Travel by train and cruise to one of the northernmost inhabited areas in the world. On this tour, you’ll start in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, before setting off into the mountains and fjords. Then you’ll continue this memorable journey on a coastal cruise before flying into the Arctic Circle. Explore the grand cities, take in the most popular sights in Norway and take your chance to hunt for the dancing northern lights.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.
After collecting your luggage and leaving the airport, make your way to your accommodation in Oslo city centre. You could opt to take a taxi or use public transport, but for a more direct and comfortable ride, we could arrange a private airport transfer for you.
If you arrive early in the day, spend the afternoon walking through the city. You could stroll along the Karl Johans gate main street, along the Aker Brygge marina and past the beautiful Oslo Opera House.You could also choose to visit the beautiful Vigeland Sculpture Park, tour the Royal Palace, explore the Akershus fortress or view Oslo City Hall.
Other attractions include the Fram Museum, displaying a world-famous polar exploration ship, and the extensive collection of works by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch at the Munch Museum.
Spend the night in Oslo.
Get an early start and head to Oslo Central Station, where you’ll begin the Norway in a Nutshell® railway journey to Bergen, with an overnight stop in Flåm. For this, we recommend booking the luggage transfer between Oslo and Bergen so you can travel freely.
Then you’re off on a scenic train ride that will take you over Norway’s “mountainous rooftops”, through charming villages like Gol and Geilo. In Myrdal, you’ll switch trains to hop on the famous Flåm Railway (“Flåmsbana”) for an incredible ride to the beautiful village of Flåm. Enjoy the rest of the day in Flåm.
Spend the night in Flåm.
Today you finish the Norway in a Nutshell journey by travelling from Flåm to Bergen. First, you’ll sail through Aurlandsfjord into the World Heritage-listed Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in all of Europe. This is perhaps the most beautiful arm of Sognefjord, with its mighty waterfalls and small farms clinging to the steep mountainsides. This is especially charming in the winter months.
Then, your boat will dock in Gudvangen, from where the journey continues by bus through Nærøydalen, with its quaint villages and scenic winter landscape. The bus will arrive in Voss, where you’ll embark on the final stretch of your journey on the Bergen Railway.
Spend the night in Bergen.
Bergen, “The Capital of the Fjords”, is an international city with all the charms of a small town. That makes it ideal to explore in a day. You could first head to the historic harbour of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or spend time in a museum of your choosing.
For some outdoor adventures and great views over the city and surrounding snowy hills, take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen or the cable car up Mount Ulriken. In the evening, you’ll board your coastal cruise.
Spend the night aboard the coastal cruise.
Want to know which cruise you will be joining? Check out sailing departures per tour.
Wake up on the cruise and admire the coastal winter scenery. Grab breakfast and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Nordfjord. As the ship sails past the West Cape, you will enter the open ocean before reaching Ålesund.
Depending on the time of year when you visit, you might spend the whole day in the port town of Ålesund, discovering its fascinating Art Nouveau architecture. Or you'll first discover the Hjørundfjord, one of Norway's most idyllic and untouched fjords.
Spend another night aboard the coastal cruise.
You’ll arrive in Trondheim early in the morning, which is where your cruise comes to an end. We suggest you grab a nice breakfast at one of city’s lovely cafés before enjoying some leisure time. Take the day to explore the sights in this historic city that used to be the capital of Norway during Viking times.
Don’t miss Nidaros Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s largest buildings from the Middle Ages. Other spots you’ll want to see include the Old Town Bridge (“Gamle Bybro”), Bakklandet, an idyllic neighbourhood full of history and culture, the Ringve Music Museum and Munkholmen island.
Spend the night in Trondheim.
Today you’re leaving the south of Norway behind to fly into the Arctic Circle. When your flight lands at Tromsø Airport, collect your luggage and make your way to the city centre. We recommend taking the airport bus (“Flybussen”) or a taxi directly to your accommodation. After settling in, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the charming city of Tromsø, also known as the "Capital of Northern Norway". There are many restaurants in the city centre to start your trip with a taste of the Arctic.
