Norway in a Nutshell tips.
Sep 1, 2012 | 1:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ATL/SLC
Posts: 3,554
Norway in a Nutshell tips.
Hey guys,
I know the "Norway in a Nutshell" trips are very popular. I just did one last week, and thought I would document a few things to help you enjoy your trip a bit better.
There are several roundtrips available. I did the Bergen via Voss roundtrip, 8:40 am departure.
Bergen to Voss
The Bergen to Voss train ride takes a bit over an hour. Get to the Bergen station early if you want a good choice of seat. I arrived half an hour early, and the train was already about 1/3 full. Luckily there were still a handful of empty benches so I had a choice of seats. Pay attention to the seats - I was so focused on getting a chunk for myself that I didn't even notice there wasn't a window in my row! For this segment you will want to sit on the LEFT side of the train for the best views.
Voss to Gudvangen
When you get to Voss, there will be a bunch of buses waiting for you. There are a couple of different tours, but they will be clearly marked. They know to wait for this train, so don't worry if you're running a few minutes late.
The bus ride takes a bit over an hour. Choosing a side to sit on is a bit tougher here. The right side of the bus will give you great landscape views of towns right on the various lakes. The left side of the bus isn't as scenic, BUT it will have the best views of Tvinnefossen waterfall, which (IMHO) is the most beautiful by far of the many waterfalls you will see on this trip.
If you are prone to motion sickness you will definitely want to take some pills to alleviate it beforehand, especially for the last 1/3 of the bus ride. You will go through a series of hairpin turns that you will be amazed that the bus can even pull off!
Gudvangen to Flm
After arriving in Gudvangen, you will have about 15 minutes to kill before the ferry arrives. There are a few gift shops to poke about and a small cafe, but probably not enough time to really get some food.
Onboard the ferry there will be restrooms and a small restaurant with some basic foods like sausages, sandwiches, coffee and tea. If you didn't bring a lunch you can find something here. It's just as expensive as the rest of Norway, so you shouldn't experience any sticker shock further than you already have at this point.
You are free to move about the ferry, so there really isn't any particular good side or bad side.
Flm to Myrdal
Once in Flm, you'll have an hour to kill before taking your train to Myrdal. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to poke around. Make sure you use the facilities beforehand as there are none on this train.
The RIGHT side of the train is the best side to sit on - you'll have great views of the valleys leading to Flm.
At some point about 2/3rds of the way up you will see the Kjosfossen waterfall on the left. Don't panic about missing it! The train actually stops, and everybody will have a few minutes to get off the train and walk down to see the waterfall. It's a great picture opportunity - you get fairly close to it compared to all of the other waterfalls you've seen at this point.
Once in Myrdal you'll have a few minutes before your train back to Bergen arrives. There isn't much up here, but there is a small coffee shop if you need, and some restrooms. Myrdal is situated at an elevation over 1,200 meters, so it is going to be noticeably cooler than where you started, so bring a jacket!
You can find a few photos I took on this exact tour here. Unfortunately it was cloudy or drizzly all day so the light wasn't great, but it will give you an idea of the things you can expect to see on this trip.
If you decide to do the reverse itinerary (Bergen via Myrdal), make sure you reverse the seating sides I listed above.
I know the "Norway in a Nutshell" trips are very popular. I just did one last week, and thought I would document a few things to help you enjoy your trip a bit better.
There are several roundtrips available. I did the Bergen via Voss roundtrip, 8:40 am departure.
Bergen to Voss
The Bergen to Voss train ride takes a bit over an hour. Get to the Bergen station early if you want a good choice of seat. I arrived half an hour early, and the train was already about 1/3 full. Luckily there were still a handful of empty benches so I had a choice of seats. Pay attention to the seats - I was so focused on getting a chunk for myself that I didn't even notice there wasn't a window in my row! For this segment you will want to sit on the LEFT side of the train for the best views.
Voss to Gudvangen
When you get to Voss, there will be a bunch of buses waiting for you. There are a couple of different tours, but they will be clearly marked. They know to wait for this train, so don't worry if you're running a few minutes late.
The bus ride takes a bit over an hour. Choosing a side to sit on is a bit tougher here. The right side of the bus will give you great landscape views of towns right on the various lakes. The left side of the bus isn't as scenic, BUT it will have the best views of Tvinnefossen waterfall, which (IMHO) is the most beautiful by far of the many waterfalls you will see on this trip.
If you are prone to motion sickness you will definitely want to take some pills to alleviate it beforehand, especially for the last 1/3 of the bus ride. You will go through a series of hairpin turns that you will be amazed that the bus can even pull off!
Gudvangen to Flm
After arriving in Gudvangen, you will have about 15 minutes to kill before the ferry arrives. There are a few gift shops to poke about and a small cafe, but probably not enough time to really get some food.
Onboard the ferry there will be restrooms and a small restaurant with some basic foods like sausages, sandwiches, coffee and tea. If you didn't bring a lunch you can find something here. It's just as expensive as the rest of Norway, so you shouldn't experience any sticker shock further than you already have at this point.
You are free to move about the ferry, so there really isn't any particular good side or bad side.
Flm to Myrdal
Once in Flm, you'll have an hour to kill before taking your train to Myrdal. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to poke around. Make sure you use the facilities beforehand as there are none on this train.
The RIGHT side of the train is the best side to sit on - you'll have great views of the valleys leading to Flm.
At some point about 2/3rds of the way up you will see the Kjosfossen waterfall on the left. Don't panic about missing it! The train actually stops, and everybody will have a few minutes to get off the train and walk down to see the waterfall. It's a great picture opportunity - you get fairly close to it compared to all of the other waterfalls you've seen at this point.
Once in Myrdal you'll have a few minutes before your train back to Bergen arrives. There isn't much up here, but there is a small coffee shop if you need, and some restrooms. Myrdal is situated at an elevation over 1,200 meters, so it is going to be noticeably cooler than where you started, so bring a jacket!
You can find a few photos I took on this exact tour here. Unfortunately it was cloudy or drizzly all day so the light wasn't great, but it will give you an idea of the things you can expect to see on this trip.
If you decide to do the reverse itinerary (Bergen via Myrdal), make sure you reverse the seating sides I listed above.
Sep 11, 2012 | 7:23 pm
#3
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About the ferries on these trips, ever notice the birds flying about the boats? They are more than willing to eat out of the passengers' hands when passengers raise their arm in the air with food in hand.
Sep 12, 2012 | 1:13 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
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The seagulls? Don't feed them! They are scavengers that should not be encouraged!
Sep 12, 2012 | 6:39 pm
#5
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