How do I take the train from Oslo to Bergen?

The Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen) runs from Oslo S (Central Station) to Bergen, covering 492 km in approximately 6.5-7 hours. Trains run 4-5 times daily. Book through Vy (vy.no) — tickets cost NOK 299-899 depending on how far in advance you book and which fare class. First class (Komfort) costs about NOK 100-200 more and includes table seats and more space.

How long does the Oslo to Bergen train take?

The Bergen Railway journey takes approximately 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the specific train service. Some express services are slightly faster. The train makes stops at Drammen, Honefoss, Geilo, Myrdal (junction for the Flåm Railway), Voss, and Dale before reaching Bergen.

Which side of the train should I sit on Oslo to Bergen?

Sit on the right side (window seat B or D in most Norwegian train configurations) for the best mountain views in the central section, especially around Finse and Hardangervidda. For the Bergen arrival — the Bergensdalen valley — the left side (A or C) is better. For a first trip where you will not have a second chance to compare, right-hand seats give the most iconic plateau views.

What is the most scenic part of the Bergen Railway?

The highest section — Geilo to Finse to Myrdal — is the most dramatic. Finse station (1,222 m, the highest point) sits on the Hardangervidda plateau beside the Hardangerjøkulen glacier. In winter, Finse is surrounded by Arctic-like tundra; in summer, it is a high-altitude wilderness of lakes, tundra, and snow patches.

Can I do the Bergen Railway as a day trip?

The Bergen Railway is best done as a one-way journey rather than a return in a day — 7 hours each way (14 hours return) with little time in Bergen is exhausting and misses the point. Either spend at least one night in Bergen, or do the Norway in a Nutshell route (Oslo to Bergen via Flåm and the Nærøyfjord), which turns the return journey into a different scenic experience.

Is the Bergen Railway worth the full day it takes?

Yes, decisively. The journey from Oslo across the Hardangervidda plateau and down to Bergen is one of the top 10 most scenic train journeys in the world by most serious travel rankings. The Hardangervidda section alone — 4+ hours of high plateau wilderness — is unlike anything accessible by train in western Europe.

Oslo to Bergen train 2026: Bergen Railway guide, tickets, seats, tips

Why the Bergen Railway matters

The Bergensbanen (Bergen Railway) is 492 km of track connecting Oslo and Bergen, crossing the Hardangervidda — the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe. It crosses the watershed between eastern and western Norway, climbs to 1,301 metres at Taugevann (the highest point on the main line), and descends through some of the most dramatic railway engineering in the world.

When it was completed in 1909, it was an engineering achievement that fundamentally connected eastern and western Norway for the first time in winter. The western approaches between Myrdal and Voss involved tunnels, spiralling descents, and structures that were extraordinary for their time. Today, 6-7 million passengers ride the line annually.

By the standards of scenic train travel worldwide, the Bergen Railway belongs in the top tier alongside the Trans-Siberian, the Glacier Express, and the Rocky Mountaineer — but it is significantly cheaper and easier to book independently.

The full journey: Oslo to Bergen

Oslo to Drammen (45 minutes)

The first section runs west from Oslo S along the Oslofjord, then turns through the forest hills behind the city. This is largely suburban and industrial — not the scenic section. Use the time to settle in, check your ticket, and buy from the dining car.

Drammen to Geilo (3 hours)

After Drammen, the railway climbs through the Numedal valley and into the forested mountains of eastern Norway. The landscape becomes increasingly wild: farms give way to forest, villages become smaller, and the hills turn into proper mountains. Norefjell and the surrounding area are popular ski destinations visible from the train in winter.

At Geilo — a major ski resort at 800 metres — the railway reaches the mountain region proper. If you are looking for scenery, Geilo to Finse is where to put the camera away and look out the window instead.

Geilo to Finse: the Hardangervidda crossing

The Hardangervidda plateau is the defining section of the Bergen Railway. This 8,000 square kilometre plateau at roughly 1,000-1,300 metres is the largest high-altitude plateau in Europe and one of the few genuine wilderness areas accessible by rail anywhere in the world.

At Finse (1,222 m), the train reaches the edge of the Hardangerjøkulen glacier — one of Norway’s largest glaciers, visible from the station. In late spring and early summer, the glacier’s blue-white surface is often close to the track. In winter, Finse is one of the most extreme railway station environments in western Europe: accessible only by train, surrounded by snowfields that can be metres deep.

The railway traverses the plateau through several long tunnels (avoiding the worst winter conditions), with open sections giving views across a treeless tundra of lakes, bogs, and lichen-covered rock. The scale is striking. On a clear day, the horizon in every direction is empty of human structures.

Practical note: Between Geilo and Myrdal, window-seat availability matters. If you booked an aisle seat and the window seats are empty after departure, move. On a busy July train this may not be possible; on a weekday departure it usually is.

Myrdal: the Flåm Railway junction

Myrdal is not a village — it is a junction station at 867 metres. Trains from Oslo stop here to allow passengers transferring to the Flåmsbana branch line to disembark. If you are doing Norway in a Nutshell, you get off here and descend to Flåm on the branch line.

If you are staying on the Bergen Railway, the train continues west. The next section — Myrdal to Voss — is the most dramatically engineered: the railway descends 600 metres in less than 30 km, using a series of horseshoe curves, long tunnels (including the spectacular Gravhalsen tunnel, which curves 180 degrees inside the mountain), and bridges over deep ravines.

