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Nordland railway Trondheim - Bodo

Seven-day self-guided rail journey from Trondheim to Bodø on the Nordland Railway.

Illustration of Nordland railway Trondheim - Bodo

Railtour Suisse's Nordland Railway journey is a 7-day independent rail adventure across Norway from Trondheim to Bodø. The trip follows Norway's longest continuous train route, crossing 293 bridges and passing through 154 tunnels as it climbs from lush southern landscapes into mountainous and tundra terrain. You travel in 2nd class aboard the Nordland Railway, staying in carefully selected 3-star hotels in small towns: Røra, Grong, Mosjøen, and Mo i Rana, with a final night at a fjord-side wooden cabin before the journey ends in Bodø. Each day includes a morning or afternoon train segment and a taxi transfer to your hotel. The package is self-guided, so you choose optional activities like e-bike tours, cheese-factory visits, hiking, kayaking, or fishing. Breakfast is provided daily except at the Ytteren cabin; lunch and dinner are your own arrangements. This itinerary suits independent travellers who want a structured rail spine without a guide, couples seeking intimate small-town stays, and budget-conscious explorers willing to seek out their own meals.

What to know before you look closer

  • Lunch and dinner are not included; only breakfast is provided (except day 5 at the Ytteren cabin).
  • International flights to and from Norway are separate; only ground transport in Norway is included.
  • Day 5 accommodation is a basic wooden hut with a kitchen at a campsite, not a traditional hotel.
  • The package is fully independent with no escorted guide; activities like hiking and kayaking are optional and not arranged by the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Trondheim (for example at Hotel Thon Nidaros)

    Individual journey to Trondheim

    Individual journey to Trondheim, founded by the Vikings in the 10th century, one of the oldest and historically most important cities in Norway. Visit the cathedral and the historic waterfront with its old warehouses. Depending on your flight schedule, an additional overnight stay here is recommended.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Røra (for example at Øyna Parken AS)

    Trondheim - Røra

    The Nordland Railway departs Trondheim around midday. After approx. 2 hours you have reached Røra. A taxi from the hotel takes you to Øyna Parken AS, uniquely integrated into the landscape. Visit local food producers such as a cheese factory, or take an e-bike tour.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Grong (for example at Namsentunet)

    Røra – Grong

    In the morning you continue to Steinkjer and from there on to Grong. As the train reaches Nordland, expect mountain areas and more tunnels, with a good chance of spotting reindeer, especially crossing the Saltfjellet mountains. In Grong you are driven to Namsentunet, beautifully situated by the Namsen River, with fishing and boat trips on offer.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Mosjøen (for example at Fru Haugans Hotel)

    Grong - Mosjøen

    Around midday, the Nordland Railway continues northwards; after about two hours you reach Mosjøen. Visit the wooden church (Dolstad kirke) and the Sjøgata, lined with one of the longest rows of old wooden houses in Europe. The surrounding area is ideal for hiking or rafting.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Mo i Rana / Ytteren (for example at Camping Yttervik, wooden hut for 2 with kitchen)

    Mosjøen – Mo i Rana

    The journey to Mo i Rana takes about an hour by train. A taxi takes you to Ytteren on the Ranfjord, where you move into a cosy wooden cabin with a view of the fjord for one night. Discover the nature by kayak, hiking or a swim in the fjord.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Bodø (Quality Hotel Ramsalt)

    Mo i Rana - Bodø

    After the taxi drops you at Mo i Rana station, you take the Nordland Railway north for the last time in the afternoon to Bodø, the 2024 Capital of Culture, home to the strongest tidal current (Saltstraumen) in the world, colourful murals and a thriving café and restaurant scene.

  7. Day 7

    Continue - or journey home

    From Bodø it is only a short crossing to the Lofoten Islands. There are daily flights from Bodø to Oslo and from there on to Switzerland. Bodø is also a stop on the mail boats travelling both south and north.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Depart Trondheim midday on the Nordland Railway, arriving in Røra after 2 hours; optional visits to local cheese factories and e-bike tours.
  • Day 3Cross the Saltfjellet mountains with good chances to spot reindeer; train passes through 154 tunnels and over 293 bridges on the entire route.
  • Day 4Visit Sjøgata in Mosjøen, lined with one of the longest rows of old wooden houses in Europe.
  • Day 5Stay in a wooden cabin on the Ranfjord at Ytteren; kayak, hike, or swim in the fjord.
  • Day 6Arrive in Bodø, Norway's 2024 Capital of Culture, known for Saltstraumen, the world's strongest tidal current.

Included

  • 6 nights in a good 3-star hotel incl. Scandinavian breakfast buffet (except day 5)
  • Train journey Trondheim to Bodø in 2nd class on the Nordland Railway
  • Transfers to the hotels as described in the travel programme

Not included

  • Journey Switzerland - Norway - Switzerland
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Lunch, dinner
  • Optional excursions
  • Cancellation costs and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes 2nd class train travel on the Nordland Railway from Trondheim to Bodø, with stops in Røra, Grong, Mosjøen, and Mo i Rana.
Is this an escorted or independent trip?
It is self-guided and independent. Railtour Suisse provides hotel transfers, but there is no tour guide. You arrange your own meals and optional excursions.
What hotels are included?
Railtour Suisse books 3-star hotels in each town: Hotel Thon Nidaros (Trondheim), Øyna Parken AS (Røra), Namsentunet (Grong), Fru Haugans Hotel (Mosjøen), Camping Yttervik wooden hut (Mo i Rana), and Quality Hotel Ramsalt (Bodø).
What is included in the price?
Six nights in the listed hotels with Scandinavian breakfast buffet (except day 5), Nordland Railway 2nd class tickets, and hotel transfers as described.
Are flights to Norway included?
No. Flights between Switzerland and Norway are arranged and paid separately.
When does the trip depart?
The operator does not publish specific departure dates in the itinerary. Contact Railtour Suisse for scheduling; the midnight sun is mentioned as a summer feature.

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