Norway in a Nutshell

Looking to explore Norway but are limited on time? Norway in a Nutshell is a great way to experience two cities via the scenic route. There are so many different ways to explore Norway, and this is a great place to start and to experience two amazing cities: Bergen and Oslo, while still having time for excursions to view a lot of amazing nature walks along the way.

Brekkefossen Waterfall in Flam

How to Book the Tour:

There are a few ways to book Norway in a Nutshell. You can do a self-service option, or you can go along with booking everything on the website.

Here are some thoughts before you book:

Booking on their website

• Can be a bit more expensive

• Sells out very quickly

• Is a great way to not worry about missing a stop

• More convenient

Booking on your own

• Saves a few bucks

• More flexibility on choosing excursion times

• Can be a bit less convenient (having to walk farther away to a different bus stop)

Ultimately, it is your choice how you want to book your trip. I had a ton of fun learning more about each stop by doing the research, but if you are a set-it-and-forget-it type, I would recommend going through the website. You choose which excursions you want as well as some accommodations.

For booking on your own, follow the stops below and ensure that the times align. Most of the stops are very close together and shouldn't be an issue if you only have 5-15 mins between each train.

How to book on your own:

It is fairly simple. You can go to vybuss.com and put in these destinations:

• Oslo S–Myrdal stasjon

• Myrdal stasjon–Flåm stasjon

• Go to Norway's Best to book Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord

• Gudvangen E16–Voss stasjon

• Voss stasjon–Bergen stasjon

I would recommend using Norway in a Nutshell as a template to ensure that you have the necessary tickets and to compare prices. Once you book all the tickets, you can find most of your tickets on the Vy app.

Also, you do need to choose which direction, either Bergen to Oslo or Oslo to Bergen. Choosing to go from Oslo to Bergen was a deliberate choice on my part. I loved the idea of doing the city and then making my way towards the hikes and the nature that Bergen had to offer. However, you can do it either way. Once you decide which way, the trip is as follows (reverse if you decide to do Bergen to Oslo):

• Train from Oslo to Myrdal (options to stop in any towns: Geilo or Finse)

• Take the iconic train from Myrdal to Flam on the famous Flam Railway (recommended to sit on the left-hand side) and sit near an openable window.

  • Optional: I would recommend staying one night in Flam

  • Hikes to see in Flam: Brekkefossen Waterfall (3.7 miles - approximately 2 hours) or Flåmsdalen (10.8 miles - approximately 6-7 hours).

  • Stegastein viewpoint - View the unforgettable viewpoint to see panoramic views of the Aurlandsfjord, Aurlandsvangen, and the mountain.

  • Recommended hotel: Flam Camping and Hostel. If you choose the hostel, you get your own room with a shared shower & bathroom. It does come with a fridge and cooking area if you want to save money on food.

• Aboard the UNESCO Nærøyfjord Cruise to see the Nærøyfjord

  • This is a great small cruise ride where you can see Nærøyfjord as well as Lægdafossen (also historically referred to as Sagfossen), which is only accessible by boat.

  • Note: they state that there is no outside food or drink, so be mindful if you bring snacks to not allow the staff to see you with your pre-purchased items.

• Bus from Gudvangen to Voss

  • Gudvangen has the Viking Village where you can immerse yourself in Viking life. You can eat Viking foods and walk around the village interacting with Vikings. If you have luggage, you can store it at the store nearby before heading to the village.

  • If you decide to book this on your own, make sure you walk all the way down the road to get to the correct bus stop. I would recommend speaking with one of the guides to ensure that you are in the right place!

• Train from Voss to Bergen

If you want to get the most out of your trip, I would recommend splitting it by stopping in Flam. If not, you can decide to keep going, but it will be a 12-hour trip, which can be quite exhausting.

Now, there are many different excursions (saunas, Stave Church, food tastings, guided hikes) in these small towns. I found most of the pricing was more expensive than you would find in the city. If you are tight on a budget (as Norway isn't the cheapest country), I would recommend having those other city-like experiences in the city to save money on costs!

Stay tuned for my city itineraries for Bergen and Oslo!

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  Stop on the Flam Railway

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  Flam Railway View

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  Gudvangen Viking Village

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  Flam Sculpture

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  Stegastein Viewpoint

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  Laegdafossen (on the Naeroyfjord Cruise)