Myrdal to Voss (40 minutes)

The descent from Myrdal to Voss passes through an enclosed, forested landscape — darker and greener than the plateau. The river valleys are narrow and steep. Stalheim, one of Norway’s most photographed views (a classic Norwegian valley seen from above), is visible briefly.

Voss is a significant station where some passengers disembark for skiing in winter. The city itself has a long fjord visible from the station.

Voss to Bergen (1 hour)

The final hour from Voss to Bergen runs through the fjordland of western Norway, following lake shorelines and fjord banks. The approach into Bergen through Bergensdalen gives views of the surrounding mountains — the seven hills that define Bergen’s geography — before arriving at Bergen Stasjon.

Tickets, prices, and booking

Where to book: Vy (vy.no) is the primary Norwegian rail operator. Tickets are available online up to 3 months in advance. International booking via Eurail/Interrail is also possible.

Fares (approximate, as of spring 2026):

Lowpris (cheapest advance fare): NOK 299-499 (~USD 32-54) one-way. Very limited availability; book early.
Standard fare: NOK 499-799 (~USD 54-86)
Komfort (first class): NOK 699-999 (~USD 75-107). Includes a larger seat, table, and more legroom.

Return journey: A one-way ticket Oslo-Bergen is often cheaper if you have flexible dates and book Lowpris fares in each direction separately.

Booking advice: For July and peak summer travel, book 6-8 weeks in advance. For May, June, and September, 2-3 weeks is usually sufficient. The Lowpris fares sell out first; Standard fares remain available longer.

Choosing your seat

Seat configuration: Most Vy trains on the Bergen Railway use double-deck or standard coaches with 2+2 seating (A, B on one side; C, D on the other; E for middle seats in 2+3 configurations, if applicable).

For the Hardangervidda: Sit on the right side going from Oslo to Bergen (seats B or D) for the best views of the glacier approach at Finse. The left side (A or C) gets better views in a few specific spots.

Table seats: Komfort class has table seats in compartments of 4 facing each other. Standard class on some trains also has table configurations. These are preferable for long journeys and allow easy access to food and maps.

Where to sit for the descent to Bergen: Switch to the left side after Myrdal for the most dramatic valley views descending toward Voss.

Dining on the train

The dining car or food trolley typically sells hot meals, sandwiches, and drinks. Food quality is acceptable but not exceptional; prices are in line with Oslo (NOK 100-200 for a hot dish, NOK 50-80 for a sandwich). If you are doing a 7-hour journey, bring your own food as backup or buy a larger meal in the dining car.

Recommendation: Buy good Norwegian bread, cheese (Jarlsberg, brunost), and cold cuts from a grocery store near Oslo S before departure (Kiwi on the station concourse is convenient). Add a thermos of coffee. This is what Norwegian families do and it is significantly better than the food trolley.

The Oslo to Bergen journey as part of Norway in a Nutshell

The Bergen Railway is the backbone of the Norway in a Nutshell route. If you have two days (rather than one), doing the route via Myrdal, the Flåmsbana, and the Nærøyfjord cruise is significantly more spectacular than the direct Bergen Railway alone.

For full details, see our Norway in a Nutshell guide and the dedicated Flåm Railway guide.

Getting to Oslo S

Oslo Sentralstasjon (Oslo S) is the main rail hub, at Jernbanetorget in central Oslo. All Bergen Railway trains depart from here. The Flytoget airport express arrives here; the metro (T-bane) hub at Jernbanetorget gives access from all parts of the city.

See our Oslo airport to city guide and getting around Oslo for transport logistics.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Oslo to Bergen train take?
The Bergen Railway journey takes approximately 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the specific train service. Some express services are slightly faster. The train makes stops at Drammen, Honefoss, Geilo, Myrdal (junction for the Flåm Railway), Voss, and Dale before reaching Bergen.
Which side of the train should I sit on Oslo to Bergen?
Sit on the right side (window seat B or D in most Norwegian train configurations) for the best mountain views in the central section, especially around Finse and Hardangervidda. For the Bergen arrival — the Bergensdalen valley — the left side (A or C) is better. For a first trip where you will not have a second chance to compare, right-hand seats give the most iconic plateau views.
What is the most scenic part of the Bergen Railway?
The highest section — Geilo to Finse to Myrdal — is the most dramatic. Finse station (1,222 m, the highest point) sits on the Hardangervidda plateau beside the Hardangerjøkulen glacier. In winter, Finse is surrounded by Arctic-like tundra; in summer, it is a high-altitude wilderness of lakes, tundra, and snow patches.
Can I do the Bergen Railway as a day trip?
The Bergen Railway is best done as a one-way journey rather than a return in a day — 7 hours each way (14 hours return) with little time in Bergen is exhausting and misses the point. Either spend at least one night in Bergen, or do the Norway in a Nutshell route (Oslo to Bergen via Flåm and the Nærøyfjord), which turns the return journey into a different scenic experience.
Is the Bergen Railway worth the full day it takes?
Yes, decisively. The journey from Oslo across the Hardangervidda plateau and down to Bergen is one of the top 10 most scenic train journeys in the world by most serious travel rankings. The Hardangervidda section alone — 4+ hours of high plateau wilderness — is unlike anything accessible by train in western Europe.