Though small, Flam is one of the most popular places to visit in Norway, most famous for its railway line.
Brad and I took a journey on the Flam Railway during our Scandinavian adventure and we loved it.
It’s often regarded as one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe and I can confirm that’s true.
Below I take you through all you need to know about a journey on the Flam Railway.
The line runs between Flam and Myrdal and vice versa and you can enjoy this trip all year around. There is actually a hotel close to Myrdal and the main way to get there is via the Flam Railway, making it pretty secluded!
Most people visit Flam as part of a cruise tour, but if like Brad and I you’ve decided to road trip beautiful Norway (which is the best way to see nature!), then it’s a fairly easy drive to Flam from various points in Norway.
There is free parking in the town for you to park your vehicle whilst you take your train journey.
If you’re thinking of driving from Bergen or Oslo, then check Rentalcars.com for the best prices on car rental in the area.
Alternatively, check out our guide on Norway's best camper and motorhome rentals, which is the option I would recommend best!
The full length of the Flam railway on the tourist route is 20 km, so you do 20 km there and back.
When you take a trip on the Flam railway, you typically stop at Myrdal for around 20-30 minutes which gives you time to explore and take pictures with the train.
The Flam railway actually runs all year round, which is great as each season brings with it something unique. Bradley and I visited during the winter and snow had overtaken everything transforming the Flam railway into a winter wonderland.
There is a popular waterfall you spot during your journey on the Flam railway and it was actually frozen!
The tourist route of the Flam Railway takes around 2 hours. You take a journey up to the town of Myrdal, then return on the same route. I suggest you sit on one side of the carriage for each journey to take in both sides of the views.
It costs 490NOK (and can increase) for an adult.
You can book tickets online here
In the summer season, I think it’s important to book your journey on the Flam railway in advance. It seats a couple of hundred people, but when you add in the tour buses and the cruisers, that’s going to fill up pretty quick.
Actually when we visited, it was still a pretty busy train ride, despite the depths of winter! :P
It’s the same price to book online as it is in the visitor centre.
Since you’re visiting Flam for the Flam railway, you may as well check out the cute town itself. There are lots of walking routes around the pier and one of the great things to do in Flam is to take a cruise in the fjord on their all-electric ship!
It looks awesome and something out of an action movie.
After your visit on the Flam Railway, you can visit the Flam Railway Museum. It’s free to enter and located right next to the railway line. So it’s a perfect compliment to your Flam railway adventure.
There is also a great shopping centre that is perfect for picking up all your Norway souvenirs, and I suggest you head to the “Flam bakery” for a delicious cinnamon bun and a cup of coffee.
This cafe is super cute and cosy and serves a lot of fresh, delicious buns, cakes and pastries. A good place to pick up a snack for the train journey.
Tip: If you don’t want to spend 3 euro on coffee, then in the shopping market there is a coffee machine that serves decent coffee for 1 euro.
Read More: How to visit Norway on a budget!
With regards to where to sit on the train, there is no real secret top spot. You should sit on one side on the way up, and the opposite on the way back. It’s the same train that goes back and forth, so if you want to see both sides of the views then you’ll need to switch.
The only time the train stops during the journey (apart from the final destination) is at the waterfall. You get a couple of minutes to walk on the platform and get your picture with the waterfall. It is flowing in summer, not winter!
During your journey you’ll be greeted with beautiful views and on board there is information played through a speaker in both Norwegian and English explaining the history of the Flam railway, and the significance of the different little viewpoints and towns you are passing through. It’s quite a nice add on to the experience.
The Flam Railway isn’t for adrenaline junkies, it’s a relaxing experience with magnificent views that gives you some time to just sit back, relax and enjoy nature at its finest.
Just remember, book your ticket ahead of time so you definitely get a space!
So there you have it, my quick and easy guide on taking a journey on the Flam Railway. If you’ve taken the train journey, or you have any other questions or tips to add, then simply pop a comment on this blog post.
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