The Famous Bergensbanen: Norway's Best Rail Journey? 7hrs From Bergen to Oslo.
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- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2023
- Even on a damp Tuesday afternoon, this train journey was something I was looking forward to. Was I right to have such high expectations? Well, things didn't start well with me on the wrong side of the train, so in order to bring you the best views, sacrifices had to be made :) Join me on the world famous Bergensbanen. Will this be worth seven hours of discomfort!? Join me and we'll find out together...
I travelled from Bergen to Oslo, Norway on Tuesday 11th July 2023.
Map courtesy of Google Maps
Thumbnails designed using Canva
This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.
I don’t pretend to be a travel expert, but I love what I do and would be honoured if you came along with me. My channel focusses on the wide-eyed wonder and excitement of finding somewhere new, and my genuine reaction to it. You might not get a history lesson in my videos, but who knows, you might pick up some useful travel tips along the way, add a few destinations to your bucket list and hopefully be entertained by what you see. Thanks for watching, it means a lot to me :)
I do ALL of this myself. Planning, filming, editing, promoting, all with a weekly upload schedule, so please understand not every video will be an epic adventure. But my pledge is to always do my best in any situation.
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FAQs:
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in Glasgow but have lived in Carnoustie, Dalgety Bay, Stonehaven, Edinburgh, Montrose, and further afield (Salamanca, Spain & Devonport, New Zealand)
WHEN DO YOU UPLOAD?
Saturdays at 10am Scottish time. Occasionally a bonus midweek video will pop up.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I film with a GoPro11 and my iPhone12. I edit on iMovie and use epidemicsound.com for music. I also use canva.com for thumbnails etc.
WHY DON'T YOU SPEND LONGER AT DESTINATIONS?
The usual suspects I'm afraid - time and money! Hotels especially these days make my eyes water like a true Scotsman.
WHERE'S ALICJA?
Alicja will feature as often as possible, but I'm afraid she has a proper job so it can take weeks for our schedules to match up.
DO YOU PAY FOR YOUR OWN TRAVEL?
Yes I do. I've only ever accepted a complementary ticket as compensation for a previous problem. All my opinions are frank and honest reflections of travel as I experience it.
WHY THE ADS?
It's my income, I can't do this for free.
CAN I CONTACT YOU?
I used to list my email address but felt bad not having the capacity to respond to everything so took it down (and I got a LOT of spam so missed many genuine messages along the way).
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?
Watching my videos is of course support enough, but if you'd like to support further, I'll pop links below for Paypal and Patreon. All kind donations are super-appreciated and will go 100% towards future filming trips.
DO YOU ACCEPT SPONSORSHIPS?
I don't like to upset the flow of my videos, so I don't even include mid-roll ads anymore (at significant loss of income to myself), so I prefer not to include sponsorships either. I'm open to a small slide at the start/end of each video, but I don't want to get into talking about products, it's something I don't like as a viewer myself (especially as a viewer who pays for RUclips Premium). So it's probably a polite no, although all of this goes out the window if you offer me something which can give me the chance to make a video for my audience that would otherwise be impossible.
#Bergen #Bergensbanen #BergentoOslo
Some 35 years ago a friend of mine visited that part of Norway and decided she liked it so much she wanted to live there. So she studied the language for a while, bade family and friends farewell and off she went. As far as I know, she's still there, somewhere between Bergen and Oslo. Now I've watched your video, I understand why. :)
That's incredible! Dedication to make dreams come true eh!
Very beautiful and very interesting.
The landscape is spectacular but it's a difficult place to live. There's a reason these parts are scarcely populated.
I'm from the US, and if I had a chance, I would move to Norway too. Definitely looks like a country I would fall in love with.
