Last updated on March 8, 2023 bySam
The Flam Railway, called Flamsbana in Norwegian, takes you on a scenic train journey through southern Norway, from the fjord village of Flam to Myrdal or vice versa. The journey covers around 20 kilometers and offers breathtaking views of magnificent mountains, waterfalls, beautiful valleys and much more. Regarded as the most beautiful train journey in the world, the stunning scenery makes the Flam Railway simply a must-see when you are in this part of Norway. For us, the scenic drive was certainly one of the highlights of our entire trip, so it definitely lives up to the hype! Find out everything you need to know before visiting with this Flam Railway guide, covering how to book your tickets, get the best seats, which side has the best views and much more!
Want to know what else to visit near Flam? Look at thisOne week itinerary through the fjords of Norwayfor ideas!
Index
Information about the Flam Railway
Flam train length– 20.2 kilometers / 12.6 miles.
Flam train travel time– A one-way trip on the Flamsbana takes around 1 hour, but this varies according to the season and departure time. All trips include a 5-10 minute stop at Kjosfossen waterfall.
Highest elevation of Flam Bahn– 866 meters above sea level at Myrdal station.
cost to build– Approximately NOK 20 million.
construction time- 20 years.
Flam Railway Prices
Tickets for a return trip on the Flam Railway cost NOK 680 between May 1st and September 30th, which is considered high season in Flam.
The first departure is at 7:30 am and the arrival in Flam is scheduled for 9:20 am, the last departure at 6:40 pm and the return at 8:55 pm. These trains are cheaper as they are generally less busy, but they follow the exact same route and stop too.Kjosfossen waterfall.
Outside of peak season, tickets for the Flam Railway cost NOK 500.
Click here to book your train tickets online!
Hiking and cycling in the Flam Valley
If you would like to take the opportunity to walk or cycle in the Flam Valley, you can take a one-way train from Flam to Myrdal and then walk or cycle the way back.
Click here to book a one-way train ticket so you can walk or cycle the Flam Valley!
It is also possible to walk or cycle from Flam to Myrdal and then take the train back, but we recommend going the other way so you don't have to climb the hill on foot or by bike! Also, if you end up slower than you thought, you might miss the train and have to pay again for a later train.
Bike hire can be arranged in Flam or Myrdal, with prices starting at NOK 420 per day. We recommend that you book your bike hire at Café Rallaren in Myrdal, as this will save you having to bring your bike on the train.
Click here to book a bike rental on the Café Rallaren website!
Flam train schedule
Flam Railway timetables vary seasonally, with up to 10 return services per day between May and September. Between November and March there are only 4 round trips per day, and in April and October there are 6 round trips per day.
Flam Railway departure times vary depending on the season and the number of trips per day. For the most up-to-date information, we recommendClick here to see the Visit Flam website schedule!
What do you see on the Flam Railway?
The Flam railway line is blessed with spectacular scenery along its 20 kilometers. As soon as you leave Flam, you can see dense forest, countless waterfalls and towering mountains.
You can also see the beautiful Flamselvi River, a glacial river that flows into the Aurlandsfjord as it reaches Flam. The river, known locally as Moldåni, is visible at several points along the journey.
As you begin the climb, you'll have stunning views of the Flam Valley, so get your camera ready. There are many waterfalls in the valley and many of them are unnamed, but that doesn't make them any less beautiful to look at!
One of the highlights of a trip on the Flam Railway is visiting Kjosfossen waterfall, which can only be accessed by train. The train stops about 5-10 minutes at Kjosfossen station, which has an observation platform next to the waterfall.
At this point, you can get off the train and get closer to the waterfall to get the best view and take some good pictures! The Kjosfossen waterfall is extremely powerful and impressive with a total drop of 225 meters.
In the busiest months there is usually a short performance by a Kjosfossen waterfall dancer dressed as the Huldra, a seductive woodland creature from Scandinavian folklore. Soon after her arrival, the music will start playing and the dancer will appear in front of the waterfall.
We personally found this to be a distraction from the beauty of the waterfall and would have preferred to enjoy nature without the dancer, but to each his own.
After stopping at the waterfall, it won't take you long to reach Myrdal Station, but before that you will pass the beautiful Lake Reinungavatnet. Once you arrive at the train station, you can stay on the train if you have a return ticket, as you won't have to wait long at the train station before heading back to Flam.
If you're doing a round trip, you'll want to sit on the other side on the way back to see the views on both sides. Find out which side we recommend sitting on by reading the section below!
