# Oslo to Bergen Train — Schedules, Times & Routes The train from Oslo to Bergen covers 496 km (308 mi) on the Bergensbanen — also known as the Bergen Railway — Norway's high-mountain rail line. Journey time runs 6h30–7h30 depending on service. At Finse, the line reaches 1,222 metres — the highest point on any mainline railway in Northern Europe — before descending back to sea level at Bergen. This corridor works the same in reverse: the Bergen to Oslo train follows the identical route, simply timed the other direction. Direct departures run between Oslo Central Station and Bergen Station, and this Norwegian train is regularly ranked among the most scenic train journeys in Europe, crossing some of the most beautiful landscapes reachable by rail on the continent. ## Quick Facts - Distance: 496 km - Shortest travel time: 6h30m - Daily departures: 5 - Highest point (Finse): 1,222 m - Tunnels: 182 ## The Oslo to Bergen Train Route The Bergensbanen runs west from Oslo through Drammen and Hønefoss, climbs steadily across Hallingdal to the Hardangervidda plateau, crests at Finse, then drops sharply past Myrdal and Voss down to sea level at Bergen. Elevation profile (approximate): Oslo S ~5 m → Drammen ~5 m → Hønefoss ~95 m → Geilo ~795 m → Finse 1,222 m (peak) → Myrdal ~867 m → Voss ~56 m → Arna ~7 m → Bergen ~4 m. The route includes 182 tunnels, the longest being the 10.3 km Finse Tunnel. ### About the Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen) Norwegians call it the Bergensbanen — the Bergen Railway — one of the country's oldest and most celebrated mountain lines, opened in 1909 to connect Oslo and Bergen by rail for the first time, crossing some of the most rugged terrain in western Norway. ### Finse: The Highest Point on the Line At 1,222 metres, Finse sits on the Hardangervidda — Northern Europe's largest mountain plateau, protected as Hardangervidda National Park — where snow lingers most of the year and the Hardangerjøkulen glacier is visible from the platform. Weather on the plateau can change rapidly regardless of the season, which is part of why the station is served only by rail. ## Oslo to Bergen Train Options Compared | Service | Travel time | Departures/day | What you get | |---|---|---|---| | Day train | ~6h30–7h | 4–6 | Full daylight over the Hardangervidda plateau, café car, best views on the left side from Oslo | | Night train (sleeper) | ~7h–7h30 | 1 | Private and shared sleeper cabins, arrive rested — but you sleep through the scenery | ## Compare Train Classes Every class rides the same train — the difference is comfort and price, not the departure. | | Standard | Comfort (Most Popular) | Family | Sleeper (Night Train) | |---|---|---|---|---| | Price | Base fare | +100–200 NOK vs Standard | Same as Standard fare | Berth supplement applies | | Seat type | Standard seat | Wide, ergonomic seat + table + power outlet | Standard seat, dedicated family car | Private or shared sleeping berth | | Table & power | No | Yes (multi-function table) | Yes | Yes (at each bed) | | Café access | Yes | Yes + complimentary hot drinks | Yes | On-board only — no café car on night service | | Extra perks | — | Complimentary coffee, tea & daily newspaper | Playroom, children's books & films, fold-down changing table | Quality mattress, quilt & pillow; WLAB2 compartments for 2 adults + 2 children under 16, 75 cm berths | | Best for | Solo budget travelers | Business travelers, longer trips | Families with young kids | Overnight travel, waking up in Bergen | Seat classes may vary by specific departure; sleeper cars run on night services only. ## Oslo to Bergen Train Stations **From Oslo:** Oslo S (~5 m) — Oslo Central Station, the city's central terminus. Drammen (~5 m) — still valley-level. Hønefoss (~95 m) — first real elevation gain. Geilo (~795 m) — line breaks onto the high plateau. **Toward Bergen:** Finse (1,222 m) — highest and most remote staffed station in Norway, reachable only by train, Hardangerjøkulen glacier visible from the platform. Myrdal (~867 m) — transfer point for the Flåm Railway. Voss (~56 m) — sea level again. Arna (~7 m) — last stop before Bergen. Bergen (~4 m) — harbourside terminus near the Bryggen wharf and fish market. ## Top Things to Do in Oslo & Bergen Before you board or after you arrive, both ends of the Bergensbanen are worth a day or two on their own: **Oslo** - **The Opera House** — Walk straight up its sloped marble roof to the top for a harbor view; inside, catch an