Hi there,<BR>Does anyone the bus time between Balestrand and Alesund, and the time between Alesund and Andalsnes? Prices also would be helpful. I can't seem to find timetables online. Thank you to all!

<BR>mikki,<BR>The Thomas Cook Timetable shows 2h20m by bus between Alesund and Andalsnes, three times a day each way. <BR>It shows no bus between Balestrand and Alesund. There appears to be coastal ferry service, but schedules are not given. The name of the ferry company might be Hurtigruten; try a web search with that.<BR>This looks like an adventure.<BR>www.enjoy-europe.com

Mikki, there are lots of options, but often they are difficult to find on the internet. And if you do, info most probably is in Norwegian. Another complication is that few Norwegian buscompanies operate nation-wide. Most often they operate county-wise, so you might need to know these names.<BR>I have not got time right now, but certainly may help you later. E-mail me, by instance, or try www.nor-way.no www.hsd.no www.ruteinfo.no "Sogn billag" and such...<BR>Bjorn, Oslo

Sorry. Here's the right mail address, Mikki

John, Thanks for the info.<BR><BR>Bjorn, I'm trying to break down the price of an independent "package" tour. Please don't spend any time on the bus times.<BR><BR>What do you think of this tentative itenerary:<BR>Day 1 - arrive Bergen in afternoon<BR>Day 2 - Norway in a Nutshell<BR>Day 3 - Bergen sightsee on own<BR>Day 4 - Bergen to Balestrand via catamaran cruise<BR>Day 5 - Balestrand to Alesund (bus)<BR>Day 6 - Alesund - visit Geiranger fjord<BR>Day 7 - Alesund to Aandalsnes to Oslo<BR>Day 8 - sightsee Oslo on own<BR>Day 9 - return<BR><BR>Am I squeezing too much into this trip? What do you suggest? <BR><BR>Thanks for your opinion. Looking forward to your reply, Mikki

Mikki<BR>A very rapid glance tells me that in total you have a fine itinerary, but there is some backtracking that can be avoided.<BR>What about starting with Bergen on your own, then a shortened Nutshell. I.e stop at Stalheim for overnighting after the Bergen-Myrdal-Flam-Gudvangen tour.<BR>From Stalheim bus over Vikafjell mountain, short ferry ride across the fjord to Balestrand. Then continue as planned.<BR>Gotta run now. Talk later.<BR>Bjorn, Oslo

Bjorn, Thanks for your opinions. The only reason we are back tracking back to Bergen is to avoid hauling our luggage around on the Nutshell tour. (We plan on having one large bag and 2 small carry-ons between the 2 of us). But I will speak to my agent about your idea which does streamline our trip a bit.<BR><BR>Thanks again, Mikki

mikki, I see your point.<BR>But: Arranging with luggage from Voss rail station to Stalheim hotel is a minor problem. As I recall from talking with the bus company on behalf of another request some year ago, the bus company has a routine on bringing luggage from the train at Voss to Stalheim Hotel. I guess that will be ideal, and I certainly can check it out.<BR><BR>By this route you'll avoid backtracking, get a cheaper and much nicer overnight, and even save a day, and also avoid a rather expensive and noisy katamaran tour. And your schedule will be ahead, meaning that you'll be able to make a glacier excursion, by example. But it also means that instead of overnighting in Balestrand, which in time is not far from Stalheim, your overnight should be in Stryn. Thus making the glacier tour most interesting, and also shortening the Alesund stretch. Again meaning that you will be able to jump off the Stryn-Alesund bus at Hellesylt to make a ferry detour roundtrip to geiranger along the most interesting part of that fjord. Again meaning that you'll not need a Alesund-Geiranger backtrack.<BR>But maybe, aftewr all, that another day would be nice. After all, Oslo has pretty muchh to offer.<BR>Bjorn, born in Bergen - raised in Oslo