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The Flåm Railway - one of the world's best train journeys

Lonely Planet named it the best train journey in the world. Norway's Flåm Railway is a truly unique experience of breathtaking nature and quaint fjord villages. "It's so powerful and dramatic," says Audrey Olson, who experienced the train journey as part of the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.
5 min readUpdated: May 7, 2026By: The Fjord Tours team
Family of six poses in front of misty waterfall with green cliffs and no-smoking sign.
The family wanted to experience the best of Norway, but only had a couple of days.
When they discovered that the Nutshell tours bring visitors to the most iconic highlights, with seamless transportation, they were sold. They were happy to find a tour they could truly make their own.
“I like the fact that you can do it in a day, or in 2 days or 3 days. And you also get inspiration on where you can stay and what you can eat,” says Audrey.
Passengers board green Flåmsbana train at snowy mountain station with cyclists.
Audrey and her family boarding the historic Flåm Railway

Instagram-friendly fjord landscapes

The Flåm Railway runs between Myrdal station, located at 867 meters above sea level, and Flåm, a village that is all the way down by the Aurlandsfjord. The trip takes about 1 hour.
On its way, the train winds its way past snow-capped mountains, lush forests, rushing rivers, and waterfalls cascading off steep cliffs. The Instagram-friendly highlights never seem to end.
“It´s so powerful. And I was surprised at how the landscapes changed so dramatically. There was also a lot more snow than I would have thought,” says Audrey.
Audrey's family has Norwegian roots and had long dreamed of a booking a vacation to Norway. Seeing the beautiful scenery from which their ancestors once emigrated was an emotional experience.
Passenger snaps photo of green valley with river and cliffs through train window.
Lean back, relax and find your camera.

Powerful waterfalls and fairytale creatures

One of the indisputable highlights of the family’s Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ tour was the beautiful waterfalls that gush down the mountainsides as the snow melts in the mountains in spring and summer.
There is even a stop at one of the biggest waterfalls on the Flåm Railway, Kjosfossen. Here, the family stepped off the train to experience the waterfall up close. So close, in fact, that a few drops sprayed gently down on them.
Smiling girl with messy hair stands on wooden platform among cheerful crowd.
Feel the breeze from the mighty Kjosfossen waterfall
This experience was especially memorable for Audrey's son, Graydon. Far up on the mountainside, he saw a forest creature which Norwegian children encounter in fairy tales.
The mythical creature lives inside the mountain singing songs. She looks like an angel, but underneath her beautiful dress she has a tail.
"I was told this creature is called a huldra. She stood up there on the mountainside singing beautifully, trying to lure us to her." says Graydon.
Person in red outfit stands on mossy cliff near misty waterfall in green gorge.
Huldra is a seductive forest creature in Scandinavian folklore.

An impressive feat of engineering

It took almost 20 years to build the railway. This is perhaps not surprising as 18 of its 20 tunnels were built by hand. Winding its way through the mountains, the railway is an impressive feat of engineering.
The Flåm Railway runs through green valley by river, snowy peaks in background.
The Flåm Railway is on many people´s bucket list.
Moreover, it brings you very close to some of the very best nature Norway can offer. National Geographic has named this train trip one of the ten most beautiful in Europe.

Step back in time on a historic train

The Flåm Railway is truly a historic train, something which is reflected in its original interiors. As the unspoiled nature and traditional farms glide past your window, you get the sense of travelling back in time.
Boy with cap and big blue backpack smiles inside warm wooden train car with family.
Graydon Olson was surprised of the historic interior on board.
“The train car was so cool. I had never been in one like it before.” says Audrey.
From your window, you can see historic mountain farms clinging to steep hills. Many were built long before the advent of the railway. Audrey's mother, Lynette, was particularly interested in Norwegian farm life.
“The little houses were just tucked in there. We are from a small place, and we have a lot of farming in Duluth. It was very interesting to see how they do it in Norway,” she says.
Colorful houses and kindergarten at mountain base with tall waterfall behind.
The list of things to see between Flåm and Myrdal is long.

