All our tour suggestions can be varied to suit your own requirements. Prices vary according to the dates of travel, standard of accommodation and many other factors. We do not quote headline prices 'from £xxx' which can be very misleading. An indication of costs is given above. We can normally prepare a costed itinerary  to suit your requirements free of charge.

If you would like us to prepare a tailor-made tour to suit you please contact us.  We will need to know your preferred dates of travel, number of passengers and your most convenient UK airport.

Tour 1

Oslo - Flam Railway - Sognefjord - Bergen

This tour combines a visit to two contrasting Norwegian cities with a stay in the heart of the western fjord area.

The itinerary can be done in either direction, but works best starting in Oslo. From there you travel on the famous Oslo to Bergen rail line across the vast Hardangervidda mountain plateau to Myrdal station. Here you change train and take the spectacular mountain railway down to the village of Flåm on the Sognefjord.  An express boat then takes you to the idyllic fjord village of Balestrand where we recommend a stay of at least three nights if possible. The journey continues by express boat along the spectacular Sognefjord and through the west coast islands to Bergen.  

Season:

May to September.

The western fjords are best seen in the summer months when the weather is warmest and all the tourist attractions and services will be running normally.

October - April: the tour can be done at any time of year by staying in the town of Voss instead of Balestrand. From there you can visit the Sognefjord (including the Flam railway) on a day trip and also the Hardangerfjord. The rail journey across the snow clad mountains is fantastic in winter.

Travel to Norway: Direct flights from various UK airports to Oslo and return from Bergen, fares from approx. £45 each way.

Travel in Norway: Rail from Oslo to the mountain station at Myrdal, then down to Flam. Connecting express boat service to Balestrand. Express boat from Balestrand to Bergen. Total cost of basic journey by rail and boat approx. £140 per person.

Hotels: Modest hotels in each place will cost, approx. £50 - £60 per person per night in a double room, which will include half board in rural locations, but buffet breakfast only in city hotels. Luxury hotels will be approx. £70 - £80 pp/nt. There is a wide range of hotels in Oslo and we will recommend a suitable choice. In Bergen the Strand Hotel is most popular and has both standard and luxury rooms. In Balestrand the Midtnes Hotel  and Kviknes Hotel are both excellent in their own way. Fleischers Hotel is an excellent and reasonably priced base in Voss for the winter alternative, or it could be added to extend the tour in summer.

Duration:   We recommend at least 5 nights to allow a full day in both cities and two full days on the Sognefjord. Extra nights are well worthwhile and you can choose how long you stay in each place. The scenic journeys between the destinations are a very enjoyable part of the itinerary.

Tour 1 starts in Oslo where the parliament building overlooks the broad avenue Karl Johans Gate.

Tour 1 ends in Bergen with its harbour side market, shops and restaurants (view from the Strand Hotel). The express boat from the Sognefjord arrives just a few metres away.

The journey passes this immense waterfall by the Flam railway as it winds its way down to the Sognefjord.

Balestrand on the Sognefjord is well worth a stay for several days to enjoy its idyllic location and numerous excursions by boat.