Norway in a Nutshell is one of the most popular ways to see Norway’s fjords, and you don’t need to book the official package to do it.
When we were planning our first trip to Norway, Tim did the legwork on how to see the fjords without the packaged tour eating into our budget. Norway isn’t a cheap country to visit, and the official Norway in a Nutshell tour adds a real markup on top of the train, boat, and bus tickets you need regardless. What he found is that the “tour” is really just a bundle of public transportation tickets: the fjord cruise, the Flåm Railway, connecting trains, and a bus, all of which can be booked directly and separately for less.
Booking it yourself also means you’re not locked into someone else’s schedule. You can choose your own departure times, add extra nights in Flåm or Gudvangen, or skip pieces you’re not interested in.
This guide walks through exactly how to piece together your own Norway in a Nutshell tour, including what to book, where to book it, and how it all fits together.
What is Norway in a Nutshell?
Norway in a Nutshell is a packaged tour that combines a scenic ferry ride on two connected fjords (Naeroyfjord & Aurlandsfjord) and a spectacular railway journey in the mountains.
Visitors can start and end the tour in several of Norway’s most popular cities with all transportation included. For the traveler with only a limited amount of time in Norway, this tour can be very appealing.
The Naeroyfjord is one of the narrowest and most scenic fjords in Norway. With towering mountains, quaint coastal towns, and waterfalls, Naeroyfjord is definitely worth visiting. The Flåm Railway, also called Flåmsbana, has been described as the most beautiful train journey in the world (by Lonely Planet in 2014). It is a 20 km trip that connects Flåm and Myrdal and is one of the steepest routes in the world.
Norway in a Nutshell is a packaged tour that is operated by Fjord Tours. The tour can start in Oslo, Bergen, Voss or Flåm and end either where you started or at one of its other destinations. For example, in just one day, you can take a train from Bergen to Voss, cruise on Naeroyfjord & Aurlandsfjord, take the Flåm Railway to Myrdal, and then take a train onward to Oslo. It’s a big day, and it also has a high price (prices start around NOK 2700), but it includes your transportation across a large part of Norway.
To read more about Norway in a Nutshell, visit the Fjord Tours website.
How to Do Norway in a Nutshell on Your Own
You can piece together your own Norway in a Nutshell tour. Tickets can be purchased separately for the fjord cruise and the Flåm Railway. You provide your own transportation (so you will need a rental car), doing the scenic drives on your own. If you do not have a rental car, you should book the official Norway in a Nutshell tour.
Norway in a Nutshell on your own (with optional places to visit).
The following assumes you are arriving from Bergen or locations south of Gudvangen/Flåm (follow in reverse order if arriving from locations north or east of Gudvangen/Flåm).
Stop #1: The Stalheim Hotel
Note: The Stalheimskleiva is one of the steepest roads in Europe, with hairpin turns and dramatic waterfall views. It was historically a one-way road running from the Stalheim Hotel down toward Gudvangen, but it’s been permanently closed to all vehicle traffic since 2021 due to heavy tourist traffic. You’ll need to drive the E16 tunnel route in both directions to reach the hotel now. The upside: since October 2023 the old road has reopened as a pedestrian and cycling path, so if you have the time, you can still walk or bike the hairpins, just not drive them.
As you drive towards Gudvangen on E16 you first want to stop at the Stalheim Hotel. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the spectacular view of Naeroydalen valley from its rear patio. Just walk straight through the lobby to the rear of the hotel and be ready to be amazed!
Stop #2: Gudvangen
From the hotel, take E16 to Flåm. You’ll go right past Gudvangen, and if you are doing well on time, it could be worth the quick stop for a look around and photos. You will be here again later in the day (after the fjord cruise) but time could be limited, as you’ll be boarding the bus back to Flåm.
From Gudvangen, it is a 20 km drive that takes approximately 20 minutes.
Gudvangen
Stop#3: Flåm
Flåm, is where you will start the fjord cruise and take the Flåm Railway.
In Flåm, there is ample parking, a large gift shop, and food options available.
Stop #4: Cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen
The cruise will take you from Flåm to Gudvangen, sailing down Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord. This cruise takes about 2 hours, one-way.
This is a view of Naeroyfjord.
