Norway in a Nutshell (NIN) is an iconic trip that takes you between Oslo and Bergen with trains, fjord cruise ferry and bus. This is often the journey of choice for many first-time travelers to Norway. With highlights like stunning train rides through the mountains, a scenic fjord cruise and a relaxing bus ride it’s a great way to experience the fjord country.

On the Fjord Tours website, you can by a pre-packaged NIN Tour ticket, which includes all the different tickets needed for doing the tour. In this article I’ll guide you through step-by-step how to book the ticket, and I will focus on the Oslo to Bergen route.

Want to travel light and have your luggage transported between Oslo and Bergen? Get in touch with Porterservice.

 

👉 Need further assistance planning your trip to Norway? Read more here.

 

Norway in a Nutshell – What it includes

Depending on your preference, the Norway in a Nutshell trip can start in Oslo and end in Bergen or the other way round. The trip can happen over a single day, or spaced out over multiple days. It can also be done as a day trip from both Oslo and Bergen. There are daily departures, and each year more than 70.000 travelers choose to take this route.

The full journey from Oslo to Bergen includes:

• Oslo-Myrdal train (Bergen Line)

• Myrdal-Flåm train (Flåmsbana)

• Fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjorden & UNESCO Nærøyfjorden

• Bus ride through the Nærøy Valley (Nærøydalen)

• Train ride between Voss and Bergen

 

 👉 Travel light? Let Porterservice transport your luggage between Oslo & Bergen.

How to book the Norway in a Nutshell tickets?

You can easily book the pre-packaged ticket on the Fjord Tours website. There’s a summer tour, and a winter tour package which follow the same route. However, in the winter season if there is ice on the Nærøyfjord there will be an alternative ferry route going from Flåm to the village of Undredal and then a shuttle bus from there to Gudvangen. With global warming and milder winters this does not occur as often as it did in the past.

The Fjord Tours Website

I always recommend booking the tour on the Fjord Tours website, since they are the official provider of this tour. If you find the tour sold other places you might end up with a different tour or you’ll be charged an extra fee.

Step 1 – Choose passengers, travel route & date

The first step is to choose how many travelers are going, in which direction you want to travel and what time of the year. See image below.

 

Tip! As soon as you know your dates make sure to book your ticket as certain departures can sell out in the high season. If you end up having to cancel your journey don’t worry! According to the Fjord Tours website: “Round trips, package travels and ferry routes: can be cancelled up to 7 days before departure at a charge of NOK 200 per booking”.

 

Step 2 – Detailed itinerary & Design your journey

In this next step you’ll get an overview of your journey with a detailed itinerary (see below). The Bergen Railway from Oslo to Myrdal, the Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm, the fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen, the bus from Gudvangen to Voss, and the train from Voss to Bergen. It’s a long day, but it’s an unforgettable journey! NOTE! That the time schedule will change throughout the year.

 

On the same page the website will indicate that your tour starts in Oslo. At this point you can start designing the journey by adding hotels (if you like to make overnight stops) and activities.

See the red marking above where you can add optional activity. Perhaps you’d like to do a Fjord Cruise in Oslo or a Oslo Highlights Bike Tour, there are many options, and if you are not sure you can book these activities on their own closer to your departure date.

As you can see there is also an option for accommodation. If you click it you’ll get a suggestion for several hotels. Since you’ll be departing from the Oslo Central Station, it can be convenient to choose one that is located nearby. Booking the hotels through Fjord Tours is very convenient, but you can also check out portals such as booking.com to see if you can find better rates.

Conveniently located and comfortable hotels:

• Clarion Hotel the Hub
• Thon Hotel Spectrum & Thon Hotel Terminus
• Citybox Hotel (budget)

 

👉 More Oslo recommendations? Check out my Oslo City Guide

 

Spend one or several nights in the fjord country?

The vast majority of travelers on the Norway in a Nutshell tour who wants to spend extra night(s) choose to do so in the fjord village of Flåm. Being a transportation hub Flåm can be quite busy, but it’s a place with a lot to offer in terms of activities (kayaking, hiking, RIB-tour, village tour, great food).

 

As you can see above, Fjord Tours give recommendations for places you can stay in Flåm. They are all good options covering different budgets. If you have another hotel in mind or would like to book the hotel seperately you can tick the box “I will arrange accommodation on my own”. By doing so you can choose for how many nights you need to stay, and then itinerary will update itself.

Tip! One good hotel option (not on the Fjord Tours website) is the Flåm Marina Hotel. Tucked away a quick stroll from the busy docks and offering rooms with great fjord views it can be a nice option to consider, but the Fretheim Hotel, Flåmsbrygga Hotel and Flåm Camping & Hostel are also great options. Check prices on booking.com.

 

Later departure from Voss?

After your fjord cruise you’ll catch a bus from Gudvangen and head on a scenic bus ride through fjord landscape to the town of Voss. On the standard itinerary there is not enough time to stroll around in Voss, so if you want to have some extra time in Voss and probably even have a meal before your train to Bergen then you can decide to change to a later departure time from Voss. See screenshot below.

You’ll arrive in the evening to the charming seaside town of Bergen. If I was you I would stay at least two nights in Bergen so that you can have time to enjoy some of what Bergen has to offer. Same as other places along the route you can also book your accommodation through the Fjord Tours website.

 

Taxis are waiting on the outside of the Bergen Train Station, but for most hotels downtown it’s just a short 10-15 minute walk. I’m listing a couple of nice options that are centrally located and will provide you with a comfortable stay:

• Citybox Hotel (budget)
• Hotel Oleana (mid-range)
• Clarion Collection Havnekontoret or Hotel Opus 16

 

For more Bergen recommendations check out my Bergen City Guide or watch my YouTube-episode: Bergen: Hidden gems & Iconic landmarks

I hope you found this article helpful, and that you’ll enjoy your Norway in a Nutshell Tour!

FAQ – Norway in a Nutshell

• Can I do this trip in reverse (Bergen-Oslo)?

Yes you can! Book the tickets for the other way around.

• Can I start in Bergen and end in Bergen same day?

Yes!

• Can I start in Oslo and end in Oslo same day?

Yes. Note! The train back to Oslo might be the night train, so you’ll have to wait in Voss for quite a while.

• Does the ferry have comfortable indoor seating and room for luggage?

Yes, the ferry is designed for passengers bringing luggage. There’s plenty of nice indoor seating with good views.

• Where to store luggage on the bus?

The bus has a luggage compartment underneath. Smaller items can be brought onboard.

• I don’t want to bring my luggage. Can it be transported between Oslo and Bergen?

Yes, check out www.porterservice.com

• • Any nice places to stop and spend one or several night along the way?

For alpine skiing you could stop in Geilo where you find ski resorts.

For biking you could get off at Haugastøl and rent mountain bikes.

For a mountain hiking experience I’d stop in Finse.

For a nice fjord village you could spend a night in Aurlandsvangen or in Flåm (more touristy).

For a Viking Experience you could stop in Gudvangen and experience the Viking Valley Village.

 

Do you have more questions? Please add them to the comment field below, and I might put them up in the FAQ as well.