A Little Adventure… Enjoying Norway’s Most Scenic Train Ride in the Family Car

Last updated on March 9, 2024 by Shannon

When I bought my two-month Eurail pass on a whim (and during a great sale), I had no firm plans for this trip with my toddler son. But I quickly decided it was financially advantageous—and fun—if I tried to hit as many of the most scenic train routes in Europe as possible.

That’s how I found the Bergen to Oslo train journey—it promised passage through some of Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes on a route famed for stunning vistas and serene beauty.

Another bonus? It’s virtually the only of Europe’s famed train journeys featuring a family car and play room to occupy little kids during its roughly seven-hour run time. If you’ve ever traveled with tiny humans, seven hours isn’t a relaxing prospect if you’re shoved into small seats trying to keep them happy and quiet, so as not to disturb the rest of the travelers.

You can understand then why I was thrilled when we set out from Bergen, leaving behind its picturesque mountains and fjords. I’m a single mom, and I had meticulously planned our 10 days in Norway to include this as more than a transport day—which I usually write off—this train itself is purported to be a gateway to a world where nature unfolds in its most pristine form. I was going to have the chance to immerse in the natural beauty that defines Norway, and to discover whether this train ride lived up to its reputation.

Why the Bergen to Oslo Train Ride?

Taking the Bergen to Oslo train journey, known as the Bergensbanen, isn’t merely about transitioning from one city to another—if you just wanted to get to the other city, you could fly. Instead, it offers the chance to witness a living museum of natural beauty and human perseverance while riding the highest mainline railway in Northern Europe.

Stretching 308 miles, the Oslo to Bergen rail journey unwinds across some of Europe’s most challenging landscapes—and also some its most stunning. Every time we emerged from a tunnel we entered scenes that seem conjured from a painter’s wildest dreams.

Constructed between 1875 and 1909, the Bergensbanen is a fascinating testament to human ambition and engineering prowess. Imagine the Herculean effort required to carve over 180 tunnels through unforgiving gneiss rock, to stand strong against relentless winter storms, and to secure funding for a project that many deemed impossible.

As the train ascends from Bergen, the scenery unfolded and changed like a kaleidoscope, transitioning from the deep turquoise of Alpine lakes to the stark, windswept beauty of shrubbery above the treeline (when you reach 1200 meters above sea level in Finse), before descending into Oslo’s verdant valleys.

Train Amenities and Tips

If you’re booking journey on the train, here’s what you need to know going in either direction between Oslo and Bergen.

Seats

The standard seats are well-maintained and comfortable, offering a pleasant travel experience. The time flies by given the views.

That said, first class plus seats are nicer—the seats are comfier and more spacious, making the upgrade worthwhile for those with the budget to splurge. Either way though, there’s really only the barest of recline in either class.

All of the seats have fold-down tray tables, or you can book a four-seater if you’re in a group and have a large table between you.

Power Plugs and Wifi

Each seat is equipped with power plugs, so it was easy keep my devices charged throughout the journey. Wifi connectivity is available but spotty given the number of long tunnels you’ll pass through. Don’t count on a video call working, but it’s good enough to text with friends or send emails.

Cafe Car

The cafe car offers large bay windows and comfortable seating. While the tea and coffee are decent, the food options are typical of train fare—think pre-packaged microwaveable items like hot dogs, pizza, and meatballs, and snacks like muffins and chips. If you buy a sandwich and snacks in Bergen or Oslo first, you’ll be thankful for your foresight.

The only advantage to plus first class seats, besides being slightly nicer, is free tea and coffee, which you can easily purchase in the cafe car.

Luggage Storage

Ample luggage storage is available on the train, with designated areas for larger bags and overhead racks for smaller items. Store your belongings securely to avoid any inconvenience during your journey for you or other passengers.

The Bergen Railway Family Car, Explained

Traveling with children, especially as a single parent, makes ever journey both an adventure and a challenge. I loved the family car on the Olso to Bergen train and it’s one of the main reasons I was able to enjoy the train’s scenic vistas so much.

During my trip in early June, the family car was half-full and welcoming, and the soft play area was both fun and safe. Another single mom and her daughter, and a small toddler and his mom were the only others using the play room during that seven-hour journey, so it was relaxed and low-stress.

The Soft Play Area

The kids area of the family car is a good sized with cute nooks that my toddler just loved. There is a ladder and crawl tunnel, which helped get out his energy, and soft, padded cushions covered everything. My son used the small cushioned squares to assemble towers, to practice jumping, and generally keep busy rearranging things.

Besides a couple of random, non-English books on the shelf, the room was otherwise empty. Just a space, no toys. And the room’s TV was not working in summer 2023, but the other moms and I had brought plenty of books and toys. Usually, the TV plays cartoons with the sound off, but our under-twos never noticed it was missing.

