It is the country where trains don’t just traverse the landscape; they conquer it. Norway’s railway network is a triumph of engineering over geography.
In a land of fjord-slashed coastlines and high mountain plateaus, Norwegian engineers built tracks where goats would struggle to stand. The result is a collection of routes that consistently top “World’s Most Beautiful” lists.
From the Bergensbanen, which climbs from Oslo to the snowy Hardangervidda plateau, to the Flåmsbana, which plunges almost vertically into a fjord, and the Nordlandsbanen, which chases the Northern Lights into the Arctic, Norway offers rail journeys that define the very concept of scenic travel.
This is your complete guide to exploring Norway by train.
Norway by Train: The Overview
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Network | ~4,200 km of railway lines |
| Main Operator | Vy (State-owned, formerly NSB) |
| Other Operators | SJ Nord (Swedish), Go-Ahead Nordic (British) |
| Infrastructure | Bane NOR (State-owned) |
| Famous Routes | Bergen Railway, Flåm Railway, Dovre Railway, Nordland Railway |
| Maximum Speed | 210 km/h (Gardermobanen) |
| International Connections | Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenburg) |
| Eurail/Interrail | Fully valid (reservations often required) |
| Currency | Norwegian Krone (NOK) |
Why Train Travel Works in Norway
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Scenery | The view from the train window is often better than the view from any hiking trail. You see fjords, glaciers, and tundra without lifting a boot. |
| Comfort | Norwegian trains are designed for long distances. They are spacious, quiet, and equipped with excellent amenities (including family cars with play areas). |
| The “Minipris” | While Norway is expensive, booking trains in advance (“Lavpris”) makes travel surprisingly affordable. |
| Night Trains | With distances so vast, sleeping through the journey saves money on hotels and time. |
| Sustainability | In a country powered largely by hydroelectricity, taking the electric train is an incredibly green way to travel. |
The History: Rails in the Rock
Building railways in Norway was an epic struggle. The terrain is a nightmare for engineers: granite mountains, deep water, heavy snow, and avalanches.
| Milestone | Description |
|---|---|
| The Bergen Line (1909) | The crowning achievement. It took 34 years to build. Workers had to carve tunnels by hand through solid rock in blizzard conditions. It remains the highest mainline railway in Northern Europe (1,222m). |
| The Flåm Line (1940) | An engineering miracle that descends 866 meters in just 20 kilometers. It has 20 tunnels, 18 of which were dug by hand. |
| Privatization (2017) | Norway split its railway operations. The tracks belong to the state (Bane NOR), but the trains are run by different companies (Vy, SJ, Go-Ahead) who won contracts for specific lines. |
The Operators: Who Runs Which Line?
Norway is divided into three main operational zones. Your ticket will likely be with one of these three companies, though they all cooperate.
| Operator | Region | Key Routes | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vy (formerly NSB) | East & West | Bergensbanen (Oslo – Bergen) | vy.no |
| SJ Nord | Central & North | Dovrebanen (Oslo – Trondheim), Nordlandsbanen (Trondheim – Bodø) | sj.no |
| Go-Ahead Nordic | South | Sørlandsbanen (Oslo – Stavanger) | go-aheadnordic.no |
Important: You can buy tickets for ALL these operators on the Entur website or app (entur.no), which is the national travel planner.
Train Types: From Commuter to Arctic Express
| Train Type | Description | Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Distance (Regiontog) | The backbone of the system. Robust and comfortable. | Café/Bistro, free Wi-Fi, “Stille” (Quiet) zones, “Familie” (Family) cars. Reservation mandatory. |
| Night Trains (Nattog) | Essential for long journeys north or west. | Sleeping compartments (2 beds), Reclining seats (Hvile), Standard seats. |
| The Flåmsbana | A unique tourist train with special brakes for steep gradients. | Nostalgic wood-paneled interiors, photo stops. |
| Airport Express (Flytoget) | High-speed service connecting Oslo Airport to Oslo Central. | Speed up to 210 km/h. Frequent departures. |
The Price: “Lavpris” is Your Friend
Norway has a reputation for high prices, but train travel can be a bargain if you know how to book.
