Flåm sits at the inner end of Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the mighty Sognefjord. For a small village, it’s incredibly well connected by rail, road, and fjord boats. Whether you’re coming from Oslo’s city buzz, Bergen’s coastal charm, or way up north, you can reach Flåm year-round with a bit of planning. This guide breaks down the simplest routes from Norway’s major cities and gives you practical, local-style tips to keep things smooth.
Short answer: From Oslo or Bergen, the easiest and most scenic way is the train on the Bergen Line to Myrdal and the famous Flåmsbana down to Flåm. Driving the E16 is the most flexible year-round option from most places in southern Norway. In summer, express boats along the Sognefjord connect Bergen and nearby ports with bus links onward.
If you want the long version with time estimates, what to book in advance, and which routes behave nicely in winter, keep going. Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of getting to Flåm.
Getting to Flåm from Oslo
By train: Take the Bergen Line from Oslo S to Myrdal, then transfer to the Flåm Railway. The Myrdal to Flåm ride is about one hour and is a highlight on its own, snaking past waterfalls and steep mountainsides. Total travel time from Oslo typically lands around 5 to 6 hours depending on schedules. Book seats in advance, especially June to September and Christmas/New Year.
By car: Drive the E16 almost the whole way. You’ll pass through long tunnels, including the famed Lærdal Tunnel. Expect 4.5 to 6 hours depending on traffic, weather, and stops. The E16 is a year-round lifeline to the fjords and is generally kept open even in winter, but do check road and weather reports before an early morning or late-night run in the darker months. Winter tires are mandatory in season, and you’ll meet a few tolls.
By bus: Several long-distance coaches run Oslo to Flåm (often with a change in places like Lærdal or Voss depending on route). Count on 6 to 8 hours. It’s less scenic than the train down from Myrdal, but can be cost-effective.
Local tip: If you have flexibility, ride the train one way and drive or bus the other to see completely different sides of the landscape.
Getting to Flåm from Bergen
By train: Take the Bergen Line to Myrdal and hop on the Flåmsbana. Bergen to Myrdal typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, plus one hour down to Flåm. Door to door, 3 to 4 hours is common. This is the most popular and usually the easiest public-transport route.
By car: The E16 again is your friend. Travel time 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and stops. The drive includes tunnels, high valleys, and a few postcard views if you take short detours.
By boat (seasonal): In summer, express boats head up the Sognefjord from Bergen to ports like Sogndal or Leikanger, with bus connections to Flåm or Gudvangen. Another classic is pairing a fjord cruise between Gudvangen and Flåm (Nærøyfjord/Aurlandsfjord) with a coach segment to or from Voss/Bergen. It’s slower than pure rail but incredibly scenic if your priority is the fjord experience.
Local tip: If the weather is clear, the morning train Bergen–Myrdal often gives dramatic light on the high plateau, while the afternoon return puts warm sun into the fjords. Timing can shape your photos.
Getting to Flåm from Stavanger
By car: Two main approaches:
- E39–E134–Rv13–E16 via Haugalandet, the Haukelifjell corridor, Hardanger, then up to Voss and Flåm.
- E39 north to Bergen, then E16 inland to Flåm.
Either way, plan 6 to 8 hours. The route via Odda and Rv13 is gorgeous but can be busy in peak summer and requires attention to mountain and fjord conditions in winter.
By public transport: The simplest is flight to Bergen and then train or bus onward to Flåm. All-landsurface bus itineraries exist but often run 9 to 11 hours with changes. If time matters, flying to Bergen saves the day.
Local tip: If you’re driving and love waterfalls, the Hardanger detour via Skjervsfossen and the old road near Granvin can be a tasty add-on when conditions are good.
Getting to Flåm from Trondheim
By air + train: Fly to Oslo or Bergen and connect onward by rail to Myrdal and the Flåmsbana. This is usually the fastest and least fussy option.
By train the whole way: You can take the Dovre Line Trondheim–Oslo, then Oslo–Myrdal–Flåm. It’s a long, beautiful day on rails, typically 12 to 14 hours depending on connections.
By car: Expect 9 to 11 hours depending on route and season. Common options thread the E6 south, then cut west toward the Sognefjord via Sogndal and across the Mannheller–Fodnes ferry before joining the E16 toward Flåm. This is a grand drive with plenty of mountain and fjord scenery, but it’s not “quick.” Plan breaks.
Local tip: If you’re driving, consider splitting the trip with a night along Nordfjord or Sogn. Rushing this distance wastes the best parts.
Getting to Flåm from Tromsø
By air: Fly to Oslo or Bergen first, then continue by train (to Myrdal) or by bus/car on the E16. With decent connections, you can make Flåm in the same day, but many travelers prefer to overnight in Bergen or Oslo and enjoy the scenic segment fresh the next morning.
By car: It’s a massive road trip through half the country, better treated as a multi-day adventure. If that’s the plan, aim for late spring to early autumn for more predictable conditions and daylight.
Local tip: If you’re picking just one scenic leg after flying, the Flåmsbana is the safest bet for drama-per-minute.
Getting to Flåm from Bodø
By air: As with Tromsø, fly to Bergen or Oslo and connect by rail to Myrdal, then Flåm. This is the most time-efficient.
By car: A long but rewarding multi-day drive. Consider pairing the journey with the Helgeland coast or inner E6 stretches southbound, then cutting across to Sognefjord country. Summer light makes this special.
Local tip: If you’re combining Lofoten/Bodø with the fjords, one clean plan is Bodø → flight to Bergen → train to Myrdal → Flåm, then exit via Oslo.