Sip a Viking brew by the fjord in Flåm

The Olson family completed their Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour in two days, adding an overnight stay in Flåm, a quaint village on the Aurlandsfjord. Flåm offers excellent activities that make it well worth spending some extra time there.
“We just wanted to explore the place. We love the culture in Norway, and we wanted to go into the smaller towns and meet the local people,” Audrey says.
In Flåm, you can sample local craft beer with a Viking plank at the Ægir brewery and restaurant, fly along Northern Europe's longest zipline, kayak on the fjords, and more. How about experiencing nature up close on a RIB boat cruise on the UNESCO-listed Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord?
Smiling family takes selfie at mountain station with other travelers and snowy peaks.
The Olson family went home to Minnesota with great memories from Flåm and the Flåm Railway.

Make the Nutshell tour your own

You can experience the Flåm Railway on several of our Nutshell tours, which take you to the very best that Norway has to offer.
You can choose to take the tour in a day or add activities and overnight accommodation. You can even choose the start and end point of your tour to fit your travel plans. All in one easy booking!

Explore our bestselling tours

Browse our curated fjord and rail tours to compare itineraries and find your perfect match - from day tours to multi-day adventures.
Find your tour

Visit Flåm with our popular rail & fjord tours

Experience Flåm, the world-famous Flåm Railway and Norway’s most spectacular fjords on carefully curated rail and cruise journeys, starting from Oslo or Bergen.
Woman in yellow sweater leans from green train window, gazing at autumn forest landscape.
Classic route
Norway in a Nutshell®
The iconic Norway in a Nutshell®
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UNESCO Nærøyfjord cruise & Flåm Railway
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Flexible, 1+ days
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Available year-round
From 2698 NOK
Boat on Sognefjord with flag flying, wake trailing behind on calm water.
Full fjord experience
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™
Sail Norway's longest fjord like the locals
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Sognefjord, Aurlandsfjord & the Flåm Railway
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Flexible, 1+ days
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April – October
From 2745 NOK
Turquoise fjord with cruise ships, forested mountains and snow.
Geirangerfjord and Norway in a Nutshell®
Norway's 2 greatest fjords in 1 journey
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UNESCO fjords, 4 scenic railways & Norway’s coast
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Flexible, 3+ days
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June – September
From 8459 NOK
Havila coastal cruise ship sailing through scenic Norwegian fjords between Trondheim and Bergen
Cities, Coastal Cruise & Norway in a Nutshell®
Discover cities and fjords by rail & cruise
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Ålesund, Trondheim & Flåm via rail, fjord & coastal cruise
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Flexible, 4+ days
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Available year-round
From 11931 NOK
Fjord cruise boat approaching Balestrand through the Sognefjord
Limited availability
Sognefjord Cruise & Balestrand Stay
Slow down on the shores of Sognefjord
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Fjærland glacier, orchards & village life in Balestrand
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3 days
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May – September
From 9096 NOK
Scenic Flåm Railway journey through mountain landscapes in Norway
Active adventure
Preikestolen & Norway in a Nutshell®
Norway in a Nutshell® plus Preikestolen
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The classic loop, with Norway's most iconic hike added
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Flexible, 3+ days
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Winter evening on Aurlandsfjord - aerial view of fjord boat with snowy mountain peaks at golden hour
Norway in a Nutshell® Winter
Winter magic on Norway's most popular tour

Experience Norway in a Nutshell® in winter. Ride the winter rails on two of the top train journeys in the world and cruise the snowy fjords on a quiet electric fjord cruise. Start from Oslo or Bergen.

