The Bergen Railway

Traveling along the Bergen Railway, also known as the Bergen Line or Bergensbanen in Norwegian, is one of the most unique rail experiences in Europe. It's not just the altitude that makes it so special (the line is the highest in Northern Europe), it’s also the variety of landscapes it travels through, from dense forests to alpine plateaus, coastal cities to windswept fjord country. From the window, you might spot Arctic wildlife, such as Arctic foxes, snowy owls, or the largest wild reindeer herd in Europe.

Opened in 1909 and electrified in the 1960s, the single-track rail line cuts through 182 tunnels, passing through mountains and traversing icy plains. More than a century later, the Bergen Railway still feels like an engineering triumph. But now, it's also one of the most scenic and sustainable ways to cross Norway from east to west. Read on to find out about the Bergen Railway: what to expect on the train and where to visit along the way.

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ChrisO

The Bergen Railway train

The Bergen Railway is operated by Vy, Norway’s state-owned rail company. The full route runs between Oslo Central Station and Bergen Station, covering 471 km in around 7 hours. Vy runs four to five daily direct trains, plus a sleeper train Sunday through Friday (a practical option, but it does mean missing out on all that Nordic scenery).

Onboard amenities

The Bergen Railway offers modern, comfortable trains equipped with convenient amenities. Here's what you can expect onboard:

• Free Wi-Fi (can be patchy in the highlands and tunnels)

• Power outlets at most seats

• Café car with hot and cold meals, vegan and vegetarian options, sandwiches, pastries, and drinks

• Luggage racks at car ends

• Premium class features: fold-down tables, adjustable lighting, and quiet zones

• Family-friendly car with a playroom

• Tickets and flexibility

Ticket costs vary based on how early you book, with prices starting at 249 NOK (£28) each way. Interrail passes are valid on the Bergen Railway, but a seat reservation is required for Interrail holders, which costs around 100 NOK (£7.50).

While flexible tickets are available, the Bergen Railway does not offer a "hop-on-hop-off" option. However, you can explore stops or stay overnight along the route using separate tickets or reservations.

With your ticket, you can purchase an audio guide from VY for the trip, offering stories, local folklore, historical insights, and information on the landmarks you’ll see from the train window.

Kevin Charit

Stops on the Bergen Railway

Oslo to Drammen

As the Bergen Railway train departs Oslo Central Station, a modern glass-and-steel hub, the urban cityscape fades, and you’re treated to views of Oslofjord on one side. The scenery transitions to greenery and lakes as the train heads west into Greater Oslo. From Drammen, the landscape expands into wide valleys, followed by views of Tyrifjorden, Norway’s fifth-largest lake, and mountains like Norefjell and Krøderfjorden.

Hønefoss

The first major stop, Hønefoss, marks the entrance to the Hallingdal Valley, a region characterized by rugged and rural terrain. This town serves as a transportation hub but offers a great opportunity to explore the valley. Beyond this point, pine forests begin to dominate, and the Bergen Railway route rises in elevation.

Trond Sjemmedal

Halingdal river.

Flå

Flå is a notable stop on the Bergen Railway for families and wildlife lovers. It’s home to Bjørneparken (Bear Park), a wildlife park where you can see bears, Amur leopards, lynx, and wolves. It’s just 2 km from the station and open year-round.

Gol

For active travelers, Gol is perfect. In winter, it offers quick access to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails. Summer visitors can rent mountain bikes and enjoy hiking Veikulnatten—it takes around three hours, and on a clear day, you can see Hallingskarvet, the Hemsedal Mountains, and Jotunheimen. History lovers will enjoy the Gol Stave Church (Stavekirke Gol), a replica of a 13th-century church, and the Gol Bygdemuseum, an open-air museum showcasing traditional Norwegian life with houses from the late 1600s to early 1800s.

Peulle

Gol Stave Church.

Ål

Ål is another great stop for families. From the train station, head to Hallingdal Feriepark, a family campground offering activities like a zipline, climbing park, mini-golf, and a giant trampoline. There’s also an indoor play area in case the weather turns.

Geilo

Geilo is a standout halfway destination. It’s one of Norway’s oldest ski villages, and in winter, you can enjoy dog sledding, ice bathing, and skiing. In summer, explore the mountains on horseback, go glacier hiking, or bike along alpine trails. Don’t miss the Vestlia chairlift to the top of Bjødnahovda, which offers views over Hardangervidda National Park. Just 1.5 km from the station, you'll find Hakkesetstølen, a mountain lodge with a cafe.

Elwin de Witte

Hardangervidda.

Ustaoset and Haugastøl

As the Bergen Railway climbs higher, the trees thin and the landscape shifts to exposed tundra and snow-covered plains. Ustaoset and Haugastøl are small mountain stations, popular with hikers, cyclists, and cross-country skiers heading into the wilderness. At Haugastøl, the Rallarvegen bike route begins and runs to Flåm, following the service road used during the railway’s construction.

Finse

Accessible only by train, foot, or ski, Finse is the highest station on the Norwegian railway network (1,222 meters above sea level). Finse 1222 is a historic hotel once used by polar explorers, with views of the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier, which you can hike to in under two hours. On a winter visit, try snowkiting on the plateau’s frozen lakes.

Sindre Bøyum

Finse train station.

Myrdal and the Flåm Railway

After Finse, the train descends fast, tunneling through rock and clinging to the mountain as it drops toward the fjords. At Myrdal, you can switch to the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana), a 20 km branch line to the Aurlandsfjord village of Flåm. It’s a dramatic 60-minute ride along one of the steepest standard-gauge lines in the world, with views of mountain farms clinging to the slopes, deep gorges, tall peaks and mighty waterfalls, like Kjosfossen.

Yogendra Negi

Flåm from the Flåm Railway train.

Voss

As the train enters the Voss Valley, you’ll notice a change in the landscape as it starts to soften. Known as Norway’s adventure capital, Voss offers a wide range of activities, from whitewater rafting to paragliding, and access to two ski resorts (Myrkdalen Fjellandsby and Voss Resort). From the station, you can walk to the Voss Gondol, a cable car that climbs to Mount Hanguren in under 10 minutes. At the top, there are mountain biking trails and the glass-walled Hangurstoppen restaurant that offers panoramic views, a large outdoor area and dishes made with local ingredients.

Solar/ShahMai Network

Voss in winter.

Bergen

Beyond Voss, the Bergen Railway snakes along steep fjord walls and enters long tunnels before the journey ends at Bergen Station, a stone-built terminus from 1913. From here, it’s a short walk to the UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen, a historic harbor area, or a tram ride to the base of the Fløibanen funicular, which offers vistas of Bergen and the North Sea.

MAO YUQING

Bergen.

Travel along the Bergen Line on this getaway to Bergen, or check out more slow travel trips to Norway by train.

Short on time? Combine the Bergen Line and Flåm Railway from Bergen as one of our bite-sized excursions.

Read more about the art of slow travel, why we love taking the local train, and six of the most scenic train trips in Europe.