Travelling the famous Bergen Line

In many parts of Europe, a train ride is a matter of convenience and practicality, a sensible and affordable way to get from one destination to another. But Norway’s famous Bergen Line is much more than that! As train travel expert Mark Smith, the author behind The Man In Seat 61, says, this is: “one of Europe’s most scenic train routes, a journey worth doing for its own sake.”

The birth of Norway's most ambitious railway

Passengers on the journey from Bergen to Oslo will enjoy every modern comfort, including Wi-Fi, a cafe, and a children’s area, but behind this sleek train is a long history and legendary stories. What we now know as the Bergen Line began dates back to 1871. It was then that the idea of a Bergen route via Voss and Hallingdal to connect with the existing Krøderen Line was proposed, and survey work began the following year.

Initially, there were rocky years as the project faced political and financial challenges, but the first rail section officially opened in July 1883. Expansions followed, and the Bergen Line as we know it today was completed in 1909.

The Locomotwins at the Bergen Railway. Photo: Maverix | Visit Norway

More than a century later, the Bergen Line has enjoyed success (expanding the line to connect Bergen and Oslo, Norway’s two biggest cities), challenges (how, exactly, can you efficiently clear snow from one of Europe’s northernmost rail lines), and even tragedies (such as tunnel fires).

Today, visitors know the route as a comfortable way to see some of Norway’s most spectacular scenery. The Bergen line encompasses everything from the Oslo suburbs, valleys, rivers, Hardangervidda National Park, and the Hardangervidda Plateau, Europe’s largest high mountain plateau. Along the journey, the train passes through more than 180 tunnels.

The route is beloved by outdoor adventurers who have a particular fondness for the Finse station, which stands at 1,222 meters above sea level (and was used by explorers Nansen, Amundsen and Shackleton for their Antarctic training.) It’s an area so remote that the place doesn’t even have road access!

Two cyclists biking from Finse Station — Finse Station, at 1,222 meters above sea level, is the starting point for the popular Rallarvegen path.
Photo: Mari Bareksten | TravelStock

The Locomotwins at Finse station — The Locomotwins at Finse Station. Photo: Maverix | Visit Norway

The descent to the fjords: Flåmsbana Railway

As the train continues its journey, it reaches Myrdal station, perched at 867 meters above sea level. Here, something magical happens – the track splits, offering travelers a choice that has captured imaginations since 1940.

The Flåm Railway branches off from the Bergen Line at Myrdal station, descending through the valley like a thread woven into the mountain's fabric. In just 20 kilometers, the train winds its way from the mountaintop station to the fjordside village of Flåm, making it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. But numbers and statistics fade into insignificance when you're pressed against the window, watching waterfalls cascade mere meters from the track.

The journey unfolds like chapters in a story – each bend revealing new scenes. You'll pass the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall, where according to Norse folklore, mystical Huldra dancers emerge from the mist during summer months. The train slows here, allowing passengers to step onto the platform and feel the waterfall's spray on their faces.

Through the changing seasons, the Flåm Railway transforms. Spring brings riots of wildflowers dotting the mountainsides, while summer days stretch endlessly under the midnight sun. Fall paints the valley in amber and gold, and winter drapes everything in pristine white, with frozen waterfalls glinting like crystal sculptures.

Villages like Vatnahalsen tell stories of railway workers who carved this engineering marvel through the mountain using only hand tools and determination. The old railway cottage at Berekvam station stands as a testament to their perseverance, now offering a glimpse into life during the railway's construction era.

At journey's end, Flåm nestles between towering mountain walls, where cruise ships look like toys against the massive scale of Aurlandsfjord. The railway's arrival transformed this once-quiet farming community into a gateway to the fjords, yet it retains its character through preserved traditional architecture and local storytelling traditions.

The Rallar Road (Rallarvegen) was once an access road constructed to aid in the railway’s development. Now, the 80-kilometre route is one of the country’s most popular cycling paths.

Three friends at Myrdal Station — The Bergen Line's steady tracks meet Flåmsbana's steep descent at Myrdal station. Photo: Fjord Norway

Cycling along Rallarvegen — Following the old railway workers' path, Rallarvegen winds 80 kilometers through Norway's high country.
Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik | Visit Flåm

Voss: Where mountain tales meet modern adventure

Everyone has a strong opinion about which part of the route is the most scenic – and everyone is right! But if there’s one area you’ll want to prep your camera for, it’s Voss. With a population of just under 15,000 people, this is a major hub for tourists and the views you enjoy from the train show why. The river between Voss and Dale is gorgeous.

The picturesque Fleischer’s Hotel (near the station) looks like something from a fairytale. The nearby gothic-style Voss Church (Vangskyrkja) dates to the 13th century, while its brand new neighbour not far away is the stunning Voss Gondola. The Gondola opened in 2020 and offers visitors amazing views. Even the station itself is full of charm. You’ll want to check out the mischievous troll statues!

The gondola at Voss Station lifts you directly to the ski slopes.
Photo: Karoline Fosse | Visit Voss

The final chapter: From mountain to fjord

The journey's stretch from Voss to Bergen tells a story of landscape transformation. The track follows the Vosso River's path, where generations of salmon fishers have cast their lines into pools that glint like mirrors beneath the train windows.

Between Dale and Vaksdal, the railway threads through a series of short tunnels, each one acting like a camera shutter, framing snapshots of fjord waters that grow ever wider.

The final stretch of track burrows deep into Bergen's bedrock, a fitting tribute to the engineering feat that began in 1871. These modern tunnels beneath the city mountains echo the perseverance that connected Norway's two largest cities - a dream realized through decades of determination, innovation, and sheer human will.

Today, the seven-hour journey between Oslo and Bergen serves as more than a testament to railway ingenuity. It's a vital artery connecting Norway's administrative capital in the east with its maritime gateway to the west.

As travelers emerge from the mountain tunnels into Bergen's central station, they step into a city where centuries of maritime trade meet contemporary culture, where the aroma of fresh fish still drifts from the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf, and where seven mountains cradle a community that has looked both seaward and inland since the Viking age.

The Bergen railway station is located in the midle of the city. Photo: Christine Baglo | Visit Norway

Trip highlights

Hardangervidda Plateau – Crossing Europe’s largest mountain plateau with tundra, frozen lakes, and snowy peaks.
Myrdal Station – A remote mountain station with access to the famous Flåm Railway.
Voss – An adventure hub with views of lush valleys, rivers, and mountains.
Waterfalls – Numerous waterfalls cascading down cliffs, especially around the Myrdal area.
Mountain Lakes – Picturesque lakes like Ustaoset and Tunga reflecting rugged mountain surroundings.
Seasonal Beauty – Different scenic experiences in each season, from snow-covered winter wonderlands to blooming summer landscapes.