Harry Potter Train in Scotland: The Complete Guide to the Jacobite
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From the forests of Oslo to the fjords of Bergen: the Oslo-Bergen train crosses Norway from east to west in about seven hours. The Bergensbanen has become a legendary line because it crosses the Hardangervidda, the the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe : It reaches an elevation of 1,237 meters there, making it, according to the operator Vy, the highest railway line in Northern Europe. Halfway along the route, from the Myrdal station, another legend takes over: the Flåmsbana, which descends in one hour to the shores of the Aurlandsfjord.
Good news: this trip is very easy to do by train from France. It takes about 24 hours to travel from Paris to Oslo, including one night on a night train to Hamburg (all the options are listed in our article Travel to Scandinavia by train from France). We'll tell you everything you need to know to plan your crossing: the route, tickets, how to get there from France, and the history of the two routes.
| Oslo–Bergen (Bergensbanen) | Myrdal-Flåm (Flåmsbana) | |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Vy | Flåmsbana AS for sale; trains operated by Vy |
| Route | Oslo S → Bergen Station, 21 stations | Myrdal → Flåm, 8 stops |
| Distance | 471.25 km | 20 km |
| Duration | from about 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. | About 1 hour |
| Notable point | 1,237 meters above sea level at the highest point, 182 tunnels | Elevation ranging from 867 m to 2 m, with a 5.5% grade along most of the route |
| Frequency | 6 to 7 departures per day, day and night | every day |
| Season | all year round | every day |
| Price | Varies by date; a limited number of Lavpris tickets are available | Starting at 399 NOK for a one-way adult ticket; half price for ages 6 to 17 |
| Interrail Pass | Included; seat reservation required (subject to a fee in 2nd class) | not included, 30% off the full-price one-way fare |
| Reservation | vy.no or the Vy app | vy.no with a Vy trip, or the official Flåmsbana website |
| Last checked | November 2, 2026 | November 2, 2026 |
How long does the Oslo–Bergen train ride take? Between about 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., depending on the train, according to Vy. To make sure you don't miss any of the scenery, check which side of the Oslo-Bergen train to sit on.
How much does the ticket cost? The price depends on the date and how far in advance you book, and the Lavpris tickets—the cheapest ones—sell out quickly.
How do I get to Flåm by train? Take the train down to Myrdal, then board the Flåmsbana: a one-hour descent, starting at 399 NOK one way.
Is the Interrail Pass valid? Yes, on the Oslo–Bergen route, with mandatory seat reservations. The Flåmsbana is not included, but you get a 30% discount: see the article for Interrail travelers for details.
Is it possible to get there from France without flying? Yes: a night train to Hamburg, then on to Copenhagen and Oslo—a total travel time of about 23 hours and 30 minutes.
Between Oslo and Bergen, the train passes through three distinct landscapes in a single day: the forests and lakes of the interior, the Hardangervidda plateau, and then the valleys and fjords of the west.
The Bergensbanen connects Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) to Bergen Central Station, covering a distance of 471 km and serving 21 stations. Vy, the company that operates the trains, estimates travel times of between 6:30 and 7:30, depending on the departure time, day or night. The journey can be divided into three sections: Oslo–Geilo, Geilo–Voss (across the plateau), and then Voss–Bergen.
The first act takes its time. The train follows the Drammenselva, a salmon river, then the Tyrifjorden, Norway’s fifth-largest lake, which is 330 meters deep. The first mountains come into view near Norefjell, and it’s after Ål that the line really starts to climb.
Map: ChrisO, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, 2006 (13 of 21 stations)
The highlight is the drive across the Hardangervidda, between Geilo and Voss. According to Vy, it's the the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe, and it is on this section that the line reaches its highest point, at 1,237 m. More than 9,000 wild reindeer live in the national park: keep your eyes peeled. From Hallingskeid, the train begins its long descent toward the sea, passing through the Gravhals Tunnel—a 5.3-kilometer tunnel that took ten years to build.
To enjoy the view from the observation deck, sit on the left side when traveling from Oslo, or on the right side when traveling from Bergen. For the fjord scenery toward the end of the trip, it’s the other way around. Only the Flex ticket allows you to choose your seat; with a Lavpris ticket, your seat is assigned in advance.
In winter, keep the daylight in mind. On Hardangervidda, it’s light out from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., so Vy recommends setting out in the morning.
This route is perfect for taking breaks, and that's often when the trip becomes unforgettable:
Are you traveling by bike? The Rallarvegen, one of Norway's most popular bike routes, starts at the train stations in Haugastøl, Finse, or Myrdal, and ends in Flåm (80 km total). Be sure to reserve a spot for your bike on the train.
Photo: Kabelleger / David Gubler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Oslo-Bergen train runs year-round and can be booked directly through Vy, while tickets for the Flåmsbana must be purchased separately, with or without an Interrail pass.
