Search

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Oslo, Bergen & Norwegian Coast Cruise

Oslo to Kirkenes: Bergen Railway, six-night Arctic cruise with rail

Illustration of Oslo, Bergen & Norwegian Coast Cruise

Vacations By Rail's Oslo, Bergen & Norwegian Coast Cruise is a 12-day escorted tour combining Scandinavia's most scenic train journey with a voyage into the Arctic. Beginning in Oslo, the tour moves through Bergen on the Bergen Railway, a day-long passage across the Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau and through the valleys of Flåm, Geilo, Finse, and Voss. From Bergen, travelers board a six-night Havila cruise ship that sails north along the Norwegian coast, crossing the Arctic Circle and visiting the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø, and Honningsvåg before returning by internal flight to Oslo. A tour manager from Vacations By Rail accompanies the group throughout, handling transfers and leading guided walking tours in Oslo and Bergen. Days at sea and in Arctic ports offer optional excursions, from dog sledding and snowshoeing in the north to visits to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim and a Viking banquet in the Lofoten Isles. The tour suits travelers seeking a blend of famous rail scenery, cruise comfort, and guided structure.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most rail travel is limited to one day (Oslo to Bergen on the Bergen Railway); the majority of the tour (Days 4-9) is spent on the cruise ship
  • Optional port excursions in each cruise port are chargeable and booked directly onboard the Havila ship, not included in the package
  • International flights to and from Oslo are not included; only internal flights between Kirkenes and Oslo are covered
  • The activity level is rated Mobility Rating 3, indicating the tour includes walking tours and optional active excursions; confirm fitness requirements with the operator before booking

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Oslo

    Arriving in Norway's capital city, Oslo

    Arrive in Oslo and use the rail system to reach the central hotel. Meet the Tour Manager and group in the evening, then walk to a nearby restaurant for the first Norwegian dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Bergen

    A picturesque journey on the Bergen Railway

    Journey on the Bergen Railway from Oslo to Bergen via Flåm, Geilo, the Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau, Finse and Voss, arriving for a two-night stay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Bergen

    Bergen tour with a scenic trip on the Fløibanen

    A guided walking tour of Bergen's Bryggen waterfront, then a ride on the Fløibanen funicular, with the rest of the day free.

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

    Starting our Arctic cruise in Bergen

    Transfer to Bergen port and board the Havila cruise ship to begin a six-night voyage north, with an overnight sailing to Ålesund.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Ålesund with optional cruise into Geirangerfjord

    Dock in Ålesund, known for its art nouveau architecture, with an optional mini-cruise into Geirangerfjord.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Docking in the Viking city of Trondheim

    Dock in Trondheim with optional excursions to Nidaros Cathedral or a guided city tour, then continue north past the Kjeungskjær Lighthouse toward Bodø.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Crossing the Arctic Circle and a Viking feast

    Cross the Arctic Circle, dock in Bodø with optional excursions, then disembark at Stamsund for a Viking banquet at the Lofotr Viking Museum in Borg.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Tromsø, the Arctic capital and land of the Sámi people

    Disembark in Tromsø for optional excursions including a cable car ride, the Tromsø Museum, dog sledding or a Sámi experience.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Honningsvåg on the remote island of Magerøya

    Disembark at Honningsvåg with optional excursions to the North Cape plateau, snowshoeing, ice fishing, bird watching, or a cruise to Kjøllefjord. Cruise overnight toward Kirkenes.

  10. Day 10overnight: Oslo

    Disembarking in the Arctic city of Kirkenes

    Disembark in Kirkenes and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Oslo, spending the final two nights at the same hotel as the start of the vacation.

  11. Day 11overnight: Oslo

    Touring modern, cultural and historic Oslo

    A three-hour guided walking tour of Oslo taking in the Opera House, Akershus Fortress and Kvadraturen, with a free afternoon and final dinner.

  12. Day 12rail

    Tour conclusion

    After breakfast, use the Norwegian railway system to reach Oslo airport and travel home at leisure.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: The Bergen Railway carries passengers from Oslo across the Hardangervidda Mountain Plateau, through Finse and Voss, before descending to Bergen
  • Day 4Day 4: Embark on a six-night Havila cruise from Bergen, sailing north along Norway's coast with overnight passage to Ålesund
  • Day 7Day 7: Cross the Arctic Circle, then disembark at Stamsund for an optional Viking banquet at the Lofotr Viking Museum in the Lofoten Islands
  • Day 8Day 8: In Tromsø, the Arctic capital, choose optional excursions including a cable car ride, the Tromsø Museum's Sámi heritage exhibits, dog sledding, or a Sámi experience
  • Day 9Day 9: At Honningsvåg on Magerøya island, optional excursions include the North Cape plateau, snowshoeing, ice fishing, bird watching, or a cruise to Kjøllefjord

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 5 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 6-night cruise onboard a Havila ship
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
  • 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
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included
  • Excursions offered in each cruise port are operated by Havila and are optional, chargeable, and bookable directly onboard

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 train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel on the Bergen Railway (Oslo to Bergen) and local Norwegian rail networks. The journey from Kirkenes back to Oslo on Day 10 is by internal flight, not train.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a tour manager who travels with the group from the start in Oslo through the final day in Oslo, handling all logistics and providing expertise.
Which cruise ship operates the voyage?
A Havila ship operates the six-night cruise from Bergen into the Arctic Circle. The operator is Havila, and optional port excursions are booked onboard.
What hotels are included?
The tour includes five nights in three and four-star hotels: the Thon Hotel Opera in Oslo (3 nights total) and the Thon Hotel Orion in Bergen (2 nights), plus six nights aboard the Havila cruise ship.
When does the tour depart?
The evidence does not list specific departure dates; contact Vacations By Rail for current availability.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included each day. The package provides 5 lunches and 9 dinners. Optional port excursions may include meals not covered by the base price.

Similar journeys