I’m traveling to Norway in June. Flying into Oslo, arriving on a Thursday morning. Flying out of Bergen Friday of the next week. I’d like to spend time in Oslo, Balestrand and Bergen.
I’m looking for input on my rough itinerary and answers to some questions:
Rough Itinerary: Oslo: Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Sunday, travel by train and ferry to Balestrand, spend remainder of Sunday and Monday in Balestrand. Tuesday travel by ferry from Balestrand to Bergen.
I think I know how to book the train from Oslo to Flam. I’m unclear about the ferry from Flam to Balestrand. Is there more than one ferry company that does this trip? The website I found is norled.no
I’m wondering if I should instead take the train all the way to Bergen, and then do a day trip or overnight in Balestrand? From the ferry map, it looks like Balestrand is on the way from Flam to Bergen which is why I thought about stopping in Balestrand for a day or two.
Assuming I take the train to Flam and ferry to Balestrand – the train arrives in Flam at 14:25, and the ferry leaves at 15:30. Is that enough time? I’m unclear about distance between the train station and ferry terminal.
The ferry website (norled.no) shows 2 trips from Balestrand to Bergen, but one shows a status of RED. I cannot find what red means; does anyone know? I tried a few other days and they’re all red.
Does it make sense to book any/all of this thru Norway in a Nutshell? I have not compared prices yet, just curious about any pros or cons.
Norway Itinerary and questions
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Here's roughly what we did: train from Oslo to Flam and then the slow ferry along the Naeroyfjord to Gudvangen, bus to Stalheim hotel. Do NOT miss the Naeroyfjord. It is spectacular. This essentially covers the route of Norway in a Nutshell. Overnight at the Stalheim Hotel,
http://english.stalheim.dnn.gasta.no/
The next morning catch a bus at the Stalheim which connects to another bus that will take you to the ferry that goes to Balestrand. The bus ride is beautiful. Buses, trains and ferries all wait for one another. From Balestrand you can catch a quick ferry to Bergen. Enjoy Norway. Bring lots of money!
Thank you.
You might benefit in thinking of Norway, not as a visit to two cities but really just a visit to two small towns that are very low density. I believe the real pleasure in Norway is the countryside and since there is very little in the two big towns you just need to sleep in them.