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Sognefjord in Norway

Express Norway - Winter

Coastal Cruise & Flåm Railway

(7 days / 6 nights)

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Explore the Winter Wonder of Norway

This 7-day trip, which begins and ends in Oslo, takes you on a scenic Hurtigruten coastal cruise from Trondheim, revealing majestic landscapes among the vast fjords. You will also experience the popular Norway in a Nutshell® train journey over the towering mountains to Oslo, an exciting ride on the scenic Flåm Railway, and explore historic cities like Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen. This Norway tour package is a self-guided trip that allows you to ride the rails, sail the fjords and enjoy Norwegian culture in its charming cities.

Looking for the summer version of this tour?

7 days / 6 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2727 EUR

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Seamless travel experience
  • Handpicked hotels and routes crafted by Norway train & cruise travel experts
  • Comprehensive itinerary & Norway Travel Guide
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour
  • Great customer reviews 
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Sail on a Hurtigruten Coastal Cruise from Trondheim to Bergen
  • Board the Norway in a Nutshell® tour to experience breathtaking landscapes
  • Experience the legendary Flåm railway, one of the world’s steepest railway lines
  • Explore the medieval city of Trondheim
  • Stroll through Norway’s grand capital, Oslo and visit charming Bergen
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen
  • Sail through dramatic fjords like Aurlandsfjord and Næroyfjord, branches of spectacular Sognefjord
  • Enjoy the flexibility of a self-guided tour and embark on exciting optional activities

Travel style

Independent Cruise i

Interest

Culture and History i, Fjords i

Season

Oct - Apr

Departure

Daily

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Welcome to Oslo

    When you arrive at Oslo‘s Gardermoen Airport, make your way into Oslo‘s city centre. Many travellers opt to take the express train to Oslo Central Station, but we can arrange a private transfer for you (at additional cost). For those arriving early, we recommend exploring Oslo by foot, spending the afternoon at sights including the Munch Museum, Akershus fortress, Oslo Opera House, and the Aker Brygge area. Other notable attractions include the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Karl Johans street.

    Spend the night in Oslo

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: Railway Journey to Trondheim

    This morning you will head out early to Oslo Central Station to board the half-day (6.5-hour) journey aboard the Dovrebanen train. The train route passes over the Dovre mountain plateau through historic towns and nature preservations and includes great variations in terrain and altitude. The journey concludes with a steep, curvy descent down to the lowlands where Trondheim is located.

    Spend the afternoon discovering Trondheim, including Bakklandet, an idyllic neighbourhood full of history and culture, Nidaros Catherdral, as well as other attractions such as the Ringve museum and gardens, Munkholmen and the Old town bridge.

    Spend the night in Trondheim.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 3: Exploring The Coastline of Norway

    This morning, you will embark on a cruise that will have you discovering the enchanting wintry beauty of Norway. You will head to the Trondheim harbour to board a Hurtigruten cruise ship for the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. It will then set sail along the Trondheim fjord and past Hitra Island, enjoying views of the icy fjord from the comfort of the ship.

    In the evening, the boat will dock at the city of Kristiansund and the town of Molde, lovely under soft winter light. This journey passes through some breathtaking coastal landscapes, and the final port of the day is a brief stop in Ålesund, after midnight.

    Spend the night on board Hurtigruten, in a private cabin.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 4: Sail to Historic Bergen

    During the night, the ship calls at Torvik, Maløy, and Florø as the journey weaves through islets and stunning landscapes before coming within view of its final destination—Bergen. Here you will disembark early in the afternoon to enjoy some leisure time as you wish. Despite being an international city, Bergen, “The Capital of the Fjords”, has all the charms of a small town. Here you’ll find Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with remarkably preserved old houses, a lively fish market, cable cars offering stunning views, great museums and more.

    Spend the night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: Norway in a Nutshell by Land and Sea

    Today will be a an especially scenic day with a lot of travel throughout diverse landscapes. From Bergen, the early Bergensbanen train transports you to Voss, where you will then board a bus bound for Gudvangen. Upon reaching Gudvangen, you will embark on a scenic fjord cruise to Flåm, including a trip through Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in all of Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage site is perhaps the most breathtaking part of Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, with its mighty peaks, tumbling waterfalls, and small farms dotting the mountainsides. Finally, the boat sails up Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, a charming winter village, where you will spend the evening.  

