Hei Hei. Norwegian for Hello … pretty easy, right?
Here are our top tips for an incredible two-week sojourn in spectacular Norway!
We highly recommend travelling the ‘off season’, in their winter, White Christmas and Northern Lights time. Pack correctly, and it’ll be fine! Cross off two bucket list items in one spectacular journey!
Travel Tips for Oslo
Transport
The quickest transport arrival into town is the ‘Flytoget’ (approx AUD $33 one way). The standard VY train and bus network also does the job, albeit with a few extra stops, but it's also a bit cheaper. The journey doubles as a great way to check out Oslo’s central station for the popular Oslo to Bergen rail journey you'll want to do while you are here.
Accommodation
Where to stay? Loads of choice in Oslo! Near the station perhaps, or maybe in the heart of town? There are options to suit any budget and time, we’ve got you covered.
Activities
Stay awake as long as possible on arrival! Wander the station shops, (it's huge) or wander out on Main Street.
Christmas means festive stalls, food markets, ice rinks and Ferris Wheels. Sparkly hotel lights and street decorations also adorn, and if lucky, a light sprinkling of snow … such a special thing to see!
Meals
Grab a bite before heading back to your hotel for a long overdue shower, then head off to jet lag land, after setting two alarms for your ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ rail trip the next day.
Norway in a Nutsell - 2 day / 1 night Rail Journey
Norway's most popular journey offers either a 2 day/1 night or 3 day/2 night option.
We feel that if you're limited on time, it’s best to do the shorter option and continue straight to Bergen. Flights to Oslo are usually cheaper than Bergen, which was our main driver in choosing this particular journey and start point.
The scenery en route is spectacular! Snow-laden trees … you know the ones … the Christmas card types that start with normal branches pointing upwards, which, once laden with snow, start drooping to the ground.
It’s the little things that make a journey, don’t you think?
Snow-laden trees, the stunning scenery from your Flam Railway journey through Norway.
Norway in a Nutshell - Transport
Second-class Rail Tickets are completely fine for this journey, comfortable and clean.
In Oslo, check the departure boards or with the friendly staff at the purple booth on level two. All extremely helpful. Pronounce Flam as ‘Flum’, and you can’t go wrong! Don’t you just love an accent? A great cultural bonus when travelling.
Don’t break the journey in Myrdal, there‘s nothing there, just a platform on a mountain. Instead, walk the two seconds across the platform to board the famous Flam, a forest green train with old-world charm in wooden interior and journey down to the bottom of the protected valley.
The ferry ride the next morning is a smooth two-hour electric boat ride through stunning, ever-changing Aurlandsfjord and UNESCO-listed Naeroyfjord, adding another element to your journey.
On arrival in Gudvangen, take the bus to Voss and continue on the train to Bergen, your home for the night, and perhaps to meet up with a friend from the UK, like we did!
Norway in a Nutshell - Meals
The train from Oslo has a cafe cart for the peckish or for that mid-morning coffee. Alternatively, there are plenty of shops at Oslo station to grab some munchies to take with you.
In Flam, make your dinner reservations when you check in, as things can get busy in the small town.
The ferry also has a cafe, so another chance for coffee, red wine even? Or maybe a Baileys to warm the innards.
Norway in a Nutshell - Accommodation
Stay at the more traditional hotel in Flam. We can tell you which one. Large rooms, water views, lodge style and cute little balconies with rustic charm.
Norway in a Nutshell - Activities
In Flam, just relax. Go for a walk or do a spot of shopping for some high-quality, but reasonably priced wares. Maybe stop at the cafe for a late afternoon tipple, or a hot chocolate.
On the ferry, venture outside in the second hour … better views of beautiful villages and winding waterfalls, and it is less windy.
Flam by night
In all, we feel the ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ journey is so much richer than flying … seeing glorious Norwegian landscapes rather than looking at the back of an aircraft seat! Stunning snow-laden countryside, frozen lakes and creeks, waterfalls and tunnelled mountainsides … Just lovely! Pretty cathartic too … a ride with the gentle clickety-clack of tracks making for a wonderful watch and feel.
