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Hurtigruten under the sunlight

Classic Norway - Winter

(10 days / 9 nights)

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See Norway's Winter Wonder by Train & Cruise

This 10-day trip, which begins and ends in Oslo, takes you on a scenic Hurtigruten coastal cruise from Trondheim, revealing majestic landscapes among the vast fjords. You will also experience the popular Norway in a Nutshell® train journey over towering mountains to Oslo. Enjoy an exciting ride on the scenic Flåm Railway, catch fantastic fjord views and explore historic cities like Bergen, Trondheim and Oslo, which are especially lovely in winter. The pace of the tour allows you to time to join optional activities and enjoy Norwegian culture in its charming cities.

Looking for the summer version of this tour?

10 days / 9 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2623 EUR

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Tailored tour options
  • Value for your money
  • Specialists in cruise & train tours
  • Great customer reviews 

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— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Sail on a scenic Hurtigruten Coastal Cruise
  • Board the Norway in a Nutshell® tour for breathtaking landscapes
  • Explore the medieval city of Trondheim
  • Experience the legendary, steep Flåm railway
  • Stroll through Norway’s grand capital, Oslo and visit charming Bergen
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen 
  • Sail through dramatic fjords like Aurlandsfjord and Næroyfjord,
  • Enjoy the flexibility of a self-guided tour and embark on exciting optional activities

Travel style

Independent Cruise i

Interest

Classic i, Culture and History i, Fjords i

Season

Oct - Apr

Departure

Daily

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

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  • Day 1: Welcome to Oslo

    When you arrive at Oslo‘s Gardermoen Airport, make your way into Oslo‘s city centre. Many travellers opt to take the express train to Oslo Central Station, but we can arrange a private transfer for you (at additional cost). For those arriving early, we recommend exploring Oslo by foot, spending the afternoon at sights including the Munch Museum, Akershus fortress, Oslo Opera House, and the Aker Brygge area.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 2: Explore the Highlights of Oslo

    This morning, get an early start to explore the bustling Norwegian capital. We recommend booking a guided bus tour that will show you the famous landmarks of the city. Highlights include the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Royal Palace, Akershus fortress, and Oslo City Hall. Another option is to tour Oslo on your own visiting some of the above attractions, or others like the Fram Polar Ship Museum and Karl Johans street.

    Spend another night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 3: Railway Journey to Trondheim

    This morning you will head out early to Oslo Central Station to board the half-day (6.5-hour) journey aboard the Dovrebanen train. The train route passes over the Dovre mountain plateau through historic towns and nature preserves and includes great variations in terrain and altitude. The journey concludes with a steep, curvy descent down to the lowlands where Trondheim is located.

    Spend the afternoon discovering Trondheim, including Bakklandet, an idyllic neighbourhood full of history and culture, Nidaros Catherdral, as well as other attractions such as the Ringve museum and gardens, Munkholmen and the Old town bridge.

    Spend the night in Trondheim.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 4: Exploring the Coastline of Norway

    Today at 10:00, you will embark on a cruise that will have you discovering the enchanting wintry beauty of Norway. You will head to the Trondheim harbour to board a Hurtigruten cruise ship for the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. It will then set sail along the Trondheim fjord and past Hitra Island, enjoying views of the sweeping fjord from the comfort of the ship.

    In the late afternoon, the boat will dock at the city of Kristiansund and the town of Molde, lovely under the soft winter light. This journey passes through some breathtaking coastal landscapes, and the final port of the day is a brief stop in Ålesund, after midnight.

    Spend the night on board the cruise ship, in a private cabin.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 5: Sail to Historic Bergen

    During the night, the ship calls at Torvik, Maløy, and Florø as the journey weaves through islets and stunning landscapes before coming within view of its final destination—Bergen. Here you will disembark early in the afternoon to enjoy some leisure time as you wish. Despite being an international city, Bergen, “The Capital of the Fjords”, has all the charms of a small town. Here you’ll find Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with remarkably preserved old houses, a lively fish market, cable cars offering stunning views, great museums and more.

    Spend the night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 6: The Capital of the Fjords

    Continue to explore beautiful Bergen today. We recommend riding the Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen to enjoy panoramic views over the city or to take a cable car up Mt. Ulriken. Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains, so this is an ideal place for hiking. Bergen is also known for its museums that cover the city’s history, architecture, music and art. We recommend visiting the Edvard Grieg museum and the KODE art museum, which is Scandinavia’s largest museum for art and music. If you wish to explore the fjords further, optional winter fjord cruises are available.

