Many posts on this forum link to www.norwaynutshell.com, which is Fjord Tours, but I also have a brochure from Scanam Tours for Norway in a Nutshell. Do multiple agencies offer the same thing? Do prices vary? I hoped this package would save planning time, but it looks like I still have to do a lot of research. Advice? We would probably be doing a roundtrip from Oslo. Thanks.

Hi Lina, I too have been researching the NIN packages. The NIN site has several versions of the trip but none of them are escorted. You basically get your set of tickets for train, boat and bus and then you do it on your own. Everyone says it's a breeze. They do offer to do booking at hotels along the way too. The Scanam site doesn't really say what they do but it sounds as though it is a package deal too. Theirs start at $330 pp. Since there are many versions you can pick one to suit your needs. If you do one way to Bergen from Oslo you can stay overnite and visit Bergen then fly back to Oslo for about $52.00 pp on Norwegian air. The one way fair on NIN is $189 pp. Roundtrip from Oslo is either $268 or $309 depending on if you arrive back the same day or take the nite train back from Bergen. So many choices! Get on the NIN site and look at the timetables. It will help you decide on which one will fit your schedule the best. I know I don't want to miss Bergen as my parents said it was a beautiful little town. Our friends who were here last week from Norway said there are two definite things to do in Norway: the NIN train ride and the Lofoten Islands. We are planning our itinerary around these. The NIN trip does sound a little confusing when you first start reading about it. But look at the little map on the NIN site and it will explain all the stops along the way. Just be sure to compare the timetables as some of the stops in the towns are several hours. Happy planning.

Thank so much for your reply. I guess I will have to thoroughly read the website. We don't need an escorted tour, but I was looking to make things a little easier by having coordinated transport. Thanks for the airline info, too. I never even thought of flying back. I think we'd like to do 1 night in Stalheim and 1 night in Bergen. My parents also loved Bergen!

The "core" of the NIN package are:

- Train from Myrdal to Flam
- Ferry from Flam to Gudvangen
- Bus from Gudvangen to Stalheim to Voss

These can be done in reverse as well. All those connections, as well as the train to/from Oslo and Bergen via Myrdal or Voss are all coordinated.

You can do it as Oslo-Oslo roundtrip, Bergen-Bergen roundtrip, Oslo-Bergen one-way, Bergen-Oslo one-way, add accomodations at one of the towns in the trip, etc...

It probably costs the same regardless where you buy it, but why not through Fjord Tours directly? Their website is easy to use, and you just pick up your sets of tickets at the train station of your departure point. Can't be easier.

So, if you buy "One-way trip from Bergen or Oslo, NOK 1165", can you stop overnight on the way on your own and pick up the tour next day. Just want to see if they allow stop-over. Is there any place worth stopping or the day trip itself is sufficient.
Thanks

wftraveler - Yes you can. The most popular place to overnight is that Stalheim Hotel, and you can book that directly through Fjord Tours along with your Nutshell tickets.

Make sure you state where you'll be overnighting, as I believe the long distance trains require/include reservations (which come with the package).