Flam to Bergen via Ferry: Uncovering the Sognefjord

Why travel from Flam to Bergen by train, when you can experience one of the most beautiful natural wonders of Norway and travel via ferry down the Sognefjord? 

PHOTOGRAPHY PROPERTY OF SVADORE

We departed our wonderful stay at 29|2 Aurland and dropped off our hybrid rental car at Flam Travel AS Car Rental around 2PM, just enough time for us to catch a bite to eat in Flam and wait for our ferry down the Sognefjord. We walked around the center of Flam and decided to buy a couple of organic Norwegian hot dogs. For some reason hot dogs are a big thing in Norway! It’s considered a cheap snack option here. Everything I read online said that Norwegians typically wrap their hot dogs in a potato lefse, kind of like a tortilla. But when walking around Norway, all I saw was regular hot dog buns to be honest. But the meat was amazing, organic and you can truly taste it. It didn’t taste as rubbery as our U.S. hot dogs! After eating our hot dogs we lined up for our 3:30PM ferry to Bergen. The ferry would take us from Flam to Bergen in about 5 hours across the Sognefjord, the largest fjord in Norway. The Sognefjord was created by the Ice Age. As the ice melted, it created the beauty we see today—high mountains and deep valleys. The price with Norled is roughly $162 for 2 people, but trust me it’s well worth the trip. At first, Pat and I were a bit worried about a 5 hour ferry, but we had taken similar ferries in Greece so weren’t too considered. If the length of the ride worries you, please do not let this stop you from taking this unforgettable journey! It doesn’t even feel like 5 hours because of all the beauty, majestic nature and various landscapes you go by. May is the perfect time to go because the temperature is just right, but not too hot or too cold for you to stay out on deck. Bring a windbreaker because when the ferry is in motion it gets windy on deck. The trip starts you along the Aurlandsfjord, where in May you will see plenty of waterfalls above you pouring into the fjord. For those who do not know what a Fjord is, it is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs created via glacial activity.

My favorite spot on the fjord was actually at the beginning, a little bit past Undredal. It’s the branch off the Aurlandsfjord called Nærøyfjord. As the ferry goes by you see steep, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and agricultural landscapes. Just take a look below for a sneak peak at this majestic beauty. The ferry stopped by a number of towns along the fjords. The first were a bit more inhabited, but as we got deeper into the fjord they became less and less visited. It was nice to see the vast difference in both landscape and habitation across the trip. As was tradition, we grabbed a couple of Norwegian beers and snacks while on the ferry along with everyone else and enjoyed the views (and the brews) along the ride. It really adds an extra element to the already relaxed atmosphere. Pat and I spent our entire ferry ride on deck, we did not want to miss a thing! We did head to the front of the ferry for a brief 4 minutes to take in the view from the front, but our stay was short lived since the wind at the front was super SUPER strong. Again, thank god for our windbreakers. Towards the end of the trip about an hour or two before arriving in Bergen, the land became flatter and the houses became more numerous. Finally you reach the port of Bergen. With it’s colorful houses and vibrant atmosphere. If I had to choose between the Flam Railway and the Sognefjord ferry, I would choose the Sognefjord ferry any day. It is a peaceful, gorgeous and unforgettable experience that will make you appreciate human nature a lot more than you already do. Get insider travel tips and lifestyle content on the world’s most exceptional destinations, experiences and products directly to your inbox. Don’t miss out–sign up for travel blog SVADORE on the right hand side to stay up-to-date on where to go, what to do, what to see, where to stay, and where to eat around the globe. Follow Svadore on Instagram: @SVADOREand @SVADORE_eats Follow Svadore on Twitter: @SvadoreTravels Follow Svadore on Pinterest: SVADORE Follow Svadore on Facebook: SVADORE