    Spend the night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 7: Norway in a Nutshell by land and sea

    Today will be a an especially scenic day with a lot of travel throughout majestic landscapes. From Bergen, the early Bergensbanen train transports you to Voss, where you will then board a bus bound for Gudvangen. Upon reaching Gudvangen, you will embark on a scenic fjord cruise to Flåm, including a trip through Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in all of Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage site is perhaps the most breathtaking part of Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, with its mighty peaks, tumbling waterfalls, and small farms dotting the mountainsides. Finally, the boat sails up Aurlandsfjord to Flåm, a charming winter village, where you will spend the evening. 

    Spend the night in Flåm.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 8: Explore Scenic Flåm

    Spend the day exploring the beauty of Flåm and its surroundings. In this tour package, you get free admission to the Flåm Railway Documentation Centre, where you can learn about the construction of this railway.  It is also recommended to join an optional tour to the Stegastein viewpoint. The viewing platform extends about 30 metres from the cliffside and 650 metres above the fjords, offering extraordinary and unbeatable views of the winter landscape. For those who want to explore the fjords even further, you can enjoy an optional fjord safari.

    Spend another night in Flåm.

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 9: The Flåm Railway Experience in Winter

    This morning you’ll get to experience the famous Flåm Railway firsthand as it climbs 900 metres over a span of 20 kilometres up the winding track to the Myrdal Station. Here you will switch to the Bergensbanen train that carries you over the mountainous snowy rooftops of Norway. This ride, voted one of the  best railways in the world, will take you through the charming villages of Geilo and Gol before concluding in Oslo, where you will spend your last night in this amazing country.

    Spend the night in Oslo.

    Attractions Attractions

  • Day 10: Departure from Oslo

    For transportation to Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, you can take the Flytoget express train from Oslo Central Station or book a private transfer through Nordic Visitor that will deliver you to the airport directly from your hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, take the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping, visit one of Oslo’s museums or just relax at a café reflecting on your Norway holiday.

    See Activities for this day
View full itinerary

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Not included

Optional Extras

10 days / 9 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2623 EUR

See Book With Confidence terms
Find your price
Request info

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this train and cruise tour in Norway. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Norway Travel Guide.

We recommend you wait to book flights to Scandinavia, and other parts of your travels, until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities aboard Norway cruises, as included in this package. Contact us for more details.

On a train and cruise tour of Norway, Nordic Visitor takes care of your local transportation, accommodation and excursions for a relaxed self-guided travel experience. This might include trains, cruises and/or internal flights, as specified in the itinerary.

You will follow an itinerary that’s been pre-planned and booked for you before you arrive in Norway. This means you can take advantage of Nordic Visitor’s insider knowledge while exploring at your leisure. 

Ahead of your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information via email, including an itinerary, map and detailed Norway Travel Guide. 

During your tour, you’ll always be able to reach us by calling our 24/7 helpline. 

The transfers between your hotel and train stations or cruise ports are not included with this package. Usually your accommodation will be within short walking distance. You could also get a taxi from your hotel if you prefer.

Please wait to book flights to Scandinavia until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities on the Hurtigruten Norwegian cruises included in this package. 

After making a booking with Nordic Visitor, it might take a few weeks to confirm your travel arrangements. We recommend booking your flights once your personal travel consultant gets in touch to confirm your itinerary.

If you have any questions about your flights and itinerary, please contact us for more details.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

Due to the nature of this tour and the activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for active children of 7 years or older. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

With this itinerary, you’ll travel from Oslo to Trondheim by train. You’ll board the Dovrebanen train from Oslo Central Station. This railway, dating back to 1921, passes over the Dovre mountain plateau and then takes a steep descent to the Trondheim lowlands.

With over 548 kilometres (340 miles) of railway, it takes around 6.5 hours to complete the journey to Trondheim.

On this itinerary, you will hop aboard a Hurtigruten cruise along the Norwegian west coast. The cruise includes cabin accommodation (unspecified cabin with windows or port holes) with private facilities. Your daily breakfast is also included.

These coastal voyages are not like conventional cruises as there are 11 different ships in use. They all vary in size and facilities. That said, all Hurtigruten ships have restaurants, a cafeteria, laundry room, Wi-Fi and onboard activities.

When your ship is in port, you will be able to disembark if the stop is longer than 30 minutes.

Please bear in mind that we cannot guarantee your cabin number for coastal voyages shorter than 5 nights. 

Optional shore excursions are available during your journey. You should pre-book the activities you are most interested in ahead of time.

This tour includes the famous Norway in a Nutshell® tour from Bergen to Oslo. This is one of Norway’s most iconic journeys. You’ll travel by train, bus and ferry, seeing beautiful landscapes of steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, shimmering fjords, charming villages and scenic coastline.

