Flåm is a small village at the very end of the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the Sognefjord, where a green valley meets the water under mountains more than 1,000 metres high. It is one of the most visited places in Norway for two reasons: the Flåm Railway, which climbs from the fjord to the mountain station of Myrdal on one of the steepest standard-gauge lines in the world, and the electric boats that sail from the quay into the Nærøyfjord, a narrow, UNESCO-listed fjord between sheer walls. Add the Stegastein viewpoint, the goat-cheese village of Undredal, a Viking-style brewpub and the downhill bike ride on the Rallarvegen, and Flåm is worth a night, not just a few hours between trains.
Right now in Flåm
- Wed 10–15°C 50–58°F 3 mm Partly cloudy
- Thu 7–10°C 45–51°F 3 mm Cloudy
- Fri 4–9°C 39–47°F 5 mm Rain
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB
Top tours in Flåm
See all tours for Flåm →
From local operators, with prices and reviews; you check availability and book on Viator, our partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money
Flåm at a glance
- Best for: the Flåm Railway, the Nærøyfjord, fjord viewpoints, valley walks and cycling, and a quiet fjord-side night after the day-trippers leave.
- How long: a long day on Norway in a Nutshell; better, one or two nights to add Stegastein, Undredal and a hike or bike ride.
- Best time: May, June and September for waterfalls, long days and fewer crowds than July and August; winter for snowy, quiet scenery with a reduced timetable.
- Getting there: by the Flåm Railway from Myrdal on the Bergen Line, by express boat from Bergen (April to October, about 5 hours 30 minutes), or by road on the E16.
- Key prices as of October 2026: Flåm Railway adult one way from NOK 399; Nærøyfjord cruise NOK 665; Norway in a Nutshell from NOK 2,698.
- Good to know: large cruise ships call in summer; plan the railway and the fjord boat around them, and book ahead for July and August.
The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana)
Opened in 1940 after two decades of construction, the Flåm Railway runs 20 km from Myrdal, 867 metres up on the Bergen Line, down to Flåm, 2 metres above the fjord. About 80% of the line has a gradient of 5.5%, which makes it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. It passes through 20 tunnels, 18 of them dug by hand, and spirals in and out of the mountain above the Flåm valley, with waterfalls, farms clinging to ledges and the river far below.
Journey, stops and seats
The trip takes about 55 minutes to an hour each way and stops at eight stations. The highlight is a five-minute stop at Kjosfossen, a 93-metre waterfall, where you can step out onto a platform in the spray; in summer, a dancer in red appears on the rocks as the huldra, a seductive forest spirit from Norwegian folklore. The Kjosfossen stop is not wheelchair accessible. There is one class and free seating, and seats cannot be reserved. Going down from Myrdal, the best views are usually on the left in the upper part; on a busy train, stand by the windows at Kjosfossen and in the valley.
Tickets and fares 2026
As of October 2026, Vy lists adult one-way tickets from NOK 399. Prices vary with the season and demand, and are highest from May to September (one independent guide lists NOK 510 one way and NOK 730 return for adults in high season, and NOK 370 and NOK 530 from November to March). Children aged 6 to 17 pay half. Return tickets are sold only as a round trip from Flåm (Flåm–Myrdal–Flåm); starting from Myrdal, buy two singles. Bikes cost NOK 280 and dogs travel free. Eurail and Interrail pass holders with an active travel day get 30% off a standard single ticket, but there are no student or senior discounts. Tickets go on sale up to 120 days ahead, from Vy (combined with the Bergen Line), on norwaysbest.com, from Fjord Tours as part of Norway in a Nutshell, and at the stations in Flåm and Myrdal.
Timetable and seasons
The Flåm Railway runs every day, all year, timed to connect with Bergen Line trains at Myrdal. There are more departures in summer than in winter: as a rough guide, about 10 trains a day each way from May to September, 6 in April and October, and 4 from November to March (independent guide; check the Vy journey planner for your date). In July and August, trains can sell out, so book as soon as your dates are fixed, and avoid the late-morning trains on days when cruise ships are in port.