@@chris1960 Winters in much of the US are much colder than in Norway, thanks to the Gulf Stream. :)
I did this trip from Oslo to Bergen in the week between Christmas and New Year through an amazing blizzard in the mountains, with extremely high winds and heavy snow fall. The trip was absolutely wonderful. Majestic frozen waterfalls, various shades of turquoise. Dog sleds at some stations because of deep snow. Caravans frozen into solid blocks of translucent ice, perfectly cubed by the winds, Massive stalactite and stalagmite, translucent, frozen fjords. I was lucky the train was not so packed with people, meaning I could move between seats, I spent a quite few hours eating and drinking hot chocolate in the dining car with its panoramic windows. Truly an unbelievable winter wonderland. After spending some time in Bergen with a friend, I caught a train to Trondheim, Norway and another to a little village named Hell. At the Hell railway station I had my passport stamped, I now have a return rail ticket to Hell, and a Hell stamp in my passport as a memento. lol.
Returning to Trondheim, I took a 12 hour train ride to Stockholm, Sweden, another breath taking train ride to beautiful Stockholm, snow flakes as large as the palm of my hand, yet so light and fluffy.
The central heating in all the train carriages were tremendous, on all trips. Weeks later, I took over night cruise ship to Helsinki, Finland across the frozen Baltic Sea. The winds whistling through Helsinki were so strong it negated the need for ice skates, the locals rode those winds across massive city squares, along black ice covered pavements, a little dangerous, skating without skates, but so much fun.
I crossed the Baltic sea again some time later by ferry to beautiful old city of Tallinn, Estonia.
3 months in amazingly beautiful Scandinavia during winter. I highly recommend the experience.
Thank you Steve for sharing your summer adventure in beautiful Norway, It has bought back so many great memories.
That sounds like a fantastic trip!
Thank you for sharing your memories😅
Loved that knitting shop. As if I don't have enough yarn from my Hurtigruten Expedition cruise to Svalbard and Iceland.
When I went to Scotland, traveling by train I could not distinguish the fjords (Firth*) from the lakes: the water had the exact same colour!
* Firth is the Scottish term for fjord, having in fact in common the glacial origin. Both dictions also share the etymology, deriving from the Proto-Germanic *ferþuz.
One of the best things Steve is that there’s no background music to spoil the fantastic scenery.
Exteriors of the ice world Hoth in “The Empire Strikes Back” were shot in the tiny village of Finse, Norway. The cast and crew stayed at the Finse 1222 Hotel, where snowstorm scenes were shot from the back door. But the main battlefield scenes were shot on the nearby glacier. Also: Travelling during fall or spring is amazing on this line, as you gain or lose altitude the seasons change with it.
I really wish I'd known this!!!!
Had to edit my comment to remove this fact as you beat me to it 😅. I remember reading about this when the film was released and always wanted to travel there so glad I had the chance.
@@PhilEadie65 Imagine seeing Han Solo laserswording the tauntaun and think, "I need to go there". ;)
I had an idea for a monument a while back for a "life size" AT AT placed next to the railway at Finse. Maybe I should make it an official suggestion.
Travelled through it winter 2019, and it was amazing seeing so much snow when reaching Finse, felt like I was in a movie
Absolutely stunning scenery but, mate, you're a legend for standing the whole way. Another fantastic video. Well done, Steve!
Thanks so much, really suffering for my art here :D
right on
BUTIFULL OLD TRAIN STATION IN BERGEN 💯👍👍
It really is, lovely wee place :)
The best thing about vicarious travel is that you never get wet.
I thoroughly enjoy your videos, Steve. You always strike the perfect balance between amazing scenery and insightful commentary. 👍
Haha Cheers Adam! Appreciated mate :)
Phenomenal vlog of definitely the best scenery in pelting rain and standing for 7 hours just to keep US happy! I love your banter and hours of editing! Thanks Steve keep them coming!
In September of 1970 I rode the train from Began to Oslo when I was discharged from duty. I was serving aboard the USS Intrepid and my tour of duty was over. Caught a flight from Oslo to Iceland and then to New York City. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for the video, after 52 years to see the mountains and rivers and small villages and farms again, thanks.
So USS Intrepid visited Bergen?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Intrepid_(CV-11)
Ah so glad to bring you back here!!!
Wow Steve what a trip and what you will endure for your viewers standing all that way. A good nights sleep was well deserved. The scenery was amazing even with the rain. Thank you for allowing us to travel in our armchairs.👏👏
For someone who has worked in London for 44 years and lived in central London for the first 42 years of my life,this is essential therapeutic viewing! Really enjoy your uploads
Haha I can imagine it's a slightly different view!
