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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Oslo, Bergen & Norwegian Coast Cruise

Oslo to Kirkenes: Bergen Railway, six-night Arctic cruise, Midnight Sun

Illustration of Oslo, Bergen & Norwegian Coast Cruise

Great Rail Journeys combines guided city exploration of Oslo and the scenic Bergen Railway with a six-night Arctic cruise, creating a 12-day journey through Norway's most striking landscapes. The tour opens in Oslo with a walking tour of the Opera House and Old Town before Day 2 climbs aboard the Bergen Railway, northern Europe's highest rail line, passing mountain plateaus and descending toward glistening fjords. Bergen itself offers the UNESCO Bryggen waterfront and a funicular ride with city views. From Day 4 onward, the Havila ship carries the group north along the coast: stops include the art nouveau city of Ålesund, historic Trondheim with its Viking cathedral, and the Lofoten Islands, where guests attend an authentic Viking feast in a reconstructed longhouse. The voyage crosses the Arctic Circle and reaches Tromsø before continuing to Honningsvåg and Kirkenes, where summer daylight persists around the clock. Wildlife spotting opportunities include sea eagles, orcas, and humpback whales. The itinerary is fully escorted with a UK Tour Manager, and return flights to London are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement (GBP 6099) is significantly higher than half the double rate; check the operator's pricing if travelling solo
  • Group size reaches 40 passengers; confirm the scale of the tour before booking if you prefer smaller groups
  • Many onboard excursions (Geirangerfjord mini-cruise, Trondheim tour, North Cape, sea eagle spotting, snowshoeing, ice fishing, Sámi traditions cruise) are bookable locally and cost extra

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Oslo

    Flying directly to Oslo

    Meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow before boarding a morning flight to Oslo. On arrival, transfer by the Norwegian rail system to a central four-star hotel. Walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Bergen

    An epic journey on the Bergen Railway

    Journey aboard the iconic Bergen Railway, northern Europe's highest and most beautiful line, from Oslo to Bergen. Pass through the Hallingdal Valley, climb to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, and descend towards glistening fjords. Arrive in Bergen with its UNESCO World Heritage Bryggen waterfront. Transfer to hotel for a two-night stay.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Bergen

    Bergen tour with a scenic trip on the Fløibanen

    Guided walking tour of Bergen including the Bryggen waterfront and a ride on the Fløibanen funicular with spectacular views. Afternoon free to explore independently, including the fish market and Bryggens Museum. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Onboard ship (sailing to Ålesund)

    Starting our epic Arctic cruise in Bergen

    Morning at leisure in Bergen. Transfer by coach to Bergen port and board the Havila ship for a six-night cruise. Settle into interior cabins and enjoy dinner onboard before commencing the northbound voyage to Ålesund.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Onboard ship (sailing north)

    Ålesund with optional cruise into Geirangerfjord

    Pass the ports of Florø, Måløy and Torvik. Dock in Ålesund, renowned for its art nouveau architecture. Free day to explore the town, visit the Ålesund Museum, or book an optional mini-cruise into Geirangerfjord. Lunch served aboard ship. Return to ship in the late afternoon and continue the voyage.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Onboard ship (sailing to Bodø)

    Trondheim & the land of the Midnight Sun

    Dock in historic Trondheim, the 'Viking City'. Time to explore including a possible visit to Nidaros Cathedral. Optional guided tour of Trondheim available onboard. Continue north past the Kjeungskjær Lighthouse and through the strait of Stokksund to Rørvik. After dinner, experience the Midnight Sun from the observation deck.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Onboard ship (sailing north)

    Crossing the Arctic Circle & Viking feast

    Cross the Arctic Circle at 66.5 degrees north. Stop in Bodø with optional excursions including a city tour or sea eagle spotting. First glimpse of the Lofoten Islands. Evening: disembark at Stamsund for a Viking banquet at the Lofotr Viking Museum in Borg, a 272-foot-long longhouse with an authentic meal of lamb, vegetables, barley groats, cranberries, bread, mead and entertainment.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Onboard ship (sailing north)

    Tromsø & the land of the Sámi people

    Disembark in Tromsø, the largest city in northern Norway. Visit the modern Tromsø Cathedral, Tromsø Museum (optional, payable locally), Polar Museum or Troll Museum. Optional excursions available. Re-board and cruise through summer waters with possible sightings of orcas, humpback whales and Arctic birds.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Onboard ship (sailing to Kirkenes)

    Honningsvåg on the remote island of Magerøya

    Sail to Norway's northern coast where Arctic and Atlantic oceans mix. Disembark at Honningsvåg on Magerøya island. Optional excursions include a trip to the North Cape plateau, snowshoeing, ice fishing, bird watching, or a cruise to Kjøllefjord to learn about Sámi traditions. Cruise overnight towards Kirkenes entirely in sunlight, experiencing sunset merging into sunrise.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Oslo

    Disembarking in Kirkenes

    Pass Vardo, the easternmost town in Norway, before arriving in Kirkenes, the Arctic city on the border of Finland and Russia, known as 'King Crab city'. Disembark and transfer to Kirkenes airport for a flight back to Oslo. Spend the final two nights at the same Oslo hotel. Dine independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11overnight: Oslo

    Touring the history and culture of Oslo

    Three-hour guided walking tour of Oslo starting at the Oslo Opera House, continuing to Akershus Fortress and Kvadraturen, Oslo's oldest district. Free afternoon to visit the Viking Ship Museum, National Museum, Edvard Munch gallery or watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace. Final dinner of the holiday.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, check out and transfer to Oslo airport before boarding the flight to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Bergen Railway from Oslo through the Hallingdal Valley and Hardangervidda mountain plateau to Bergen, passing fjord views
  • Day 3Ascend the Fløibanen funicular in Bergen for views of the UNESCO World Heritage Bryggen waterfront
  • Day 7Cross the Arctic Circle at 66.5 degrees north and attend an authentic Viking banquet in a 272-foot longhouse at the Lofotr Viking Museum
  • Day 9Sail entirely in daylight through the Midnight Sun, experiencing sunset merging into sunrise as the ship cruises toward Kirkenes

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 5 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 6-night cruise onboard a Havila ship
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Heathrow to Oslo
  • All internal flights
  • Breakfast each day
  • 5 lunches
  • 9 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Oslo to Bergen
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train and cruise travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel on the Bergen Railway, all cruise travel on the Havila ship, coach transfers, and return flights from London Heathrow to Oslo.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, guided city tours in Oslo and Bergen, and guided excursions throughout. It is fully escorted.
Which train is included?
The Bergen Railway from Oslo to Bergen on Day 2, traveling through the Hallingdal Valley and Hardangervidda plateau.
What hotels are included?
Thon Hotel Opera in Oslo (3 nights) and Thon Hotel Orion in Bergen (2 nights) are listed; additional nights are spent onboard the Havila cruise ship.
When do departures run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in May, June, July, August, and September between 2026 and 2027.
How many meals are included?
Breakfast every day, 5 lunches, and 9 dinners are included. Some meals are independent.

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