Norway Trains
Everything You Need to Know About Train Travel in Norway
Norway trains are one of the most rewarding and spectacular ways to explore this breathtakingly beautiful Nordic country — connecting Oslo with Bergen across the highest mountain plateau in northern Europe, threading through deep valleys and past rivers and waterfalls, and linking the capital with Stavanger, Trondheim, and the far north. Whether you are riding the legendary Bergen Line over Finse and down through the Flåm Railway valley, travelling overnight by sleeper from Oslo to Trondheim, or discovering regional routes along the Norwegian coast, norway trains offer an unmatched range of experiences that rank among the finest rail journeys in the world.
Norwegian train travel is operated primarily by Vy, with all routes bookable in English through HighSpeedTrains — making it easy to plan your trip, compare destinations, and buy tickets online without visiting a station. The national rail infrastructure is managed by Bane NOR across a network of thousands of kilometers of track engineered through some of the most challenging terrain on earth — carving through mountains via long tunnels, crossing rivers on exposed viaducts, and climbing to altitudes above the treeline that would be inaccessible any other way. Norway's railways are famous not for outright speed but for journey quality — vast panoramic windows, comfortable seats, and landscapes that change dramatically over the course of a single trip. The Bergen Line between Oslo and Bergen is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, reaching its highest point at Finse at 1,237 metres above sea level and crossing the Hardangervidda plateau in conditions of extraordinary wildness. Beyond the Bergen Line, the network includes the Dovre Line connecting Oslo with Trondheim, the Nordland Line running north to Bodø — the northernmost railway station in Norway — and commuter and regional trains serving the largest cities and their surrounding areas.
On Board Norway Trains
Experience one of the most scenic train journeys in Norway aboard the famous Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana). The spectacular route between Flåm and Myrdal is considered one of the world's most beautiful rail trips, attracting travelers from across the globe. As the train winds through Norway’s dramatic landscapes, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of majestic fjords, cascading waterfalls, steep mountainsides, and charming rural villages.
The Bergen Line — Bergensbanen — is Norway's most iconic oslo train route and the centrepiece of Norwegian rail travel. The bergen railway runs 496 kilometers between Oslo S and Bergen station, connecting Norway's two largest cities across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau at its highest point of 1,237 metres above sea level — the highest point on any main railway line in northern Europe. The oslo train bergen passage takes about seven hours in each direction, with the most spectacular scenery concentrated between Geilo and Myrdal as the line climbs above the treeline into an Arctic-like landscape of frozen lakes, snow-covered plateaus, and sheer mountain ridges. Five daily departures operate in each direction, and advance booking is strongly recommended — particularly during summer and the winter ski season when demand peaks across the entire route.
Travel comfortably across Norway with modern VY trains, formerly operated under the NSB brand. Connecting major destinations such as Oslo, Bergen, and Voss, VY offers a reliable and efficient way to explore the country's breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities. Designed for both domestic travelers and international visitors, VY trains feature multiple travel classes, comfortable seating, spacious interiors, and modern onboard amenities to ensure a pleasant journey. The Bergen Line passes through a remarkable variety of landscapes over the course of a single trip: forests and farmland east of Oslo give way to rolling upland valleys, then to the dramatic open expanse of the Hardangervidda before the line descends steeply toward the west coast.
The route passes through 182 tunnels totaling about 73 kilometers, many of them carved directly through solid mountain rock. Construction of the Bergen Line began in 1901, and the line officially opened on 25 November 1909. The longest tunnel on the Bergen Line is 5,311 meters long. Today the line is operated with modern rolling stock featuring large panoramic windows designed to maximise views of the passing landscape, with comfortable reclining seats, free WiFi, and onboard café facilities on most departures. For passengers who want to spend their travel time productively, the trains offer power outlets at most seats and reliable WiFi throughout the ride.
Popular questions
Popular questions
Norway trains fall into several categories. Long-distance intercity trains are the backbone of the network, linking Oslo with Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, and Bodø on multi-hour journeys. The Bergen Line is Norway's most famous route, renowned for its scenic views above sea level. Regional trains serve smaller towns beyond the main intercity corridors, while commuter trains operate suburban networks around Oslo and Bergen as part of the wider transport system. Overnight sleeper trains connect Oslo with Trondheim and Bodø. The Flåm Railway is a separate scenic mountain railway descending from Myrdal to the Sognefjord. All routes can be explored and booked through HighSpeedTrains.
The easiest way to get a train ticket for Norway is to buy tickets online in advance - it gives you the widest choice of fares, lets you reserve seats and choose your position in the train, and delivers an instant e-ticket to your email. You can also pay at railway station counters or self-service machines, but booking in advance online ensures you get the best available fares and a confirmed seat — and saves you money compared to purchasing on the day. On the Bergen Line and on overnight sleeper trains, it is important to book early — daily departures on popular routes sell out well in advance during summer and winter peak periods.
The oslo to bergen train takes approximately 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the specific departure. The route covers 496 kilometers between Oslo S and Bergen station, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau at its highest point of 1,237 metres above sea level. This is the standard travel time quoted for most daily departures. Despite the distance, the trip passes quickly thanks to the changing scenery across mountains, valleys, tunnels, and rivers. Many passengers find it one of the most memorable rail journeys in Europe, and the Bergen Line is consistently listed among the world's great travel experiences.
