Where is Flåm in Norway?

Flåm is a village in western Norway at the end of the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the Sognefjord. It is about 170 km northeast of Bergen.

What is Flåm famous for?

Flåm is best known for the Flåm Railway and fjord cruises through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord. Stegastein viewpoint is another well-known attraction nearby where you get views over the Aurlandsfjord.

Can you visit Flåm without a car?

Yes, you can visit Flåm without a car. The village has a railway station and fjord connections. Many travelers include the village in longer tours such as Norway in a Nutshell®.

How do you pronounce Flåm?

In English, Flåm is pronounced approximately “flawm” and is 1 syllable. The Norwegian letter å sounds similar to “aw” in the English word “lawn.”

Flåm travel guide: Plan your trip

Flåm is a small village at the end of the Aurlandsfjord, surrounded by steep mountains in western Norway. It’s known for the Flåm Railway and fjord cruises through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.

Flåm is a natural stop on a longer journey through western Norway, often with nearby destinations like Balestrand or Bergen.

We've helped travelers explore Flåm since 1982, and in this guide, we share our best tips for planning a trip.

Cruise ship docked at port in green valley by deep fjord.

Two women pose by colorful buildings and mountain waterfalls.

Tourists exploring Flåm village with Flåm Museum and souvenir shops in scenic Norwegian fjord setting

Aerial view of Flåm village nestled in dramatic Norwegian fjord landscape with towering mountains

Man overlooks fjord village with cruise ship in the harbor.

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Quick facts

Flåm at a glance

Known for: Flåm Railway, Nærøyfjord cruises, and Stegastein viewpoint
Region: Western Norway
Nearby fjords: Aurlandsfjord, Nærøyfjord, and Sognefjord
Nearest major airport: Bergen Airport

Red wooden farmhouse at The Fjord Farm in Flåm, with a blooming garden and views over the Aurlandsfjord

Is Flåm worth visiting?

Yes. Flåm is worth visiting for its location at the end of the Aurlandsfjord and the many experiences that start here. The village itself is small, with a waterfront, train station, hotels, and restaurants. The main reason to visit is to explore the surrounding fjords and mountains.

From Flåm, you can ride the Flåm Railway through a steep mountain valley, cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, or visit Stegastein viewpoint high above the Aurlandsfjord. You can also kayak, hike, cycle, or zipline in the surrounding area.

Our recommendation: Include Flåm in a longer journey through the fjords, with an overnight stay if you'd like time for more than the Flåm Railway and Nærøyfjord cruise.

Looking for experiences to book? Explore our guide to things to do in Flåm.

Exterior of the Flåm Railway Museum in Flåm village, with visitors sitting on benches in the sunshine. — The Flåm Railway Museum is worth a visit if you have extra time in Flåm.

How many days do you need in Flåm?

We recommend 1–2 nights in Flåm if you want time for the main highlights and additional activities in the surrounding area.

With 1–2 nights, you can spend more time in the village and have more time to visit Stegastein viewpoint, take a guided kayak trip on the fjord, or join a guided hike along a historic postal route beside the Nærøyfjord, passing waterfalls and old settlements. The Flåm Railway Museum is another option to learn about the railway's history. An overnight stay also lets you enjoy Flåm in the evening, after day visitors from cruise ships leave and the village quiets down.

If you have 1 day in Flåm, prioritize the Flåm Railway and a cruise through the Nærøyfjord. These 2 activities show you the classic fjord landscape from 2 different perspectives: The mountain valley and the fjord. If you are traveling between Oslo and Bergen, Norway in a Nutshell® includes Flåm as part of a longer scenic route, with the included connections planned for you.

For more activity ideas, see our things to do in Flåm guide.

Plan time for activities

The Flåm Railway takes around 1 hour each way, while fjord cruises and guided activities vary in length. If you're planning several experiences in 1 day, allow time between activities rather than filling your schedule with back-to-back departures.

If you want to combine the railway, a Nærøyfjord cruise, and onward travel, Norway in a Nutshell® brings these experiences together in 1 booking, with the included connections planned for you.

Flåm River flowing through the green Flåmsdalen Valley, with traditional farms and Flåm Church along the river.

Best time to visit Flåm

The best time to visit Flåm is from May to September, when you have the widest choice of outdoor activities and fjord experiences, including guided hikes, kayaking trips, and fjord cruises.

Flåm is worth visiting year-round. You can book the Flåm Railway and fjord cruises year-round, even in winter, although daylight hours are shorter and some other outdoor activities, like guided hikes, are seasonal.

