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. At around 20 kilometers, the journey offers breathtaking views of magnificent mountains, waterfalls, beautiful valleys and much more. Dubbed the world's most beautiful train journey, the stunning scenery makes the Flam Railway simply a must-see when you're in this part of Norway. For us, the scenic drive was certainly one of the highlights of our entire trip, so it definitely lived up to the hype! Find out everything you need to know before visiting the Flam Railway, including how to book your tickets, get the best seats, which side has the best views, and more.
Wondering what else to visit near Flam? do you see thatOne week itinerary in the fjords of Norwayfor ideas!
Index
Information about the Flam Railway
Length of the Flam Railway– 20.2 kilometers / 12.6 miles.
Travel time of the Flam train– A single trip in Flamsbana takes about 1 hour, but this varies depending on the season and departure time. All trips include a 5-10 minute stop at Kjosfossen waterfall.
The highest elevation of the Flam Railway– 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 journey on the Flam Railway cost NOK 680 between 1 May and 30 September, which is considered high season in Flam.
The first departure is at 7:30 am with an estimated arrival in Flam at 9:20 am and the last departure is at 6:40 pm with an estimated arrival at 8:55 pm. These trains are cheaper as they are generally less busy, but they do the exact same route and stop in as wellKjosfossen waterfall.
Outside the high 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 want to hike or cycle in the Flam valley you can take a train from Flam to Myrdal and then walk or cycle back.
Click here to book a one-way train ticket to hike or bike in the Flam Valley!
It's 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 walk or cycle up the hill! If you end up slower than you thought you might miss your train and have to pay for another one later.
Bike rental can be arranged in Flam or Myrdal with prices starting at NOK 420 per day. We recommend renting your bike from Café Rallaren in Myrdal, as this saves you the charge for taking your bike on the train.
Click here to book a bike rental on the Café Rallaren website!
Train timetable Flam
The Flam Railway timetable varies seasonally, with up to 10 round trips daily between May and September. There are only 4 return trips per day between November and March and 6 return trips per day in April and October.
The Flam Railway departure times vary depending on the season and the number of connections per day. For the most up-to-date information, we recommendClick here for 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 a dense forest, countless waterfalls and towering mountains.
You can also see the beautiful river Flamselvi, a glacial river that flows into the Aurlandsfjord at Flam. The river, known locally as Moldåni, is visible at various points along the journey.
As you start the climb you have some stunning views of the Flam Valley so make sure you have 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 a visit to the Kjosfossen waterfall, which can only be reached by train. The train stops about 5-10 minutes at Kjosfossen station, which has a viewing platform next to the waterfall.
At this point you can get off the train and approach the waterfall for the best view and beautiful photos! The Kjosfossen waterfall is extremely powerful and impressive with a total drop of 225 meters.
During the busiest months there is often a brief performance by a Kjosfossen waterfall dancer dressed up as Huldra, an alluring forest creature from Scandinavian folklore. Shortly after your arrival, the music will start playing and the dancer will appear in front of the waterfall.
Personally we found it distracted us from the beauty of the waterfall and would have preferred to enjoy the outdoors without the dancer but to each our own.
After stopping at the waterfall, it doesn't take long to reach Myrdal train station, but you first pass the beautiful Reinungavatnet lake. Once you arrive at the train station you can just 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 return trip, be sure to sit on the other side on the way back so you can 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 will pass a bridge and 20 tunnels. Some of the tunnels have gaps so you can still partially enjoy the view along the way.
Which side should you sit on for the best view of the Flam Railway?
If you want the best view of the Flam Railway you should sit on the right hand side as you start from Flam. Alternatively if you are taking the train from Myrdal to Flam you should be seated on the left hand side.
Whichever side you sit on, you'll have a nice view, but if you follow the tips above, you'll have better views for most of the trip. If you do the round trip you can switch sides in Myrdal, but we personally decided against it as we could see the view was better on our side.
If you have a camera and want to take quality photos, there are some seats with windows that open. Try to get one of these spots, otherwise it's difficult to get good photos, as windows often create unwanted reflections in photos.
Seats with windows that open are usually at the front and back of each carriage, although a few appeared to be broken during our trip so check before you sit down!
More tips for traveling on the Flam Railway
Arrive early for your train.– As the main activity in the area, the trains can get very crowded. During the high season, the Flam Railway will have many cruise ship passengers and other tourists on board.
To get the best seats, arrive 20-30 minutes before departure. That way you can sit on the side with the best view and get a window seat that opens if you want!
Disembark the train at Kjosfossen waterfall– Whether you take the train from Flam to Myrdal or vice versa, you have a 5-10 minute stop at Kjosfossen waterfall. The train attendants 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 walked down the waterfall on the return train journey from Myrdal to Flam. So worth going down a second time if you want to see the waterfall without so many people around.
book in advance- Book your Flam train tickets as soon as you know your travel dates! During peak season, the trains can fill up with cruise passengers and other tourists, so it's worth booking well in advance so you don't miss out.
visit all year round– The Flam Railway runs year-round, so you can take this scenic train journey at any time during your visit. Depending on the season you visit, the scenery varies dramatically.
It's a particularly worthwhile place to visit in winter, as you'll have the chance to see the snow-capped Flam Valley. If it's cold enough, 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 a train from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal and then take the Flam train into town.
Another way to get to Flam from Bergen is the daily express ferry Norled, 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 want 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 rental deals in Norway!
If you would like more information on how to get to Flam then thenClick here for more information on the Visit Flam website!
Where to stay in Flam, Norway
average range
Marine flame
If you want to rent an apartment, Flam Marina is a great place to stay! The property is perfectly situated on the fjord's edge and offers a choice of a one or two bedroom apartment.
Prices start atNOK 1,305per night, with free on-site parking, which is perfect if you've hired a car!
Click here to book a stay in charming Flam Marina on Booking.com!
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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 of the surrounding area and the mountains.
As Flam is a small town, the hotel is a short walk from the train station and the fjord shore. Prices start atNOK 1,690per night, including breakfast!
Click here to see the amazing Fretheim Hotel on Booking.com!
Hotel Flämsbrygga
One of the best accommodation options in Flam is the charming Flamsbrygga Hotel. With a superb location close to the shore of the Aurlandsfjord, the hotel's balconies offer fantastic views.
The hotel is a few minutes' walk from Flam train station, which is perfect if you want to catch 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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