Norway is a sparsely populated country with more than 4,100 km of railway tracks. Railway network is well developed but some of the stretches are old and have out-of-date signalling systems. Norway is famous for scenic routes. The Kirkenes–Bjørnevatn Line is second the northernmost railway in the world and Narvik is one of the northernmost towns in the world with scheduled passenger service.
Last updated: 11.05.2024
The first railway in Norway between Oslo and Eidsvoll was opened in 1854. The line was primarily used to move lumber from Mjøsa to Oslo, but passenger trains also ran.
In the period between the 1860s and the 1880s a numerous railway lines were constructed – mainly minor railways and small isolated railways in Central and Western Norway.
In 1875 urban railway started in Oslo. Initially it was a horse-drawn railway, electric cars were introduced in 1894. Urban railways were constructed also in Bergen (1897) and Trondheim (1901)
In 1883 the entire main railway network was taken over by Norwegian State Railways (NSB). Minor railways were operated by private companies.
On 27 November 1909 railway line from Oslo to Bergen was opened.
In August 2023 some of the railway lines were severed by floodwater.
Train travel in Norway – domestic trains
There are suburban, regional and long-distance trains in Norway. Trains connect Norway’s major cities and many routes are famous for stunning landscapes of mountains, lakes, rivers and countryside. Most important railway junction is Oslo Central Station – almost all long-distance trains start and end in Norway’s capital. There are several train operators in Norway – VY, SJ Nord, Flytoget and Go Ahead Nordic. Tickets are expensive, but you cand find low-fare tickets if you book your journey in advance, but most of the cheapest tickets are non-refundable. Interrail and Eurail tickets allows you to save a lot of money.
There also urban and suburban services in Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen.
Passenger operators – timetable, prices, online shops
vy.no – formerly known as NSB. It operates on suburban, regional and long-distance routes. If you buy tickets in advance VY offers “mini pris” fares, significantly cheaper that based-price tickets.
Go-Ahead Nordic – a railway operator officially founded in December 2019. It operates long-distance trains from Oslo to Stavanger, regional trains from Stavanger to Egersund and from Nelaug to Arendal. Go Ahead offers Lavpris promo tickets.
SJ Norge – a subsidiary of SJ Swedish Railways. It operates trains from Trondheim to Oslo and Bodø , regional trains in Nordland and Trøndelag regions, the Dovre line, the Rauma line, and the Røros line but also international trains.
Flytoget – the company operates passenger trains from Oslo city center to Gardermoen International Airport. Some trains are extended to Drammen. Trains from the airport to the center run 24 hours a day, almost every 10 minutes throughout the day, and every 20 minutes at night. The fastest trains cover the route in 19 minutes. Railway line to the airport was opened on 22 August 1999. Rolling stock fleet was inherited from NSB.
There are also narrow-gauge railways in Norway.
Night trains in Norway
There are overnight trains between largest Norwegian cities. Trains are comprised of seating carriages, sleeping cars and cafeteria carriage. Sleeping cars have 2-bed cabins – the carriages are bit old but are very comfortable. Each compartment features two beds with good quality mattresses (75 x 200 cm), duvets and pillows, earplugs, a sink, mirror, fresh towels, soap and bottled water. Pets are not permitted in the sleeping car compartments.
Passengers who travel in sleeping cars can buy a breakfast upon arrival in Oslo or Bergen in partner hotels with discount.
Surcharge for sleeping compartment is expensive, but cheaper than accomodation in low-class hotel.
Night trains in Norway run on the following routes:
Oslo – Stavanger (Go Ahead Nordic)
Oslo – Bergen (VY)
Trondheim – Bodø (SJ Norge)
Oslo – Trondheim (SJ Norge)
SJ Norge offers also Premium Pluss class carriages with reclining seats. The reclining seats can be reclined 45 degrees back and free blanket is provided. Passengers have free access to warm drink vending machine, water and snacks are available during the whole journey.
Flamsbana
One of the most popular tourist attraction in Norway is Flamsbana – railway line from Myrdal to Flam. Length of the route is only 20 km but it’s the one of the steepest railways in the world. Construction of the line started in 1920 line and the line was finished in 1940. Four years later it was electrified. In 1990s the line was nearly closed. Now it’s an almost exclusively tourist service famous among tourists and railway enthusiasts from all over the world. Trains are operated by Vy on behalf of Flåm Utvikling.
The elevation difference betwen start and end station is 866 meters. The railway line has eleven stations twenty tunnels and one bridge. The maximum gradient is 5.5 percent.
Fares are considerably higher than on other train routes but amazing views are worth the money. Round trip lasts about two hours.
In the off-season, there are 4 trains a day in each direaction, and in the summer season, 9-10 trains a day in each direction.
Myrdal station is located on Oslo – Bergen route.
Train travel in Norway – international trains
Norway has a railway connections with Sweden. Offer for passengers has improved in recent years. There are long-distance trains from Oslo to Gothenburg and from Oslo to Stockholm, overnight train from Stockholm to Narvik and regional trains from Trondheim to Storlien.
Timetable, tickets and prices:
vy.no – tickets for trains Oslo – Gothenburg and Trondheim – Storlien
sj.se – tickets for trains Oslo – Stockholm and Stockholm – Narfik
Train travel in Norway – main railway stations
Train stations in Norway are generally clean and well-maintained. Most beautiful station buildings are in Bergen, Levanger and Hamar. Usually important train stations are located in the city center and are well connected with interurban and long-distance buses as well as local public transport. Toilets and luggage lockers are often paid only by card – cash is not accepted.
Bergen – one of the most beautiful railway stations in Norway. It is located on the east side of the city centre. The station building, designed by Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland in the National Romantic style, was opened in 1913 along with Bergen Line. The station is connected by bus terminal by footbridge. The light rail stop “Nonneseter” is situaded right outside the station. Light rail called “Bybanen” connects Bergen train station with Bergen Airport, Flesland.
Bodø – the station located in the center of the town of Bodø. The station building opened in 1962 houses waiting room, ticket office, ticket vending machines, luggage lockers and hostel. Ferry terminal is located 150 meters from the station. The station is the terminus of the Nordland Line.
Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) – the main railway station in Oslo and the largest railway station in the country. The station has two buildings – the original Oslo East historic building and the newer main building for Oslo Central Station and was officially opened opened by King Olav V on 30 May 1980. It has connection to all five subway lines can be done through Jernbanetorget subway station. Trams and city buses stop outside the station at Jernbanetorget.
Stavanger – terminus of the Sørlandet Line. The station was opened in 1878 when the railway line from Stavanger to Egersund was completed. The station complex consits also water tower and warehouse. It is owned by Bane NOR. Trains to Stavanger are currently operated by Go Ahead. The last section of the railway line between Stavanger and Oslo was inaugurated in 1944. There is a bus terminal at the station, and boat and ferry port nearby.
Trondheim (Trondheim S) – the railway station opened in 1882. It is situated in the city centre. It serves four railway lines: railway lines: Dovrebanen, Rørosbanen, Meråkerbanen and Nordlandsbanen. Bus terminal is at the station.Ferry terminal Pirterminalen is located 500 – 600 meters from the station. There are trains from Trondheim to the airport.
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