The windows in this room are not as clean/clear as in the other areas, which was a tad disappointing since my son was too small to be in the room alone. I had to poke out of the room to snap photos from the huge bay window across from the playroom.

The Family Car’s Amenities

The family car’s thoughtful design includes a large bathroom with a changing table, and huge spaces for stroller parking—these are free but must be booked separately.

The seats in this train car are incredibly spacious, and some parents were able to park small travel strollers in the seat row while their toddler napped.

You’ll also get spotty but serviceable Wi-Fi, power plugs under each seat, hooks, overhead storage, and space to stow jackets and coats.

And there are huge cubbies for luggage storage at the front and back of the family car.

Tips for Family Travelers

Book your seats and pram space.

If traveling with a pram, secure a “space reservation” so you can park and secure the pram in the huge space available. This is ideal for those traveling with little babies who sleep in larger prams. On our half-empty train, I had no problem using one of the front-row seats to park my son while he napped and watch the landscape unfold around me.

Pack fun activities.

I brought an array of activities—sticker books, paint with water, and many books. The other little girl had some small wooden stacking blocks and the little boy’s mom supplied toy cars. Together, they were thoroughly entertained throughout the trip.

Bring your own food and drink.

I bought snacks and sandwiches in Bergen and we enjoyed a feast on the move. As vegetarians, this was a must, but also just cheaper and tastier. Things like grapes, croissants, bananas, raisins, a small jug of milk, and a huge bottle of water made the journey feel normal for my son, and kept us both fed on things other than plastic-wrapped junk food.

Is the Oslo to Bergen train worth it?

The Oslo to Bergen train is consistently rated as one of Europe’s most scenic train journies for good reason. Although it’s a long day on the train, it’s worth spending that time to soak in the natural beauty of Norway. So yes, whether you’re solo, traveling with kids, or a couple vacationing, it’s worth seeing this region of Norway from the train window.

Ticketing and Planning Your Journey

Many travelers take this as part of Norway in a Nutshell or similar tours, but if you’re independently traveling in Norway, it’s dead simple to take this train in either direction, from Oslo to Bergen or Bergen to Oslo. I found cheap flights into Bergen from Zurich, and then home to Barcelona (my homebase) from Oslo, so I planned our entire route through Norway around that start and end point.

Many travelers journeying from Oslo also choose this route because you can get off the train in Myrdal and take the famed Flam Railway. I would have absolutely done this if my son had been older.

Booking Tickets

You have two options. Most travelers will use online booking, but if you’re using a Eurail or Interrail pass like we did, you have to call and make these reservations ahead. Unlike some of the scenic trains in Europe, I did not have to pay for my seats on the Bergen to Oslo train, I just had to secure the seat reservation by phone, and activate the trip in my app.

Online Booking

Book tickets through the official website of the Norwegian State Railways (Vy). The platform is user friendly and allows you to select the family car option. Don’t use passthrough booking sites—some are outright ripoffs, others just charge a steep premium. Through Vy you’ll have access to the cheapest prices, including if there are any discounted minipris tickets available on your date and time (these can be a lot cheaper!).

Always book your tickets in advance—at least 30 days, but they open 90 days ahead—especially if you’re aiming for the family car during the high summer travel season, as these spots can fill up quickly.

On which side should you sit?

The difference is marginal really, since you can get up and look out of windows on either side, but the going advice is that from Oslo to Bergen you sit on the left—but views are better on the right for the first and last hour.

Which Train Should You Take?

The train takes roughly between 6.5 hours to 7.5 hours (slightly varied depending on which direction you take), so most travelers should book tickets on the morning train—you’ll have the best views during full daylight, and it gets dark early in the winter. This is true for any traveler, but especially families with children, since you’ll get into your destination in time to check into your hotel, get dinner, and still get the kids to bed at a decent time.

There is a sleeper train overnight, but reviews are mixed about the amenities, and you’ll miss all the views—only do this if you’re keen to just get between the two cities.

Other Ways to Get Between Oslo and Bergen

If you’re in it for the journey, take the train—it leaves and arrives in the city centers and is gorgeous. But if you want more flexibility, or to maximize your time, you have three other options:

Flying

Pros: The flight is quick, taking just 55 minutes, and with over 20 flights daily, it offers flexibility.

Cons: It lacks the scenic views of the train journey, is less environmentally friendly, and will still take hours once you factor in getting to and from the airport, and through airport security.

Driving

Pros: Driving offers complete flexibility to explore attractions like Flåm and Vøringsfossen waterfall. You can take scenic routes like Hardangervidda and make stops at places like Folgefonna glacier or Voss.

Cons: It’s time-consuming (7-8 hours) and requires dealing with potentially challenging driving conditions.

Bus

Pros: You’ll have some pretty views of Norway’s mountains and scenic landscapes without the need to drive.

Cons: At around 9.5 hours, it’s longer than the train, lacks the comfort of train amenities, and will miss some of the most breathtaking places the train goes but where there are no roads.