During the train journey from Flam to Myrdal, you'll pass over a bridge and through 20 tunnels. Some of the tunnels have gaps so you can still partially enjoy the views along the way.
Which side to sit on to get the best view of the Flam train?
If you want the best view from the Flam train, sit on the right hand side when exiting Flam. Alternatively, if you are taking the train from Myrdal to Flam, you must sit on the left hand side.
Whichever side you sit on, you'll have a good view, but if you follow the tips above, you'll have a better view for most of the trip. If you do the round trip you might want to switch sides once you reach Myrdal but we personally decided against this as we could see the view was better on our side!
If you have a camera and want to take quality pictures, there are some spots with windows that open. Try to get one of these seats, otherwise it's hard to get good photos as windows often cause unwanted glare and reflections in photos.
Seats with windows that open are usually at the front and back of each carriage, although some appeared to be broken during our trip, so check before you take a seat!
More tips for traveling on the Flam Railway
Arrive early for your train.– As it is the main activity in the region, trains can be very crowded. During peak season, the Flam Railway will have many cruise ship passengers and other tourists on board.
For the best seats, arrive 20-30 minutes before departure. That way you can ensure you're sitting on the side with the best view, and get a seat with a window that opens if you wish!
Disembark the train at Kjosfossen waterfall– Whether you take the train from Flam to Myrdal or vice versa, make a 5-10 minute stop at Kjosfossen waterfall. Train stewards will make sure everyone is back on board before departing, giving you time to disembark and enjoy this beautiful place.
Doing the round trip means you can stop twice at the waterfall. We noticed that fewer people went down the waterfall on the train journey back from Myrdal to Flam. So it's worth going down a second time if you want to see the waterfall without so many people.
book in advance– Book your Flam Railway tickets as soon as you know your travel dates! During peak season, trains can get very crowded with cruise passengers and other tourists, so it's worth booking ahead to ensure you don't miss out.
visit all year round– The Flam train runs year-round so you can take this scenic train journey any time during your visit. Depending on the time of year you visit, the landscape changes dramatically.
It is a particularly interesting place to visit in winter, as you will have the chance to see the snow-covered Flam Valley. If it's cold enough, the Kjosfossen waterfall can even freeze over, which is a truly spectacular sight if you're lucky enough to see it!
Driving to Flam, Norway
There are different ways to get to Flam depending on your preferences. One of the most popular ways to get to Flam is to take the train from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal and then take the Flam train into the city.
Another way to get to Flam from Bergen is the Norled daily express ferry, but this only runs between May 1st and September 30th. Tickets cost NOK 905 one way and the journey takes around 5.5 hours.
Click here to book a boat from Bergen to Flam!
If you prefer, it is also possible to reach Flam by road. Renting a car is a great way to get around Norway, as you can stop whenever you like and enjoy the spectacular scenery! Car hire is surprisingly affordable considering how expensive Norway can be, so it's definitely an option worth exploring!
Click here to find great car hire deals in Norway!
If you want more information on how to get to Flam thenClick here for more information about Visit Flam!
Where to stay in Flam, Norway
intermediate area
marine flame
If you want to rent an apartment, Flam Marina is a great place to stay! The property is perfectly situated on the edge of the fjord and offers the option of a one or two bedroom apartment.
Prices start atNOK 1,305per night, with free on-site parking, which is perfect if you've rented a car!
Click here to book a stay in the charming Flam Marina on Booking.com!
Give it a whim!
Hotel Frethheim
The Fretheim Hotel is a beautifully restored 19th-century manor house, making it one of the best places to stay in Flam. The hotel rooms are extremely comfortable and offer beautiful views over the surrounding area and mountains.
As Flam is a small town, the hotel is a short walk from the train station and fjord shore. Prices start atNOK 1,690per night including breakfast!
Click here to see the amazing Fretheim Hotel on Booking.com!
Hotel Flamsbrygga
One of the best accommodation options in Flam is the charming Flamsbrygga Hotel. With a superb location close to the coast of the Aurlandsfjord, the hotel's balconies offer fantastic views.
The hotel is just a few minutes' walk from Flam train station, which is perfect if you want to take the scenic train to Myrdal. The property's rooms are cozy and luxurious for a relaxing stay. Prices start atNOK 1,850per night, with breakfast included in the price!
Click here to take a look at the wonderful Flamsbrygga Hotel on Booking.com.
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