My parents are going to Norway at the end of June, and I've read through most of the recent threads about NIN. But I still want to see how the Norway experts here think.

They have 6 nights in Norway. Arriving OSL mid-day 6/25 and departing Bergen on the ferry to Newcastle 7/1 afternoon. They won't be using public transportation, and each will have a 19-20" rollaboard or backpack w/wheels. My dad will have a small camcorder bag and my mom a handbag. They're 71 and 62 and in good shape.

So, here's the question. Which one of the following will be best for them?

1. Go directly by train from Oslo to Bergen. Then do NIN as a sameday roundtrip from Bergen.

2. Travel in the afternoon Oslo to Voss or Myrdal. Check-in hotel for two nights. Next day do NIN loop. Third morning train to Bergen.

3. Get the one-way NIN ticket and stay the night at Stalheim Hotel (if I can still get rooms for them now).

The advantage of #1 is they don't need to carry luggage on and off trains at all, and few hotel changes. Check out Oslo, check in Bergen. That's it. Disadvantage is backtracking, more expensive and don't have a nice stay in the Nutshell.

Advantage of #2 is no need to carry luggage when doing the loop, and can do it more leisurely as they'll have whole day for Voss/Voss or Myrdal/Myrdal. But I am not sure if Voss or Myrdal is a worthy place to stay 2 nights, though some of the hotels look nice.

Advantage #3 is of course staying at the Stalheim Hotel. Seems like a really magical place from the posts on this board. Disadvantage is that they'll need to haul their luggage through the whole trip.

So, I want to see how everyone feels about this, and someone may have other ideas how to do this. Personally, I would like to get them to pack as light as possible, and do #3 to stay at the Stalheim. But if someone has stayed at some hotels in Voss or Myrdal and find that it's also an excellent experience, then I may want them to do #2 and don't need to worry too much about luggage.

Thanks in advance.

A bump to see if I can get some Norway experts to chime in.

I would like to know too. We have a similar option in June... stay at Stalheim or do it in one day and stay another night either in Oslo or Bergen.

rk:

We did it in one day, leaving Oslo at 8:11 and arriving in Bergen after 6...it was absolutely breathtaking..spent an hour at Stalheim Hotel , had a drink and marvelled at the views...but, doing it in one day was not at all tiring (I was 75 at the time, my wife 67)...and we got to spend that extra eveing in enchanting Bergen.
I also suggest to send there excess baggae from Oslo to Bergen and only take what they need for the day with them...eliminates any lugging. There is a baggage shipment at Oslo's main station..worth the money...can't remember exactly how much...Just have them ship it to their hotel in Bergen the night before they leave and it will be there waiting for them.

Stu T. (If I recall, the cost for the NIN was $120 each which includes train, boats and bus...all the way).

Another option is to go to Bergen, spend the night, store the luggage and do the Nutshell with an overnight at the Stalheim.

Thanks for the suggestions, especially tower's for shipping the bags to Bergen by rail. That'd be perfect.

I've placed the order for one-way Oslo-Bergen Nutshell with an overnight at the Stalheim. Just awaiting final confirmation. I think it'll work out okay.

Great..now you've avoided backtracking...they will enjoy it immensely.
Stu T

Just want to thank all of you again. All the major stuff of their Norway journey has been booked.

- Norwegian Air Shuttle from Gatwick.

- Three nights at the Thon Opera (~$170/night including tax through Expedia; rated #1 on Tripadvisor, adjacent to main train station).

- One-way NIN Oslo to Bergen, booked directly through Fjord Tours AS (1,115NOK/person) with one night at the Stalheim (1,140NOK/room).

- Two nights Bergen at the First Hotel Marin (890NOK/night; rated #3 on Tripadvisor), booked as a Fjord Pass (100NOK) accomodation. I checked that if booked by other methods, it'll cost at least US$50 more per night. Also strange that if I try requesting hotels at the end of the NIN trip at Bergen, the Marin doesn't come up.

- Fjordline MS Fjord Norway to Newcastle.

I am actually quite jealous.

Just want to do a quick update. My parents just came back from their trip and they really enjoyed it. Thanks for all that've responded here.

Here are some preliminary comments I heard from them:

- They asked about shipping their luggage directly to Bergen, but most people at the train station don't have a clue. They ended up just taking the bags with them on the NIN tour and didn't have any problem.

- They really really enjoyed the Stalheim Hotel. Thank all of you that says it should not be missed.

- Even though the Expedia rate for the Thon Opera in Oslo doesn't say it includes breakfast, it does. Great hotel, good rate, super convenient. Highly recommended.

- Same with the First Marin in Bergen. Breakfast was included again. Another very nice hotel.

- Things are indeed expensive in Norway. Even more than the UK.

- My dad (71) can get concession price on a lot of stuff, including museum entrances & transport tickets. They consider anybody over 67 a senior, and unlike in most EU countries, they don't care if you're Norwegian. [My parents are Chinese living in the US, so they definitely do not look "local".]

rk:
Sorry they couldn't arrange for the luggage shipment. It' handled by most hotels in Oslo...and someone from Norwegain Rail picks it up at the hotel. I didn't go into detail because I saw nothing further from you on the thread. Happy they enjoyed and everything turned out so well.
Stu T.

tower - No problem. My parents travel very light anyways, and there's really minimal hauling of luggage between trains, train-to-ferry or ferry-to-bus on the NIN trip. I watched their video today, and it was really easier than it sounded to me initially.