The Flåm Railway

The Flåm Railway, also known as the Flåm Line or Flåmsbana, is one of Europe’s steepest standard-gauge railway lines, and one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Built to connect the village of Flåm to the main Bergen Line, it twists through some of the most dramatic and remote landscapes in Western Norway.

Opened in 1940 after two decades of construction, the Flåm Railway drops 866 metres over 20 kilometres, passing through 20 tunnels (18 of which were hand-drilled) and a series of hairpin bends. But it’s not just the incline that makes this journey so memorable: the route also passes waterfalls, remote farms and cliffs, all visible from the panoramic windows of the vintage carriages (dated between 1920 and 1940).

Read on for everything you need to know about travelling along the Flåm Railway: from trains, tickets, and operators, to what you’ll see on the way.

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Kevin Charit

The Flåm Railway train: an overview

Services and schedule

The Flåm Railway is operated by Vygruppen AS (VY), Norway’s main train company, and Norway's Best Group AS (NBG). Services run between Flåm and Myrdal, a mountain station that links directly to the Bergen Line. From Bergen (or Oslo), you’ll travel to Myrdal first, then change onto the Flåm Railway.

There are around 9 departures in each direction during summer (May–September), with fewer in the winter months. The journey takes approximately an hour each way, with trains usually running every one to two hours during peak periods. Booking ahead is essential in summer as the line is popular with day-trippers from cruise ships docking in Flåm.

Onboard facilities

Onboard, expect carriages with wood-cladding and orange-red velvet seats, large windows (some of which open) and unassigned seating. There are no dining facilities, so pack a picnic or some snacks for the journey. Toilets are available onboard. Luggage space is limited as the Flåm Railway is now more of a unique railway experience and scenic day trip, rather than vital travel infrastructure.

Fares and flexibility

Point-to-point fares for Flåm Railway are around NOK 570 (approx. £42) one way for adults. Children between 6–17 get discounted rates, and children under six travel free. For those using an Interrail pass, the journey is included at a 30% discount, costing around NOK 245 to NOK 315 (on top of the pass), depending on the season.

A ticket along the railway from Myrdal to Flåm (and vice versa) covers a single, unbroken journey. For those wanting to visit stops outside of the scheduled break at Kjosfossen, this must be done by purchasing multiple tickets for each segment. However, the most popular, and best, way to experience the Flåm Railway is to take the full journey in both directions.

Karen (Flickr: Flamtastic views / CC BY 2.0)

The Flåm Railway: the route

The Flåm Railway journey begins at Myrdal Station, 867 metres above sea level. It’s a quiet mountain station on the Bergen Line, with little around except the station café and trails leading off into the hills. If you’re transferring here from Bergen or Oslo, make sure you allow at least 10 minutes between trains, especially in winter when delays are more common. From the platform at Myrdal, the train begins a steep descent into the Flåmsdalen valley. This line drops 866 metres in just 20 kilometres, through 20 tunnels, with a gradient of 1:18 for most of the route.

Rachel McGrane

Shortly after departing Myrdal, the train passes Vatnahalsen, a small stop with the historic Vatnahalsen Høgfjellshotell, that is now best known for the Flåm Zipline. At 1,381 metres long, it is the longest zipline in Northern Europe, running from the cliffs above Vatnahalsen down to the valley floor near Kårdal. Riders can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h, soaring over the forest and river below. It’s open from late spring to early autumn, and many travellers combine it with a bike ride down to Flåm or a short walk to the nearest train stop at Blomheller to continue by rail.

After Vatnahalsen, the train takes a sharp 180-degree turn before entering a spiral tunnel carved into the mountain. Another 180-degree turn to distribute the gradient is performed inside the tunnel this time, before emerging lower down on the same cliff face. You’ll spot the track above or below you, depending on your side of the train.

Daniele D'Andreti

Next comes Kjosfossen, a stop beside a 93-metre waterfall, thundering out of the cliffside. The train stops here for five minutes, allowing passengers to disembark briefly then rejoin the train. It’s a short stop but well worth stepping off for, with a dedicated viewing platform that is close enough to catch the spray on your face when the waterfall is in full force. Top tip: the platform is usually quieter on the way down to Flåm, rather than on the journey to Myrdal. In summer, Vy stages a short theatrical performance at the waterfall, with dancers from the Norwegian Ballet School playing Huldra (a forest spirit from Norwegian folklore) to music, appearing on a derelict stone house clinging to the cliffside.

James Armes

From Kjosfossen, the railway drops sharply again, switching direction repeatedly to navigate the steep terrain. Outside the tunnels, the scenery becomes wilder. The valley walls are near-vertical in places, broken only by pine trees and rockfalls. The river Flåmselvi meanders alongside the train, alternating between foaming whitewater and quieter sections where glacial boulders force it into sudden drops. In late spring and early summer, meltwater increases the volume, and temporary side waterfalls appear across the cliffs.

The next stations, Reinunga and Blomheller, are primarily used by hikers or for operational purposes. There are no villages or facilities at these stops. However, Blomheller connects to trails that lead up to the Rallarvegen, Norway’s most famous cycle route.

At Berekvam, the train pauses to allow incoming trains to pass by. This is the midpoint of the line and the only passing loop on the route. Trees reappear, the cliffs drop back slightly, and the Flåmselvi becomes calmer.

As the train continues, you pass the mountain farms of Ryo, Holo and Geisme perched on shelves above the river. Look for goats and turf-roofed barns, typical of the Sogn og Fjordane region. Near Håreina and Lunden, the valley offers its first clear views towards Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the larger Sognefjord.

Nadzeya Matskevich

Just before arriving in Flåm, you’ll pass Flåm Church, a 17th-century wooden building set apart from the main village. The final stretch runs beside the river, now a gentle stream weaving through open pasture.

The train ends in Flåm village, set directly at the head of Aurlandsfjord. While small, Flåm is well set up for visitors. You can explore the Flåmsbana Museum to learn about the railway’s construction, which relied on hand-drilled tunnels and year-round labour in sub-zero conditions. Kayaks can be rented at the harbour, or take a high-speed RIB boat tour to explore the Nærøyfjord and its cliffs, which rise over 1,000 metres straight from the water. For food and drink, Ægir Brewpub is just a few minutes from the station, offering house-brewed beer and traditional dishes like lamb shank or smoked fish flatbreads.

Hongbin

From Flåm, you can continue by ferry through the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, or by bus through the Lærdal Tunnel. You can also link back up with the Bergen Line by returning by train to Myrdal. The Bergen Line itself is worth riding in its entirety; it crosses the Hardangervidda plateau, Norway’s highest mountain plateau, and connects Bergen and Oslo. Stop at Finse, the highest station in Norway, for glacier hikes or a visit to the Alpine Research Centre.

Take a train ride along the Flåm Railway, or have a look at other slow travel trips to Norway by train and ferry.

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

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