


The Flåmsbana railway, also known as the Flåm Railway, is one of the world's most beautiful train journeys, and the train takes approximately one hour to cover the 20-kilometer train route from Myrdal to Flåm. This guide is for anyone who wants to visit Norway and experience this scenic route, from couples and families to hikers and cyclists, and it explains tickets, travel time, the best seats and what to do along the way, so you can tailor the trip to your plans and get the most out of your time and money. The train ride starts at Myrdal station, high in the mountains at 866–867 meters above sea level, and runs downhill through the Flåm Valley to Flåm station, located at sea level at the end of the Aurlandsfjord in western Norway. With steep gradients of up to 5.5 percent along a significant portion of the line, the railway is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in Europe and the world. Construction of the Flåm Railway began in 1923, the line opened in 1940, and it was electrified soon after, replacing the original steam trains. The winding route passes through twenty tunnels, 18 of which were hand-dug, and the stunning scenery includes steep mountains, deep ravines, waterfalls, snow covered mountains and traditional mountain farms. The best panoramic views are from the left side when going downhill and the right side when going uphill, so choose your seat for the direction you travel. The highlight of the journey is the spectacular Kjosfossen waterfall, 225 metres tall, where the train stops so passengers can step out on the platform and take a photo. Tickets can be booked for one-way or round-trip journeys, and you can buy tickets online at norwaysbest.com. The train runs year round: the summer season is the busiest time, when cruise ships dock in Flåm and trains can be crowded, while in winter the valley turns white and the trains are much quieter. Book early in summer, and check the conditions if you need to cancel or change your booking.
For a more active day, a bike ride from Myrdal down to Flåm is one of the best ways to enjoy nature. Rallarvegen, the old construction road built for the railway, is a popular cycling route that runs through the mountains and ends in Flåm, and the last section from Myrdal is a thrilling downhill ride on winding gravel bends. You can rent a bike near Myrdal or at stations along the Bergen Line, cycle down the valley and take the train back up if you want. Bike tickets must be reserved when booking your trip, as space on board is limited. For the bravest travelers, Scandinavia's longest zipline spans 1381 meters near Myrdal, flying high above the valley with views of the mountains and snow. Whether you choose the train, a bike, a hike or a zipline, the Flåm Railway is a great experience for anyone who wants to explore Norway's fjords and mountains, and it makes a perfect day trip for a couple, a family or a solo traveler, whether you travel with your wife, husband or friends.
The train takes approximately one hour to cover 20 kilometers between Myrdal and Flåm.
The Flåmsbana railway, or Flåm Railway, is a scenic line in western Norway that descends from Myrdal at 866–867 meters above sea level to Flåm at sea level.
The route offers stunning scenery, steep mountains, waterfalls and panoramic views of the Flåm Valley, which makes it one of the most beautiful train journeys in Europe and the world.
Yes. In winter, the valley is covered in snow, the waterfalls freeze and the trains are much quieter than in the summer season.
Yes. Snow covered mountains are visible near Myrdal for much of the year, and in winter the whole valley turns white.
Construction began in 1923, and the line opened in 1940. It was electrified soon after, and its history is told at the Flåm Railway Museum.
The line has steep gradients of up to 5.5 percent along a significant portion of the route, through steep mountains and deep ravines.
Myrdal train station sits in the mountains at 866 meters above sea level and serves the Bergen Line between Oslo and Bergen.
Yes. Trains can be crowded in summer, especially when cruise ships dock in Flåm, so book early.
The Nutshell package combines the Bergen Line, the Flåm Railway, a fjord cruise on the Norwegian fjords and a bus or train for the return journey.
Tourists come for the spectacular landscape, the Kjosfossen waterfall and the easy connection to fjord cruises.
The Flåmsdalen Valley hike is 17 kilometers long and is one of the best ways to explore nature in the valley.
The hike to Raokjen viewpoint takes about 1.5 hours.
Yes, but bike tickets must be reserved when booking your trip, as space is limited.
Visit the Flåm Railway Museum, take a fjord cruise, rest at local cafés and explore the Flåm Valley on foot or by bike.
Yes. It is a romantic and memorable trip for couples, whether you travel with your wife, husband or partner.
No. The Norwegian place name Myrdal comes from the words for "bog" and "valley" and has nothing to do with Gunnar Myrdal, a Swedish economist and sociologist who shares the name.
Gunnar Myrdal was a Swedish economist and sociologist who received the 1974 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. His theories focus on economic inequality and social policy.
Cumulative causation explains how social and economic factors reinforce one another, illustrating how factors like poverty and education interact.
An American Dilemma is Gunnar Myrdal's landmark study on race relations in the U.S., and his work strongly influenced American social policy.
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