Confused about Norway in a Nutshell!
 

Hi everyone. My daughter and I are taking a cruise through Portugal, England, Amsterdam, and getting off in Copenhagen next May. We want to devote an overnight in Copenhagen and then travel on our own to Norway. We can go to either Bergen or Oslo. Our main purpose is to do the famous Nutshell route which I read starts in either Bergen or Oslo. We want to do the route that shows us the best of the Fjords. We don't particularly have to stay in either Oslo or Bergen. We will be going home to the States a day or two after doing the Nutshell route. What I find confusing is which city is best to go to from Copenhagen for the Nutshell. We will then fly back from either Bergen or Oslo to the states anyway so we won't be doing either way round trip. I have also heard its nice to stay overnight in Flam. Would we have to stay in Flam if we were to start in Bergen, or is an overnight in Flam only necessary if we were to start in Oslo. Would prefer the shorter route with an overnight in a quaint pretty town, but am very confused about what is where and how long. I would really appreciate some advise. Thank you!

The NIN is quite long. We took the second Oslo departure (around 9 a.m., if memory serves me right) and arrived in Bergen in the early evening. I found the trip from Oslo to Myrdal (transfer point for the Flam railway) more interesting than the Voss to Bergen ride. If I had to choose, I would start in Oslo. If you are not interested in staying overnight in Bergen you could do a round trip (16 hours long) from Oslo. That choice would mean that you would not have to take your luggage with you, and you could nap in the train from Voss to Oslo. But I believe that this RT is only possible by taking the first train out of Oslo (around 6:30 a.m.?).

did the Nutshell from Bergen, returning to Bergen but since you get to Flan, if going that direction - east along Norway's largest and most beautiful fjord - you'll get to Flam in mid-afternoon or later depending on when you start.

If you want to end up in Flam take the train from Olso or Bergen to Voss (check out Knute Rockne's grave in the local cemetery in town) and then the thrilling mountain bus ride down to the fjord at Gudvagen - buses stop for a short while at the famous Stalheim hotel, nestled in the hills above the fjord -

then from Gudvagen take the boats to Flam - about a two-hour journey if I recall correctly - as awesome trip - you may even see whales! In decades of European travel the Nutshell thing is one of my all-time travel memories.

Flam is small and not much there except for some hotels and a few stores - bring food with you and picnic on the beach or snag some fresh fish frying for sale by the waterfront.

From Flam you take a great mountain train that climbs up to Myrdhal - the train makes a photo op stop at a roaring waterfall.

From Myrdhal either take trains back to Oslo or Bergen. It is easy to do as a day trip from Bergen - possible but a lot longer from Oslo.

Buy special combo tickets good for trains, bus and boat either in the Bergen train station or in Oslo's. Reservations are not needed or maybe even possible on the boat and bus I believe and they say you always can get on - train reservations from Oslo I believe are mandatory but not between Myrdhal, Voss and Bergen.

Bergen is a really neat city - an old Hanseatic port reeking of history - I liked it much more than modern Oslo, a much bigger city.

Check these informative sites for more info on NIN - www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel (special section in their free online European Planning & Rail Guide) and www.seat61.com. Just buy the all-inclusive ticket in Norway.


http://www.norwaynutshell.com/en/exp...in-a-nutshell/

I think Michael is correct in saying that the most scenic part by train is from Oslo to Myrdal where you'll catch the Flamsbana to Flam. So perhaps beginning your journey in Oslo is the best option.

You do need to consider what airline you'll be flying back to the states on and where you can easily connect. I know there are flights from Bergen to Copenhagen and probably from Oslo to Copenhagen as well. I believe BA to LHR also serves both cities.


Flam is very touristy, but the Fretheim Hotel is very nice and just far enough away from the tourist center to be pleasant and quiet. Another stop over option is the Stalheim Hotel on the bus route from Voss to Gudvangen or Gudvangen to Voss depending on direction you're going and thus part of the NIN route. There is little there but the hotel and a small museum but the views are stunning.Those are probably the only two places I'd recommend for an overnight stop along the NIN.

We flew with SAS last year, $68 on way from Copenhagen to Helsinki... I imagine you can find similar cheap rates going to Oslo. Service was great, flight was smooth and there were no hidden fees.

The Bergen Railway (Oslo to Bergen) is ubiquitously listed in Europe top top most scenic rail lines - yes the best part is around Myrdhal:

https://www.google.com/search?q=oslo...=1600&bih=1075

<i>yes the best part is around Myrdhal:</i> and east over the top of the mountain range.

Thanks everyone for the good advice! Looks like we will start fly SAS from Copenhagen to Oslo and then do the nutshell tour from Oslo over to Bergen, stay overnight then in Bergen and go home to the state the next morning from Bergen. Will report back after the trip!

Would love to hear your "report back," as I am inspired to take that same journey in May 2015. Thanks.

I spent 4 days in Bergen last June and did the NIN round trip from Bergen. Depends on your definition of what is the 'best' scenery. But I think most agree that it's from Myrdal down to Flam and then the boat trip on the fjord.

Bergen itself is a wonderful little city - very historic. Since you are going to be there anyway why not add at least one more night and see some of Bergen.

Here's my trip report - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-four-day.cfm

Photos - http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/scan...iceland_sweden

Yes do not neglect Bergen itself - a nice old historic Hanseatic Port with a lot of character - unlike many IME cookie-cutter modern blah Scanidnavian cities.