Yes — approximately five daily departures operate on the Bergen Line in each direction between Oslo and Bergen, with schedules spread across the morning and early afternoon. The exact number of departures varies slightly by season and day of the week, with additional services sometimes operated during peak periods. The daily departures are timed to make the most of daylight hours for passengers travelling for the scenery, and morning departures from both Oslo and Bergen are the most popular. All departures on the line stop at key intermediate stations including Geilo, Voss, and Myrdal, where passengers can connect to the Flåm Railway.
Yes — Vy long-distance trains are equipped with modern amenities throughout. Free WiFi is available on intercity and long-distance services. Power outlets are provided at most seats, and the trains feature comfortable reclining seats with large panoramic windows. An onboard café or bistro car serves hot food, coffee, and drinks on most long-distance departures. There are no additional costs for standard seat reservations on most intercity services, and the modern rolling stock used on the Bergen Line is designed with the journey experience in mind — panoramic windows maximise views of the mountains and scenery, and the trains are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and comfort throughout the year.
Bicycles are permitted on many Vy train services in Norway, subject to space availability and advance reservation. On long-distance trains including the Bergen Line, bicycles must be booked ahead as space in the designated cycle storage area is limited — passengers who arrive with bicycles without a reservation may be turned away. There are no additional costs for bikes on most regional services, but long-distance passengers should check the fare conditions when buying tickets. Commuter and regional trains around Oslo and Bergen generally permit bicycles during off-peak times. When booking through HighSpeedTrains, you can check bicycle availability and reserve space as part of your ticket purchase online.
Yes — Vy operates overnight trains on selected routes, most notably between Oslo and Trondheim and between Trondheim and Bodø. Overnight trains are a practical way to cover long distances while saving the cost of a night's accommodation — passengers can spend the night travelling and arrive at their destination rested and ready to explore. Options include standard seats, couchette berths in shared compartments, and private sleeping compartments. The Nordland Line overnight train between Trondheim and Bodø crosses the Arctic Circle during the night and is popular with travellers heading for northern Norway. Sleeper berths on popular routes sell out quickly, so reserve early — particularly in summer when demand across the network peaks.
Norway has direct international train connections to Sweden, which in turn connects to the wider European rail network. Trains run between Oslo and Stockholm and between Oslo and Gothenburg, with a travel time of roughly five to six hours to Stockholm. From Stockholm passengers can connect onward to Copenhagen, Hamburg, and the rest of Europe. There are no direct trains from Norway to Denmark or Germany — a change at Stockholm or Gothenburg is required for onward travel. Avoiding traffic and the stress of airports by travelling across Scandinavia by train is a popular choice for environmentally conscious travellers. For most passengers combining Norwegian rail travel with a broader European trip, the practical approach is to take a domestic norway train to Oslo and connect to Sweden by international service.
Norway in a Nutshell is Norway's most popular tourist itinerary, combining train, mountain railway, fjord ferry, and bus into a circular trip through the western fjord region. The classic route travels on the Bergen Line from Oslo or Bergen to Myrdal, descends on the Flåm Railway to Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord, continues by ferry through the Nærøyfjord, and returns by bus or train to Bergen or Oslo. The famous itinerary showcases the best of the Norwegian mountain and fjord landscape in a single day or overnight journey, and the train components — the Bergen Line and Flåm Railway — are its centrepiece. It is consistently ranked among the world's great travel experiences. Book the train ticket components of Norway in a Nutshell through HighSpeedTrains.
The Nordland Line runs 729 kilometers from Trondheim north to Bodø, crossing the Arctic Circle along the way and passing through remote Arctic landscapes inaccessible by rail anywhere else in Europe. The full ride takes roughly a full day and is one of the great long-distance rail journeys of Scandinavia, crossing mountains, fjords, and Arctic wilderness as the line pushes further north. Bodø is the northernmost railway station in Norway, and the line crosses the Arctic Circle at Polarsirkelen — where trains make a brief stop to mark the occasion. Passengers who want to double their adventure can continue from Bodø by ferry toward the Lofoten Islands, making the Nordland Line the first part of a longer journey into the far north. An extension further north remains a long-term infrastructure priority for the Norwegian government and Bane NOR.
Planning a bergen to oslo trip by train is straightforward when you book through HighSpeedTrains. The Bergen Line is the most scenic and direct route between Norway's two largest cities, and tickets online are available months in advance — giving you the best chance of securing the fares and seats you want. Morning departures from both Oslo S and Bergen station are the most popular, so book early if you want to ride the train at the best time of day and discover the full panorama of the Hardangervidda plateau. Whether you are located in Oslo or Bergen, the booking page on HighSpeedTrains makes it easy to plan and pay for your tickets in minutes.
For travellers heading onward to the Flåm Railway, the stop at Myrdal is the key interchange point. From Myrdal the Flåm Railway descends steeply to the Sognefjord — a breathtaking short connection that is itself one of the world's great rail rides. Whether you are riding the Bergen Line as a standalone experience or as part of the wider Norway in a Nutshell itinerary, the oslo train is the backbone of western Norway travel and a journey no visitor to Norway should miss.