Bergen Railway: The Scenic Train Journey from Oslo to Bergen

If you’re looking for a scenic train journey that will take you through some of Norway’s most stunning scenery, then you’ll want to check out the Bergen Railway. The railway line passes through the snow-capped peaks of the Dovrefjell mountain range and offers panoramic views of mountains, valleys, and lakes. The journey takes about 7 hours, making it one of the world’s longest single-track railways.

History of Bergen Railway

The Bergen Railway was opened in 1909, making it one of the first railways in Norway. The railway was built to connect the city of Oslo with the port city of Bergen. The route was designed to take advantage of the stunning scenery and quickly became a popular tourist attraction.

In 2016, the Bergen Railway celebrated its 107th anniversary. The railway is still owned and operated by the Norwegian National Rail Administration and continues to be one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions.

The route of the Bergen Railway

The railway has many stations along its route, including:

• Oslo Central Station
• Asker
• Drammen Station
• Hokksund
• Vikersund
• Hønefoss
• Flå
• Nesbyen
• Gol
• Al
• Geilo Station
• Ustaoset
• Haugastøl
• Finse
• Hallingskeid
• Upsete
• Mjølfjell
• Voss Station
• Dale
• Arna
• Bergen

What is located along of Bergen Railway?

The route of the Bergen Railway also passes by many popular tourist attractions, such as the Dovrefjell national park, the Geilo ski resort, and the Voss waterfalls. Other attractions are the Finse Alpine Center, which is a research station for Arctic climate and the Myrdal mountain.

Dovrefjell national park

Dovrefjell national park is one of the most popular tourist attractions along the Bergen Railway. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including reindeer, musk oxen, and wolves. The park is also a great place to see the Northern Lights.

Geilo ski resort

Geilo ski resort is one of the most popular tourist attractions along the Bergen Railway. The resort is located in the mountains and offers a variety of winter activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. The resort also has a number of restaurants and shops.

Finse Alpine Center

The Finse Alpine Center is a research station for Arctic climate that is located along the Bergen Railway. The center offers a variety of programs and courses about Arctic climate, as well as research opportunities. The center also has a café and a gift shop. Also located at the Finse Alpine Center is the Finse 1222 hotel, which is the highest hotel in Norway.

Myrdal mountain

Myrdal mountain is another popular tourist attraction along the Bergen Railway. The mountain is home to the Myrdal mountain railway station, which is the highest railway station in Norway. You can take a cable car from the station to the top of the mountain.

Voss waterfalls

The Voss waterfalls are one of the most popular tourist attractions along the Bergen Railway. The waterfalls are located in the town of Voss and are a popular spot for swimming, hiking, and picnicking.

Bergen Railway Museum

The Bergen Railway Museum is the last stop on the Bergen Railway. The museum is located in the city of Bergen and houses a variety of artifacts and exhibits about the history of the railway. The museum also has a café and a gift shop.

What do travelers say about Bergen Railway?

I loved the experience of taking the train through such beautiful scenery

John, engineer from the United States

The views were breathtaking

Sarah, teacher from Canada

It was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken

Emily, student from the United Kingdom

I was really impressed by Norway’s nature

Jackson, dentist from Australia

Disadvantages of Bergen Railway

• The train journey is long and may be tiring for some passengers
• The scenery along the route may not be to everyone’s taste
• The railway stations are located in remote areas, so passengers may need to use public transport to get to them
• There are no sleeper cars on the train, so passengers will have to stay awake for the entire journey
• The train does not have a restaurant car, so passengers will need to bring their own food and drink

Facilities And Services of the train

The train has a variety of facilities and services, such as:

• Restrooms
• Luggage storage
• A café car
• Wi-Fi
• Power outlets
• Reclining seats
• Seat reservations (optional)

Conditions For Eurail Pass Holders

Eurail pass holders can ride the Bergen Railway for free with a valid Eurail pass. Pass holders must make a seat reservation in advance.

How To Make Reservations On The Bergen Railway

How to get tickets

You can purchase tickets for the Bergen Railway online or at any of the railway stations. The ticket price varies depending on the ticket type and the time of year. For example, a one-way ticket from Oslo to Bergen

Prices

The price of a ticket for the Bergen Railway varies depending on the ticket type and the time of year. For example, a one-way ticket from Oslo to Bergen during the summer costs NOK 595 (approximately EUR 60).

Types of tickets

There are two types of tickets for the Bergen Railway:

• One-way ticket: This type of ticket allows you to travel in one direction only. One-way tickets can be purchased for any journey on the Bergen Railway.
• Return ticket: This type of ticket allows you to travel in both directions. Return tickets are only valid for journeys that are completed within 30 days of the outward journey.

Child tickets

Children aged 4-15 years old are eligible for a child ticket. Child tickets are 50% of the adult ticket price.

Infant tickets

Infants aged 0-3 years old can travel for free on the Bergen Railway. However, infants must be accompanied by an adult.

Also to keep in mind

• Pets are not allowed on the Bergen Railway.
• Bicycles are allowed on the Bergen Railway, but they must be stored in the luggage compartment. There is a charge of NOK 50 (approximately EUR 5) for storing a bicycle on the train.

Operating hours

The Bergen Railway operates all year round. However, the schedule may vary depending on the time of year. For example, there may be fewer trains in the winter season due to the snow.

Conclusion

The Bergen Railway is a nice option for families with kids who want to spend their vacation in Norway and take the scenic train journey. Also, the train has a variety of facilities and services that are perfect for long-distance travel. It makes your trip more comfortable. And finally, the Eurail pass holders can ride the train for free. So if you have a Eurail pass, don’t forget to make a seat reservation in advance.

Other tourist trains outside of the USA you can find there.

You can also watch the video below to get more info about Bergen Railway

Questions about Bergen Railway