Oh, man, how nice it is you focus on the views if it is about a train journey. No toilet reviews from you, while the most beautiful scenes flash by. After having seen at least four video's of different vloggers, only now I have the right impression of this majestic landscape. Thanks a lot for that! And, as a recall from others, the toilets in Norwegian trains are clean and well stocked 😉
Haha I well believe it :D I'd be scared to go to the toilet incase I miss something!
My favourite RUclipsr never ever disappoints me and you stood up for 7 hours so we could see that amazing scenery 😁 thank you sir ❤️
My absolute pleasure Richard!
Really lovely.
Thank you! 😊
Dear Steve, thnx for all you do. I really like the way you are presenting your content and, more important, did not let the little child inside if you "die"...you come across as a curious kid in a candystore, a bit "naughty" at times even...which makes your videos stand out and a major pleasure to watch! Keep ' em comin'..cheers!
What a trooper Steve. Took a hit for the crew and came up with some of the best filmed scenery I've ever seen. Im from Scotland so that's saying a lot. Well done!
Thank you so much for your videos. I'm an invalid and can't get out much, your tours mean so much to me, thank you!
I’ve visited Norway for work several times and am always amazed by the infrastructure
Brilliant trip and video, Steve. You’re a martyr and a hero but you know, standing all the way is very familiar to those using Cross Country trains haha. With a first class ticket, you’re allowed to stand in First Class 😂. Loved the scenery. Thanks a lot
Haha love this comment 🤣 All good practice for travelling in the UK :)
I really enjoyed your spectacular train ride across the Norwegian mountains, Steve. And very professional of you to keep the viewers updated with the names of the towns and villages you passed through which made it possible to follow your journey on Google Maps. I've really enjoyed your ongoing adventures in Norway over the last couple of weeks, for which much gratitude 😇
I really appreciate it Kieron!
I made this trip in 1978 going from Oslo to Bergen. I also went down to Flam from Myrdal and back. Stunning views all the way. Well done and many thanks Steve, brings back nice memories.
Cheers Thomas! Bet it was a bit quieter back then, especially on the Flåm!
@@steve-marshIt was all run by Norwegian State Railways (NSB) and you could use Interrail/Eurail passes to get to Flam. There was also a sleeper car that ran from Flam to Oslo and v.v.
The scenery was truly breathtaking. Bet your legs were aching, still it was worth it.
beautiful you did great
Thanks so much!!!
I've watched many of your videos, Steve. It was so cool to see you've done this journey which I take many times during the year. If you'll ever consider taking it again, you should do it during late winter, when it's snowy, sunny, and people skiing beside the rails. A very different experience. :)
I absolutely intend to do just that now I realise how high up it goes :)
Stunning views and minging weather Steve. A proper Scottish day out! An incredible journey all the same 👍
Aye yer right there pal! :D
I really wish I could live there. No heatwave, no tornadoes and hurricanes but great public transport.
The Finse Plateau is where the "Ice Planet Hoth" scenes in "The Empire Strikes Back" were filmed...
No way!!! Wish I'd known that at the time!
I'm familiar with this journey - thanks to the wonderful videos on the "Rail Cow Girl" channel... Must do this trip sometime soon!
Came here to say this. She has some stunning videos of that line going both ways (a couple of the Flam line too) including some from winter in heavy snow across the plateau. From the front of the train you can see everything!
Loved your viewpoint and narrative. I am addicted to the cab view videos of this route and thoroughly enjoyed the passenger view! I could not have lasted the entire journey standing! Hats off to you!
So many trees! And the water. With the mountains in the background, it looked almost not real. So very beautiful! Thanks for sharing Steve. Appreciate your videos and look forward to the next one. Have a great week!
Aye, despite the weather, it was still spectacular! And you can see why it's so green eh?...
wonderful trip
Thanks for coming along!
Great video Steve. Similarities to the scenery on Christchurch to Greymouth train journey in NZ.
So true! And I've done that one, sadly before the channel!