    Spend the night in Flåm.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: The Flåm Railway Experience in Winter

    This morning, you’ll get to experience the famous Flåm Railway firsthand as it climbs 900 metres over a span of 20 kilometres up the winding track to the Myrdal Station. Here you will switch to the Bergensbanen train that carries you over the mountainous rooftops of Norway. This ride, voted one of the  best railways in the world, will take you through the charming villages of Geilo and Gol before concluding in Oslo, where you will spend your last night in this amazing country.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 7: Departure from Oslo

    For transportation to Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, you can take the Flytoget express train from Oslo Central Station or book a private transfer through Nordic Visitor that will take you to the airport directly from your hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, take the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping, visit one of Oslo’s museums or just relax at a café after this amazing journey.

    See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this train and cruise tour in Norway. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Norway Travel Guide.

We recommend you wait to book flights to Scandinavia, and other parts of your travels, until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities aboard Norway cruises, as included in this package. Contact us for more details.

On a train and cruise tour of Norway, Nordic Visitor takes care of your local transportation, accommodation and excursions for a relaxed self-guided travel experience. This might include trains, cruises and/or internal flights, as specified in the itinerary.

You will follow an itinerary that’s been pre-planned and booked for you before you arrive in Norway. This means you can take advantage of Nordic Visitor’s insider knowledge while exploring at your leisure. 

Ahead of your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information via email, including an itinerary, map and detailed Norway Travel Guide. 

During your tour, you’ll always be able to reach us by calling our 24/7 helpline. 

The transfers between your hotel and train stations or cruise ports are not included with this package. Usually your accommodation will be within short walking distance. You could also get a taxi from your hotel if you prefer.

Please wait to book flights to Scandinavia until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities on services included in this package. 

After making a booking with Nordic Visitor, it might take a few weeks to confirm your travel arrangements. We recommend booking your flights once your personal travel consultant gets in touch to confirm your itinerary.

If you have any questions about your flights and itinerary, please contact us for more details.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

With this itinerary, you’ll travel from Oslo to Trondheim by train. You’ll board the Dovrebanen train from Oslo Central Station. This railway, dating back to 1921, passes over the Dovre mountain plateau and then takes a steep descent to the Trondheim lowlands.

With over 548 kilometres (340 miles) of railway, it takes around 6.5 hours to complete the journey to Trondheim.

On this tour, you will hop aboard a coastal cruise, provided by either Hurtigruten or Havila Voyages, along the Norwegian west coast. You’ll be staying in your own cabin with private facilities.

Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages operate along the same route on different days. Your personal travel consultant will book the cruise on your behalf in light of your tour’s start date and the rest of your itinerary.

If you are travelling on a Hurtigruten cruise:
Hurtigruten ships offer a classic Norwegian experience, with cosy cabins furnished with either twin or double beds. Your room will be between 8-11 square metres (86-118 square feet) and will always include a port hole, but please note that a view from the window cannot be guaranteed.

Instead, Hurtigruten ships all offer comfortable viewing decks, dining areas and lounges. This way, you can spend your mornings and evenings relaxing with incredible views of the passing Norwegian coastline.

If you are travelling on a Havila Voyages cruise:
Havila Voyages ships are the newer cruise liners on the block. Their modern cabins are furnished with either twin or double beds and are all around 15 square metres (161 feet). Your room will have a port hole and a small sofa so you can watch the views of ocean or coastline go past. Or, head up to the lounge, restaurant or viewing deck to see more of the passing fjords.

This tour includes the famous Norway in a Nutshell® tour from Bergen to Oslo. This is one of Norway’s most iconic journeys. You’ll travel by train, bus and ferry, seeing beautiful landscapes of steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, shimmering fjords, charming villages and scenic coastline.

The first leg of the journey is from Bergen to Flåm. Then you’ll travel from Flåm to Oslo. The duration of both days will be around 6 hours. 

The connections will be announced and clearly explained in your travel documents. You will receive a ticket with all the information about transfer points and timings with your final travel documents.

You can book an optional luggage transfer for the journey. If you do this, you’ll want a backpack for your daily essentials and one-night stay. Your luggage will be waiting for you at your destination.

