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In this post, I’ll take you with me on one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, the Flamsbana, also known as the Flåm Railway. I’ll show you the cheapest way to get tickets, things to spot on the way, and tips for getting the best out of one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.
The Flam Railway is always a popular shore activity with cruise passengers
Where is Flåm ?
Flåm is located at the end of one of the branches of the Songefjord, the longest Fjord in Norway. We arrived in Flåm by ship. If you are arriving by ship, get up early to watch the sail-in it might be a struggle to get up at 4am but you will be richly rewarded.
Flåm is located at the end of one of the branches of the Songefjord, the longest Fjord in Norway.
Get up early to watch the sail-in it might be a struggle to get up at 4am but you will be richly rewarded.
How to get the cheapest tickets for the Flåm Railway.
We booked via Norway’s best website. You can book up to six months in advance and given that this is quite a popular activity when in Flåm, especially when larger ships are visiting in peak season, it might be best to book as early as you can.
Once you’re off the ship, getting to the railway station is just a five-minute walk. In fact you can see the railway station from the cruise ship
Cruise ships also block book seats, so book early to avoid disappointment. You can buy tickets on the day, but they might be sold out in popular months.
We were sailing as a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 17. The total cost came to 1700 NOK (Norwegian Krona) in May 2023, which works out around £125 GBP. The price saving on the cruise line’s excursion was significant – if we had booked through the cruise line the cost would have been £288.
The tickets are emailed to you but you can also print a paper copy out (which I always do just in case something happens to my mobile on holiday or the battery dies unexpectedly)
How do you get to the Flåm Railway from the cruise ship?
Once you’re off the ship, getting to the railway station is just a five-minute walk. In fact you can see the railway station from the cruise ship.
A handy map near the station helps you get your bearings.
When you board the train, some of the carriages might be reserved for the cruise line’s Shore Excursion, but there are still plenty of seats available. Just get on early if you want the pick of the best, we arrived around 20 to 30 minutes before our departure time, headed to the middle of the train and got our pick of a whole carriage of seats.
My Tip – sit on the right-hand side on the way up.
On the way up when departing from Flåm, I’d recommend you sit on the right-hand side if you want to take some photos or video like I did. Then get a seat which is next to a window and check that the window opens before you sit down, as some of them were a little bit stuck in our carriage.
What can you expect to see on the Flåm Railway?
The round trip takes around 2 hours. The timetable will give you a better indication of which journeys you’ll be able to make depending on how long your cruise ship is in port.
The first part of the journey follows the Lower Valley, and you’ll see the beautiful Flåm Selvi River. This 40-kilometer or 25-mile-long glacial river begins as runoff from the Omnsbreen glacier.
As you ascend, you’ll pass quintessential Norwegian Fjord-land.
As well as charming houses, you’ll also spot Brekkefossen waterfall in the distance. If you’re feeling energetic, you can take a hike up to this waterfall from the ship. It’s about a five-kilometre round trip from Flam Centre. but be warned, the last bit is quite steep.
Brekkefossen: If you’re feeling energetic, you can take a hike up to this waterfall from the ship.
You can also see in the distance the Rjoandefossen waterfall. This waterfall is 241 meters or 791 feet tall, and it can be clearly seen from the railway. Here you’ll also pass the old village of Flam, where Flåm Church is located. The brown wooden church was built in 1670, if you’re sitting on the correct side, then you get a much better view on the way back down.
The Rjoandefossen waterfall is 241 meters or 791 feet tall
As you start to ascend further, you’ll begin to pass through some of the 20 tunnels. Occasionally, you’ll be able to see parts of the Rallarvegen, a popular biking trail which leads back down to Flam.
The views of this part of the journey are nothing short of breath-taking. Dense lush forests combine with towering mountains and the occasional foaming cascade of the waterfalls.
Occasionally, you’ll be able to see parts of the Rallarvegen, a popular biking trail which leads back down to Flam
At this part of the journey, you’ll also pass the Cave Waterfall, however, you’ll only be able to get a glimpse of the bridge which crosses from the railway.
Dense lush forests combine with towering mountains and the occasional foaming cascade of the waterfalls
At this part of the journey, you’ll also pass the Cave Waterfall, however, you’ll only be able to get a glimpse of the bridge which crosses from the railway.
Just a little further up the line from here, you’ll arrive at Berekvam Station. Berekvam is the only place in the Flåm Railway where the trains can actually cross each other, and there’s usually a short wait here for the other train to pass.
Berekvam is the only place in the Flåm Railway where the trains can actually cross each other
….there’s usually a short wait here for the other train to pass.
