Flåm is one of the most common ports on a Norwegian Fjords cruise, and one of the most popular things to do there is ride the iconic Flåm Railway. I’ve ridden the Flåm Railway three times: once during a land trip, once through a Celebrity Cruises excursion, and most recently on my own while sailing on Celebrity Apex.
For our cruise excursion, we spent close to $300 per person on Celebrity’s “Flåm Railway and Beyond” tour. This included the Flåm Railway, a second ride on the Bergen Railway, lunch in Voss, and a bus ride back to Flåm.
Although we enjoyed the excursion, it cost nearly $600 for the two of us, which is pretty expensive for a day in port. Throughout the excursion, I kept thinking about how easily we could have booked the Flåm Railway ourselves for a fraction of the price.
So, when I returned to Flåm on Celebrity Apex this summer, that’s exactly what I decided to do.
The Flåm Railway is beautiful, and it’s also incredibly easy to navigate independently. You can’t miss the station from the cruise port, as it’s literally about a 5-minute walk. Regardless of whether you book on your own or through the cruise line, a standard round-trip ticket takes you from Flåm to Myrdal and back again.
If you’re looking at cruise excursions in Flåm and experiencing some sticker shock, I’m here to tell you that the Flåm Railway is very doable on your own.
Here are my best tips for riding the Flåm Railway independently from the cruise port, including everything you need to know to save money and make the most of your experience.
How far is Flåm Railway from the cruise terminal?
The Flåm Railway is only about a 5-minute walk from the Flåm cruise terminal, making it one of the easiest cruise excursions to do on your own. The train station is located right by the port, and you may even be able to see it from your ship.
Once you disembark, just walk toward the visitor center and follow the signs for Flåm Station; you really can’t miss it.
The Flåm Railway is considered one of Norway’s most scenic train journeys. The approximately one-hour ride travels 20 kilometers from Flåm, located at the edge of Aurlandsfjord, to Myrdal Station, which sits 867 meters, or roughly 2,845 feet, above sea level.
During the journey, you’ll travel past rushing rivers, steep mountainsides, waterfalls, small farms, and the historic Flåm Church. The route also passes through 20 tunnels, 18 of which were excavated by hand.
One of the highlights is Kjosfossen Waterfall. The train makes a short photo stop here, allowing passengers to step onto the platform for a closer look.
For cruise passengers, a standard round-trip ticket is typically the easiest option. You’ll ride from Flåm to Myrdal before returning along the same route, with the entire experience taking approximately two hours. Because the station is so close to the cruise terminal, you do not need transportation or a cruise-line excursion to reach it.
The journey takes about one hour in each direction. According to Norway’s Best, the railway operates throughout the year, has no age limit, and is considered an easy activity, which is another reason it works so well for cruise passengers.
1. Tickets become available 120 days in advance, but the best times fill up
Round-trip tickets for the Flåm Railway become available through Norway’s Best starting 120 days before departure. You can book tickets for the Flåm Railway here.
It’s best to purchase your tickets as soon as possible, especially if you want a departure time that works well with your ship’s schedule. Not every train time will be practical for cruise passengers, so the most convenient departures can fill up quickly.
We booked the 10:50 a.m. train and arrived back in Flåm at approximately 12:50 p.m. This gave us plenty of time to explore the shops around the port afterward. We also weren’t rushed to get off the ship after our 7:30 a.m. arrival.
Remember that the train ride takes about one hour in each direction, plus the turnaround time in Myrdal. Give yourself plenty of time before your ship’s all-aboard deadline rather than booking the latest possible return.
You should also factor time to disembark once your ship arrives. If your itinerary says you’ll dock at 7:30 a.m., that does not mean you should book a 7:30 a.m. train. I would allow at least 30 minutes after your scheduled arrival.
2. Keep checking for tickets, as more may become available
We weren’t able to get tickets when they first became available, although several people in our cruise Facebook group had good luck booking early. Luckily, we continued checking the website, and more departure times eventually opened up.
Remember that cruise lines reserve many seats for their own excursions, which means independent travelers are likely competing for a smaller batch of tickets. However, availability can change as inventory is adjusted or other passengers cancel their plans.
