How far is Sognefjord from Bergen? How long does a cruise to there take?

There is an express boat from Bergen at approx.0800 daily to various towns and villages on Sognefjord. It takes 4 hours to Balestrand and 5.5 hours to the terminus at Flam. It is hardly a cruise, as it is a high speed hydrofoil type boat, with bars and snacks etc. You are allowed outside on deck whilst travelling, unlike most hydrofoils. It is an absolutely exhiliarating trip, first through the coastal islands North of Bergen and then up the fjord. The scenery is breathtaking. <BR>From Flam you can catch a slower boat which runs down one fjord and then up another at slower speeds (more like a cruise). From this you catch a connecting bus to Voss (I think)and then a connecting train back to Bergen. <BR>Whilst at Flam there may be time to take a ride on the Flam railway up to Myrdal and back - again an out of this world experience. <BR>You can also do the whole trip in reverse - definitely a "MUST DO" day out. <BR>

Expanding on doing the Nutshell Tour in Reverse. I was wondering if anyone has done it beginning with the boat in Gudvangen and then the train UP to Myrdal from Flaam? Is it any less spectacular? Is there any reason we shouldn't do it this way? Seems like it would be a good way to get away from all the other tourists. <BR> <BR>Also by the time we get to the Flaam area we would have spent a week around Geiranger so is the boat ride from Gudvangen to Flaam worth it for us? Anyone?

Hi, Adriane. <BR>I think the tour Tony mentions is a very fine one. Only thing is that you'll be stuck to the boat. Fine in good weather, may be boring in misty and rainy weather. My advice is that you plan for shorter distances and alternative means of transport. While Bergen and the coast line and the outmost Sognefjord may have rain, the inner part (including Voss) may be bright and sunny at the same time. <BR>Personally I'd prefer to get to the inner Sognefjord area as fast as possible, i.e by morning train to Voss and from there by bus to Stalheim/Gudvangen. Then the ferry to Flam, the Flam rail to Myrdal and by train back to Bergen. But then you'll miss the very nice places like Balestrand etc. Another tip is to plan for an overnight stay somewhere (Flam, Aurland, Lardal etc) and get there by express bus from Bergen. Then make a bigger Sognefjord cruise the next day, combined with the Flam rail and return to Bergen. <BR>Christine's suggestion is good. I really do beleive that going up the Flam rail is the best way to start. It gives you increasing views. Maybe you'll avoid tourists on your tour from Gudvangen, but then you have to be in Gudvangen early, as dept is around 9. And then the Flam rail may be more crowded. But Norway is not that crowded. Lines for car ferrys may be frustrating, but not because of number of people, rather because of few departures and small ferries. <BR>Christine may have a point that if you've seen many fjords, enough may be enough. But Sognefjorden, especially the inner part, and the two branches Naroyfjorden from Gudvangen and Aurlandsfjorden are very special. Secondly: No Norwegian fjords are alike, and at last and most important: Weather changes. Making several short trips on several fjord branches is a guarantee for highly different experiences. <BR>One thing more: If, either going by bus or private car, be aware of the new road systems in the inner Sognefjord area. If you want a deep inside experience of Norway, stick to the new roads with tunnels. If terrific views are on the agenda, get yourself a good road map and plan for using or detouring the older and smaller ones. <BR>Enjoy your stay. <BR>Bjorn

Thanks, Tony and Bjorn! I'm trying to put together a trip to Norway and this is very useful info.

Bjorn, <BR> <BR>I had to laugh at your references to tunnels. I live in Switzerland and there is the ongoing joke about the "Master Plan" of eventually having all the roads and cow paths underground. The new Laerdal-Aurland tunnel has taken over the Gotthad Pass Tunnel near where I live as the longest in the world. I've seen enough tunnels I think I'll stick to the scenic routes. <BR> <BR>Cheers!