Norway Fjord Self-Tour
Apr 23rd, 2007, 06:48 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Norway Fjord Self-Tour
Has anyone used a scanrail pass for train and ferry travel between Oslo-Myrdal-Flam-Balestrand-Bergen?
I am trying to get seat reservations for this schedule but am only finding package deals that are not valid with my scanrail pass.
Do I need seat reservations for these routes? And if so, should I be buying a tour package rather than trying to use the scanrail pass?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am trying to get seat reservations for this schedule but am only finding package deals that are not valid with my scanrail pass.
Do I need seat reservations for these routes? And if so, should I be buying a tour package rather than trying to use the scanrail pass?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Apr 28th, 2007, 05:43 AM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We visited the towns you mentioned a year ago in late June/early July, the Norway in a Nutshell towns, but we did not have a scanrail pass. I looked into the scanrail pass and although I am not positive, I seem to recall reading somewhere that if you have the scanrail pass, you got a slight discount on some of the train/ferry parts of the trip. Have you looked at the Norway in a Nutshell site, you might be able to find some answers. http://www.norwaynutshell.com/default.asp
I think you will need reservations. I recall the train from Oslo to Myrdal was so busy, we made our reservations a month in advance and our family was not even able to sit together. The Myrdal to Flam section, the famous Flam Railroad is VERY BUSY. Thousands of people in both railroad stations. I'm postive you will need reservations.
The express ferries from Flam to Bergen, run several times a day, but they were always quite full. We had reservations.
We loved Balestrand by the way, spent two nights at the Balestand Hotel. Lovely. We also loved Bergen. Be sure to go to the fish market. Loved their fish sandwiches.
I think you will need reservations. I recall the train from Oslo to Myrdal was so busy, we made our reservations a month in advance and our family was not even able to sit together. The Myrdal to Flam section, the famous Flam Railroad is VERY BUSY. Thousands of people in both railroad stations. I'm postive you will need reservations.
The express ferries from Flam to Bergen, run several times a day, but they were always quite full. We had reservations.
We loved Balestrand by the way, spent two nights at the Balestand Hotel. Lovely. We also loved Bergen. Be sure to go to the fish market. Loved their fish sandwiches.
May 1st, 2007, 05:59 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The "nutshell" tour uses public transport services. The Oslo-Bergen trains are run by the Norwegian state railways, NSB (www.nsb.no), the Flåm railway is run by Flåmsbana (www.flaamsbana.no) and the Flåm-Balestrand-Bergen boats are run by Fjord1 Fylkesbaatane (www.fjord1.no/fylkesbaatane_en/). The Scanrail ticket covers travel on NSB, and probably gives a discount on the others.
May 1st, 2007, 06:04 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Probably - the best for this and ScanPasses and questions about them like this is to call BETS (800-441-2387; www.budgeteuropetravel.com) who i've used for years and testify to their customer service and expertise. On their home page request their free European Planning & Rail guide that has a good chapter on Scandinavian trains including special coverage of the oslo-bergen line and the nutshell tour. I consider the OsloBergen railway to be amongst my top five scenic ones in Europe that i've ridden and the Norway in a Nutshell thing one of the most awesome things i've done in Europe as well. You may even spot a whale or two. The Flam-Myrdhal railway is also great.