Next stop, Bergen
Transport
We suggest you don’t pre-book a rail transfer for your arrival into Bergen. Instead, just grab a taxi to your hotel. Much easier than finding the transfer pickup point.
Accommodation
Stay for one or more nights. It’s up to you! We can suggest some fabulous options for this leg of the journey.
Activities
Bergen's streets showcase old Norwegian Architecture. Colours a-plenty, picturesque hillsides and boasting a welcome sight - the fabulous Bergen port, Hurtigruten’s ‘original coastal voyage’ start point.
Bergen, Norway
Cruise check-in opens at 1pm with boarding at 4pm so drop your luggage, go for a walk and maybe some lunch to return later for THE START!
The start of what’s to come. The start of 7 nights aboard a gorgeous voyage of discovery and experience. The start of forgetting about suitcases. The start of meeting like-minded travellers. The start of fresh places to explore … especially the northern night sky.
Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage: Northbound
Transport
A quick safety briefing (land-side) will see you onboard, exploring the ship in no time with access to your cabin from 6pm.
Invest in some shoe spikes in port, if you haven’t already pre-purchased them at home. Prevention is better than cure, right? Especially on slippery ice and snow as you cruise north.
Pack light… There’s a laundry onboard with minimal cost. Take your togs too as also a sauna and spa. You just need to shower first.
Accommodation
Unpack, unpack, unpack and get rid of those cases for the next seven days!
Turn down the cabin heating. Like any enclosed space, cabins can get warm and stuffy, so turn the heating down to the lowest (15 degrees) and turn off the underfloor bathroom heating too. You’ll thank us in the morning.
Whenever we travel, we always do this as we feel heating is not conducive to a good night's sleep. You can always get warmer under the covers if it’s too cold. It is much easier than trying to cool down if feeling too hot.
Meals Onboard
If you aren't keen on your allocated dining time, talk to the Restaurant Manager. They will likely pop you on a waitlist for your preferred time. Being a service ship and local ferry, people are getting on and off all the time so things can change.
Full board is included, with free dining times at breakfast and lunch.
Also, listen out for Hurtigruten’s ‘coastal kitchen experience’, usually on deck seven and the place to go for trying local, in-port cuisine like muscles or dried codfish.
Communications
Be sure to set your cabin phone on notify for any and all ‘in cabin’ Aurora announcements, no matter the time.
Invest in the wifi if not already part of your package. It’s only 35.00 AUD for the duration of your 7-day sail. Reception may be a little weak in parts, but overall, it is worthwhile for sharing your discoveries with loved ones back home.
Activities
Attend the welcome meeting and introductions to your lead crew.
Also, go to the daily briefings and lectures. They offer excellent information, enhancing your experience: where you’ve been, what it means, where you’re headed, what to look for, and of course, some Viking history.
If travelling at Northern Lights time, familiarise yourself with the ‘KP index’.
When Aurora does appear, stay outside with a warm jacket for at least 15mins to let your eyes acclimatise to the dark.
Know and store your camera settings prior, so you are not fumbling around in the dark trying to get it right.
R&R quiet time is also a must throughout your journey, in preparation for any nightly Aurora and/or early morning starts.
Take an afternoon nap, relax in the explorer lounge with a book or some knitting, or try one of the jigsaw puzzles. We made beanie Pom Poms in our downtime. It’s a do-as-you-want, when-you-want type mentality when not in port.
When in Alesund
Look out for the Art Nouveau style architecture. Take a ship tour or simply wander the streets (be prepared for lots of hills).
Walk the port stone pier to visit the cute lighthouse at the end. Read the plaque on the door. It will make you smile! You’ll likely not be able to get in for a sticky beak, but it’s a worthy visit nonetheless and was our highlight!
Alesund, Norway
When in Trondheim
The original capital of Norway, surrounded by the river Nid, it is an easy walk to the sights.
Go light a candle at the cathedral for dear family passed, stunning inside and out. Listen for chiming bells and be sure to wander around the back of the church for some interesting sculptures. The ship will tell you all about it when back on board.
Kiss that special someone on the ‘Red Gateway Bridge’, connecting old town to new. Your love will last forever, they say.
Cross the bridge into ‘The portal of happiness’, as locals call it, a world of well-preserved charming wooden architecture, including a free book swap box and the world's one and only bicycle lift.