Stop #5: Bus from Gudvangen to Flåm
Once in Gudvangen, you will board a bus to return to Flåm (make sure you purchase a roundtrip ticket so the cruise & bus are included). This takes about 2.5 hours for the entire round trip journey (cruise plus bus to Flåm).
For timetables, updated pricing, and ticket reservations for the round trip fjord cruise and return bus journey, visit the Norway’s Best website. It is highly advisable to purchase these tickets in advance.
Stop #6: Flåm Railway
Once you arrive back to Flåm, take a round trip journey on the Flåm Railway: the round trip Flåmsbana journey to Myrdal and back to Flåm. This takes 2 hours for the entire round trip journey.
For timetables and ticket reservations, visit the Flåmsbana website. Purchase these tickets in advance.
You’ve just completed your Do It Yourself, Norway in a Nutshell tour, covering all of the same elements provided by the packaged tour.
Tips for Booking Your Tickets
Book your cruise and railway tickets in advance, they do sell out!
If your desired time slots are sold out then:
- Consider doing the Flåm Railway before the cruise.
- Consider starting the cruise from Gudvangen. With a roundtrip ticket you will cruise from Gudvangen to Flåm and then a bus will take you from Flåm to Gudvangen. You can then drive yourself back to Flåm for the Flåm Railway.
Bonus! Make Your Day Even Better with these Optional Excursions
From Flåm, drive up to the Stegastein viewpoint, a scenic lookout over Aurlandsfjord. It offers a spectacular view.
If you are travelling north towards Laerdalsoyri then you have two options; you can take either the Snow Road or the Laerdal Tunnel.
Snow Road: From the Stegastein viewpoint you can continue on Bjorgavegen (Fv243), a national tourist road known as the Snow Road. This ride was gorgeous, even in our less than ideal rainy, overcast weather. This road is typically closed from mid-October through early June due to snowfall.
Laerdal Tunnel: From the Stegastein viewpoint you can back track down to the Aurlandsfjord and take the highway E16. This will take you through the longest car tunnel in the world, a 24.5 km (15.2 mi) long tunnel.
Can’t decide between the Snow Road and Laerdal Tunnel? There is a way you can do both. Instead of booking the cruise on both the Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, you can book a car ferry from Gudvangen to Kaupanger. From Kaupanger, you have to take another car ferry (which is quick), drive towards Laerdalsoyri, and then take the Snow Road to the Stegastein viewpoint. Proceed down to Flåm for the Flåm Railway. Then as you head back north towards Laerdalsoyri take the Laerdal Tunnel. This is what we did when we were in Norway.
This alternative itinerary means you will not cruise on the Aurlandsfjord, but you will still cruise on the Naeroyfjord (the more famous of the two fjords), and you will still overlook the Aurlandsfjord from the Stegastein viewpoint. But note that this alternative option adds a lot more time to your day and any delays (two car ferries and lots of driving) could cause you to miss your Flåm Railway reservation time.
Summary: Norway in a Nutshell on Your Own
Enjoy the view of Naeroydalen valley from the rear patio of the Stalheim Hotel.
Cruise Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord.
Take the round trip Flåmsbana to Myrdal and back to Flåm, one of the steepest and most beautiful railways in the world.
Drive to the Stegastein viewpoint for a spectacular view over Aurlandsfjord.
Drive onward towards Laerdalsoyri via the scenic Bjorgavegen (Snow Road) or via the Laerdal Tunnel (the longest car tunnel in the world).
Useful Links:
Norway’s Best website (for booking the cruise on Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord).
Flåmsbana website (for timetables and tickets for the Flåmsbana train).
Fjord Tours website (for tour options, prices, and tickets).
Plan Your Trip to Norway
- Figuring out where Norway in a Nutshell fits into a longer trip → Our 10-Day Norway Itinerary through the fjord region covers the fjord region’s other highlights, including hikes like Trolltunga, Kjeragbolten, and Pulpit Rock.
- Adding a hike while you’re already in the area → Our Trolltunga Hike guide covers the trail, parking, and cost for one of Norway’s most iconic hikes — an easy extension if you’re already road-tripping through the fjords.
- Starting your Norway planning from scratch → Our Norway Travel Guide covers everything from the best time to visit to how to get around the country.
- Explore Norway beyond the fjords → Our Best Things to Do in Norway rounds up the top experiences from the fjords to the far north.
If you have any questions about piecing together the Norway in a Nutshell sights, let us know in the comment section below.
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