The Nærøyfjord cruise
From Flåm, boats sail out along the Aurlandsfjord, past the village of Undredal, and turn into the Nærøyfjord, which narrows to about 250 metres between mountain walls up to 1,800 metres high. Together with the Geirangerfjord, it was listed by UNESCO in 2005 as part of the West Norwegian Fjords. Small farms, waterfalls, seals and, in winter, snow down to the waterline make it one of the most dramatic boat trips in Norway.
The main operator, The Fjords, uses silent, zero-emission electric catamarans built in Norway, which recharge at the quays in Flåm and Gudvangen. The one-way trip Flåm–Gudvangen (or the reverse) takes about two hours. As of October 2026 an adult ticket costs NOK 665. From 1 September to 15 October 2026, boats leave Flåm at 09:30, 12:00, 15:00 and 17:30, arriving in Gudvangen at about 11:30, 14:00, 17:00 and 19:20; there are fewer sailings in winter. A shuttle bus links Gudvangen and Flåm (about 20 minutes through the tunnels), so you can return by road, or carry on by bus to Voss on Norway in a Nutshell. In Gudvangen, Njardarheimr is a reconstructed Viking village. See our boat trips guide for more fjord cruises.
Norway in a Nutshell
Flåm is the middle of Norway in a Nutshell, Fjord Tours’ self-guided package on public transport: the Bergen Line to Myrdal, the Flåm Railway down to Flåm, the electric cruise on the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, and the bus through the Nærøydalen valley to Voss, with trains on to Bergen or Oslo. It runs all year and can start in Oslo, Bergen, Flåm, Voss or Geilo, as a one-day round trip, a one-way journey between Oslo and Bergen, or with extra nights. As of October 2026, prices start from NOK 2,698; in winter (November to March) Fjord Tours also sells two-day versions with a night in Flåm, from NOK 4,983 from Bergen and NOK 5,626 from Oslo. Booking it as a package saves planning the connections; booking each leg yourself can cost a little less and lets you stay longer in Flåm.
Churches and cathedrals
- Flåm Church
- Undredal Stave Church
Other sights
- Flåm Railway
Viewpoints
- Stegastein
Nature
- Kjosfossen
- Nærøyfjord
Stegastein, Aurland and Undredal
Stegastein viewpoint
Above Aurland, ten minutes from Flåm, a wooden and steel platform designed by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen juts 30 metres out over the pine trees, 650 metres above the Aurlandsfjord, ending in a glass barrier. It sits on the Aurlandsfjellet National Tourist Route (the “Snow Road”) and is open all year, though the high mountain road beyond it to Lærdal closes in winter. Without a car, take one of the regular sightseeing buses from Flåm in season. Go early or late in the day to avoid the tour groups.
Aurland and the Aurlandsfjord
Aurland, 10 km from Flåm, is the municipal centre: a quieter village with a 13th-century stone church, shops and places to stay, and the start of the walk through the Aurlandsdalen valley, one of Norway’s classic summer hikes (a full day, best done from the mountains downhill).
Undredal
A tiny village of white houses on the Aurlandsfjord, known for its brown and white goat’s cheese and for one of the smallest churches in Scandinavia still in use, a wooden church dating from the 12th century. Many fjord cruises pass close by, and it is about 15 minutes from Flåm by road through the tunnel.
Hiking, cycling and the Rallarvegen
The Rallarvegen is the gravel construction road built for the Bergen Line in the early 1900s, and it is now Norway’s best-known cycle route. The full route runs about 78 km from Haugastøl past Finse, reaching 1,343 metres at Fagervatn, then down via Myrdal to Flåm, with a total descent of about 1,370 metres. Most people do the last stage, about 16 km from Vatnahalsen or Myrdal down to Flåm, including 21 tight hairpin bends at the top of the valley: take your bike up on the Flåm Railway (bike ticket NOK 280 as of October 2026) and ride down. Bikes can be hired in Flåm, Myrdal, Finse and Haugastøl. The mountain sections are usually free of snow only from July to late September, depending on the winter; the valley floor near Flåm opens earlier. Ride slowly, at around 10 km/h on the steep gravel, and walk the hairpins if in doubt. See our cycling guide.
For walkers, an easy riverside path runs up the Flåm valley along the railway, and you can ride the train up and walk down part of the way. Steeper trails climb to farms and viewpoints above the fjord, such as Otternes, a cluster of old farm buildings above Flåm. See our hiking guide for general advice.
