Sberg

There will be three of us travelling (all adults) and will be renting a car and travelling round trip from Bergen to see the fjords. We are getting very excited as it is getting close! I have a question on day 6
Day 1 Arrive Bergen stay 2 nights
Day 3 Rent car and drive E39 to Balestrand. Stay one night
Day 4. Drive to Hoyheimsvik stay 2 nights
Day 6 We need to end our day in Norheimsund and here are my options:
a. Take car ferry from Kaupanger to Gudvangen (which I think leaves at 9am) then back track to see some of the snow road (which is supposed to be amazing)
b. Drive the snow road to Flam (I can't seem to get Google maps to go over the snow road so hard to judge how long this will take) then take a fjord safari from Flam to see the Naeroyfjord ( we really want to take some kind of boat trip. I know there is an option in Balestrand up another fjord but not sure it is comparable). Then drive to Norheimsund.
Stay 2 nights in Norheimsund to explore the Hardanger fjord area. Return to Bergen and fly to Stockholm.

Any and all tips would be appreciated. I am trying to be realistic and I know I can't see everything. Thanks!

dyoll

Day 6 take the Mannheller-Fodnes ferry - regular road ferry so runs frequently then the snow road to Aurland.
For a fjord trip you could either do the Balestrand - Fjærland, or the Flåm - Gudvangen return trips. The Fjord safari is a RIB ride - not so good for photography I'd guess (risk of camera getting wet).
Day 6 take the Mannheller-Fodnes ferry - regular road ferry so runs frequently then the snow road to Aurland. You can force GoogleMaps to take the snow road if you enter "Aurlandsvegen, 5745" as a way point - but I expect the travel time will be optimistic.

dyoll

You can fit parts of several of the National Tourist Routes in your itinerary - the snow road is Aurlandsfjellt - http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en

nanabee

We took a series of different transport front Bergen to Flam including train, bus and ferry. The ferry ride was really special . One problem with driving might be that you don't get the same view looking up at the fjords from the river.

Sberg

Thank you Dyoll! Google maps worked with your tip. I am looking forward to seeing the snow road ( now that there is not so much snow!) I will leave lots of extra time so we can make stops and I know you have to drive slowly.

Is the Balestrand to Fjaerland ferry as nice as the Flam to Gudavan boat? I did see you can take a bus back to Flam so we could do that. Was trying to stay away from the NIN route as I think there are one or two cruise ships in that day, but I am sure we will all fit one way or the other. Maybe as we would not do the boat until the afternoon it won't be as busy?

What is your opinion of the Flam railway? I was thinking of skipping it.

Thanks so much for your help as it has been very valuable.

To nanabee, we will take a boat somewhere as I want to get the perspective from the water too. We like to drive so we can get off the beaten path.

dyoll

You'll see so much beautiful scenery whatever that given your time constraints I'd do the Fjærland ferry and skip the Flåm rail - the snow road will be more than enough compensation. Flåm is just a huge tourist trap for the cruise tourists - full of cafes and souvenir shops - just drive through. Save a bit of time for coffee in Stalheim hotel and make sure you drive the old road Stalheimskleiva (not the new road in tunnel) between Gudvangen and Voss.

Sberg

Thanks Dyoll! You confirmed what I was thinking! When possible we avoid crowds so I think we will skip Flam and do the Fjaerland ferry. Thanks for the tip on the Stalheim and the road to Voss.

Any tips on the Hardanger area? I know I am asking a lot but.....if you ever come to New Hampshire I will return the favor!

Sberg

Thanks Dyoll! You confirmed what I was thinking! When possible we avoid crowds so I think we will skip Flam and do the Fjaerland ferry. Thanks for the tip on the Stalheim and the road to Voss.

Any tips on the Hardanger area? I know I am asking a lot but.....if you ever come to New Hampshire I will return the favor!

dyoll

For Hardangerfjord check out the National Tourist Routes (see previous link) and consider Rosendal http://baroniet.no/nn/

dyoll

I think Stalheimskleiva is one way only - downhill - still worth doing a little loop to include it if travelling towards Voss (you can check it out on StreetView).

dyoll

You might note that there has been a fire in the tunnel between Gudvangen and Flåm and the tunnel is closed probably for the next 6 weeks. This will make travelling around the fjords very difficult. Vehicle ferries likely to be booked up and long queues. It is a very long detour around to Flåm from Bergen without that tunnel. Contact the tourist office for latest information - https://www.visitflam.com/en/