From 2482 NOK
See all tours with Flåm

Top things to do in Flåm

Flåm offers a wealth of activities throughout the year. Book an exciting activity as part of your Nutshell tour or as a stand-alone booking. Here are our handpicked favorites:
Two kayakers in a yellow tandem kayak paddling on a calm fjord, with one pointing enthusiastically, surrounded by rocky cliffs and autumn foliage.
Summer favorite
Kayaking in Flåm
Flåm • 3 hr
From 1235NOK
16 May - 15 September
Woman enjoying fjord safari boat tour to Sagofossen waterfall on UNESCO Nærøyfjord in Flåm Norway
Fjord safari Flåm - 2 hr 15 min
Flåm • 2 hr 15 min
From 1110NOK
1 April - 31 October
Getting amazing view over the UNESCO Nærøyfjord on the hike to Rimstigen
Summer favorite
UNESCO Nærøyfjord hike
Multiple locations • 7 hr
From 3350NOK
21 May - 31 October
Detailed medieval craftsmanship of Norwegian stave church architecture
Most booked this week
Tour to Borgund Stave Church and Stegastein viewpoint
Flåm • 4 hr
From 1750NOK
15 April - 12 October
Traditional Norwegian lapskaus stew served at Flåm farm
Hidden gem
Local food tasting in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr
From 750NOK
1 May - 1 October
People at Stegastein viewpoint over fjord, golden light on cliffs and water.
Bestseller
Electric minibus to Stegastein
Flåm • 1 hr 30 min
From 430NOK
Available all year
Authentic Viking guides with bow and axe ready to bring history to life in Gudvangen Viking village
Stalheim, Viking Valley and Undredal tour
Flåm • 4 hr
From 1320NOK
22 April - 31 October
Musician playing traditional Hardanger fiddle during intimate concert in rustic barn at Flåm
Local Food & Concert in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 30 min
From 990NOK
15 May - 14 September
Group hiking Royal Post Road scenic trail Norwegian fjords mountains blue sky summer day
Postal road hike
Multiple locations • 6 hr
From 4450NOK
15 May - 25 September
Zipliner in red jacket soars above a blue river valley.
Bestseller
Flåm Zipline, Flåm Railway and bike ride
Flåm • 4 hr
From 1632NOK
25 April - 10 October
Woman in maroon swimsuit diving into fjord from wooden deck, mirrored reflection in glass.
Fjord Sauna in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr 30 min
From 445NOK
Available all year
Fjord safari boat tour approaching Sagofossen waterfall in Flåm Norway on summer day
Fjord safari in Flåm- 1 hr 30 min
Flåm • 1 hr 30 min
From 935NOK
1 April - 31 October
Family of three enjoying a meal by a fjord, with a boy reaching for a strawberry and adults laughing.
RIB boat tour with cheese tasting from Flåm
Flåm • 3 hr
From 1395NOK
1 May - 20 September
Rustic cabin above fjord with hills, homes, and winding road.
Waterfall and culture tour in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr
From 680NOK
16 March - 31 October
Group of smiling hikers posing with majestic mountains behind them.
Nærøydalen Heritage Trail
Multiple locations • 5 hr
From 3350NOK
15 May - 31 October
Two hikers in blue jackets climbing green hillside with wildflowers, overlooking a valley, fjord, and mountain cliffs.
Fjord safari and hike in Flåm
Flåm • 6 hr
From 2060NOK
1 July - 31 August
Three people on snowy viewpoint overlook blue fjord and snowy peaks.
Snowshoe hike to Stegastein viewpoint
Flåm • 2 hr 30 min
From 950NOK
26 December - 31 March
Red inflatable boat speeding through rippling water, carrying yellow-jacketed people, framed by snow-covered mountains.
RIB boat winter tour in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 30 min
From 1220NOK
1 November - 31 March
People in bright thermal suits and life vests on a boat, smiling and excited, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and icy fjord waters.
Winter fjord safari and viking dinner in Flåm
Flåm • 2 hr 45 min
From 1650NOK
1 November - 31 March
Viking dinner with 5 courses and beer tasting at Ægir Brewery in Flåm featuring local Norwegian ingredients
Viking dinner and beer experience in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr
From 775NOK
1 October - 31 March
See all activities in Flåm

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