The first leg of the journey is from Bergen to Flåm and the approximate timings will be as follows:

  • Departure from Bergen Central Station: 8:39 AM
  • Arrival in Flåm Village: 2 PM
  • Duration: 5 hours 21 minutes

The next day you’ll travel from Flåm to Oslo:

  • Departure from Flåm: 8:50 AM
  • Arrival in Oslo: 2:45 PM
  • Duration: 5 hours 5 minutes

The connections will be announced and clearly explained in your travel documents. You will receive a ticket with all the information about transfer points and timings with your final travel documents.

You can book an optional luggage transfer for the journey. If you do this, you’ll want a backpack for your daily essentials and one-night stay. Your luggage will be waiting for you at your destination.

If you do not book a luggage transfer, you will have to carry your bags between the train, boat and bus. All connections will be within easy reach and there will be storage available for your luggage during each leg of the journey.

On your Norway tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience. 

During the booking process, you can select whether you want Comfort Plus or Superior accommodation. Comfort Plus usually consists of standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels. Superior is standard rooms in 4-star hotels combined with Superior rooms in premium 3-star hotels.

You will also be able to choose between single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Norway room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. 

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra single bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Norway. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Norway on the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select your home country to view details. If you do require a visa, you will be directed to your local embassy website to learn about the visa requirements.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Norway. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your infants’ ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Norway for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore and what you want to see and do in Norway.

During the summer months, June, July and August, you’ll have the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours of the year. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and taking full advantage of your days for sightseeing.

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book a summer itinerary in May or September. These shoulder season months generally have more tour and attraction availability.

Please note that if you travel in spring, end of March through April, you’ll find that many attractions and museums are operating on reduced winter hours. 

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter. Travel to Norway at this time of year to see snowy mountains, cruise along frosty fjords and chase the magnificent northern lights. 

If you head north in December and January, you could experience the polar night. At this time of year, the conditions are also ideal for winter activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and more.

Read more about the best time to visit Norway on our blog.

Because of its northerly location close to and inside the Arctic Circle, Norway has limited daylight in winter. 

In the south, you can expect more daylight than in the north. For example, in Tromsø, you’ll have less than 7 hours of daylight from late October. Then from late November to mid-January, the sun never rises. This is called the “polar night”.

In Oslo and Bergen, you’ll get 5–10 hours of daylight across the winter. 

The beauty of these extended hours of darkness in Norway is that you’ll have a better chance of seeing the northern lights.

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Norway.

During the summer months, you can expect fairly stable weather in The winter climate in Norway is generally cold, but the weather will vary greatly depending on where you visit. 

From November, the temperatures fall and around the country you can expect averages between 1–5°C (34–41°F). This is also the time of year where snow starts falling and you’ll be able to admire the white-topped mountains.

For the rest of the winter, December until March, you’ll probably experience temperatures below freezing, around 0 to -7°C (31–19°F). This means you should come prepared with warm, insulated clothes and outer layers.

Read Norway weather conditions for more information on the local climate. 

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. Your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. 

During Norway’s winter season, you can expect temperatures below freezing. For that reasons, you’ll want to pack and dress with plenty of layers to keep yourself warm and dry.

Here is an essential winter packing list for your trip to Norway:

  • Insulated and waterproof jacket
  • Cosy wool or fleece jumpers
  • Snow or waterproof trousers depending on your destination
  • Warm gloves, hat and scarf
  • Insulated boots
  • A few pairs of thermal socks
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Electronic gear such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • and don’t forget your camera!
     

If you’re heading north and plan on taking part in winter excursions, you could also bring glove liners and heat packs for extra warmth.

Some day tour operators will provide you with thermal suits for your comfort. To find out if equipment is provided check the details of each activity before you leave for Norway, or get in touch with your personal travel consultant.

For more information, check out this Norway packing list.

In most major Norwegian cities and towns you will be able to find coin-operated launderettes, with self-service facilities, and dry cleaners. Most hotels on your trip will also offer a laundry or dry cleaning service for an additional cost.

If you would prefer not to use this service, we recommend bringing or buying a small pack of detergent. This way you can hand wash your items in your hotel bathroom.

When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Norway accommodations is always included.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 100–400 NOK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 500–1,000 NOK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 1,500 NOK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages. 

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

If a cruise is included on your tour, please wait for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours  for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Norway travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Norway Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. 

Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents. This will include your personalised itinerary, our Norway Travel Guide and your service vouchers. We recommend printing your tickets and vouchers to bring with you to Norway.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect when you land in Norway?
 
After picking up your luggage, you’ll make your way to your accommodation. Public transport is easy to access and convenient in Norway. Or you could catch a taxi.
 
Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM. 
 
You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel until check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your trip if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before making your way to the airport.

This tour requires a non-refundable deposit payment of 50% of the total price at the time of booking. You can view more about the deposit and cancellation fees here.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with charming country hotels.

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Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Price per person from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2623 EUR

Book with confidence
Request info

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2023
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