Norway train and rail tours

Because the train takes you straight through the best of Norway. Lines like the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway climb over high plateaus and twist down to the fjords, past waterfalls you’d never reach by road.

Settle in by the window and watch it unfold. No driving, no parking, no map to wrestle with.

Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to do it. Every one of our Norwegian train tours pairs the rails with a fjord or coastal cruise, so you see the country from the water as well as from the window.

If that’s the trip you’re after, our Norway train and cruise tours lay out the options.

Norway’s railways serve up view after view, but a few journeys stand out:

• The Flåm Railway, the steep, twisting line down to the fjord, is one of the most exceptional train journeys in the world
• The Bergen Railway crosses the high plateau between Oslo and Bergen
• Raumabanen, running past Kylling Bridge and the Vermafossen falls towards Åndalsnes
• The Dovre Railway line, heading north from Oslo towards Trondheim

The most popular trip of all weaves the Bergen Railway, the Flåm Railway and a fjord cruise into one classic Oslo–Bergen route. You’ll also find versions built around Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord, both of which still ride the Flåm Railway.

In Norway, the railways link lots of the country’s greatest hits, so you’ll never be short of places to stop. A few worth building in time for:

• Bergen, with its wooden wharf and fjord tours on the doorstep
• Flåm, tucked at the end of the Aurlandsfjord
• Oslo, for its museums, harbour and waterfront Opera House
• Voss, an easy stop on the Bergen line between the city and the fjords
• Trondheim, at the northern end of the Dovre line and home to Nidaros Cathedral
• Åndalsnes, where the Raumabanen line ends among the Romsdalen peaks

For more ideas, our guide to Norway’s best spots is a good read.

Whenever suits you – our train and cruise tours run all year. Each season changes the view completely.

Summer (June to August) brings long, light evenings, green valleys and easy fjord cruising, with plenty of ideas in our Norway in summer guide. Winter (November to April) trades them for snow, frozen waterfalls and, far enough north, the northern lights.

Everything you need for the rail-and-fjord journey itself:

• Handpicked hotels at your chosen comfort level, with daily breakfast
• All the rail travel and fjord or coastal cruises are built into your route
• A detailed personal itinerary with expert tips
• 24/7 support throughout your trip

What’s not included? International flights, lunches and dinners, and travel insurance. We sort all the rest, so you get to enjoy the ride. Inclusions vary a little from trip to trip, so check the “what’s included” tab on any tour that catches your eye for the full rundown.

Yes. Our train tours run with flexible departures throughout the year, so you can pick the date that works for you. Check the availability calendar on any tour you like to see live start dates, then let us know when you’d like to travel, and we’ll build the trip around it.

Yes! There’s a ton of room to make your trip your own.

You can tailor a lot of it online! Popular tweaks include adding an extra night in Oslo or Bergen, upgrading your hotels, or slotting in optional activities along the way. For instance, things like a fjord safari by RIB boat, the Stegastein viewpoint, or a guided food walk around Bergen.

Prefer a hand? Tell your travel expert what you’re after, and they’ll shape the route before you book. Once you’re travelling, the pace of each day is yours.

Layers, always. Norway’s weather can swing from sunshine to drizzle in a single afternoon, so pack for a bit of everything:

• A waterproof, windproof jacket
• Warm mid-layers, like a fleece or insulated jacket
• Comfortable, sturdy shoes for cobbles and station platforms
• A small daypack for fjord cruises and day trips
• A reusable water bottle
• Sunglasses and a light hat for bright days out on deck

Travelling in winter? Add thermal base layers, a warm hat, gloves and insulated boots, especially within the Arctic Circle.

A word on luggage: wheeled suitcases or soft-sided bags are easiest to manoeuvre through stations and on and off trains. Norwegian trains have overhead racks for smaller bags and larger storage areas at the carriage ends for bigger cases. Pack a day bag for the things you’ll want within reach on the journey.

For more tips, our Norway packing guide has the full rundown.