The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) is often called one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world – a 20 km mountain railway connecting the high plateau at Myrdal with the fjord village of Flåm in Western Norway.
For Singapore-based travelers, expats and investors using Homejourney, this guide is designed as a complete, practical and trustworthy resource on Flåmsbana, while also helping you understand how this iconic scenic train fits into a broader lifestyle and property journey that may one day include Singapore.
Executive Summary: Why This Flåm Railway Guide Matters
This is a deeply researched, Homejourney-curated guide to the Flåm Railway, written from the perspective of a Singapore-based traveler who has planned and optimized complex multi-country trips between Singapore, Scandinavia and Asia multiple times.
It combines verified facts (routes, travel times, ticketing, seasonal conditions) with insider-style tips that frequent visitors and planners use, plus Singapore-specific advice on flights, timing, budgeting, and how this trip fits into broader relocation or property-investment thinking.
Our goal at Homejourney is to give you not just inspiration, but decision-grade information that is safe, transparent, and practical enough that you could plan your own Flåmsbana experience with confidence – and, if you wish, explore Singapore real estate opportunities with the same level of clarity and trust.
Table of Contents
- 1. Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) Overview
- 2. Why Ride the Flåm Railway
- 3. Best Time to Visit Flåm Railway
- 4. Getting There from Singapore & Major Hubs
- 5. Tickets, Prices & Booking Strategies
- 6. Onboard Experience: What the Journey Is Really Like
- 7. Top Attractions & Experiences in Flåm & Myrdal
- 8. Practical Travel Tips: Visas, Weather, Safety, Budgeting
- 9. Where to Stay in and around Flåm
- 10. Food & Dining: What to Eat in Flåm
- 11. Suggested 1–5 Day Itineraries Featuring Flåmsbana
- 12. Norway in a Nutshell & Other Combinations
- 13. From Flåm to Singapore: Lifestyle & Property Connections
- 14. How Homejourney Supports Your Singapore Journey
- 15. Flåm Railway Scenic Train – Detailed FAQ
1. Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) Overview
The Flåm Railway, known in Norwegian as Flåmsbana, is a 20 km branch line of the Bergen Line that connects the mountain station of Myrdal (867 m above sea level) with the fjord village of Flåm at sea level on the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord.[1][2][4] The journey typically takes about 60 minutes one way and is regularly cited by National Geographic and Lonely Planet as one of the world’s most scenic train rides.[1][5]
Key facts you should know before planning:
- Route: Myrdal ⇄ Flåm, Western Norway[1][2]
- Distance: ~20 km[2]
- Elevation change: ~867 m in about an hour[1][2][4]
- Gradient: up to 5.5%, making it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world[5]
- Tunnels: 20 tunnels (18 dug by hand), including a 180-degree spiral tunnel[1][2]
- Highlight stop: Kjosfossen waterfall, with a short photo stop in most departures[1][4]
Why It Appeals Especially to Singapore Travellers
Coming from Singapore’s urban density, tropical climate and efficient MRT system, Flåmsbana feels almost like the opposite: raw mountains, snow in season, dramatic valleys, and a slower, heritage-style train moving through wild landscapes.
From experience planning Scandinavia itineraries from Singapore, many families pair the Flåm Railway with city stays in Oslo and Bergen, then fly back to Singapore via European hubs. It’s often chosen as the “bucket-list” scenic highlight of the trip, similar to how some visitors treat a Marina Bay Sands or Sentosa stay when visiting Singapore.
2. Why Ride the Flåm Railway
2.1 Scenic Highlights
According to Norway’s official tourism and tour operators, the Flåm Railway showcases the best of Western Norway’s dramatic fjord-and-mountain scenery in a compact format.[1][5] Along the one-hour journey you’ll see:
- Steep mountain walls and deep valleys carved by glaciers[1][3][5]
- Cascading waterfalls, including the powerful Kjosfossen[1][3][4]
- A shimmering river following the line for much of the route[1]
- Traditional farms perched on improbable slopes[1][2]
- Old Flåm village and a 17th-century church, near the start/end of the line[1]
For Singaporeans who are used to short nature walks in Bukit Timah or MacRitchie, this is a rare chance to be fully immersed in a high-altitude, alpine-style environment without needing to hike or drive yourself.
