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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Has anyone been to Flåm (Norway) in April?

17 replies

Yopy · 21/02/2023 11:07

We were thing about going by train. Just for one night in Flåm. But not sure if it could be too cold and if the trains are still reliable

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ReviewingTheSituation · 21/02/2023 11:12

I would imagine the train will be very reliable - it's Scandinavia, and they're super good at stuff like that.

We got the train from Oslo to Flam (via Myrdal), and it was hot when we left, but when you climb up over the mountains, your in the snow and ice. All the lakes (right by the train track) were frozen, and there was snow on the ground. It was lovely!
Also, the train from Myrdal to Flam is a massive tourist attraction in Norway - I'm sure it must run very reliably for that reason alone.

Where are you going from/to? (ie - where does Flam feature on your journey?)

Yopy · 21/02/2023 11:40

I have booked flights that give us 4 nights. Starting and finishing in Bergen. I thought two nights in Bergen, one night in Flåm and another in Bergen before we go home. But just researching it now there is obviously lots we could do in the way of other places to visit and trains/boats we could take. Wondered about Voss too.

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Yopy · 21/02/2023 11:41

Maybe we only need one night in Bergen at the start and better spending more time elsewhere

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ReviewingTheSituation · 21/02/2023 12:24

Have you looked at the Norway in a Nutshell tour? Sounds like it would suit you.

We went from Flam to Bergen by boat and it was amazing - such a beautiful journey. I'd highly recommend it.

There's basically nothing in Flam. I wouldn't stay overnight there unless your travel plans were such that you were arriving late and leaving early. It's a lovely little village, but it is just that! You can walk from there, so if hiking up the hills was on your agenda then maybe stay, but if not, I wouldn't use one of only a few nights there. Most people go there either to go on the Flam train, or arriving by cruise ship...

Bergen is lovely, but small. We probably had one night too many there. You should allow time to go up the big hill (I think it was a funicular that took you up) - there is LOADS of hiking to be done up there. I had no idea that there were miles and miles of walking trails. The views are stunning though, even if you don't walk. We then walked back down to the city which was nice.

The harbour area is a must do - but it's only small, so won't take long! There is a very good museum though (the Bryggen museum, IIRC) which is worth visiting - it's only small, so won't take long).

If you don't get a boat between Bergen and Flam, then definitely do a boat trip from Bergen - loads of trips to the fjords.

There's a lovely area called Nordnes, which is well worth a wander around. Full of lovely old, narrow streets. There's an aquarium there (we didn't go, but might be good if you're looking for something indoorsy to do?).

But 2 nights in Bergen would probably be enough (as long as you weren't arriving late afternoon 1 day and leaving early on day 3!). Make sure to eat from the fish market - lots of places selling the lovely fresh fish, cooked and served very simply, but totally delicious.

Yopy · 21/02/2023 12:43

Thanks for your tips that’s really great I will make a note of them all. I think I am a bit anxious as I am travelling alone with child so want to have plenty of time factored in in case trains/ferries late or we miss any. Hence why I was planning to do journey then stay somewhere rather than doing round trips in a day. Liking the look of the ferry to Flåm. I think we will do that definitely. Just need to decide if worth staying in Flåm now as you say there is t much there maybe.
Have you been to Voss at all?

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ReviewingTheSituation · 21/02/2023 13:01

We didn't go to Voss, but I think there's more there than Flam. I seem to recall reading that it's quite an 'outdoor activity' kind of place. Which may or may not be your thing.

Flam is quite a long way from Bergen - I think it's 5 hrs on the ferry. But it was a very scenic journey, so it was more than just a means of transport, IYSWIM. It meant we didn't feel we needed to do a fjord boat trip. I don't know how long it takes by train, or how interesting the journey is.

If you're not planning on doing the Flam railway, I'm not sure I'd bother going there (with the caveat that you'd visit a fjord somewhere else). For us it was on the way from Oslo to Bergen, so it made sense.

Yopy · 21/02/2023 13:03

Thanks

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ReviewingTheSituation · 21/02/2023 13:14

I'm jealous though - it's a fantastic country. Stunningly beautiful, with very friendly people. Lovely!

Toddlerteaplease · 21/02/2023 13:31

The Flam railways is stunning. We stayed in a little village about an hour from there. Called Balestrand. Can't remember if we went by boat or coach to get there. We caught the boat to Bergen for the day. Though it was four hours each way.

ReviewingTheSituation · 21/02/2023 13:45

We stayed in Balestrand too. It was lovely. But possibly a bit far if OP only has 4 days in total? It's not a direct journey (need to change boats in Flam) so has logistical issues to consider. I would imagine you went by boat - it's hard to get there by road as there's a lot of water to route around.

Yopy · 21/02/2023 13:50

Is it fairly easy to negotiate the railway station and boats etc? I expect it all runs pretty smoothly being in Norway

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ReviewingTheSituation · 21/02/2023 14:00

Very easy! Everything in English, and everyone speaks English too.

Yopy · 21/02/2023 14:00

Great phew

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Yopy · 21/02/2023 14:24

I wonder if the Flåm to Gudvangen boat is better than the Flåm to Bergen one. The Flåm to Bergen ferry seems good as it gets you from A To B as part of the journey. But the Norway in a nutshell seems to prioritise the Flåm to Gudvangen boat

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ReviewingTheSituation · 21/02/2023 15:08

For me, the best part of the boat trip was when we got towards the coast and headed parallel with the mainland (rather than being in the fjord). But it all depends what you're looking for/what kind of trip you're after really.

Yopy · 21/02/2023 15:11

Ah that’s a good point then as the Flåm Gudvangen journey doesn’t include the coast

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Toddlerteaplease · 21/02/2023 16:14

@ReviewingTheSituation did you stay at Kiviknes? We loved it there! Especially the carved room. Though it was 1998/9 when we went.

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