isabel

I have three full days plus two partial days (arrive after noon day 1, then 3 full days, then departure day don't need to leave for airport till 3pm) in Bergen at the end of June. One day I want to take the Norway in a Nutshell drip (Myrdal, Flam, Gundvangen, Voss). Another day I think I want to take the NIN trip to Hardangerfjord.

1) are the two partial days enough to see Bergen itself or should I plan to have the third full day in Bergen?

2) Suggestions for that third day if don't need it in Bergen?

3) I've been on the Norway train website and I don't see how booking the NIN route individually saves any money over just booking it from NIN - but yet I keep reading that it does so what am I missing.

4) I know the NIN trip that includes all the way to Oslo requires reservations, but I'm not doing that part so is it safe to wait till I get to Norway to buy the tickets? ( that way I can pick the best day weather wise).

PalenQ

Trains to Voss and from Myrdhal do not require seat reservations I believe - did not when I did it with a railpass - to Oslo yes but some seats saved unreserved for local traffic. Check these superb IMO sources for more info on what to do in Bergen area and on the train art: www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com. There may be a minor discount for booking in advance but if you buy the all-inclusive NIN ticket in the Bergen train station (that's at least where I bought it) - it includes all components and you need no reservations on any segment - just hop on train, bus, and boat and then Flam railway to Myrdhal and back to Bergen or onto Oslo.

Bergen itself has a neat old waterfront with ancient warehouses extent from its days as a Hanseatic Port. To me it was one of the nicest cities I've seen in all of Scandinavia - spend a day there exploring, having some fresh fish dinner, etc.

colduphere

"One day I want to take the Norway in a Nutshell drip ... (that way I can pick the best day weather wise)."

I love the word drip. It is very appropriate. Which makes your last comment about "weather wise" wise.

isabel

Well I guess that typo shows my fear that the famous rainy Norway weather will impact my trip.

So Pal, I take you are saying you think it would be safe to wait till I get to Norway to buy the NIN tickets - and also that Bergen deserves an entire day of it's own.

Given how popular the NIN trip seems to be I'm surprised there aren't more trip reports here with people doing it. Most of the trip reports seem to be people who took driving trips.

Michael

You do not need to purchase the NIN package until you get to Norway.

PalenQ

So Pal, I take you are saying you think it would be safe to wait till I get to Norway to buy the NIN tickets - and also that Bergen deserves an entire day of it's own.>

that's what I did but I guess if you don't pay more it would not hurt to buy in advance - if reservations are now possible check into it. Some sources with good details on NIN and Bergen-Oslo train line, ubiquitously listed amongst most scenic in Europe check: www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteurope.com and www.seat61.com.

dyoll

There is no point in buying the tickets in advance as there are no reservations on buses or local trains. Just buy the pass the day before at the Tourist Information office or station or pay as you go. You can save a few NOK by buying minipris tickets in advance between Myrdal and Bergen, but the small saving is hardly worth the loss of flexibility. In addition to considering the weather you can check cruise ship arrivals in Flåm (Aurland harbour) and avoid crowded days with many passengers.
http://aurlandhavn.no/cruise-2/ship-arrivals-2014/

PalenQ

My experience is exactly the same as dyoll's info. Just wait until Bergen to buy anything for NIN.

anjun

Great suggestion Dyoll,about checking the cruise schedule. Thanks for that link.