I haven't been to Norway yet... but of the remaining capitals Stockholm is the favorite. I think a day or two in Helsinki is plenty... but that's just my opinion. An overnite ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki is a fun way to travel. I believe the Silja Line still does this... but you could check other options. If there's time you might find a visit to the island of Visby (Sweden) interesting.

You might find this helpful.

http://www.aferry.co.uk/silja-line-ferry-uk.htm

IMHO Stockholm has by far th emost to see and do - but Copenhaen is also a wonderful city and much more interesting than Oslo. Norwegian fjords are wonderful - but IMHO the countryside doesn;t do anything for me - kind of flat and dreary with a lot of scrub oak. And I would take any of the other 3 capitals over Helsinki.

You may want to take a look at my trip reports on Norway and Stockholm; click on my name to find them.

I would do Copenhagen, Oslo and the Fjords, Stockholm, Helsinki and then take the ferry from Helsinki across to Tallinn.

You have ample time for all of this.

Our trip this past June was similar to what you are planning.

We started in Helsinki, ferried to St. Pete's, ferried back to Helsinki, ferried across to Tallinn, took the overnite ferry to Stockholm, flew to Oslo, trained through the fjords, got a car and stayed in the fjords, trained to Bergen, then flew to Copenhagen, got a car to visit Aero Island.

These countries are VERY expensive. Even with free hotel stays for the most part, it was still an expensive trip. Just be prepared. Probably figure close to double what it cost in Germany.

There are many transportation options for these countries, so it is just a matter of where you want to begin and end. We enjoyed the overnite ferries.

http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/

http://www.lindaline.ee/en/?p=256

http://www.nsb.no/our-tickets/minipris-article38289-4337.html

If your time is limited you can take the train from Oslo to Bergen via the fjords as a looong day or spend a night or two en route. If you take the ferry from Flam to Gudvangen you will get a good taste of how beautiful the fjords are.

Bergen is a very quaint little fishing 'village'. Grab some lunch or dinner from the fresh fish stands, have a seat and people watch. Very picturesque. Take the tram up the mt to catch some great views.

We really enjoyed roaming around Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, poking in and out of the antique shops. Skansen was interesting to spend a part of the day at. The Vasa ship museum is terrific. Don't miss it.

We sat on the roof of the Opera House in Oslo during a rainstorm, and took the boat over to the islands to the museums and the Fram museum. Wonderful museum. We took the bus to Frogner park early in the morning before it got too busy.

If you have time, take the Linda Line ferry across to Tallinn from Helsinki. It's a great little town.

Bergen is a very quaint little fishing 'village'. ???

from Wikipedia:
As of 21 October 2012, the municipality had a population of 267,000 and Greater Bergen had a population of 392,700, making Bergen the second-largest city in Norway.

It may be the second largest "city" in Norway - but while I wouldn't call it a "village" - I would definitely call it a town. I guess it's all in your perspective - but I have trouble seeing as a city any place with fewer than about a million people.

nytraveler,

but I have trouble seeing as a city any place with fewer than about a million people.</i?

San Francisco, Portland OR and Seattle are not cities?

Sounds like a form of reverse provincialism.

If not doing the car the trains and ferries are terrific and you can get to all the places and in between them easily by public transportation. And if doing all those countries by train then be sure to look at the Scandinavian Railpass, valid on trains and many ferries - it is one way to keep travel expenses down - and there are also overnight trains you could hop on long distances like up to Narvik - Narvik over the Finland and overnight train down to Stockholm, etc.

For lots of great info on Scandinavian trains and passes I always spotlight these IMO fantastic sites - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. ScanRailpasses come only in 2nd class but that in this more socialist area where the difference between classes on trains is not that great and some are all single (2nd) class, well...

I just meant that Bergen left me with the impression of a quaint little fishing village/town, since we stayed and really only roamed around the Bryggen area. Loved the old buildings and alleyways, boats and fish market. Since I did not travel into the everyday/populated city center I stand by my memories. I can live in denial if I want to.

Stockholm is nice, but I'd skip Oslo for Bergen, in Norway.

I agree. If I had to choose, it would be Bergen over Oslo definitely.

there is an overnight train between Bergen and Oslo - go on one of the world's most scenic railways in the day to Bergen and stay there - do the fantastic Norway in a Nutshell journey and when ready to head out take the night train to Oslo - there are also overnight trains between Oslo and Stockholm and an overnight boat between Stockholm and Helsinki - one way to beat the huge costs of Scandinavian hotels and save time traveling, often thru scenery IMO that is pretty boring after a while - think northern Minnesota or Michigan for thousands of miles.

there is an overnight train between Bergen and Oslo - go on one of the world's most scenic railways in the day to Bergen and stay there - do the fantastic Norway in a Nutshell journey and when ready to head out take the night train to Oslo

PalenQ

Why take the overnight train to Bergen and then do the NIN trip. That can be done on the way to Bergen starting in Oslo. Your suggestion adds an extra train ride (two night trains plus NIN) which is completely unnecessary.

So many great replies. Thanks to all. The prospect of Scandinavia being twice the cost of Germany is a bit daunting. We are now working on the plans based on the kind recommendations.

Why take the overnight train to Bergen and then do the NIN trip. That can be done on the way to Bergen starting in Oslo. Your suggestion adds an extra train ride (two night trains plus NIN) which is completely unnecessary.>

Michael - I am perplexed with your post - I assume one would go by rail to Bergen and back by rail - I suggest taking the overnight train back to Oslo but going by day train to Bergen - I would advice doing the NIN as a leisurely day from Bergen and not as a hurried part of an Oslo to Bergen day though that could well be done. But I did not suggest taking two night trains - just one one way, going by day the other.

PalenQ,

The passage that I quoted from your post indicates three train rides, which is an expensive proposition in Norway.

I do not see how doing NIN from Bergen to Oslo is less hurried than doing it from Oslo to Bergen.

Flåmbanen is overrated in any case. The night train from Bergen to Oslo is certainly doable. But only if there isn't an other option for travel imo.
You could do Oslo-Myrdal, Myrdal-Flåm, Flåm by express ferry to Bergen. You need to time it right though. But arriving by fast ferry in Bergen is certainly memorable.

The passage that I quoted from your post indicates three train rides, which is an expensive proposition in Norway.>

Yes if you pay full fare but actually some of the passes, especially the Norway Railpass would probably be far cheaper than buying three solo train tickets. It does not take much for the Scandinavian railpass to pay off and it is also valid on many key ferries.

The passage that I quoted from your post indicates three train rides, which is an expensive proposition in Norway.>>

and what is the alternative? If you do it in a relaxed way you take the train from Oslo to Bergen - do the Nutshell as a day trip from there and then take a third train back to Oslo )or drive of course)

Michael - what is the alternative to taking three trains - actually four if you include the Flamsbaanen. Fly back from Bergen?

I really miss your point of the three train things!

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Denmark#

Here's Copenhagen/Denmark...Sweden/Stockholm and Norway, Finland coming up next..just to give you some ideas on Scandinavian travel.

Here is all of Scandinavia..hope you get some upclose ideas from these pics.
stu
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/NorwayScenes2002?authkey=Gv1sRgCJuHk6iIgbSEgAE#

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Finland#

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Denmark#

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Stockholm#

Renaud..I should have mentioned that in Finland we drove a good part of southern and middle country(see map); in Norway, we used a combination of train, Hurtigruten for 3 split days, rental auto (from Bodo) through the Lofotens then on to drive to Tromso. Took an overnight train from Narvik to Stockholm.

stu

Michael? Looking for an answer to your perplexing, flummoxing question!