Some of the most breath-taking scenery that I think I have ever seen and all capture brilliantly by you, thank you so much for your effort and skill, loved every second of this journey. Stay safe and cheers.
Cheers Simon, it was a challenging trip, so glad I captured something of it! I also missed a lot! :D
Steve, unlucky with the weather mate (and the seat). It did look fantastic scenery-wise. Tell you what though, I’d have been straight into the cafe bar for a coffee, then after about 2 hours another coffee, then another, plus one of those hotdogs (decent value there) and probably finished it off with a beer with around an hour to go 😂 Would I try it? Yes, at the quietest time of the year if possible. Great video, cheers 😊👍
Stunning scenery, grim weather. What a combination, its fine if you're not out in it.
Exactly! Cocooned in the train all the way through some pretty remote places!
Thanks for taking me along on this beautiful journey.
Hey you are so welcome!
We went on the train from Flam a few years ago up to Myrdal and back (we were on a fjords cruise). It was the end of May and the platform at Myrdal was knee deep in snow!
Oh I'd love to see it like this!
Wow. What a journey, and up as far as the snow line too. Gorgeous -just imagine it on a sunny day! Thanks for sharing the experience Steve, opening our eyes to a beautiful country.
Oh I know right!? I'll just need to go back some day :)
Stunning scenary Steve and as usual a very enjoyable interlude to my Saturday morning. I look forward to your films each week. Keep up the good work!
Really appreciate you coming along on these adventures Peter!
Ryanair 2002 :-
Glasgow (Prestwick)- Torp (Sandefjord) £30 rtn 😅
Thanks to that cheap flight we ended up on the Oslo-Bergen train rtn!
🌎No.1 in the world,but you need the sunshine Steve!
Another cracking vid👍
Haha nice!!!!
Lovely scenery but I was most impressed by the number of bike spaces on the train, if only that was the case in the UK
It's mostly because of the Rallarvegen, the bike road between Haugastøl and down to Flåm. It was built when they built the Bergen line, the workers were called Rallare. Now it's a famous bike road. And Finse and Myrdal are only reached by train, so people would have to take the train if they want to start the bike ride from those stations.
Absolutely gorgeous views as always
Cheers mate!
What a journey Steve, still incredible scenery despite the weather👌It felt just like home in that weather😉I can't believe you stood up for the whole 7 hours wow, thats dedication👍
Haha I was broken by the end of this mate!
A very good morning from Scotland.
Morning!
Just stunning.
Thank you as always Steve for being part of my Saturday morning. A highlight for sure! Something I and I'm sure many of your viewers look forward to and anticipate all week. Educational, entertaining, inspiring and fun.
Really appreciate being part of your Saturdays!
You’ve done it again, Steve! A beautiful journey. Your videos are honest, which makes them entertaining and helpful. Crappy weather, inconvenient seating along with stunning views and that helpful conductor give a full picture of the adventure! Thanks Steve. 😊
I love that kind of weather.
Standing the entire trip is dedication!
Thank you. I`m from Norway, lived in Bergen for some years and traveled Bergensbanen one time in 1982.
Fantastic work Steve great content very inspiring
Cheers John!
Thanks for taking the time to film this. It's the only way I'll ever get to experience that and over a 7 hour trip that must have been taxing, even before editing. Very well put together and very much appreciated.
It is beautiful and just got back from Norway, I did do Flam Railway and it’s gorgeous.
I'd love to go back in winter!
Will have to watch it a second time...top class video.
Hey that's what I like to hear :) Thanks so much!
I love watching your videos, Steve. I recently subscribed to your channel, and I really like how informative your content is. Steve’s Notes at the end are a really nice touch. Great work mate.
Really appreciate it mate, thanks so much!
Hi Steve, I've only recently found your channel and so glad I did. I'm trying to catch up on all your video's, thank you so much for sharing them. Keep it up from me, your new friend in South Africa
Wow, I'm always amazed by views from all over the world, thanks so much!
Look how clean these trains are
A fun fact about Finse. It was the setting for the ice planet Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. Busy days on the train then no doubt. Great video as always!
