Flåm: Day Trips and Tours from Bergen

The village of Flåm is nestled deep in the heart of Norway's most picturesque countryside. It is surrounded by fjords, waterfalls and mountains, which is a drastic change from the skyscrapers that form Bergen.

Flåm day trips from Bergen involve a lot of driving but are definitely worth it. Once you step outside your vehicle, you'll be greeted by incredible landscapes that will make you feel as though you're in another world.

How to get to Flåm from Bergen?

Flåm is located in the Flåmsdalen Valley on the Aurlandsfjord in Norway. It is situated approximately 170 kilometers northeast of Bergen. Flåm is one of the most impressive destinations for day trips from Bergen.

From Bergen to Flåm by car

The journey to Flåm from Bergen by car takes around 2.5 hours. The drive is easy and you'll leave the city of Bergen in a northeasterly direction, following the E16 the whole way to the village.

From Bergen to Flåm by bus

It's easy to arrange your jaunt to Flåm by public transport. You can take a direct bus from Bergen bus station, which takes around three hours to reach the village of Flåm. The bus leaves the city several times a day and costs between US$30, and US$40.

Guided tour to Flåm from Bergen

The best way to see a wide variety of Norway's scenery is to arrange a Flåm day tour. You'll either be picked up from your hotel in the morning or you’ll meet at a central location in Bergen. You'll depart between 8 AM and 9 AM. Your excursion lasts between 10 and 14 hours.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Flåm from Bergen?

Flåm day tours feature different itineraries, however, many follow a similar route. Once you've left the hustle and bustle of Bergen, you'll travel into the peaceful Norwegian countryside, heading towards Sognefjord.

Along the way, you'll often stop at Tvindefossen Waterfall, just outside of Voss. The cascading waterfall is worth a look and legend has it that it's a fountain of youth. Continuing along on your tour, you'll make your way to the Viking village of Gudvangen, which is situated at the end of Nærøyfjord.

From there, you'll embark on a boat tour through Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord to Flåm. Your tour may include a journey on the iconic Flåmsbana — otherwise known as the Flåm railway.

Alternatively, you may choose to stop in the village and experience traditional Norwegian life. Either way, you won't be disappointed by the scenery that surrounds Flåm. On your journey back to Bergen, you'll pass by the town of Voss and enjoy views of the unparalleled scenery of Norway.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Flåm?

There are several different Flåm day tours to choose from, which combine different destinations.

Day trip to Flåm plus Sognefjord from Bergen

On this Flåm day tour, you'll leave the city far behind, in favor of Norwegian fjords and mountains. You'll visit Sognefjord, which is nicknamed the "king of fjords" because of its colossal size.

You'll take a cruise through the vast stretch of water before continuing on to Flåm. You'll board the famous Flåm railway to see more deep fjords, steep mountains and roaring waterfalls.

Guided tour to Flåm plus Stegastein and Nærøyfjorden from Bergen

Your first point of interest on this Flåm day trip is the spectacular Tvindefossen waterfall, which pours down the cliffside from a height of 110 meters. You'll drive through steep and twisting roads to reach the Stegastein viewing platform, high above the fjords of Norway.

Lastly, you'll enjoy a two-hour cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen, which showcases even more of Norway's remarkable landscape. During your cruise, you'll pass through Nærøyfjord, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Private tour to Flåm plus Sognefjord and Gudvangen from Bergen

If you want to personalize your experience, consider choosing a private excursion to Flåm. You'll start with a scenic drive along Bergen road until you reach Nærøyfjord — a narrow yet striking body of water.

You'll have the opportunity to hop onto a boat and experience the fjord for yourself, before continuing to Flåm. You'll have free time to enjoy a local meal, shop for trinkets or take a ride on the iconic railway, before returning to Bergen via Voss.

How much does a tour to Flåm from Bergen cost?

Guided tours to Flåm and Nærøyfjord cost approximately US$210 per person, and include round-trip transportation, as well as cruise tickets.

Day trips to Flåm that include Sognefjord cost from US$710 to US$820. This includes a ride on the Flåm railway and a cruise around Sognefjord.

You can expect to pay around US$720 for a private day tour to Flåm, Sognefjord and Gudvangen. You'll pay US$830 if you want your tour to include a cruise and railway tickets.

What will you see and do on a Flåm day trip from Bergen?

Flåm is a small village located in the heart of the Norwegian fjords. Surrounded by towering mountains and picturesque waterfalls, Flåm is unsurprisingly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Norway.

Visitors can take a scenic train ride through the dramatic landscapes, go hiking or skiing in the nearby mountains, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Despite its relatively small size, Flåm is home to a number of historical landmarks and museums.

One of these monuments is the 17th-century stave church, which was built using traditional Norwegian timber construction methods.

The biggest highlight of any Flåm day trip is its picturesque railway ride. The short 20-kilometer stretch of track was named the "most beautiful train journey in the world" by Lonely Planet in 2014 and takes roughly an hour to ride.

The Flåm railway began construction in 1923 and was originally intended to connect Aurlandsfjord to the cities of Bergen, and Oslo. It took 17 years to finish the railway line and it opened in 1940. In more recent years, the railroad has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway, because of its remarkable location.

On your train ride, you'll pass by vibrant fjords, rushing waterfalls and snow-capped peaks as you travel through one of the most striking parts of Norway. Once you've finished your journey, you can also visit the Flåm Railway Museum, which enables you to dive deeper into the history of this train ride.

When is the best time to visit Flåm?

If you plan a visit to Flåm during the summer months, you can expect to enjoy warm temperatures of up to 25 degrees Celsius. At this time, you'll see vibrant greens and blues in the countryside surrounding the village.

Alternatively, if you plan your Flåm day trip during the midst of winter, you'll experience a winter wonderland like no other.

Travel tips

• Book a Flåm day trip that includes a ride on its famous railway.
• Walk the panoramic hiking route from Flåm to Brekkefossen, which takes around 1.5 hours to complete and covers a distance of just under 5 kilometers.
• During the winter months, the temperature can drop down to -2 degrees Celsius. Make sure to wrap up in thermal layers if you're visiting at this time.
• Flåm experiences a high amount of rainfall, particularly during the summer and fall months. Carry a rain jacket and umbrella with you, in case you get caught in a downpour.