Skip to main content
Answer

Can you do "Norway in a Nutshell" by yourself - Voss/Flam/Cruise on Fjord/Train journey

  • February 25, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 238 views

Can you do it yourself - 

Seeking some help from the community. Is it possible to do the following using public transport.

If so what is the best way of getting the public transport , and do I need to book it in advance

Bergen to Voss - by Train

Voss to Stalhein - by bus

on the way Nærøydalen valley/water fall

Stalhein to Gudvangen  by bus

Gudvangen to flam - Boat cruise for the Fjord

Flam to Mydral - by Train

Mydral to Bergen

 

I have inter rail pass - just wondering if there is any way I can use this and do the above at most cost effective way?

Best answer by BrendanDB

I guess you can, it’s just a collection of tickets for various modes of transport and tourist attractions you can do seperately.

The tour mainly consists of a collection of regional mainline trains that everyone can take, and the buss(es) to Gudvangen are also run by the local transport company. I don’t think those are needed to book in advance. Just hop on and show your ticket upon inspection, like every regional train or bus in Europe. If you plan to take the long distance services between Oslo and Bergen, those have mandatory reservation (F4-trains). The R-trains (local trains) don’t need reservation.

The cruise itself is important to book (a bit) in advance since bus capacity is calculated on the number of ferry passengers. And maybe the Flamsbana as well, might be a bit cheaper when bought in advance (+ you have your interrail discount). All is well connected together and made to work. You should be able to book the exact timings as the Norway in a nutshell cruise.

There’s should also be a shuttlebus between Flåm and Gudvangen, if you don’t want to do the Voss-Flåm bus, but it’s nice to make a circle instead of going the same way up and down.

You’ll have to calculate and compare a bit with the price of separate tickets, Interrail and the Norway in a nutshell tour, but the mainline trains on the Bergensbanen (Bergen - Voss and Myrdal-Bergen) won’t be the most expensive on the trip and are the only thing you can use your pass for. It’s a bit fiddly, and you’ll need to calculate what’s giving the best price.

I’m not very sure it’s worth activating a travel day, for it. Especially if you have a senior discount in Norway. But best check and compare.

You should be able to check prices on entur.no as well, except for the ferry.

It’s been a while since I last was in Norway: but you should be able to book a the ferry here, probably other websites to book it as well, directly with the company.

But again, compare with the total price of the Norway in a nutshell package and sticking together all seperate tickets, combined with interrail discount for the Flåmsbana.

Really not sure what’s the most advantageous, be sure to let us know when you calculated it. Last time I just did the package, but I wasn’t interrailing then. Quite curious how it is now ;)

 

5 replies

BrendanDB
Full steam ahead
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Full steam ahead
  • Answer
  • February 26, 2025

I guess you can, it’s just a collection of tickets for various modes of transport and tourist attractions you can do seperately.

The tour mainly consists of a collection of regional mainline trains that everyone can take, and the buss(es) to Gudvangen are also run by the local transport company. I don’t think those are needed to book in advance. Just hop on and show your ticket upon inspection, like every regional train or bus in Europe. If you plan to take the long distance services between Oslo and Bergen, those have mandatory reservation (F4-trains). The R-trains (local trains) don’t need reservation.

The cruise itself is important to book (a bit) in advance since bus capacity is calculated on the number of ferry passengers. And maybe the Flamsbana as well, might be a bit cheaper when bought in advance (+ you have your interrail discount). All is well connected together and made to work. You should be able to book the exact timings as the Norway in a nutshell cruise.

There’s should also be a shuttlebus between Flåm and Gudvangen, if you don’t want to do the Voss-Flåm bus, but it’s nice to make a circle instead of going the same way up and down.

You’ll have to calculate and compare a bit with the price of separate tickets, Interrail and the Norway in a nutshell tour, but the mainline trains on the Bergensbanen (Bergen - Voss and Myrdal-Bergen) won’t be the most expensive on the trip and are the only thing you can use your pass for. It’s a bit fiddly, and you’ll need to calculate what’s giving the best price.

I’m not very sure it’s worth activating a travel day, for it. Especially if you have a senior discount in Norway. But best check and compare.

You should be able to check prices on entur.no as well, except for the ferry.

It’s been a while since I last was in Norway: but you should be able to book a the ferry here, probably other websites to book it as well, directly with the company.

But again, compare with the total price of the Norway in a nutshell package and sticking together all seperate tickets, combined with interrail discount for the Flåmsbana.

Really not sure what’s the most advantageous, be sure to let us know when you calculated it. Last time I just did the package, but I wasn’t interrailing then. Quite curious how it is now ;)

 


Forum|alt.badge.img+10
  • Railmaster
  • February 26, 2025

Flåmsbana is a fixed price, with 30% discount for pass holders, bookable via the chat on entur.no.


  • Author
  • Right on track
  • February 26, 2025

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation and also thanks to rvd re 30%discount


  • Author
  • Right on track
  • February 26, 2025

@BrendanDB / @rvdborgt

Thank you both.

Brendan - you requested the cost differential.

I have just booked all the legs as I stated in my original post. I have made advance reservation on the cruise/flam train ( Flamm to Mydral)

Total cost for the complete tour , using same time as stated on the tour.

I have also spoken to all the bus/cruise/train provider - All have been very helpfull.

If you are prepared to do all by yourself using same public transport timing then cost differential is quite high

via tour company approx £177 ( UK pounds ) per person

Do it your self = £66 ( uk pounds) per person . This inc 30% discount with my inter rail pass.

2 of us travelling so that is a very big saving . 

Thank you 


BrendanDB
Full steam ahead
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Full steam ahead
  • February 26, 2025

Aaah, that's good. Sounds like a good deal with Interrail.

Thank you for getting back and enjoy your trip!