In the village: Ægir, the railway museum and the cruise ships
Flåm itself is small: a quay, a railway station, hotels, a few restaurants and shops, and a free Flåm Railway Museum in the old station building, telling the story of the line’s construction. Ægir Bryggeri, a microbrewery and pub in a timber hall inspired by Viking architecture and stave churches, serves its own beers and a tasting menu matched to them.
Flåm is also one of Norway’s busiest cruise ports. On days when one or more large ships are in, thousands of passengers arrive at once, and the morning trains, the fjord boats and Stegastein fill up. Ships usually arrive in the morning and leave in the late afternoon, so the village is at its calmest early, in the evening and on days with no ships. Check the port’s cruise calendar before you book, and stay overnight to enjoy Flåm at its best.
Getting to Flåm
By train
Take the Bergen Line to Myrdal (about two hours from Bergen, or 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours from Oslo) and change to the Flåm Railway. The whole Oslo–Bergen line takes about 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes, with 6–7 trains a day. Both trains can be booked together on vy.no.
By boat
From 1 April to 31 October, Norled’s express boat leaves Bergen at 08:00 and reaches Flåm about 5 hours 30 minutes later, after calls at Balestrand, Vik, Leikanger, Aurland and other fjord villages; it leaves Flåm at 15:30 for the return. As of October 2026 an adult single costs NOK 1,295 and children aged 6 to 17 pay NOK 648. Combined with the train, it makes a scenic round trip from Bergen.
By road
Flåm is on the E16 between Bergen (about 165 km, or 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, via Voss and Gudvangen) and Oslo (about five hours). East of Aurland, the E16 runs through the Lærdal Tunnel, at 24.5 km the longest road tunnel in the world, opened in 2000, with three large lit caverns to break the drive. Regional buses run along the E16; check Skyss and the Entur journey planner for current times. Driving lets you combine Flåm with Stegastein, Undredal and the wider Sognefjord, but parking in the village is limited in summer.
Nearby destinations
- Bergen111 km
- Geirangerfjord137 km
- Stavanger224 km
- Oslo225 km
When to go and how long to stay
Inner Sognefjord lies in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains, so it is much drier than Bergen, with about 735 mm of rain a year at Aurland against about 2,500 mm in Bergen. Summers are mild; winters are cold, with snow in the mountains and sometimes at sea level. Official 1991–2020 temperature and rainfall normals are not published for Flåm itself, so the table combines MET Norway’s normals for two nearby fjord-side stations: average temperature at Lærdal (about 30 km north-east) and rainfall at Aurland (10 km north). Daily highs and lows, and sunshine hours, were not available for these stations.
| Season | Average temperature (Lærdal) | Rain per month (Aurland) | Days with rain (Aurland) | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | −0.7 to −0.5 °C | 61–87 mm | 10–12 | Cold, snowy mountains, frozen waterfalls; fewest trains and boats, very quiet |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 2.3 °C rising to 10.2 °C | 32–56 mm | 7–9 | The driest months; snowmelt waterfalls from May; orchards blossom |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 13.6–15.9 °C | 40–66 mm | 8–12 | Mild and green; all services running; busiest with cruise ships |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 10.9 °C falling to 2.2 °C | 71–79 mm | 10–11 | Autumn colours in September; wetter and quieter from October |
The average yearly temperature at Lærdal is 6.7 °C. In the narrow valleys, the sun disappears behind the mountains for weeks in midwinter, while in June there is daylight until late evening.
Weather month by month
Averages from MET Norway normals 1991–2020, Førde – Tefre (temperature) and Aurland (precipitation) · Last reviewed 4 Oct 2026
Flåm in one day
On Norway in a Nutshell, or on your own: the Flåm Railway down from Myrdal in the morning, lunch in Flåm, and the afternoon cruise on the Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen, then the bus to Voss.
Two days
Day 1: arrive by train, walk or cycle in the valley, and dinner at Ægir. Day 2: Stegastein early, the Nærøyfjord cruise (stopping at Undredal if your boat calls there), and leave by boat for Bergen or by train via Myrdal. In July to September, add a day for the Rallarvegen ride.