Crossing the Arctic Circle
Officially in the region for ‘Polar light’ and white hues of snow dotted amongst boathouses, the Polar Light concept will take a bit of getting used to! It’s often just about taking some incredible pictures of what the sun is doing and the experience overall.
Keep your eyes peeled at 66 degrees Nord, possibly occurring early morning, in darkness. Look out for the ship’s beacon on the ocean marker. Blink and you may miss it!
Get your postcard stamped by ‘Postman Pat’ marking the moment, and attend the Arctic Circle ceremony and baptisms by ‘King Neptune’. A very funny watch. Think ice bucket challenge!
Stunning polar sky views near Finnsnes, Norway Coastal Cruise
When in Bodo
The cultural capital of Europe and an advanced town boasts Tesla cars, ‘Smart’ bins self-compressing trash, ‘Smart’ hotels offering full self-service, and even a pilot for ‘self-driving buses’!? Would you?
Take a ship tour to the Aviation museum or the Saltstrumen current.
Or, spend a few hours ‘leg stretching’ on the hunt for street art before dusky polar light returns around 2:30pm. Crazy!
Norway has a total of 1732 fjords and just 16.1 inhabitants per km. Listen out for the point of interest, Trollfjord, a very narrow fjord. Entering Trollfjord is subject to weather conditions. The ship generally can’t get into the narrow fjord as ice and rocks can fall, making it unsafe.
When in Tromso
Norway’s Arctic Capital/Gateway, a city centre within easy reach from the port, the Northern Light epicentre and the highest amount of bars per capita!
Go visit the smallest and oldest bar, ‘Rocket Bar’, or ‘Tromso train station’, where all the staff dress in rail gear dating back to ages old.
Take a trip on the cable car and view the city lights from above, including your ship. The cost approx 345 NOK (AUD 49.00).
Ship tours will take you further afield, perhaps a visit to a husky farm, the polar history walk, a hike in the dark, or attending a Viking dinner.
Tromso, Norway
When in Honningsvag
Claiming itself as Europe’s northernmost city, it’s a tiny place with a small fishing village and only a five-minute walk into town.
Go on the hunt for Europe’s Smallest Roundabout (we nearly missed it), East of the Moon Gallery, the city church, Cultural Memory Book Swap (a phone box), and definitely ‘Bamse’, the Norwegian Navy dog, a lovely story with links to Scotland.
Ship trips include a popular visit to North Cape (the northernmost point in Europe).
On our last night, we were farewelled with a stunning send-off by Aurora (the second time on our cruise). We were not expecting it as it had been cloudy all day, so it was a very welcome surprise.
Strong dancing lights. Greens and reds. Just beautiful and a lovely send-off. Very very lucky!
Be sure to take a moment to put the camera down, just stop and stare at this incredible marvel dancing across the night sky. Be in the moment! You will never forget it!
The stunning Aurora
The cruise ends in Kirkeness (pronounced Shikeness), just 15km from the Russian border. We recommend you pre-book your airport departure transfer which is approximately 135 NOK (18.00 AUD) for the 20min trip to the airport.
Don’t book flights prior to 11:30 am. Take Scandinavian Airlines to Oslo, they were fantastic.
Look out for the de-icing of the aircraft wings. Really cool to witness.
At Oslo Airport
Accommodation
Raddison is the go. There are a few, but we can tell you which ones are best.
Take the VY rail back into town for your last night, usually platform 4, but check the boards.
Activities
Have a last little wander around. Go visit a restaurant for a great meal and saviour some lasting memories of the European Christmas ‘buzz’ before heading back to the airport for your last night's stay.
Our other recommendation
If you have a longer travel window, we recommend you consider travelling Kirkenes back to Bergen on a round trip cruise (we wish we had) or head over to Finland, Santa Claus territory, full of ice hotels, glass igloos, husky and reindeer farms, making your way down to Helsinki before you fly home - we can show you all that too!
Next step? Get yourself an awesome travel agent, I know one personally … they will steer you in the right direction!
To book a visit to this magnificent part of the world, contact me now.
‘Tusen takk’ (Thank you) for reading.
