We will be visiting Norway in August and want to do the Norway in a Nutshell route one way to Bergen. This is what we would like to do:

Leave Oslo on the morning of August 19 on the earliest possible train (6:39? 8:11?). We want to transfer in Myrdal to the Flam railroad and ride down to Flam. From Flam, we'd like to go to Balestrand, where we will stay for two nights (19th and 20th). On the 21st, we would like to leave Balestrand and go to Gudvangen to pick up the bus to Voss, then take the train from Voss on to Bergen. We have already made accomodation arrangements in Balestrand.

We would appreciate any help any of you could give us to figure out how to book this ahead, particularly the train from Oslo to Myrdal, since we have heard that this train books up and that a reservation is necessary. I have been to the NSB website, but when I go to the booking screens, the language changes from English and Norwegian, and I'm not sure what I am doing, and whether I will have the needed reservation and tickets. In addition, several of the agents in the US listed on their site have told me that they only book their "package" itineraries, which do not include Balestrand. So, my questions are:
1) is there an e-mail contact for NSB? 2) is it necessary to purchase all the train, boat and bus tickets ahead or just the leg from Oslo to Myrdal; and 3) is going to Balestrand and the nearby glacier worth the seemingly difficult deviation from the Nutshell route? Thanks so much for any help you can give.

When booking the train-ticket I would book from Oslo to Flåm as it is better to have just one ticket, not having to buy another for the Flåm leg. Doing a daytrip to Fjærland would be very nice.

The tour you are thinking of is called 'Sognefjord and Flam-railway' http://www.fjord-tours.com/flam-railway/
but is going straigth from Balestrand to Bergen by fast ferry. As you already have booked accomodation in Balestrand you cannot use their online booking but have to call the Customer Center in Norway at + 47 815 68 222. But your idea of going back to Flam for the Nærøyfjord and Stalheim busride is a nice one and would be a combo of the 'Flam and Sognefjord tour' and 'Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord tour' http://www.fjord-tours.com/visartikkel.asp?art=249.

I see no need for booking the ferries ahead of time, so booking the train-ride should be enough. Still I would wait with the train a month or two as there is something called 'Minipris 199' and 'Minipris 299' ~ Discounted tickets for 199 N.kr. or 299 N.kr. they go on sale 1-2 months ahead of time and would make the journey a lot cheaper.

I have no problem with the English version of NSB
http://www.nsb.no/internet/en/index.jhtml

But you must choose ticket type and this information is in Norwegian, This link will help you understanding the different tickets, after changing the ticket types you must click on the button 'CALCULATE PRICE'.
http://www.nsb.no/internet/jp/journe.../help_en.jhtml

Basics are: Ordinær = Ordinary, Ordinær Komfort = Ordinary Comfort (First class), Minipris 199 = Mini price 199 Nok, Minipris 299 = Mini price 299 Nok.
Ordinær Grønn = for those holding a NSB frequent user card.

You must also choose where to collect the ticket,
På stasjon = At the station when you arrive Oslo
Henting i Tog = On the train, you bring a prited confirmation - go to your designated seat where the staff will give you the ticket.

Thanks very much for your help, Helen. You've helped me with my decision about the boat rides. I'm still having trouble with the NSB English site--I get two messages I don't understand--perhaps I'm doing something wrong. Unfortunately, I don't speak Norwegian even a little. The first message is "Pris ikke tilgjengelig fordi det er for lenge til avgang” and the second one is "En eller flere delstrekninger har blitt fjernet fra reisen din fordi togtypen ikke er mulig å bestille på nett. Kjøp denne billetten på stasjonen. Trykk Gå videre for å fortsette uten den ugyldige togtypen." I may call NSB and work it out. Again, thanks so much. I'm really looking forward to our trip!

Haven't looked through your post, but I assume you've looked here?

http://www.norwaynutshell.com/default.asp

I just booked a straightforward Oslo -> Bergen Nutshell (no stopovers).

Received my e-mail confirmation two days (?) later.

I thank I can hepl. Billy's ant is norvegianican.

Pris ikke tilgjengelig fordi det er for lenge til avgang -- Price isn't available because itz to early before deparchure.

En eller flere delstrekninger har blitt fjernet fra reisen din fordi togtypen ikke er mulig å bestille på nett. Kjøp denne billetten på stasjonen. Trykk Gå videre for å fortsette uten den ugyldige togtypen -- One or more portions of this trip cain't be booked online. Purchase this ticket at the stashun. Click go forwart if you want to pro-ceed without the nonvalid train type.

Billy's aunt (Tante Molle) is norskie.

Thanks to all for your help. I guess I'm too early to book this complicated itinerary. I've been to all the booking sites, and it would be simple if we wanted to book the Nutshell in a day, or the standard route. Leave it to us to want to do something different. Found out that I can't book it until 90 days before. I'll wait and try again. Again, thanks to all of you for your help. Special thanks to Tante Molle!

Helen -- The entire Nutshell trip (Bergen to Oslo) is NOK 1075 as a complete tour. Can one do better than this by purchasing the train portions separately as advised above? If so, would there be any problem in getting a seat on the bus portion (Voss to Gudvangen) of the trip? We want to go on a Friday in late July. Thanks for your help.