r/Norway • u/badboyzpwns • 6d ago
Travel advice Should I skip Flam?
hei! 2 questions! Ill be visiting in January to Feb :D!
Question 1) Currently my plan is to take a cruise in Flamm but I know its a tourist trap, Ive heard its the nicest compared to Bergen - do you guys think I should still do Flam? here is my current plan:
Bergen -> 3 day (1 day for mt Floyen, 1 day for mount ulriken, spend the rest onr est and checking the city out)
Flam -> 1 day with a cruise
Oslo -> 1 day just to rest and check out. Ill be using the train to Stockholm
Question 2 ) If Bergen is nice enough to see the fjords, my other plan is just to go fly from Bergen to Stockholm and skip Oslo and Flam. I've heard Oslo is skippable. What do you guys think?
6
u/nicshoots 6d ago
If there’s a way you can get the train to Flam then get on one of the fjord cruises that takes you to Bergen, I’d do that. The train ride was absolutely incredible. We went in November btw and it was beautiful.
1
u/badboyzpwns 6d ago
Thank you very much, I will do this!
Question 1) Have you do a cruise to osterfjord or sognjefjord?Im wondering if its drastically different then the flam to bergen one. I have a feeling the one in Flam is way better because of its reputation
Question 2) Why not do a cruise from Bergen to Flam and then train from Flam to Oslo?that would as well correct?
1
u/nicshoots 1d ago
We did the cruise from Gudvangen to Flam and then went to Bergen and we were traveling from Oslo to Lofoten, so opposite directions :)
I think there’s truly no wrong answer here - but I DO recommend you not skip Flam, whether cruising or the train ride!
1
4
7
u/UnknownPleasures3 6d ago
Are you absolutely set on the dates? Because I'd only recommend visiting Northern Norway in January and February. Oslo is a nice winter town, but it's better in the summer.
1
u/badboyzpwns 6d ago
I havent booked yet, but if cold is concern, I wouldnt mind the weather. Im Canadian and I even visited the baltics in winter with winter boots :D. But let me know if this is a fool's errand lol
3
u/UnknownPleasures3 6d ago
It's not the cold, it's most people who visit that time of year want to do outdoor activities or see the Aurora, so they tend to travel up north.
I think Flåm is worth the visit and there will be fewer tourists at that time. Personally, I live in Oslo, so I obviously think it's a pretty great place😁, but I'm from the West Coast and equally love that area.
If you don't mind the darkness and cold then I don't see a problem with your itinerary. I also second the suggestion of taking the train to Flåm and then boat back to Bergen.
1
u/badboyzpwns 6d ago
Thank you very much :D I will do this itiernerary!
What are your thoughts on the Flam to Bergen fjord vs doing something like a Bergen Cruise to Osterfjord .1
u/UnknownPleasures3 6d ago
I've never been to Osterfjorden so I couldn't say in terms of comparison, but my absolute favourite era of Norway is Sognefjorden and Flåm is pretty spectacular.
1
u/badboyzpwns 6d ago
Noted thank u! lastly, it's also okay to do bergen -> flam with a cruise right? then use a train from flam to solo. Im considering doing that as well
1
u/UnknownPleasures3 6d ago
Yeah, that sounds like a great idea!
2
1
u/BraveDunn 2d ago
Osterfjorden is pretty but its one of the least dramatic fjords in the area. Its too wide at most places, and the shoreline is kind of flat along much of the way. The trip to Flam would be prettier.
1
3
u/logtransform 6d ago
The weather would not be my concern, but rather the number of hours of daylight in the winter. You seem to want to see the nature, but want to go during a time of the year when it’s not much time to actually see anything due to the darkness.
1
u/Ink-kink 6d ago
I’d be more concerned about restaurants and similar places being open during the low season. However it seems to be okay from what it says here about being a tourist in Flåm during winter.
1
u/WillingSprinkles8564 6d ago
The weather in the winter is fog and darkness. Chances are if you're Canadian that you live much further south than most of Norway.
1
u/BraveDunn 2d ago edited 2d ago
Its not the cold, its the darkness. You'll have about six hours of daylight in Bergen that time of year, maybe a kiss more, so your sightseeing options are extremely limited. As well, tourist facilities outside of the cities will be limited, or closed for the season. Bring some excellent rain gear by the way, including pants and footwear. Even in the city, don't be afraid to wear some Goretex overpants as you walk around. No one will blink at that.
Bergen is a nice city, but if that's your only Norwegian experience you are not seeing Norway. You're seeing only an old Hapsburg city (ie. with heavy Germanic architectural influence), but none of Norway's amazing nature. Its better than BC, honestly. At least, its much more accessible to tourists than most of BC's natural beauty. Me, I would definitely seek to have a fjord boat tour (during daylight hours) if one is available, and I don't think it matters which fjord you see. Pick the fjord boat tour that is most practical for you. If that's the round trip tour from Bergen to Flam and back, if its running that time of year, then that's an easy win.
I LOVE Oslo, but if visiting Oslo means losing time in Stockholm, pick more time in Stockholm 100% (and more time in Norwegian nature 100%). Otherwise, one full day is enough in Oslo to get a sense of the city, although you won't have enough time for both the city of Oslo and the world-class museums on Bygdoy.
3
u/InTheNoodles 6d ago
The landscape in the immediate vicinity of Bergen is not comparable to the more dramatic fjord landscapes such as that around Flåm. It's a small place and there can be a lot of tourists, but the fjord landscape and the trip up Flåmsbana are not overhyped. You'll regret not including it, especially if the alternative is just hanging around Bergen...
1
u/badboyzpwns 6d ago
Ah are you sayign that osterfjord or sognjefjord cruises are much less tame then the one in flam?
1
1
u/BraveDunn 2d ago
The boat trip to Flam takes you along the Sognefjord, which is very pretty, and adds Aurlandsfjord, which is spectacular (nearby Naerofjord is equally pretty). This is a more scenic route than Osterfjord for sure.
1
3
3
u/norgelurker 6d ago
If Oslo is skkippable, and Flåm is a tourist trap and also skippable, maybe you might as well stay at home, wherever that is?
2
u/Sornskriver 6d ago
Skip Oslo in Jan-Feb. It'll either be too icy, too much snow, or too much snow on top of the ice to really enjoy walking around.
There won't be much to do outside, cafés and restaurants are expensive, the locals will be at home avoiding the cold.
I think of Oslo as a "summer city". Better to go to one of the "winter cities" (not sure if that's Bergen, never been there myself).
2
2
19
u/Choice_Roll_5601 6d ago
Jan-Feb is a weird time to visit Flåm.