How beautiful that journey must be in sunny weather. You did a great job of filming and editing what was clearly a tricky assignment. I know Norway is Norway, but some of the scenes reminded me of lovely Alpine rail journeys I've taken. Thanks, Steve. 👍
Cheers Rupert, aye it was a challenging day, but just had to do my best with the conditions thrown at me. I fancy repeating in deepest winter now I realise how high up it goes!
@@steve-marsh😮
Another brilliant video, Steve. Although it's just been mentioned, RailCowGirl, a driver there, has wonderful videos of cab views in all conditions, particularly in deep smow. One of her videos shows where she swapped at Myrdal to drive a train down to Flam. Well worth a look at.
Thanks Lawrie!
This train station looks very calm compared to Paris train station and all others that I have seen. Absolutely a breathe of fresh air.
I have always flown between Oslo and Bergen but will have to take the train next time. Thank you for sharing your experience
Best to see up close, but I'd love to see it from altitude too on a clear day!
I've done the Voss to Myrdal section in June 2005 and down the Flamsbana. This was part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour. 2 buses, 2 trains and 2 ferries!! My late father was born in Shetland so I think his ancestors may have come from Aalesund. Bergen is where Edvard Grieg lived; his grandfather came fron Scotland. Thank for the memories, Steve.
A pleasure mate!
Just beautiful thank you!
Thanks for bringing memories of holidays we had In Glorious Norway many many years ago.
Scottish highlands on steroids!
Haha well said!
Thank you so much for letting us travel with you! This is a really beautiful trip!
Great video! Stunning scenery and fascinating to see.
Thanks Steve
Absolutely love your videos as it actually feels like I’m travelling with you as we watch the world go by
Lovely As Always Steve
Thanks Paul!
I did this train the other direction ( Oslo to Bergen) about50 years ago. Incredebily beautiful!
Love this video! Very enjoyable. Thank you, Steve!
Thank you for your delightful company on a fun train ride!
Thanks for a wonderful ride through some of the most beautiful county in the world. Love all your videos, thanks Steve! :)
Good eveining from Down Under thanks again Steve loving your dedication and work...so dam enjoyable regard Doc from Down Under
Ah thanks so much mate!!!
That was amazing Steve, such beauty of the landscape.
Wonderful.👌
great stuff, really enjoy yer work.
Another great video Steve, Norway looks stunning
Magnum! My fave, Thanks for the vid
Loved it!
Such a beautiful journey, definitely one to add to the bucket list!
Excellent work!
Loved the video and the scenery was spectacular... i definitely need to visit. Thank you!
Spectacular! Thanks for your efforts to bring us footage of this amazing trip.
Thanks for the journey
Amazing!
Beautiful scenery 😉👍🏻
absolutely we enjoyed it, as usual your videos are great to enjoy the scenic views and when its Norway we really fell in love with beauty.
Mornin Steve thx again for super scenery of Norway like the green mountains of Vermont sturdy legs to stand 7 hours weather sketchy but you pulled it through stay safe see you soon😘😉🌼🌲🌿
Cheers Linda! It all came together in the end, but boy was that a tiring day :D
Enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Thank you!
LOVELY ENJOYED IT
Just found your channel and enjoying it very much. You do a great job in narrating your journeys. Looking forward to more.
Excellent video, brought back some good memories of the times I travelled in Norway 😊
Stunning scenery.
Just discovered this channel and slowly making my way through these adventures. This one is my absolute favorite so far. What a stunning country. I had no idea. Is now top of my list to visit. Thank you Steve. You are a legend!
Your videos are getting better and better with each one I watch
Stunning= well captured great viewing.👍👍
Look forward every weekend to your excellent videos.
Really appreciate it mate!
Thanks for taking one for the team Steve. 7hrs standing on wobbly train is some commitment. Loved the video. Thanks a lot.
It looks incredible Steve x
Great video! Norway sure is beautiful, even when the weather is bad.
Definitely want to check out Norway now. You are fast becoming one of my favourite youtube vloggers.
Stunning scenery, looks like a fantastic journey.
Hope your hotel was nearby and comfortable.