opera or ballet performance. - **Munch Museum** — Thirteen floors dedicated to Edvard Munch, including versions of The Scream, overlooking the Oslo fjord. - **Oslo Fjord Islands** — A short public ferry from the harbor front reaches several small islands with beaches and walking paths, popular in summer. **Bergen** - **Fløibanen Funicular** — A steep ride up Mount Fløyen for a full view over the city and its seven surrounding mountains; hiking trails at the top. - **Fish Market (Fisketorget)** — A working market on the harbor for fresh seafood, samples, and local produce. - **Hanseatic Museum** — Inside one of Bryggen's original merchant houses, showing how German traders lived and worked in the 1700s. Many travelers pair Bergen with the Flåm Railway or a fjord cruise before heading back east on the Bergensbanen — worth building an extra day into your itinerary either direction. ## The Oslo to Bergen Train Journey **Which side to sit on:** left-hand side traveling from Oslo, right-hand side traveling from Bergen, for the best scenic views over Hardangervidda and Hardangerjøkulen glacier near Finse. **On board:** every departure has a café car (bistro/restaurant car) serving hot drinks, pastries, sandwiches and warm meals, plus power sockets at most seats. Seat reservations are mandatory on long-distance departures. Wifi gets patchy inside the route's 182 tunnels. Reserve luggage space in the designated storage car for skis or large bags, or bring your own food. **Through the Hallingdal Valley:** between Hønefoss and Geilo, the line climbs gradually past lake country and forested hills before the trees thin out onto Hardangervidda. **The Flåm Railway, Fjord Cruise & Norway in a Nutshell Tour:** at Myrdal, a branch-line train descends 863 metres to Flåm village on the Aurlandsfjord — the classic add-on many travelers combine with fjord tours and cruises through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord as the "Norway in a Nutshell" route. Works as a long day trip from Myrdal, or with overnight stays in Flåm or Bergen. **Six distinct landscape types:** Oslo's agricultural valley → Numedal lake country → Hallingdal treeline → Hardangervidda high plateau → the steep descent past Myrdal → Bergen's coastal approach past fjord villages into western Norway. ## Oslo to Bergen Train Fares & Booking Basics Vy prices this route with advance-purchase "Minipris" tiers and full-flex fares. Minipris fares are cheapest, non-changeable, and sell out quickly on popular dates; flex fares cost more but allow changes. One-way fares start from around $110, varying by date. Vy's Comfort class is the closest equivalent to first class on this route, with wider seats and additional space for luggage. Tickets can be bought online, through the Vy app, at the station, or via the search widget, one-way or round trip. Travelers riding multiple long-distance trains around Norway may want to price out a rail pass such as Eurail or Interrail; otherwise single tickets are simpler for this route alone. ## Flight, Bus or Car Instead of the Oslo to Bergen Train - Flight: ~55 minutes in the air, 2–3 hours total with transfers - Bus: ~9–10 hours, usually cheapest - Car: ~7–8 hours via the E16 and Rv7 ## FAQ **How long is the train from Oslo to Bergen?** The day train takes roughly 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours. The night train runs around 7 hours to 7 hours 30 minutes. **Is the train scenic?** Yes — it climbs from sea level to 1,222 metres at Finse, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau in daylight on the day service. **Which side should I sit on?** Left-hand side from Oslo, right-hand side from Bergen. **Is there a night train?** Yes, one nightly sleeper each direction. **Can I stop at Myrdal for the Flåm Railway?** Yes, as a same-day detour or overnight stop. **What amenities are on board?** A café car (bistro/restaurant car) with hot drinks, pastries, sandwiches and warm meals, plus power sockets. Seat reservations are mandatory; reserve luggage space in the designated storage car if needed. Comfort class (closest to first class) adds wider seats and additional space for luggage. **Can I combine the train with a fjord cruise?** Yes — many travelers pair it with the Flåm Railway and a fjord cruise through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord as the "Norway in a Nutshell" route, with a day trip or overnight stays in Flåm or Bergen. --- Book tickets: https://highspeedtrains.com