If you do not book a luggage transfer, you will have to carry your bags between the train, boat and bus. All connections will be within easy reach and there will be storage available for your luggage during each leg of the journey.

On your Norway tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience. 

During the booking process, you can select whether you want Comfort Plus or Superior accommodation. Comfort Plus usually consists of standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels. Superior is standard rooms in 4-star hotels combined with Superior rooms in premium 3-star hotels.

You will also be able to choose between single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Norway room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. 

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra single bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Norway. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Norway on the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select your home country to view details. If you do require a visa, you will be directed to your local embassy website to learn about the visa requirements.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Norway. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your infants’ ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Norway for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore and what you want to see and do in Norway.

During the summer months, June, July and August, you’ll have the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours of the year. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and taking full advantage of your days for sightseeing.

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book a summer itinerary in May or September. These shoulder season months generally have more tour and attraction availability.

Please note that if you travel in spring, end of March through April, you’ll find that many attractions and museums are operating on reduced winter hours. 

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter. Travel to Norway at this time of year to see snowy mountains, cruise along frosty fjords and chase the magnificent northern lights. 

If you head north in December and January, you could experience the polar night. At this time of year, the conditions are also ideal for winter activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and more.

Read more about the best time to visit Norway on our blog.

Because of its northerly location close to and inside the Arctic Circle, Norway has limited daylight in winter. 

In the south, you can expect more daylight than in the north. For example, in Tromsø, you’ll have less than 7 hours of daylight from late October. Then from late November to mid-January, the sun never rises. This is called the “polar night”.

In Oslo and Bergen, you’ll get 5–10 hours of daylight across the winter. 

The beauty of these extended hours of darkness in Norway is that you’ll have a better chance of seeing the northern lights.

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Norway.

The winter climate in Norway is generally cold, but the weather will vary greatly depending on where you visit. 

From November, the temperatures fall and around the country you can expect averages between 1–5°C (34–41°F). This is also the time of year where snow starts falling and you’ll be able to admire the white-topped mountains.

For the rest of the winter, December until March, you’ll probably experience temperatures below freezing, around 0 to -7°C (31–19°F). This means you should come prepared with warm, insulated clothes and outer layers.

Read Norway weather conditions for more information on the local climate. 

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. Your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. 

During Norway’s winter season, you can expect temperatures below freezing. For that reasons, you’ll want to pack and dress with plenty of layers to keep yourself warm and dry.

Here is an essential winter packing list for your trip to Norway:

  • Insulated and waterproof jacket
  • Cosy wool or fleece jumpers
  • Snow or waterproof trousers depending on your destination
  • Warm gloves, hat and scarf
  • Insulated boots
  • A few pairs of thermal socks
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Electronic gear such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • and don’t forget your camera!
     

If you’re heading north and plan on taking part in winter excursions, you could also bring glove liners and heat packs for extra warmth.

Some day tour operators will provide you with thermal suits for your comfort. To find out if equipment is provided check the details of each activity before you leave for Norway, or get in touch with your personal travel consultant.

For more information, check out this Norway packing list.

When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Norway accommodation is always included.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 100–400 NOK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 500–1,000 NOK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 1,500 NOK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages. 

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

We recommend waiting for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Norway travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Norway Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. 

Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents. This will include your personalised itinerary, our Norway Travel Guide and your service vouchers. We recommend printing your tickets and vouchers to bring with you to Norway.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect when you land in Norway?
 
After picking up your luggage, you’ll make your way to your accommodation. Public transport is easy to access and convenient in Norway. Or you could catch a taxi.
 
Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM. 
 
You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel until check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your trip if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before making your way to the airport.

This tour requires a non-refundable deposit payment of 50% of the total price at the time of booking. You can view more about the deposit and cancellation fees here.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Everyone was helpful and friendly

Top quality hotels and magificent scenery on the tour. Will probably return to Norway sometime. Everyone we met was incredibily helpful and friendly.

Brilliant

It was extremely well managed with very responsive team. Even when it was obvious I had made an error with dates the team sorted it out with no issue. The breakfasts in particular were brilliant, all in good time for our departures with great selections.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with charming country hotels.

View

Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Price per person from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2727 EUR

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