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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Norway

Thirteen-day escorted rail tour through Norway from Oslo to Arctic Circle

Illustration of Grand Tour of Norway

Great Rail Journeys operates this 13-day escorted tour, departing London Heathrow and traveling the length of Norway from Oslo in the south to the Evenes Airport area north of the Arctic Circle. The itinerary centers on four celebrated railways: the Bergen Railway, Flåm Railway, Rauma Railway, and Nordland Railway, with stops in Bergen, Geiranger, Trondheim, Bodø, and the Lofoten Islands. You stay in 3 and 4-star hotels, enjoy a fjord cruise and sea eagle safari, and explore cities by guided coach tour with free afternoons. The pace is relaxed, with two or more nights in most locations. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout. On Day 3, you ride the Bergen Railway across the Hardanger Plateau, where wild reindeer roam; on Day 5, the Flåm Railway descends one of the world's steepest lines through 20 tunnels. Day 10 takes you across the Arctic Circle on the 452-mile Nordland Railway. The tour departs in May, June, July, and August.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial (GBP 5,149 from GBP 4,599 for double, nearly 12 percent extra); check if any single rooms in the itinerary hotels are available before committing
  • Day 2 and Day 4 in Oslo and Bergen are largely unguided; breakfast is included, but other meals are independent
  • Day 11 includes an optional Midnight Sun excursion by coach at night after independent dinner; energy levels may vary in high-latitude summer

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Oslo

    Arrival in Oslo, Norway's capital

    Your Nordic holiday begins at London Heathrow, where you meet the Tour Manager and group before the flight to Oslo. On arrival, take Oslo's modern and efficient rail system to the central four-star hotel, directly outside the station and a short distance from Oslo's famous 17th-century cathedral. In the afternoon, relax or explore before dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Oslo

    Discovering Oslo, one of the world's most walkable capitals

    Explore the Norwegian capital with a local guide by coach, visiting the Oslo Opera House, city hall, the neoclassical Royal Palace and Vigeland Sculpture Park. The afternoon is free to visit the Munch Museum, Aker Brygge, or take a cruise around Oslofjord. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Bergen

    The Bergen Railway, one of the world's greatest rail journeys

    Take the world-famous Bergen Railway from Oslo to Bergen, the highest railway in northern Europe, enjoying views of wild Norwegian countryside, glaciers, mountains and fjords. Look out for wild reindeer and arctic foxes crossing the Hardanger Plateau. Arrive in Bergen in the afternoon and settle in before dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Bergen

    Exploring Bergen, a beautiful city in the heart of the fjords

    Guided sightseeing tour of Bergen by coach, including the UNESCO World Heritage area of Bryggen. The afternoon is free to visit the Bryggen Museum, ride the Fløibanen funicular, or explore Bergen's restaurants. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Flåm

    Riding the beloved Flåm Railway

    Reboard the Bergen Railway from Bergen, climbing into the mountains to remote Myrdal at 2,840 feet. Board the famous Flåm Railway for an unforgettable ride along one of the steepest lines in the world, descending to the fjordside village of Flåm through horseshoe curves, twists, turns and 20 tunnels. Photo stop at the cascading Kjosfossen waterfall. Dinner at the central four-star hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Geiranger

    To Geiranger, on the banks of a UNESCO listed fjord

    Travel by coach to Geiranger. Take a ferry to Manheller, then drive to the Fjaerland Glacier Museum for free time to explore. Continue to Loen in the Nordfjord region before arriving in Geiranger in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Geiranger

    Cruising the magnificent Geirangerfjord

    After breakfast, travel by coach to Geirangerfjord for a cruise across the serene waters of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Disembark at Hellesylt and return to Geiranger, passing the Dalsnibba viewpoint at 4,500 feet, Europe's highest fjord view. Afternoon at leisure before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Trondheim

    Scenic views on the Rauma Railway to Trondheim

    Travel by coach to Åndalsnes along the serpentine Trollstigen Mountain Road (early departures may use an alternative route), then join the Rauma Railway for a 71-mile journey through the Romsdal Valley, past the Verma waterfall, Kylling Bridge, Troll Wall and Romsdal Fjord. Change trains at Dombås and continue to Trondheim for two nights. Late dinner on arrival.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Trondheim