Ticket Types
| Type | Price Range | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| Lavpris (Low Price) | 249+ NOK (~€22) | Advance purchase only, non-refundable, tied to specific train. |
| Standard (Flex) | 1,000+ NOK (~€90) | Buy anytime, fully flexible. |
Discounts
| Group | Discount |
|---|---|
| Children (0-5) | Free |
| Children (6-17) | 50% off |
| Students | 25% off (valid ID required) |
| Seniors (67+) | 50% off |
Rail Passes: Are They Worth It?
Eurail / Interrail Norway Pass
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ~€180-230 for 3-4 days within a month. |
| Verdict | Yes, very worth it for multiple long-distance trips if “Lavpris” tickets are sold out. |
| Reservations | Mandatory on long-distance trains (~50 NOK / €5). Book via Entur or at stations. |
| Flåmsbana | Not fully included! Pass holders get a 30% discount. |
Scenic Routes: The Big Four
Norway has four main railway lines, and every single one is a scenic contender.
| Route | Name | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo – Bergen | Bergensbanen | ~7 hours | Highest mainline in N. Europe, Hardangervidda plateau, Finse glacier (Star Wars Hoth location). |
| Myrdal – Flåm | Flåmsbana | ~1 hour | Steepest standard-gauge railway, Kjosfossen waterfall stop, Aurlandsfjord views. |
| Dombås – Åndalsnes | Raumabanen | ~1h 40m | Emerald-green Rauma River, Trollveggen (Troll Wall), Kylling Bridge. |
| Trondheim – Bodø | Nordlandsbanen | ~10 hours | Longest line (729 km), crosses Arctic Circle (66°N), Midnight Sun/Northern Lights. |
Regional Guide: Major Hubs
| City | Role | Key Connections |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo (Oslo S) | Central Hub | All major lines radiate from here: Bergen (West), Trondheim (North), Stavanger (South), Stockholm (East). |
| Bergen | Western Terminus | End of Bergen Line. Walkable to fish market and Bryggen. |
| Trondheim | Northern Gateway | Transfer point between Dovre Line (South) and Nordland Line (North). |
| Bodø | Arctic Terminus | End of the line. Ferries to Lofoten Islands depart next to station. |
| Narvik | Isolated Hub | Connected to Sweden (Kiruna/Stockholm) via Iron Ore Line, not the rest of Norway. |
International Connections: The Swedish Link
Norway is geographically isolated by mountains, so rail connections only go East.
| Destination | Route | Operator | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockholm (Sweden) | Oslo – Karlstad – Stockholm | SJ | ~5-6 hours |
| Gothenburg (Sweden) | Oslo – Gothenburg | Vy | ~3.5 hours |
From Gothenburg, you can connect further to Copenhagen (Denmark) and Hamburg (Germany).
Practical Tips for Travelers
- The Entur App: Download it. It is the national planner for ALL public transport (trains, buses, ferries) in Norway. You can buy tickets for almost everything here.
- Food: Dining cars (“Kafé”) serve decent food (hot dogs, meatballs, wraps), but it is expensive. A meal can cost €15-20. Pack your own picnic from a supermarket (Rema 1000 or Kiwi) before boarding.
- Water: Tap water on trains is drinkable unless marked otherwise. Bring a bottle.
- Seat Selection:
- Oslo to Bergen: Sit on the LEFT for the best views of the Hardangerjøkulen glacier.
- Bergen to Oslo: Sit on the RIGHT.
- Sleepers: Book sleeping compartments as early as possible. They sell out weeks in advance, especially on the Nordland Line.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Reality |
|---|---|
| Assuming trains go everywhere | The railway ends at Bodø. To reach Tromsø or North Cape, you must take a bus or ferry (Hurtigruten). |
| Missing the Myrdal transfer | If going to Flåm, you must change at Myrdal. It’s a mountain station with no roads—don’t get stranded! |
| Booking last minute | “Lavpris” tickets disappear fast. Booking on the day means paying maximum price. |
Summary
Norway offers a rail experience that is less about transportation and more about immersion. It is a front-row seat to some of the most dramatic geology on Earth. Whether you are sipping coffee while crossing a snowy plateau, sleeping as the train rolls under the Aurora Borealis, or staring up at the sheer cliffs of the Flåm valley, the train is the best way to understand the scale and beauty of Norway.
Ready to ride? Start in Oslo, grab a window seat on the left, and watch the city give way to the wild.
Useful Links:
- Entur (National Planner): entur.no
- Vy (Bergen Line): vy.no
- SJ Nord (Arctic Lines): sj.no
- Visit Norway (Rail info): visitnorway.com
