Worth the Time and Expense?

Final up to date on January 6, 2025 by Shannon

After I purchased my two-month Eurail go on a whim (and through a fantastic sale), I had no agency plans for this journey with my toddler son. However I rapidly determined it was financially advantageous—and enjoyable—if I attempted to hit as most of the most scenic train routes in Europe as doable.

That’s how I discovered the Bergen to Oslo practice journey—it promised passage by means of a few of Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes on a route famed for gorgeous vistas and serene magnificence.

One other bonus? It’s nearly the one of Europe’s famed practice journeys that includes a household automobile and play room to occupy little youngsters throughout its roughly seven-hour run time. For those who’ve ever traveled with tiny people, seven hours isn’t a soothing prospect in the event you’re shoved into small seats attempting to maintain them glad and quiet, in order to not disturb the remainder of the vacationers.

You may perceive then why I used to be thrilled after we set out from Bergen, forsaking its picturesque mountains and fjords. I’m a single mother, and I had meticulously deliberate our 10 days in Norway to incorporate this as greater than a transport day—which I often write off—this practice itself is presupposed to be a gateway to a world the place nature unfolds in its most pristine kind. I used to be going to have the prospect to immerse within the pure magnificence that defines Norway, and to find whether or not this practice trip lived as much as its popularity.

Why the Bergen to Oslo Practice Journey?

Taking the Bergen to Oslo practice journey, generally known as the Bergensbanen, isn’t merely about transitioning from one metropolis to a different—in the event you simply wished to get to the opposite metropolis, you might fly. As a substitute, it affords the prospect to witness a dwelling museum of pure magnificence and human perseverance whereas using the very best mainline railway in Northern Europe.

Stretching 308 miles, the Oslo to Bergen rail journey unwinds throughout a few of Europe’s most difficult landscapes—and in addition some its most gorgeous. Each time we emerged from a tunnel we entered scenes that appear conjured from a painter’s wildest goals.

Constructed between 1875 and 1909, the Bergensbanen is an enchanting testomony to human ambition and engineering prowess. Think about the Herculean effort required to carve over 180 tunnels by means of unforgiving gneiss rock, to face sturdy in opposition to relentless winter storms, and to safe funding for a mission that many deemed inconceivable.

Because the practice ascends from Bergen, the surroundings unfolded and altered like a kaleidoscope, transitioning from the deep turquoise of Alpine lakes to the stark, windswept fantastic thing about shrubbery above the treeline (whenever you attain 1200 meters above sea degree in Finse), earlier than descending into Oslo’s verdant valleys.

Practice Facilities and Ideas

Energy Plugs and Wifi

Every seat is supplied with energy plugs, so it was straightforward preserve my units charged all through the journey. Wifi connectivity is offered however spotty given the variety of lengthy tunnels you’ll go by means of. Don’t rely on a video name working, but it surely’s ok to textual content with mates or ship emails.

Cafe Automobile

The cafe automobile affords massive bay home windows and cozy seating. Whereas the tea and low are first rate, the meals choices are typical of practice fare—assume pre-packaged microwaveable gadgets like sizzling canine, pizza, and meatballs, and snacks like muffins and chips. For those who purchase a sandwich and snacks in Bergen or Oslo first, you’ll be grateful for your foresight.

The one benefit to plus top notch seats, in addition to being barely nicer, is free tea and low, which you’ll be able to simply buy within the cafe automobile.

Baggage Storage

Ample baggage storage is offered on the practice, with designated areas for bigger luggage and overhead racks for smaller gadgets. Retailer your belongings securely to keep away from any inconvenience throughout your journey for you or different passengers.

The Bergen Railway Household Automobile, Defined

The Comfortable Play Space

The children space of the household automobile is an efficient sized with cute nooks that my toddler simply liked. There’s a ladder and crawl tunnel, which helped get out his power, and delicate, padded cushions coated the whole lot. My son used the small cushioned squares to assemble towers, to follow leaping, and usually preserve busy rearranging issues.

In addition to a few random, non-English books on the shelf, the room was in any other case empty. Only a area, no toys. And the room’s TV was not working in summer season 2023, however the different mothers and I had introduced loads of books and toys. Normally, the TV performs cartoons with the pontificate, however our under-twos by no means seen it was lacking.

The home windows on this room will not be as clear/clear as within the different areas, which was a tad disappointing since my son was too small to be within the room alone. I needed to poke out of the room to snap pictures from the massive bay window throughout from the playroom.

The Household Automobile’s Facilities

Ideas for Household Vacationers

E-book your seats and pram area.

