Norway in a Nutshell
 

We will spend a few days in Norway in August and board a Hurtigruten ship in Bergen.
We will first fly to Oslo for a few days, then go to Bergen. For those who have taken the Norway in a Nutshell trip: we could board it in Oslo and finish it in Bergen - an all day trip. Will our bags be an enormous hassle even though they may be small ones on wheels? Would it be better to fly to Bergen from Oslo, spend that night in Bergen and do the Nutshell trip from Bergen to Bergen? Thanks!

It it like any other trip by rail.
You have to be able to lift/carry your bags on/off the trains and lift onto racks onboard. So think stairs on/off and lifting.
From rail to on/off ferry is paved with no steps. The bus carries your luggage underneath as usual.
We did this and similar trips with a 20-22" rollaboard and a back/daypack apiece. I don't like taking larger suitcases on trains because I find them difficult to hoist up the narrow steps, but I see others doing it.

The part of the route you would miss Oslo-Myrdal if you fly to Bergen is first forested hills along river, then rising to rather stark tundra with scattered cottages, lakes, a view of a glacier. I haven't been on the rail section from Myrdal to Bergen, so can't say if it differs.

Hi gayle01
I`m planning to do a similar trip later this year .
As far as I can gather your best option is the Bergen to Bergen.Otherwise it is a very long day ,12hours or so, & you may be to tired to enjoy the trip, especially lugging suitcases around.
When are you going? I`d be very interested in hearing about it when you are done,as I`m not going till November.
Enjoy it.

Bergen to Bergen will be pretty long too. I agree with Kay 2. There is some impressive scenery that will be missed by not taking the Oslo to Bergen route.

Pictures 073 to 095 cover Norway in a Nutshell beginning in Oslo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623070576316/

We took the train from Oslo to Bergen, spent the night in Bergen, stored our luggage at the train station in Bergen and then took off for the Nutshell with a small backpack. We broke up the Nutshell with a night at the Stalheim hotel (www.stalheim.com). Have a great time.

Gayle01:

We are planning almost the exact same trip starting at the end of July. 3 days in Oslo, NIN to Bergen,, Hurtigrutin to Kirkenes.

We found a luggage service which will transport your luggage from Oslo to Bergen, or the reverse while you enjoy the NIN unencumbered by luggage. The service isn't cheap (is anything cheap in Norway?), but I think it's worth it.

Here's the URL:
http://www.porterservice.no/