At this point on the journey, the dense forest becomes sparser, and the lush greenery starts to disappear. As you depart Berekvam Station on your way up to Myrdal Station, one of the most dramatic parts of the railway awaits.
In this section, the railway snakes its way around 180-degree turns through many tunnels. At this point, you can also see the 21, hairpin bends of the Rallarvegen, and here you’ll find the Flam zip line.
Adrenaline Junkie heaven: The 21 hairpin bends of the Rallarvegen, and the Flam zip line
Shortly after this section, you’ll arrive at the only stop you can get off on the way up to Myrdal, the Kjosfossen waterfall. The waterfall gets as much as 900,000 visitors annually and is considered to be among Norway’s most visited natural tourist attractions.
The thundering Kjosfossen waterfall: The waterfall gets as much as 900,000 visitors annually and is considered to be among Norway’s most visited natural tourist attractions.
During the summer, as you disembark onto the viewing platform for a short break of between 5 to 10 minutes, you’ll start to hear music. Then, out of the spray from the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall, a mysterious woman appears with long hair and a red dress. This is a Huldra, a forest creature found in Scandinavian folklore.
An interesting fact for you: the performance of the Huldra is conducted by students from the Norwegian Ballet School.
My tip for the best photos of the Kjosfossen is to get off on the way back down, as fewer people tend to get off at this point, and therefore the platform will be less crowded.
The Kjosfossen platform is much quieter on the way back down – few people decide to get off the train on the return journey.
After a stop on the way up to the Kjosfossen, the railway passes Lake Reinungavatnet. You’ll see the lake best if you sit on the left-hand side on the way up.
We sat on the right-hand side on the way up, so we had a great view of the train snaking around this section of the track.
Lush dense forests give way to sparse landscapes just emerging from the winter thaw the closer you get to Myrdal Station
A few minutes later, you’ll arrive at Myrdal Station, the highest point on the round trip. Located around 867 meters above sea level, is it still flanked by snow-capped mountains even in May.
Passengers alighting at Myrdal Station can switch to the Bergen line for trains to Bergen and Oslo. However, if you want to get off briefly at Myrdal just to stretch your legs, be quick as the train only stops here for approx. 15-20 mins before returning to Flåm .
It’s also worth bearing in mind that as seats are not reserved (except for the cruise line’s shore excursion carriages), you might want to leave coat or something similar on your seat, otherwise, it might be taken when you get back on.
Myrdal Station, the highest point on the round trip is still flanked by snow-capped mountains even in May.
You don’t have to take the round trip on the Flåm Railway. Once you arrive at Myrdal, you can hike or bike it back down from this point, bikes are available to rent from Cafe Rallen or you can hire some in Flåm and who will transport them on the train with you up to Myrdal. You also need to get off at Myrdal and walk a little way on the path to reach the Flåm Zipline.
As the train stops at Myrdal for approximately 20 minutes, it isn’t really enough time to get off and have a coffee. But you can always book on to the next train and spend some time with the views and a coffee.
We booked the round trip as we had some other activities, we wanted to do in Flåm in the afternoon. We didn’t switch sides on the journey back down, so we had another chance to spot things we might have missed on the way up. Plus, it’s another opportunity to take some gorgeous footage of the scenic railway journey.
Throughout the journey, there’s a multilingual presentation on the TV screens pointing out interesting highlights along the way.
As we spotted the flower-filled fields dotted with flashes of red buildings, we knew we were only minutes before our arrival back into Flåm . As we made our way off the train, we passed by the next line of eager passengers.
When you spot the flower-filled fields, you know you are only minuted from your return stop in Flam
After your train journey, don’t miss popping into the Flåm Railway Museum to find out more about how the railway was built. The museum is located just next to the train station, and the entrance is free of charge.
don’t miss popping into the Flåm Railway Museum to find out more about how the railway was built
The museum is located just next to the train station, and the entrance is free of charge
In Summary – My top tips for the Flåm Railway
For the cheapest tickets, book tickets Norway’s Best Website
It’s a popular activity – so be sure to book tickets in advance
Arrive early for the train to get the pick of the seats in the carriage
Sit near a window but check that it opens (some don’t)
Sit on the right-hand side on the way up for the best views.
Get off on the way back down at Kjossfossen waterfall for less crowded views
If you want to get off at Myrdal Station briefly before returning on the same train, leave a coat on your seat as seats are not reserved
Wondering what else to do in Flåm ? Then check out my Flam Port Guide for Cruise Passengers or watch these videos for more ideas.
Videos you may enjoy: