I’ve been sorting my 161 photos of “one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys.” National Geographic Traveller magazine called the Flåm Railway one of the top 10 train journeys in Europe. Lonely Planet went even further, naming it the best train journey in the world.
The famous Flåm Railway, the world’s steepest non-cog railway, climbs 864 metres over 20 km from the fjord-side town of Flåm to Myrdal, 866 metres above sea level, which is perched in a remote mountain pass with no road access. Max gradient at 5.5% (1:18). Top speed of 40 km/h uphill and 30 km/h downhill!
My Overall Rating: 100%
Route: Flåm to Myrdal, about one hour
Operator: Vy (for Flåm Utvikling/Bane NOR)
Fare Paid: I paid 560 NOK one way or about 57 USD. Kids are half price, dogs free, and bicycles 280 NOK. Book Ahead: Trains fill up quickly, especially in summer.
Why ride it: Jaw-dropping scenery, dizzying gradients, waterfalls, tunnels, and a true taste of Norway’s wild side
Negatives: Pricey, can be crowded in summer, and the ride is over all too soon
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat—Can I please do it every year?
Booking
Booking tickets is straightforward. I reserved online via the official Vy Norwegian Raliways website, but you can also use the Vy app or buy tickets at Flåm or Myrdal stations. I just scanmned the QR code oas I boarded. Trains fill up quickly in summer, so book as early as possible. Seats are not reserved.
You can ride the train in either direction, or do a return trip. Many people combine the train with a fjord cruise, a bike ride, or a hike up or down the mountain. There are also options to zipline part of the way down. You can travel Oslo–Myrdal, ride both directions on the Flåm Railway, and them continueon to Bergen, or take the Norled ferry from Flåm to Bergen (or vice versa). Numerous packages combine the ferry, Railway, and Bergen Railway if you would rather not organise everything independently.
The Train
Hauled by an electric engine at each end, the six-carriage train is made up of classic, comfortable, heated carriages with big windows designed for sightseeing. Seats are arranged facing each other in pairs or trios, so you may be sharing with a group of four or six people, and there’s plenty of space for luggage and wheelchairs. The train is electric, smooth, and quiet, allowing you to truly soak in the scenery. There’s no café car, so bring snacks and drinks for the journey.
Along the Line
The journey from Flåm to Myrdal (or vice versa) takes about an hour and features a series of unforgettable sights:
Flåm Station (2m above sealevel): This tiny village feels like the end of the world. Start right at the water’s edge, just a short walk from the dock for ferries to and from Bergen and other destinations. You’ll find a hotel, gift shop, the famous Flåm Bakery, a Co-op supermarket for supplies. Visit the Flåm Railway Museum: Free entry, fascinating stories, old photos, and even a full-size carriage. The four station platforms are uncovered. Trains start boarding 10 to 15 minutes prior to departure and leave on time—don’t be late!
We rolled out of Flåm Station (2 m above sea level) right on time, with the carriage filled with travellers from across the world. The #Flåm Line is Norway’s third-most visited tourist attraction. Some were train nerds, some here for the scenery, and some were cruise ship passengers who had no idea what they’d signed up for!
We followed the Flåm river to Lunden request stop. The train sometimes stops at Lunden station, which gives views of the fall but not today. As we rolled through, I spotted the small flat I stayed in at Lunden!
At this point, I could easily spot the powerful Brekkefossen waterfall from the carriage windows. I hiked up the 150 metres from its base, the day before my train ride.
We then entered the 424-metre-long Furuberget Tunnel, one of the 20 tunnels along the route—18 of which were hand dug. Nåli Tunnel is the longest at 1,341 m (4,401 ft).
Three of the eight stations in the route are the tiny halts of Dalsbotn, Blomheller, Håreina, each with their slice of valley or mountain scenery.
The train only stops at these for requests.
On my trip, passengers got off at two of them for various hikes or accommodation places.
We paused at a passing loop at Berekvam Station to allow trains travelling in opposite directions to pass each other. This is the only location on the line where trains can meet.
The train made a special stop at the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall, which plunges 93 meters and is fed by meltwater from Reinunga lake. Passengers disembark onto a viewing platform for one of the journey’s best photo opportunities. During the stop, a mysterious woman in a red dress with long hair appears, dancing to Norwegian folk music—she represents the Huldra, an elusive forest spirit from Norse mythology. In Norwegian, “Huldra” means “hidden” or “secret.” She is typically depicted as a beautiful woman with a cow’s tail, embodying both allure and danger within the forest. According to folklore, the Huldra lures men into the woods with her beauty, often leading to their doom.
Students from the Norwegian Ballet School stage this theatrical performance. While I initially feared it might be overly touristy, it was entertaining and added to the experience, especially as the air turned cool at 670 meters above sea level.
At Vatnahalsen & Reinunga stations, The train clings to the cliffside, with tunnels, bridges, and waterfalls galore.
After riding through a horseshoe curve, the 880 m-long Vatnahalsen Tunnel, and some tracks covered to protect them from frequent avalanches, we emerged at the bleak, cold and snowy Myrdal Station (867m. It even snowed on me which excited me! My Oslo train was significantly delayed, so I did some work inside the warm, cosy station, enjoying the café and free Wi-Fi and spotless toilets!
The whole journey was an hour, but I will be talking about it for years. It was definitely one of the most beautiful—and steepest—railways I have ever ridden, and I will never forget my ride on “the little green train”. This video on Tiktok or Instagram illustrates some of the highlights of the ride.
Sounds lovely. No pictures on such an amazingly scenic route?