There is no fixed price: the fare depends on the date, time, and how far in advance you book. The cheapest ticket is the Lavpris, sold in limited quantities. It is valid only on the selected train, cannot be changed or refunded, and your seat is assigned in advance. To find the cheapest days, Vy offers a calendar of low prices, the Lavpriskalender.
Good to know: A ticket purchased on vy.no, in the app, or at a ticket machine can be canceled within four hours of purchase, as long as the train has not yet departed, according to the Vy's Lavpris Terms and Conditions.
| Vy Ticket | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Lavpris | Lowest price, assigned seat, non-changeable and non-refundable |
| Flex | Choose your seat |
| Pluss | more comfortable seats, unlimited coffee during the trip |
| Kupé | Private compartment for up to 6 people, with a table |
| Night (PlussNatt, Sove, Hvile) | reclining seat that lies flat, or a bed in a 2- or 6-person compartment |
Source: Vy, as of November 2, 2026. Prices vary too much depending on the date to be listed here: compare them directly using Vy's search engine.
When traveling with children, Vy also offers a family car with a play area.
The line operates year-round, and every season has its own charm: snow on the plateau in winter, hiking and biking in the summer. To get a Lavpris ticket, book as early as possible.
The Bergensbanen runs through high-mountain terrain, and occasional service disruptions may occur (landslides, severe weather, technical issues). Before you leave, check the page Vy Traffic Status. For Easter 2027, Vy is already announcing roadwork between Hønefoss and Geilo, March 20–28, with replacement buses.
The easiest way: Get off at Myrdal, take the Flåmsbana to Flåm, spend at least one night there, then return to Myrdal to catch the train back to Bergen. Flåmsbana tickets combined with a Vy trip can be purchased on vy.no; a Flåmsbana ticket alone can be purchased at the ticket office in Flåm or on the railway’s official website, according to an informational document from Vy. Buy your tickets before you leave, and travel light: there is no luggage storage at Myrdal.
With an Interrail pass, the Oslo–Bergen line is included: you only pay for the seat reservation, which is required, according to Interrail. The Flåmsbana is not included, but the pass entitles you to a 30% discount on a full-price one-way ticket, according to the Interrail page dedicated to the Flåmsbana.
With Norway in a Nutshell, the circuit of Fjord Tours, everything is included: train to Myrdal, the Flåmsbana, a cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord, a bus to Voss, and then a train to Bergen. You can depart from Oslo, Bergen, Flåm, Voss, or Geilo, and add overnight stays along the way. These are scheduled services booked as a single package, which you can also purchase step by step on your own.
Oslo-Bergen Train
From Paris, the trip to Oslo takes about 23 hours and 30 minutes, including a night on the overnight train to Hamburg followed by two daytime trains.
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From Lyon, Lille, or Strasbourg, you must first travel to Paris or Germany, then follow the same procedure. All the variations are described in detail in our article Travel to Scandinavia by train from France !
Allow two days to get to Oslo, then one day for the trip from Oslo to Bergen. Instead of rushing through a series of connections, take the opportunity to stop in Hamburg or Copenhagen.
As for the cost, it all depends on when you book and the level of comfort you choose on the overnight train. If you're planning several trips in Scandinavia, a Interrail Global Pass This could be worth considering: it covers all the countries you'll be traveling through, but keep in mind that reservations are required, especially for the overnight train and the Oslo–Bergen line.
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Opened in 1909, the Bergensbanen connects Norway's two largest cities through the high mountains. The Flåmsbana, on the other hand, took 17 years to reach the fjord.
It took about 15 years of construction, from 1894 to 1909, to connect Oslo and Bergen through the high mountains, according to Vy. Some projects alone took years to complete, such as the Gravhals Tunnel between Myrdal and Voss, which took ten years to excavate.
Hardangervidda (the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe)
According to Vy, this is the highest railway line in Northern Europe: it reaches an elevation of 1,237 meters. It has 182 tunnels, the longest of which—the Finse Tunnel—is 10.3 km long. And it is fully electrified all the way from the capital to the west coast.
The Flåmsbana was originally conceived as a utility line to connect the head of the Aurlandsfjord and its villages to the Bergensbanen. Although approved by the government as early as 1908, construction did not begin until 1923, and the line was not completed until 1940. Initially, steam trains ran as a shuttle service connecting with the Bergensbanen. The line was electrified in 1944, making it one of the first in Norway to be electrified. Of its 20 tunnels, 18 were dug by hand, according to Vy.
Today, Flåmsbana AS is responsible for sales and promotion of the line, and Vy operates the trains. According to Vy, the small commuter line has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway.
The Oslo-Bergen train ride is a day trip that’s worth the journey all on its own: you set off through the forests of Oslo, cross the country’s “roof” on the Hardangervidda, and arrive at the seaside in Bergen. Add a night in Flåm and the ride down on the Flåmsbana, and you’ve got a true taste of Norway—without a car or a plane. Book early to get the best prices, choose your window seat, and keep an eye on traffic updates before you go.
Want to take it a step further? Join the HOURRAIL Club! and plan your next train trip with the HOURRAIL community!
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