Summer: June to August

The days are longest from June to August. Early sunrises and late sunsets give you more daylight to explore. Can’t decide between a morning kayak trip or an evening walk along the fjord? You can do both in daylight during the summer. Summer is also the busiest period, so we recommend booking accommodation and popular activities early.

Spring and autumn

In May, the Flåmsdalen valley behind Flåm turns green again, while snow may still cover the mountains above.

September is another month we recommend, especially if you prefer visiting outside the busiest summer period. You’ll see the first early autumn colors: trees on the mountainsides begin to turn brown, yellow, orange, and red. However, if autumn is windy and rainy, the leaves and their colors disappear faster. We like traveling to Flåm in September because it balances a few things: You can still enjoy fjord scenery, but there are fewer visitors than in peak summer.

April is a transition month. Spring arrives in the village while conditions higher in the mountains can still be wintery.

Flåm in winter: November to March

Winter in Flåm is peaceful and calm. The sun rises late and sets early, and snow often covers the surrounding mountains. You can still ride the railway and join the fjord cruise between Flåm and Gudvangen, so you can still experience the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord in winter. Check the availability of other tours and outdoor activities for your dates.

For a wider seasonal comparison, read our guide to the best time to visit Norway.

Flåm Railway train traveling through the Flåmsdalen Valley in autumn sunshine, surrounded by colorful trees

How to get to Flåm

Flåm is connected to the rest of Norway by rail, road, and fjord. We recommend including the village as part of a longer trip between Oslo and Bergen.

From Oslo

You can travel from Oslo to Flåm by train, connecting to the Flåm Railway along the way. On the Oslo–Bergen route, Norway in a Nutshell® combines scenic train journeys, a Nærøyfjord cruise, and onward transport to Bergen in 1 booking.

By car, allow around 5–6 hours, depending on your route, traffic, and road conditions. Mountain roads can be closed due to snowfall.

From Bergen

You can reach Flåm from Bergen by train, car, or boat. Traveling by boat along the Sognefjord is a scenic way to experience the fjord region.

Our Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ tour combines a Sognefjord cruise with time in Flåm and scenic railway journeys, with connections planned for you.

The drive from Bergen takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic and conditions.

From nearby fjord villages

Ferries and fjord cruises connect Flåm with other villages around the Sognefjord, including Gudvangen, Aurland, and the farther-away Balestrand.

For more information and our tips on rail travel across the country, see our guide to train travel in Norway.

Fjords close to Flåm

The Aurlandsfjord reaches the village itself. It’s part of the larger Sognefjord, while the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord is another highlight of the surrounding fjord region. Explore our fjord guides to learn what makes each one different.

Stegastein viewpoint - above the Aurlandsfjord is a popular landmark to visit when you are in Flåm

The Aurlandsfjord

Boat leaves ripples in golden-lit Nærøyfjord below steep forested peaks.

The Nærøyfjord

Peopl cruising on the Hardangerfjord , flag waving, mountains on both sides of water.

The Sognefjord

Flåm on the map

Explore where Flåm sits at the end of the Aurlandsfjord.

Getting around Flåm

The train station, boat dock, restaurants, and shops are grouped around the village center. The station and dock are about a 5-minute walk apart.

For attractions further away, such as Borgund Stave Church or Stegastein viewpoint, we recommend joining a guided bus tour from Flåm. You can also rent a bike to explore the surrounding valley at your own pace.

Taxis are also available, but we recommend booking your ride in advance, especially for summer trips.

Where to stay in Flåm

We recommend staying near the harbor if you're arriving by train or boat. From our own visits to Flåm, we know how convenient it is to have the train station, boat dock, and restaurants within a short walk, especially when traveling with luggage.

Fretheim Hotel is a historic hotel with gardens and fjord views, close to the station.
Flåmsbrygga Hotel stands beside the fjord near the harbor and Ægir Brewery.
Cabins and camping accommodation are also available in and around Flåm.

Tip! We recommend stopping by Ægir Brewery for lunch or dinner. It’s in a timber building modeled on a Norse stave church, right on the waterfront beside Flåmsbrygga Hotel. Try one of the brewery’s beers alongside their Viking tasting platter.

For a quieter stay, we recommend staying in nearby villages such as Aurland. If you arrive in Flåm by train or boat and choose to stay in Aurland, check transport to and from the village before booking, or plan for a taxi ride.

Accommodation in Flåm can book up early for popular summer dates. We recommend booking ahead if you'd like to stay near the harbor.