo to Bergen takes approximately six and a half to seven hours on a direct service. Trains run several times daily in each direction, operated by Vy, Norway's national rail operator. Seats are assigned at the time of booking, so travelling as a group means you will be seated together automatically.

There is a café car on board with hot drinks, pastries, sandwiches and warm meals. Vy Komfort carriages offer wider seats and additional luggage space alongside your seat, and are worth considering for the full journey. Book as early as possible, particularly for summer departures and weekend services, when popular trains fill weeks in advance.

What you will see along the route

Departing Oslo

The train leaves Oslo Central Station and heads north before turning west, passing through the Hallingdal valley as the landscape opens and the altitude begins to climb. The valley is wide and forested, with a river running through it and small farms visible on the hillsides. It is a quiet, unhurried introduction to what lies ahead.

The Hardangervidda plateau

The plateau begins around Geilo, and the change is immediate. Trees disappear. The horizon flattens and stretches. In summer, the Hardangervidda is a vast, tawny moorland dotted with lakes and threaded with rivers, one of the largest mountain plateaus in Europe and home to Europe's largest wild reindeer herd. In winter it becomes something more elemental: white, silent and seemingly endless.

Finse, partway across the plateau, is one of the most remote staffed stations in Norway, accessible only by train or on foot. At 1,237 metres above sea level it is the journey's highest point, and the landscape around it was used as a filming location for the Hoth scenes in The Empire Strikes Back.

The descent toward Myrdal

East of Myrdal, the landscape tips sharply downward. The Bergen Railway descends steeply into the valley, and for travellers connecting onto the Flåm Railway, Myrdal is the transfer point. Even for those continuing directly to Bergen, this descent is one of the journey's most dramatic passages, and one of the moments where sitting on the right-hand side pays off most clearly.

Bergen and the western approach

As the train descends toward the coast, the landscape softens and greens. Bergen announces itself gradually, first through the outer suburbs, then through the familiar ring of seven mountains that frame the city. Arriving by train rather than air gives a proper sense of Bergen's geography: a city shaped by its hills, its harbour and its centuries as Norway's gateway to the sea.

Practical advice for travelling the Bergen Railway

• Book early and let us handle the reservations. At 50 Degrees North, all train tickets and seat reservations on the Bergen Railway are arranged as part of your itinerary. If you have a preference for seat position or carriage class, let your destination specialist know at the time of booking.

• Sit on the right side (Oslo to Bergen). Both sides offer good views across the Hardangervidda, but the right-hand side as you face the direction of travel from Oslo has a slight advantage for the steeper, more dramatic sections approaching Myrdal. Travelling Bergen to Oslo, the left-hand side is equivalent.

• Choose a clear window seat. When selecting your seat on the Vy booking map, look for positions without structural pillars adjacent to the window, as some seats have partially obstructed views. On a seven-hour journey this is worth the extra moment of attention at the time of booking.

• Consider Vy Komfort for the full crossing. The additional space and quieter atmosphere of the Komfort carriage is a genuine comfort on a long journey. Komfort includes a dedicated luggage area alongside your seat and tends to be less crowded than standard carriages.

• Book early, especially in summer. Morning services from Oslo fill quickly in peak season. A mid-morning or early-afternoon departure often means a quieter carriage and equally good light over the plateau.

• Bring food if you have preferences. The café car is well-stocked for a Norwegian train, but options are limited if you have dietary requirements. Many Norwegian travellers bring their own food, and eating a packed lunch on board is entirely normal.

• Allow time at Oslo Central Station. The station is large and can be busy, particularly in summer. Arriving fifteen to twenty minutes before departure is sensible, especially if you are navigating luggage.

Travelling the Bergen Railway in winter

The Bergen Railway operates year-round, and the crossing in winter is an experience quite different from summer. The plateau becomes a white wilderness. The light is low and golden around midday, and on clear days the sky over Finse can be extraordinary. Wildlife sightings, including reindeer crossing the open plateau, are more common in winter than in summer.
Winter services occasionally experience weather-related delays on the Hardangervidda, where conditions can deteriorate quickly. This is uncommon but worth factoring in if you have onward connections. Our Highlights of Norway in Winter itineraries are designed around seasonal conditions, with timing adjusted to ensure the descent to the fjords happens during daylight hours.

The Bergen Railway as part of a longer journey

For many travellers, the Bergen Railway is one leg of a broader route through western Norway rather than a standalone journey. It forms the spine of several of our Norway itineraries, connecting Oslo and Bergen while giving access to the fjords through the branching valley at Myrdal.