If touring with a pram, safe a “area reservation” so you’ll be able to park and safe the pram within the enormous area out there. That is very best for these touring with little infants who sleep in bigger prams. On our half-empty practice, I had no downside utilizing one of many front-row seats to park my son whereas he napped and watch the panorama unfold round me.

Pack enjoyable actions.

I introduced an array of actions—sticker books, paint with water, and plenty of books. The opposite little woman had some small picket stacking blocks and the little boy’s mother provided toy automobiles. Collectively, they have been totally entertained all through the journey.

Deliver your personal food and drinks.

I purchased snacks and sandwiches in Bergen and we loved a feast on the transfer. As vegetarians, this was a should, but in addition simply cheaper and tastier. Issues like grapes, croissants, bananas, raisins, a small jug of milk, and an enormous bottle of water made the journey really feel regular for my son, and saved us each ate up issues aside from plastic-wrapped junk meals.

Is the Oslo to Bergen practice price it?

The Oslo to Bergen practice is constantly rated as certainly one of Europe’s most scenic practice journeys for good cause. Though it’s a protracted day on the practice, it’s price spending that point to soak within the pure fantastic thing about Norway. So sure, whether or not you’re solo, touring with youngsters, or a pair vacationing, it’s price seeing this area of Norway from the practice window.

Ticketing and Planning Your Journey

Many vacationers take this as a part of Norway in a Nutshell or comparable excursions, however in the event you’re independently touring in Norway, it’s useless easy to take this practice in both course, from Oslo to Bergen or Bergen to Oslo. I discovered low-cost flights into Bergen from Zurich, after which house to Barcelona (my homebase) from Oslo, so I deliberate our total route by means of Norway round that begin and finish level.

Many vacationers journeying from Oslo additionally select this route as a result of you will get off the practice in Myrdal and take the famed Flam Railway. I might have completely finished this if my son had been older.

Reserving Tickets

You have got two choices. Most vacationers will use on-line reserving, however in the event you’re utilizing a Eurail or Interrail go like we did, it’s important to name and make these reservations forward. In contrast to a number of the scenic trains in Europe, I didn’t must pay for my seats on the Bergen to Oslo practice, I simply needed to safe the seat reservation by cellphone, and activate the journey in my app.

On-line Reserving

E-book tickets by means of the official website of the Norwegian State Railways (Vy). The platform is consumer pleasant and means that you can choose the household automobile choice. Don’t use passthrough reserving websites—some are outright ripoffs, others simply cost a steep premium. Via Vy you’ll have entry to the most affordable costs, together with if there are any discounted minipris tickets out there in your date and time (these is usually a lot cheaper!).

All the time e book your tickets prematurely—at the least 30 days, however they open 90 days forward—particularly in the event you’re aiming for the household automobile throughout the excessive summer season journey season, as these spots can refill rapidly.

On which aspect must you sit?

The distinction is marginal actually, since you’ll be able to stand up and look out of home windows on both aspect, however the going recommendation is that from Oslo to Bergen you sit on the left—however views are higher on the proper for the primary and final hour.

Which Practice Ought to You Take?

The practice takes roughly between 6.5 hours to 7.5 hours (barely diverse relying on which course you’re taking), so most vacationers ought to e book tickets on the morning practice—you’ll have the most effective views throughout full daylight, and it will get darkish early within the winter. That is true for any traveler, however particularly households with kids, because you’ll get into your vacation spot in time to verify into your lodge, get dinner, and nonetheless get the children to mattress at a good time.

There’s a sleeper practice in a single day, however evaluations are combined in regards to the facilities, and also you’ll miss all of the views—solely do that in the event you’re eager to only get between the 2 cities.

Different Methods to Get Between Oslo and Bergen

For those who’re in it for the journey, take the practice—it leaves and arrives within the metropolis facilities and is attractive. However if you’d like extra flexibility, or to maximise your time, you have got three different choices:

Flying

Execs: The flight is fast, taking simply 55 minutes, and with over 20 flights day by day, it affords flexibility.

Cons: It lacks the scenic views of the practice journey, is much less environmentally pleasant, and can nonetheless take hours when you consider attending to and from the airport, and thru airport safety.

Driving

Execs: Driving affords full flexibility to discover sights like Flåm and Vøringsfossen waterfall. You may take scenic routes like Hardangervidda and make stops at locations like Folgefonna glacier or Voss.

Cons: It’s time-consuming (7-8 hours) and requires coping with doubtlessly difficult driving situations.

Bus

Execs: You’ll have some fairly views of Norway’s mountains and scenic landscapes with out the necessity to drive.

Cons: At round 9.5 hours, it’s longer than the practice, lacks the consolation of practice facilities, and can miss a number of the most breathtaking locations the practice goes however the place there aren’t any roads.