    Discovering Trondheim, Norway's Viking Capital

    Guided walking tour of Trondheim's Old Quarter, including the colourful waterfront houses of Bakklandet, the Gothic Nidaros Cathedral and Stiftsgården, the largest wooden building in Northern Europe. Afternoon free to explore independently. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: Bodø

    The amazing Nordland Railway and Bodø

    After an early breakfast, depart Trondheim on the 452-mile Nordland Railway ('Polar Express'), crossing the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees north. Pass mountain vistas, tranquil fjords, glimmering lakes and possibly spot reindeer or sea eagles. Arrive in Bodø and transfer by coach to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Svolvær, Lofoten Islands

    The Lofoten Islands

    Transfer to Bodø pier and board a ferry to Moskenes. Take a scenic drive through idyllic fishing villages to Svolvær, the tiny capital of the Lofoten Islands, for a two-night stay. Dine independently before the Midnight Sun excursion by coach to Gimsoy Beach.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12overnight: Svolvær, Lofoten Islands

    Touring the Lofoten Islands and a sea eagle safari

    Full morning of sightseeing across various islands, including a photo stop at Henningsvaer fishing village and free time in Leknes on Vestvågøy island. Return via the remote village of Kvalnes. In the afternoon, take a safari cruise into sea eagle territory, enjoying fish soup, coffee, tea and snacks on board with thermal suits provided. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Homeward bound

    Leave the hotel early with a picnic breakfast and transfer to Evenes Airport for the flight to Oslo, then onward to London Heathrow. Holiday concludes on arrival in London.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ride the Bergen Railway from Oslo to Bergen, the highest railway in northern Europe, crossing the Hardanger Plateau and watching for wild reindeer and arctic foxes
  • Day 5Board the famous Flåm Railway, descending one of the world's steepest lines through 20 tunnels, horseshoe curves, and twists to fjordside Flåm, with a photo stop at Kjosfossen waterfall
  • Day 7Cruise across Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and pass the Dalsnibba viewpoint at 4,500 feet, Europe's highest fjord view
  • Day 10Travel the 452-mile Nordland Railway northbound, crossing the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees north on the Polar Express, passing mountain vistas, fjords, and tranquil lakes
  • Day 12Board a sea eagle safari cruise in thermal suits, exploring sea eagle territory with fish soup and snacks included

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 3 & 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Oslo, and Evenes to London Heathrow via Oslo
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 9 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Oslo to Flåm and Trondheim to Bodø
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes standard class rail travel on four railways: the Bergen Railway (Oslo to Bergen), Flåm Railway (Myrdal to Flåm), Rauma Railway (Åndalsnes to Dombås), and Nordland Railway (Trondheim to Bodø). All other rail, coach, ferry, and cruise travel within the tour is also included.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from London Heathrow to the final return flight. Guided sightseeing tours are included in Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. Some days, such as Day 2 and Day 4, include free time in the afternoon and independent dining.
What is included in the price?
The from-price covers 12 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels, standard class rail travel, all flights from London Heathrow to Oslo and Evenes to London (via Oslo), breakfasts daily, one lunch, nine dinners, all guided tours and excursions, coach and ferry travel, and group luggage transfers between hotels (Oslo to Flåm and Trondheim to Bodø).
When does this tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys offers five departures: May 2027, June 2027, July 2026, July 2027, and August 2027.
What is the physical requirement?
The tour involves guided walking tours in Oslo and Trondheim, free time to explore cities on foot, coach travel, ferry crossings, and a sea eagle safari cruise (thermal suits provided). Most days center on guided coach travel and train journeys; there are no mountain hikes or high-altitude activities.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included; Great Rail Journeys recommends purchasing these separately. Some meals on Days 2, 4, and 11 are independent. Optional extras such as flight upgrades, pre- or post-tour hotel stays near London, and UK rail connections are available at extra cost.

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