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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Essence of Norway Extended

Eight-day Oslo to Bergen rail journey through Norwegian fjords and mountains

Illustration of Essence of Norway Extended

Marvellous Escapes' Essence of Norway Extended is an 8-day tailor-made rail journey from Oslo to Bergen, with flights from the UK included. The itinerary balances city exploration and scenic rail travel. Spend two days in Oslo with a hop-on hop-off bus pass to visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Fram Museum, and the Opera House. Then board the Bergen Railway to Myrdal and change to the famous Flåm Railway, which descends through fjord landscapes and waterfalls to the village of Flåm, where you spend two days. On Day 5, cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, ride a bus through the Nærøydalen Valley past spectacular waterfalls, and continue by rail to Bergen for two final days exploring the Bryggen Wharf, Fish Market, and Mount Fløyen. The journey returns to Oslo on the Bergen Railway before your flight home. This trip suits first-time rail travellers and repeat enthusiasts, couples, and those who prefer structured days with independent exploration time.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip includes a return flight to the UK, so four of the eight days are travel days (one outbound, one return, plus partial days 1 and 8); rail and coach make up roughly half the remaining days.
  • Day 4 offers a seasonal tour: Waterfall and Culture Tour in electric vehicle (April-October) or RIB Boat Winter Tour (November-March); final activity depends on travel dates.
  • Hotel accommodation is marked as standard 3-star or similar; exact properties may vary by tier and availability.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Oslo

    Oslo

    Flight from the UK to Oslo. Make your way to your hotel and settle in for the night, with time for a short stroll, perhaps along the Aker Brygge waterfront or a visit to the Oslo Opera House.

  2. Day 2overnight: Oslo

    Oslo

    After breakfast, a full day exploring Oslo with a Hop-on Hop-off Bus pass, stopping at the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Fram Museum, the Royal Palace, the Aker Brygge waterfront and the Munch Museum. Dinner in the evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Flåm

    Flåm

    Board the scenic Bergen Railway from Oslo. On arrival at Myrdal, change to the Flåm Railway, descending through fjord landscapes, waterfalls and alpine hamlets to the village of Flåm. Rest of the day free at the Aurlandsfjord.

  4. Day 4overnight: Flåm

    Flåm

    Eco-friendly, audio-guided sightseeing tour by electric vehicle: the Rjoandefossen and Brekkefossen waterfalls, the Otternes Bygdetun farm cluster, Flåm Church, Vangen Church and the Aurland Shoe Factory.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Bergen

    Bergen

    Cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord from Flåm to Gudvangen, then board a bus through the Nærøydalen Valley, stopping at a viewpoint over the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls. Continue by rail from Voss to Bergen.

  6. Day 6overnight: Bergen

    Bergen

    Flexible Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour of Bergen: the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, the Fish Market, the Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen, the Hanseatic Museum and Rosenkrantz Tower.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Oslo

    Oslo

    Journey on the Bergen Railway from Bergen back through mountain plateaus, valleys and lakes to Oslo. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

  8. Day 8

    Return home

    After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head to Oslo airport for your return flight to the UK. Travellers wanting to explore more of Norway can speak to their Travel Designer.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Flåm Railway at Myrdal and descend through fjord landscapes and waterfalls to the village of Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord.
  • Day 5Cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord from Flåm to Gudvangen, passing sheer mountain walls and cascading water.
  • Day 5Travel by bus through the Nærøydalen Valley with a stop at a viewpoint over the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls.
  • Day 7Return to Oslo on the Bergen Railway through mountain plateaus, valleys and lakes.

Included

  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Oslo with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Flam with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Bergen with breakfast included
  • Flights to and from the UK to Oslo
  • Rail from Oslo to Myrdal on the Bergen Railway and Myrdal to Flam on the Flåmsbana / The Flåm Railway
  • Bus Nærøydalen valley Gudvangen to Voss
  • Rail from Voss to Bergen
  • Nærøyfjord cruise
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour in Oslo
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour in Bergen
  • Waterfall & Culture Tour in Flåm (April-October) / RIB Boat Winter Tour in Flåm (November-March)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The Bergen Railway from Oslo to Myrdal, the Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm, and the Bergen Railway from Voss to Bergen are all included. The Nærøyfjord cruise is also included.
Are the flights included?
Yes. Flights from the UK to Oslo and return are included in the package price.
Is it an escorted tour or independent?
It is a tailor-made holiday with structured inclusions. You travel independently between locations but have hop-on hop-off bus passes and a guided tour in Flåm.
What hotels are included?
Three nights in Oslo, two nights in Flåm, and two nights in Bergen, all with breakfast included.
When can I travel?
Marvellous Escapes offers this as a tailor-made package; consult them for available departure dates. Day 4 activity changes seasonally: Waterfall and Culture Tour (April-October) or RIB Boat Tour (November-March).
How much walking is involved?
The trip features hop-on hop-off bus tours in Oslo and Bergen, a guided electric-vehicle tour in Flåm, and railway journeys with some station and hotel transitions. There is no strenuous hiking.

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