In the evening, you’ll leave the city lights behind to join a northern lights* tour. Heading out of town will give you the best chances to spot the magical aurora borealis in the winter sky.
Spend the night in Tromsø.
* Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Take the full day to enjoy the cultural highlights of Tromsø. We recommend a stroll along Storgata, the main shopping street of the city. Then stop to visit the Polar Museum nearby. Or travel across the water to take in the striking Arctic Cathedral. For views of the city and some more outdoor adventures, take the cable car Fjellheisen up Storsteinen mountain.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy a northern lights cruise*. You’ll sail away from the bright lights of Tromsø to hunt for the northern lights at sea. Meanwhile, you’ll be served dinner on board. After the tour you will be transferred back to your accommodation.
Spend another night in Tromsø.
You have another full day to take in all that Tromsø has to offer. Visit what you may have missed yesterday, or head to Polaria or the Northern Norway Art Museum (“Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum”). This way you’ll immerse yourself even more in the Arctic atmosphere of the city.
Another alternative, if you’re looking for more adventures before you say goodbye to Norway, is to book an optional activity. You could go whale watching or a guided reindeer sledding tour.
Spend another night in Tromsø.
After an incredible adventure across Norway, it’s time to bid farewell to this Nordic nation. Your tour will conclude in Tromsø, from where you will make your way back home.
Note: If you need assistance with flights from Tromsø, or would like to book some additional nights in Oslo after your trip, then please contact us for details.
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.
Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
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.
The minimum age for this tour is 7 years old.
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.
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.
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 services 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.
Yes, you should have moderate to good physical fitness to take part comfortably in this tour. This is because packages set in the Arctic are considered adventure travel due to the specific conditions you’ll experience. Arctic travel can sometimes involve extreme weather conditions as well as vigorous activity and animals (like huskies and reindeer) on many excursions.
This tour includes the famous Norway in a Nutshell tour from Oslo to Bergen. This is one of Norway’s most iconic journeys. You’ll travel by train, bus and ferry, seeing beautiful landscapes of steep mountains, frosty waterfalls, shimmering fjords, charming villages and scenic coastline.
The first leg of the journey is from Oslo to Flåm. Then you'll be travelling from Flåm to Bergen. The duration of both days will be around 6 hours.
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 this tour, you will hop aboard a coastal cruise, provided by either Hurtigruten or Havila Voyages, along the Norwegian west coast. You’ll be staying in your own cabin with private facilities.
Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages operate along the same route on different days. Your personal travel consultant will book the cruise on your behalf in light of your tour’s start date and the rest of your itinerary.
If you are travelling on a Hurtigruten cruise:
Hurtigruten ships offer a classic Norwegian experience, with cosy cabins furnished with either twin or double beds. Your room will be between 8-11 square metres (86-118 square feet) and will always include a port hole, but please note that a view from the window cannot be guaranteed.
Instead, Hurtigruten ships all offer comfortable viewing decks, dining areas and lounges. This way, you can spend your mornings and evenings relaxing with incredible views of the passing Norwegian coastline.
If you are travelling on a Havila Voyages cruise:
Havila Voyages ships are the newer cruise liners on the block. Their modern cabins are furnished with either twin or double beds and are all around 15 square metres (161 feet). Your room will have a port hole and a small sofa so you can watch the views of ocean or coastline go past. Or, head up to the lounge, restaurant or viewing deck to see more of the passing fjords.
When you book your Norway adventure, your travel consultant will arrange the details of your cruise departure in light of your tour’s start date. They’ll then include all the information in your personal itinerary.
If you have a specific cruise in mind, check out our list of Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages sailing dates in 2024 and 2025.
Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages are shipping companies which transport travellers along the Norwegian coastline. Both offer incredible views of spectacular fjords and charming coastal villages as they journey towards Norway’s north or south.
That said, both companies have their own histories and distinct characters. Your cruise experience will vary depending on which company you’re travelling with. We’ve broken down the key differences below so you know what to expect on your seafaring adventure.
