Yes, I travelled along with my sister on one of the best train journeys in the world. We both lived in different countries, and we planned a sibling reunion. My sister came to Oslo from Amsterdam to visit me, and we made a random plan to take the Flåmsbana journey, one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.
Flåmsbana is the most iconic and scenic railway in Norway. It runs from Flåm to Myrdal and back and offers the stunning scenery of Western Norway. It takes you from high mountains in Myrdal station, through Flåm valley and down to the very bottom of the Aurlandsfjord and Flåm station.
The bus ride to Nesbyen station was beyond beautiful. We passed through lush green forests, towering mountainsides, picturesque lakes.
Nature around kept us entertained while waiting for our train to Myrdal.
Our NSB arrived soon after.
Excited for the next part of our journey, we took our seats on the NSB train.
The landscapes changed dramatically from lush green pastures to the snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes within one hour of the journey.
After one and a half hour, we reached Finse, a small mountain village nestled on the shore of the lake Finsevatnet. The lake was half-frozen and looked like a perfect winter wonderland.
The train stops here for 10 minutes, so we got off the train. We walked towards the lake to behold the charm of the frozen lake.
The train whistled, and we again boarded the train for the rest of the journey.
We reached Myrdal. It is a mountain railway station used for changing trains between the Bergen Line and the local Flåm Line.
Even before we could sink the beauty of Myrdal, the Flåmsbana train arrived.
We grabbed our seat, and the vintage look of the train took us back in time.
The journey began, and the comfort of a vintage train compartment took us through 20 tunnels, dense forests, steep mountainsides, agricultural landscapes, foaming waterfalls and Flåm village.
A mysterious woman with long hair and a red dress emerges from the forest, dancing to a Norwegian folk song around the gushing waterfall.
As per mythology, she is Huldra, a forest spirit.
The train then entered the tunnel, and our journey continued. Amazed by nature, we just gazed outside the window to capture the beauty in our minds forever.
The 20 km train ride left us enchanted, and we wanted this journey to end never. Soon we reached Flåm.
Nestled at the inner end of the Aurlandsfjorden, Flåm is a small village in southwestern Norway. It is famous amongst tourists for its enchanting natural beauty and scenic fjords. Postcard-perfect views, deep blue fjords, lush green meadows, neatly painted red clapboard houses, snow-sprinkled mountains, sparkling waterfalls make it a paradise.
We had booked the 2 hours cruise ride across the fjords. We had some time to kill, so we explored the village.
We visited the Flåm Railway museum and did some souvenir shopping.
Now it was time to experience the fjords of Norway, so we boarded the cruise to Nærøyfjord.
The Nærøyfjord is the wildest and most beautiful branch of Sognefjord. It is the narrowest fjord and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is around 20 km long and only 250 metres across at its narrowest point.
If by now you are not convinced that Norway is one of the most beautiful countries, then the cruise across the Fjords will make you believe in the beauty of the place.
The steep mountainsides, hanging valleys, snow-covered peaks, waterfalls, and small hamlets across this fjord makes it the most outstanding natural attraction in Norway.
I wondered why I came to visit this place so late, even after staying in Norway for so long. Thanks to my sister that I got the chance to witness the enchanting beauty of Norway.
We crossed many waterfalls across the fjords.
Sailing across the narrowest fjord, we reached the hamlet named Gudvangen. It is a village tucked away in the inner Nærøyfjord.
We strolled around this cosy hamlet for a while.
For our return journey, we opted for the shuttle bus. We waited near the bus stop for a while. The shuttle bus arrived soon after, and we boarded the bus.
We reached Flåm within 20 minutes and had an evening snack in a cafe. Our train back to Myrdal was waiting for us, so we sat on the train and enjoyed the return journey.
On our return trip, we had a direct train from Myrdal to Oslo. We slept on the train after the most exhilarating day.
We reached Oslo late at night. The journey was memorable in many ways, and one was travelling with the most comfortable person.
Flam is a must-visit place in Norway. We would recommend staying for a day or two in this paradise. If you are travelling to Norway, then do add this train ride to your bucket list.
Would you like to take this train journey and cruise? Tell us in the comments section.
Love, Laugh, Live and Travel!
Follow our journey on Instagram at @trawheeling.
Earn credits and travel for free with Tripoto's weekend getaways, hotel stays and vacation packages!
Watch travel stories come to life with Tripoto on Youtube!