samejia

My family will be doing a Bergen roundtrip NIN on Easter Monday. I'm concerned about things being closed for the holiday. Do they sell food on the trains and ferries or should we bring sandwiches with us?

I've been planning this trip for months and can't believe it's finally here!!

Marija

I remember that in May we ate lunch at the hotel in Flam. I don't know if it will be open in April. The Stalheim hotel will probably be closed since it opens in mid-May unless the schedule has changed. (In mid-May we were the only guests staying at the hotel.) I'm pretty sure the ferry sold beverages and snacks but I don't know if it had anything more substantial. Sorry I can't tell you anything more. Have a great time.

Michael

We purchased sandwiches at the Oslo train station, and could have purchased food in Flåm. The train stop there is by the water, and the entire area is devoted to tourism. I can't imagine that it would be closed even on Easter Sunday.

samejia

Thanks for your replies. Are we allowed to eat while on the train? I know the hotel in Flam is closed so wasn't sure what else is there.

Surfergirl

Trick question with the Easter Monday (Andre påskedag). Since the Norwegians also celebrate the Sat. before Easter Sunday, stores close early on that day as well. On Easter Monday, there will be some restaurants open, but planning ahead is best.

First, you are absolutely allowed to eat on the train! If you are taking the Signatur Train, reservations are compulsory and if in first class, you will get a meal as part of it. I think drinks and snacks on the Signatur trains may be complimentary, but maybe not. In any event, there is a food car on this train, and you would take your food back to your seats. If, however, you are taking a non-commuter train (all seats from Bergen, I believe, are just one class), there may be (but not always!) a little place on the train to get snacks. If you are on that train, try to get food for a picnic before you get on the train, although the tiny shop at the station (where you can get drinks and snacks) may be open on Easter Monday. Always best to be prepared.

The boat that travels down the fjord also has a stand for snacks.

samejia

Thanks for the info, Surfergirl. I didn't book the train but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be first class since it's part of the NIN tour. Hopefully, something will be open early in the morning since the train is at 8:40.

Surfergirl

Yes, the one you're taking is the slower, second class train. You should probably confirm that it is, in fact, running, since that trains runs Monday through Sat. except on holidays. So definitely pick up some food (maybe from your hotel?) and drinks before getting on the train. The Signatur (express) train leaves Bergen about 45 minutes before this train.

Kay2

For food on the train and ferry, think concession stand.
We did get a snack on the ferry (we rode roundtrip and it was getting cold so we wanted something hot).
I seem to remember it was hot dog/sausages, pizza, desserts, that sort of thing.
It was also very expensive, like all food in Norway seems to be.

Poconolady

What are the eating options in Flam? We will have a two hour layover there and it seems to be the only time all day that we would have access to any sit down type place to eat. (late April).

samejia

I emailed the company that I bought the NIN tickets from about places to eat during the tour. Here's the response.

The hotels in Flam will be open during Easter holiday, so you can eat there. We may fro example recommend you Furukroa restaurant i Flam.

Kay2

If hotel restaurants open that means you will have hot food option. They offered various meat/vegetable plates, pizza, etc. There were a few restaurants in town (not in hotels) that were sort of cafeteria style where you could view your options, others that were order at the counter offering about the same options. Not sure if they will be open. These provided more food and options than the minimal snack shop in the train station. Several were clustered in the small shopping area along the wharf from the train station to the grocery store.

That means you could count on a hot meal if your 2-hour layover is during lunch hours and you would still have time to stretch your legs walking along the road around the harbor or back along the tiny streets in the village. The little museum was actually quite interesting.