Where to stay in and around Flåm
- Flåm village: a historic hotel, a few modern hotels and apartments by the quay, a hostel and a campsite with cabins; small, so book early for summer.
- Aurland: guesthouses and apartments 10 minutes away; quieter and often cheaper.
- Gudvangen and Undredal: a few fjord-side places to stay at the other end of the cruise.
- Myrdal and the mountains: a mountain hotel at Vatnahalsen, above the railway, for walkers and cyclists.
Practical tips for Flåm
- Book early for summer: the railway, the fjord boats and rooms sell out in July and August.
- Check the cruise calendar and travel early or late on busy days.
- Allow time for connections: the Flåm Railway is timed to meet the Bergen Line at Myrdal, but a late train can cost you the connection, so avoid tight plans with boats or tours in Flåm.
- Dress for the deck: it is cold and windy on the fjord even in summer.
- Pay by card: cash is rarely needed.
What to pack for Flåm
A waterproof, windproof rain jacket, a warm layer and a hat for the boat deck, sturdy hiking shoes for the valley trails, Stegastein and the Kjosfossen platform (wet with spray), and gloves for cycling the Rallarvegen. In winter, bring full winter clothing and shoes with grip.
Flåm travel FAQ
How much is the Flåm Railway in 2026?
As of October 2026, Vy lists adult one-way tickets from NOK 399. Prices vary by season and demand and are highest from May to September; children aged 6 to 17 pay half.
How long is the Flåm Railway journey?
About 55 minutes to an hour each way over 20 km between Myrdal and Flåm, including a five-minute stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall.
Does the Flåm Railway run in winter?
Yes, every day all year, with fewer departures from November to March. The snowy valley and frozen waterfalls are beautiful, and the trains are much quieter.
Do I need to book the Flåm Railway in advance?
In July and August, yes: trains can sell out. Tickets go on sale up to 120 days ahead. Seats are not reserved, so arrive early for a window.
What is Norway in a Nutshell and how much does it cost?
A self-guided Fjord Tours package combining the Bergen Line, the Flåm Railway, the Nærøyfjord cruise and the bus to Voss, all year. As of October 2026, prices start from NOK 2,698.
How long is the Nærøyfjord cruise from Flåm?
About two hours one way to Gudvangen on The Fjords’ electric boats; as of October 2026, an adult ticket costs NOK 665. Return to Flåm by shuttle bus.
How do I get from Bergen to Flåm?
By train to Myrdal and the Flåm Railway (about three hours in total), by Norled’s express boat from April to October (about 5 hours 30 minutes), or by road on the E16 via Voss (about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours).
How high is the Stegastein viewpoint?
The platform is 650 metres above the Aurlandsfjord and sticks out 30 metres from the hillside. It is open all year, about ten minutes’ drive from Flåm.
Can you cycle the Rallarvegen to Flåm?
Yes, usually from July to late September when the mountain sections are free of snow. Most people take the train up to Myrdal or Vatnahalsen and ride about 16 km down to Flåm.
Is Flåm worth an overnight stay?
Yes, if you can. Evenings and early mornings are calm once the day-trippers and cruise passengers leave, and a night lets you add Stegastein, Undredal or a hike.
When is the best time to visit Flåm?
May, June and September for full services, waterfalls and fewer crowds; July and August are busiest; winter is quiet and snowy with fewer departures.
Sources
- © OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL · fetched 4 Oct 2026
- Wikidata · CC0 · fetched 4 Oct 2026
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. The Flåm Railway: Vy, Flåmsbana and Fjord Tours; Norway in a Nutshell: Fjord Tours; the Nærøyfjord cruise: Norway’s Best (The Fjords); the express boat: Norled; Stegastein: National Tourist Routes; the Rallarvegen: Haugastøl; the Bergen Line: Vy; climate: MET Norway 1991–2020 normals for Lærdal and Aurland (WMO collection). Seasonal railway fares and departure counts come from an independent guide, and some cruise and bus details are flagged for checking. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official links before you go.
Plan your trip
Partner links: TravelerCenter may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
🇳🇴 Useful Norwegian phrases for Flåm
All 38 Norwegian phrases: restaurant, hotel, emergencies, romance (printable) →