I'm in the beginning stages of planning for an early October trip to Norway/Sweden. We want to spend the first few days driving in the Alesund/Geiranger region. I'm playing around with different routes and wondering if the train schedule for the Rauma Railway (we would take to or from Oslo) does not fit with our schedule, can you drive from Andalsnes to Bjorle and back and get the same views as from the train? I think I read that the train has glass on part of the ceiling which a car would not. But in October, the train will not slow at the scenic points as it does in the summertime and I've seen some reviews of people complaining that it was too fast to take it all in (but some people always complain about something). If we drive, are there scenic lookout pull-offs?

Google maps has the straight drive time with no stops at 45 minutes one way and it seems to parallel closely with the train line. Though there is one point where the train appears to do a couple hairpin turns around Overdalen and the road does not.

Secondly, is the experience better if you drive the Trollstigen road heading south toward the fjord? Or does it not really matter?

Thank you!

Never seen any glass roofs or experienced that the train slows down for scenic bits - but the whole area is scenic and the train isn't exactly an express.
The road is parallel to the line and offers the same views, but probably few places where you can stop safely.

Thanks dyoll, i think taking the train will actually fit with our schedule now that I've put more of it together. But it arrives 40 min after sunset and the last hour is the best scenery. I'm hoping true darkness won't set in for 20-30 min but we can always backtrack with the car if need be the next morning.

In the summer, they offer narration and the train slows at the famous bridge and the Troll wall to make it easier to take pictures. I think I read that there were some windows on the ceiling but it must have been another train somewhere, ha!

Around 3/4 hr of good twilight, so you are OK in first week of October. Clocks change to winter time on 27th.
https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/@316...h=10&year=2019