Someone in our sailing’s Facebook group eventually posted that more tickets had become available about 6 weeks from our cruise. I recommend joining the Facebook group for your specific cruise, as other passengers often share excursion availability, cancellations, and other useful updates.
We ended up booking six seats for our entire group, and it worked like a charm!
Our tickets cost approximately $84 per person, which is about $150 cheaper than what Celebrity charged. Prices can change depending on the date and exchange rate, but booking independently resulted in significant savings compared to the cruise line’s excursion prices.
3. Tickets might even be available on the day of your visit
Even if you aren’t able to purchase tickets before arriving in Flåm, you might still be able to find last-minute availability.
After we disembarked, my dad went to confirm some details about our tickets and asked whether there were any seats left on our train. Surprisingly, they told him that 16 tickets were still available for the same departure.
I would not recommend waiting until the last minute if riding the Flåm Railway is at the top of your list. The official website notes that customer service does not necessarily have additional tickets when a departure is sold out online.
Still, it’s worth asking at the station if you arrive without plans. Cancellations and changes can happen, so you might get lucky.
4. The station is an easy 5-minute walk from the cruise port
During my first cruise to Flåm, I was worried about finding the station and navigating the train on my own. At the time, booking a cruise excursion felt like the safest option.
In reality, the station is something you can practically see from your cabin balcony.
It takes approximately five minutes to walk from the cruise port to Flåm Station, where your tickets will be checked. The visitor center and customer service office are also right there if you have questions.
Even if you book the cruise line’s excursion, your tour guide will essentially gather the group and walk everyone over to the same train. You won’t even board a bus like a normal excursion.
I promise… you can’t miss the train station!
5. Arrive early to get in line for the best seats
One thing I was thankful we did was arrive well before the scheduled departure.
After disembarking, we spent some time browsing the shops before getting in line approximately 45 minutes before our train left. This allowed us to get close to the front so we could board quickly and choose our seats.
The line forms quickly as independent ticket holders arrive. Then, the large excursion groups from the cruise ships begin showing up as well.
Once boarding starts, it can feel like a bit of a free-for-all. There may not be assigned seats, so be prepared to board promptly and choose your spot.
6. Sit on the right side from Flåm to Myrdal for some of the best views
Both sides of the train offer beautiful views of the mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and Flåm Valley. However, where you sit can make a difference.
For the journey from Flåm up to Myrdal, I recommend sitting on the right-hand side when facing the direction the train is traveling. This side offers some of the best open views along the route.
Of course, the train curves throughout the journey, and there is impressive scenery on both sides. You’ll also travel along the same route on the return trip, so you will have another opportunity to see anything you missed.
The windows are large, but reflections can make photography challenging. If photos are important to you, hold your phone or camera close to the glass to reduce glare.
7. Save your seats during the stop in Myrdal
Myrdal is the turnaround point for the standard round-trip journey. You’ll usually have a short amount of time before the train returns to Flåm. You may be able to get off, stretch your legs, or use the restroom, but this is not a long stop. Pay attention to the departure time so you don’t risk missing the return train.
We had one person in our group remain onboard to save our seats, and I’m glad we did. Some passengers end their journey in Myrdal, while others board there, so the group of passengers can change.
A few people lost their original spots after getting off the train. If you’re traveling with others, consider having at least one person remain onboard to hold your seats.
On the other hand, if you didn’t like your original seat, Myrdal may be a good opportunity to move. Because you travel back along the same route, changing sides can give you a different view on the way down.
Booking Flåm Railway on your own is easy and affordable
The Flåm Railway is one of the easiest cruise-port attractions I’ve ever booked independently. The station is only a few minutes from the ship, the journey is very straightforward, and you don’t need a tour guide to navigate the experience.
A cruise excursion can still make sense if you want a longer itinerary that combines the Flåm Railway with the Bergen Railway, lunch in Voss, waterfalls, and a scenic bus ride. We enjoyed Celebrity’s excursion, and the additional transportation allowed us to see more of Western Norway.
However, if your main priority is riding the Flåm Railway, booking directly can save a substantial amount of money while giving you essentially the same railway experience.