Hurtigruten dates back to 1893, and many of its ships were originally used to transport post. Due to the historic nature of these cruises, each one differs in size and your room’s port hole window may not have a view. Instead, you can expect a cosy cabin stay, with access to charming lounges and restaurant areas that have floor-to-ceiling windows.
Havila Voyages are a newer company, with a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable travel. Their rooms are slightly larger and have views of either the ocean or the coastline from their port holes. Just like Hurtigruten, they offer on-board facilities such as relaxing lounges, restaurants and viewing decks.
Whichever company you travel with, you’ll enjoy a private cabin with either a double or twin beds and ensuite facilities. Please bear in mind that we cannot guarantee your cabin number for coastal voyages shorter than 5 nights.
When your ship is in port for longer than 30 minutes, you’ll have the option to disembark. Optional shore excursions will also be available on your journey, so make sure to pre-book any activities that interest you.
This package includes a domestic flight in Norway between Trondheim and Tromsø. Usually, there are direct flights several times a day but, in some cases, flights might connect via Oslo.
Your travel consultant will book the best option for your travel dates, depending on availability. Flight times will be confirmed when we book your travel arrangements.
Tromsø is ideally located within the “Northern Lights Belt” and this excursion is a great opportunity to witness a spectacular phenomenon.
This small northern lights bus tour is likely to last approximately 5 hours. You’ll be picked up from Tromsø around 7:30 PM heading out of the city to an ideal spot for hunting the lights. This location will depend on the night’s weather and aurora forecast.
Your professional guide will provide hot drinks and snacks and help you set up your own camera to capture the moment. They will also take high-resolution photos during your excursion, which will be shared after the tour.
Make sure to wear appropriate warm layers for this excursion. Read more about the northern lights in Norway in our helpful guide.
Your dog sledding day out will last around 8 hours, starting with a 75-minute bus transfer between Tromsø and Camp Tamok.
Once you reach the camp, you will get a lesson before setting off. The dog sledding excursion itself will take around 2 hours, travelling 10–12 kilometres (6–7.5 miles). You will be driving in pairs, with one person as the driver and the other as the passenger. The roles will be switched halfway.
No experience is required to take part, but you should be in fair physical condition. Warm clothing and equipment will be provided on location for the activity.
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 children’s ages during the booking process.
For infants (0 to 2 years old), please let us know in the details if you’d like a baby cot.
For kids 3-11 years old, we’ll automatically book an extra 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.
Yes! Wintertime is the right season to visit Norway if you want to see the northern lights (or aurora borealis). You can experience the northern lights in the north of Norway between October and March, with peak visibility from December through February.
For the best chances of seeing them, head into the Arctic Circle, to locations such as Tromsø, Kirkenes and the Lofoten islands. With Nordic Visitor, you can also pick from a selection of Norway northern lights tours.
Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Even if you go out on a specific northern lights excursion, you might not see them, depending on the conditions or cloud cover.
Read our Norway northern lights guide to learn more.
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 reason, 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:
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.
When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Norway accommodation 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.
We recommend waiting 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.
No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.
Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund.
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.
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.
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.
These pictures may be small, but Norway’s mountains & fjords are massive.
We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.
Recently took one of the tours including Norway in a Nutshell that included an ambitious amount of travel - on trains, boats, buses, airplanes - 6 different cities/hotels (including on the Hurtigruten Coastal Express) - and everywhere we went we were expected and welcomed. The materials Ellen sent ahead of time helped us be prepared and make the most of our trip. Super well planned - wouldn't hesitate to use Nordic Visitor services for another trip.
The tour was phenomenal. I loved every bit of it. Despite some unforeseen changes in plan because of the weather, our travel agent Juliana was quick on her feet and made alternative arrangements.
Service was great from start to finish. Would definitely recommend to use Nordic Visitor to put together a tour for you.
Excellent tour. Great accomodation. Responsive when changes happened suddenly. They ensured I was aware of the changes.
The tour was amazing! And when something like a schedule change or something closed due to weather, Nordic Visitor was always there to make sure I still had a great experience!
The experience with Nordic Visitor went very well. Overall, we had no problems. The agent was easy to work with. The accommodation were nice and the transportation was easy to catch.
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.