Getting to Flåm from Ålesund
By car: A classic west-coast to fjord run. Take E39 toward Skei, then Rv5 to Sogndal, use the Mannheller–Fodnes ferry, and join the E16 to Flåm. Budget 6 to 7.5 hours depending on traffic and ferry timing.
By public transport: Bus combinations via Stryn/Sogndal are common, sometimes with a final leg on the E16. Expect 7 to 9 hours.
Local tip: If you have a sunny day and extra time, a detour through Geiranger adds an icon to the trip, but it will lengthen the day significantly.
Getting to Flåm from Kristiansand
By car: Two main choices:
- E18 to Drammen, then E16 to Flåm.
- E39–E134–Rv13–E16 via Haukelifjell and Hardanger.
Timing is similar either way: 7 to 9 hours.
By public transport: Train or bus to Oslo, then the Bergen Line to Myrdal and down to Flåm. Door to door, 9 to 10 hours is normal with good connections.
Local tip: If you’re driving back south, consider returning the other way to make a loop. Coastal in one direction, mountain and fjord in the other.
Getting to Flåm from Drammen and the Oslofjord towns
From Drammen: You’re already on the Bergen Line, so you can board the train here, change at Myrdal, and head to Flåm. That often saves time compared to doubling back to Oslo S. Driving the E16 from Drammen clocks about 4 to 5 hours.
From Tønsberg, Sandefjord, Larvik: Go by train or bus to Oslo or Drammen and continue by rail to Myrdal/Flåm. If driving, head for E18 to Drammen and then E16.
Local tip: If you’re flying into Torp (Sandefjord) Airport, you can take the Torp-to-Oslo train and connect onward the same day if you land in the morning.
What to book in advance
Train seats: Reserve the Oslo/Bergen–Myrdal leg early in high season. The Flåm Railway is extremely popular, so tickets can sell out for prime departures in summer, on weekends, and during cruise days.
Fjord cruises and boats: If you’re planning the Gudvangen–Flåm cruise on the Nærøyfjord or an express boat along the Sognefjord, booking ahead is smart in summer. Shoulder seasons are calmer, but specific time slots still fill up.
Accommodation: Flåm is compact and demand spikes in June–August. Staying in Aurland, Undredal, or Gudvangen is a nice fallback if Flåm itself is full, and the distances are short.
Driving tips that matter here
E16 stays open year-round and is your main artery. In winter, it’s plowed and managed quickly, but daylight is short and conditions change fast. Use proper winter tires in season, watch for black ice near tunnel mouths, and let weather dictate your speed.
Ferries on the Sognefjord, like Mannheller–Fodnes, operate frequently but can be busier in summer. In high season, you’ll usually catch the next or second departure after a short queue. Payment is normally automatic via AutoPASS or paid onboard.
Tunnels are frequent. If you’re sensitive to long tunnels, plan short breaks in between and keep your ventilation on fresh air. If time allows, scenic detours like Aurlandsfjellet (the “Snow Road”) between Aurland and Lærdal are spectacular in summer when the pass is open.
Smart combos and time savers
If you’re coming from Bergen, a great one-day or one-way plan is: Bergen → train to Voss or Myrdal → Flåm Railway → fjord cruise to Gudvangen → bus back to Voss/Bergen. You’ll thread the high plateau, the famous scenic railway, and the narrowest fjord stretches in a neat loop.
From Oslo, pair the high-mountain rail section to Myrdal with the Flåm Railway, overnight in Flåm or Aurland, cruise the fjord the next morning, and return to Oslo by afternoon train. It’s tight in one day, but deeply satisfying as an overnighter.
If you’re short on time from Stavanger, Tromsø, Bodø, or Kristiansand, route yourself by air to Bergen and then rail to Myrdal–Flåm. It reduces friction and stacks the scenic bits where they shine.
When should you go
You can visit all year. Summer brings long days, busy trains, and full boat schedules. Spring and autumn are a sweet spot for fewer crowds and strong colors. Winter is far quieter, with snow-draped scenery and a more intimate feel; rail and E16 generally keep moving, though some fjord boat options are reduced. If you want the Flåmsbana nearly to yourself, aim for a weekday in late October or early March and avoid cruise-port days.
Packing the little things that help
Bring layers even in summer; fjord mornings can be cool, and Myrdal sits high enough for brisk air. Snacks and water make the scenic segments easier if you’re chasing connections. A headlamp or small flashlight is handy for winter evenings around the village paths. And if you’re driving at night, take it easy; tunnels and tight valleys reward a patient pace.
Quick reference: typical travel times
- Oslo → Flåm: Train 5–6 h via Myrdal; car 4.5–6 h; bus 6–8 h
- Bergen → Flåm: Train 3–4 h via Myrdal; car 2.5–3.5 h; boat+bus variable, often half a day
- Stavanger → Flåm: Car 6–8 h; fly to Bergen + train/bus often fastest by public transport
- Trondheim → Flåm: Fly to Oslo/Bergen + rail; full-rail day 12–14 h; car 9–11 h
- Tromsø/Bodø → Flåm: Fly to Oslo/Bergen + rail; driving is a multi-day trip
- Ålesund → Flåm: Car 6–7.5 h; bus 7–9 h
- Kristiansand → Flåm: Car 7–9 h; public transport often 9–10 h via Oslo
Bottom line: If you want painless and pretty, the train to Myrdal + Flåmsbana wins from Oslo and Bergen. If you want freedom, drive the E16 and explore side valleys at your own pace. And if your time is tight from farther-flung cities, fly to Bergen, then slot in the scenic rail-and-fjord combo that made Flåm famous.