Travellers on our Highlights of Norway collection use the Bergen Railway as part of a multi-day itinerary that also includes the Flåm Railway and a cruise through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. Rather than completing the full Oslo–Bergen crossing in a single long day, these itineraries build in overnight stays at fjord villages along the way, allowing more time to absorb the landscapes the train passes through.

The Flåm Railway, which branches off the Bergen Railway at Myrdal, descends over 860 metres in just 20 kilometres to the village of Flåm at the water's edge. For a full explanation of how the connecting transport route through Flåm and the Nærøyfjord works, read our Norway in a Nutshell® by Fjord Tours Explained guide.

Oslo and Bergen: the cities at each end

Oslo

Oslo is compact, walkable and richer in culture and museums than its size might suggest. The Munch Museum, the National Museum, the Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy and the Vigeland sculpture park are all within easy reach of the centre, alongside a waterfront that has been substantially regenerated in recent years. The city's relationship with its surrounding landscape is unusually close: within twenty minutes of Oslo Central Station you can be in forested hills.

Bergen

Bergen is older in character, shaped by its centuries as a Hanseatic trading port. Bryggen, the old wharf with its distinctive painted wooden facades, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fish market, the funicular up to Mount Fløyen and the neighbourhoods above the port are all worth time. Bergen is also the natural starting point for journeys deeper into the fjords to the north and east, and for good reason it carries the name Norway's gateway to the fjords.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Oslo to Bergen train journey?

The direct service takes approximately six and a half to seven hours, depending on the departure. Trains run several times daily in each direction. Journey times can occasionally be longer in winter if there are weather delays on the Hardangervidda plateau.

Do I need to book seats in advance on the Bergen Railway?

Yes. Seats are assigned at the time of booking, and popular departures, particularly morning services in summer, sell out weeks in advance. Booking early with 50 Degrees North gives your destination specialist the best chance of securing your preferred seat position and carriage class.

Which side of the train is best for views on the Oslo to Bergen route?

The right-hand side travelling from Oslo to Bergen offers a slight advantage for the most dramatic sections approaching Myrdal. Travelling in the opposite direction, the left-hand side is equivalent. That said, the Hardangervidda plateau is so vast that both sides of the carriage deliver something worth watching.

Is there food on the Bergen Railway?

Yes. There is a café car on board selling hot drinks, pastries, sandwiches and warm meals. Options are reasonable for a long journey, though limited if you have specific dietary requirements. Many Norwegian travellers bring their own food, and eating a packed lunch on board is entirely normal.

What is Vy Komfort and is it worth it?

Vy Komfort is the upgraded carriage class on Vy trains. It offers wider seats, additional luggage space alongside your seat and a quieter atmosphere. For a journey of seven hours, the additional comfort is worth considering, particularly if you are travelling with luggage or want a more relaxed crossing.

Can I take the Bergen Railway in winter?

Yes, the service runs year-round. Winter crossings of the Hardangervidda are particularly atmospheric, with the plateau covered in deep snow and reindeer often visible. Occasional weather-related delays can occur in mid-winter, so it is worth allowing buffer time if you have onward connections. Our Highlights of Norway in Winter itineraries are specifically designed around seasonal conditions.

What is the highest point on the Oslo to Bergen train route?

The highest point is Finse station, at 1,237 metres above sea level. Finse is one of the most remote staffed stations in Norway, accessible only by train or on foot, and sits in the middle of the Hardangervidda National Park.

How does the Bergen Railway connect to the fjords?

At Myrdal, passengers can connect onto the Flåm Railway, which descends over 860 metres in just 20 kilometres to the village of Flåm at the water's edge. From Flåm, a fjord cruise continues through the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. This connecting route forms the heart of our Highlights of Norway journeys. For a full explanation, read our Norway in a Nutshell® by Fjord Tours Explained guide.

What is the difference between the Bergen Railway and the Norway in a Nutshell® route?

The Bergen Railway is the mainline rail service between Oslo and Bergen. Norway in a Nutshell® by Fjord Tours is a specific, trademarked transport journey that uses a section of the Bergen Railway as one of its components, combined with the Flåm Railway, a fjord cruise and a bus connection through the Nærøy Valley. Our Highlights of Norway itineraries include these transport segments within a multi-day, accommodation-inclusive programme.

Related journeys and reading from 50 Degrees North

• Highlights of Norway — a balanced multi-day introduction to Norway's fjords and railways
• Highlights of Norway in Winter — a quieter, seasonal version adapted for winter travel
• Highlights of Sognefjord — with extended time on Norway's longest and deepest fjord
• Highlights of Norway with Cycling — combining rail and fjord travel with downhill cycling on the Rallarvegen
• Highlights of Norway Premium — with upgraded accommodation and added comfort
• Which Highlights of Norway trip suits you? — a guide to choosing the right itinerary