Flam Railway (Flamsbana)

The Flam Railway, or Flamsbana, runs for 20 kilometres between Flam on the Aurlandsfjord and Myrdal station at 866 metres above sea level, in Aurland municipality in Vestland, Norway. It is among the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world, with gradients of 5.5 percent on most of the route, and the ride takes about 55 minutes each way. The line was built in the 20th century to link the fjord with the Bergen Line, and most of its length is in tunnels, many of them hand-dug. Visitors ride restored wooden carriages through a narrowing valley, past rushing rivers, mountain farms, hairpin curves and waterfalls. The train makes a brief photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall, where a platform lets passengers step out and see a folklore performance in summer. The most scenic seats are on the side facing the valley going up from Flam; sitting on the right side going up gives the best waterfall and river views. Many travellers do the line as part of the Norway in a Nutshell combination of train, ferry and bus, while others make a return trip from Flam. A return journey takes two to three hours including the turnaround at Myrdal. Departures run daily, with six to ten services depending on the season, and timetables are posted on flamsbana.no. Summer trains in July and August sell out, so booking ahead is sensible. Crowds are heaviest on midday departures and when cruise ships call at Flam, and early morning or late afternoon trains are calmer. Fares are roughly NOK 430 to 510 one way and NOK 620 to 730 return for adults, with half price for ages 6 to 17. Flam is reached from Bergen by train to Myrdal and a transfer onto the Flam line, about two hours fifteen minutes in total.