2.2 Engineering Marvel
The line is also a technical achievement. Because of the steep ascent from sea level to the high mountain plateau, the railway uses special braking systems and occasionally dual locomotives.[5] Eighteen of the 20 tunnels were excavated manually, and one tunnel includes a full 180-degree curve inside the mountain so the train can gain altitude safely.[1]
2.3 Comparison with Other Scenic Experiences
Many travelers combine Flåmsbana with a fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord or Aurlandsfjord for a full “Norway in a Nutshell” experience.[3][7] From a Singaporean planning standpoint, this combination is efficient: you can see both mountain railway and UNESCO-listed fjords in one or two days, which works well if you have limited annual leave.
3. Best Time to Visit the Flåm Railway
The Flåm Railway runs year-round, and the scenery changes dramatically with the seasons.[4][5] Choosing the right timing is one of the most important decisions for Singapore travelers who may only visit Norway once.
3.1 Season-by-Season Overview
3.2 Insider Timing Tips from a Singapore Perspective
- If you hate the cold: Aim for late June to early September so temperatures are mild by Norwegian standards, though still cool compared to Singapore.
- If you’re crowd-averse: Early June and September often balance nicer weather with fewer tour groups.
- School holiday alignment: For Singapore families, June and December are key. December offers snow and a totally different feel, but you must plan carefully around limited daylight and winter clothing needs.
4. Getting There from Singapore & Major Hubs
Most Singapore-based travellers will reach Flåm via Oslo or Bergen. From there, the Flåm Railway is accessed at Myrdal station, a stop on the main Bergen Line.[1][4]
4.1 Typical Route from Singapore
Because there are no direct flights from Singapore to Norway as of current schedules, you’ll usually connect via:
- Major European hubs such as London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or Frankfurt, then onwards to Oslo or Bergen.
- Occasionally via the Middle East (Dubai, Doha) then to Oslo, depending on timing and fares.
From Oslo or Bergen:
- Take the Bergen Line train to Myrdal (part of many Norway in a Nutshell packages).[5][7]
- At Myrdal, change to the Flåm Railway for the one-hour descent to Flåm.[1][4]
4.2 Connections via Norway in a Nutshell
Many travellers book a combined itinerary, such as Norway in a Nutshell, which includes the Flåm Railway, Bergen Line segments, and a fjord cruise.[7] This is particularly convenient if you are:
- Travelling with children or seniors from Singapore and want to minimise DIY transfers.
- Not comfortable dealing with multiple separate tickets in a foreign language.
4.3 Distance & Time Planning (Singapore Mindset)
From a planning perspective, expect:
- Singapore to Oslo/Bergen: 14–20+ hours including transit (varies by routing).
- Oslo to Myrdal by train: ~4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on service.
- Myrdal to Flåm by Flåmsbana: ~1 hour.[1][4]
This means most realistic itineraries from Singapore will include at least:
- 2 days lost to long-haul travel (to and from Europe)
- At least 2–3 days within Norway to make Flåm worthwhile
5. Tickets, Prices & Booking Strategies
5.1 How Ticketing Works
You can buy tickets for the Flåm Railway as:
- Standalone tickets (one-way or round-trip) via official operators, including Norway’s Best and regional providers.[1]
- Part of packages such as Norway in a Nutshell, which combine trains and fjord cruises.[7]
Round-trip tickets typically become available around 120 days before departure.[1] This is important for Singapore travellers who like to lock in holiday plans and annual leave early.
5.2 Typical Duration & Ticket Types
- One-way Myrdal → Flåm or Flåm → Myrdal: ~1 hour.[1][4]
- Round trip: ~2 hours onboard, plus boarding time and any add-ons.
Many visitors do a one-way trip and then continue with a fjord cruise or cycling/hiking, instead of immediately returning to Myrdal. This is especially efficient if you have only a few days in Norway.
