How to Travel Norway by Train

Most of the time when I travel domestically, I go by plane. Norway is so stretched out that distances are quite big. Living in the south and hailing from the north, driving takes 24 hours more or less non-stop between my two homes, and that’s not even from the northernmost to the southernmost regions of the country. With the coronavirus running the show last year, heading abroad seemed like a lot of hassle, so I decided to rather explore home turf. But what to do? A colleague of mine sowed the idea of travelling by train instead of flying, and so the plan for moving overland grew, and materialised.

It’s not long ago we had one train company only in Norway. These days there are many, but they don’t run the same distances. Conveniently, all tickets can be booked on Vy’s website, at the same prices. Here is a rundown of the companies I travelled with last fall/winter, and previously. With more to come, I think, because compared to flying, it is (usually) cheaper, and sometimes less time consuming in terms of total travel time. Also, the landscapes one passes by at times, are nothing less than gorgeous.

Where no train runs, there might be a bus. Or, the same distance can be cheaper travelled by bus.

Update: These days you should be able to look up all public transportation needs on one website, entur.no. Buy tickets as well. For buses, street cars, trains, metros, ferries, city bikes, and e-scooters. I haven’t gotten around to testing it yet.

NORD is run by SJ. I’ve travelled both on their day train service from Hamar to Røros, and their night train service from Trondheim to Bodø.

The day train service from Hamar to Røros was one noisy experience. 3.5 hours of the same clatter that you have on airplanes, and, I assume, since it was dark, the train whistle was used frequently. This was definitely not a train of recent date. At the station waiting to leave Røros, I was so glad I had chosen to go the next leg by bus, when I heard the train arrive – heard before I saw 😀

I haven’t been on a night train since I was a teenager, so I was a bit curious about how this 10 hour Trondheim to Bodø trip was gonna play out. First I checked in with a lady at the train station – look for the NORD flag on the left side of the staircase. Then I moved my big suitcase, small backpack, handbag and self into the 2 person sleeper I had booked. After closing the door, all I could do was turn 360 degrees 😀 I had forgotten how tiny the compartments are 🙂 Solution to problem: put the suitcase on the lower of the two bunk beds, and sleep in the upper one. Bad idea! Motion sickness kicked in the second I laid down. That I hadn’t thought about! The carriage is shaking sideways, and when it turns right, you’re downhill head first. After a little bit of rearranging, and motion sickness pills, I finally fell asleep, and was woken the next morning by the loudspeaker announcing arrival in Bodø in 15 minutes. Check-out time is 10 minutes after arrival. Would I do it again? Yes, but be a bit more prepared for what’s in store 🙂

This train wasn’t the newest edition either. In the hallway there are folding tables and seats, and restrooms. Washbasin in compartment. Towels are provided. You pay per sleeper, not per person in sleeper, in addition to the train ticket. Cafe, with seating, open all night. Here you redeem the comp small water bottle voucher you receive at check-in.

GO-AHEAD I travelled on round trip from Oslo to Kristiansand. Outbound I was in Komfort class (equals business class). Homebound I was in Standard class (equals economy class). Looks wise I wouldn’t say they differ much. In Komfort there is a separate section with bar tables, if you wanna stretch your legs. Besides that, nothing. Travel companion wise, Komfort was a lot better. Just 3 people. Could be because of COVID, and a weekday very early morning departure. Very nice I must admit. At least when you compare it to my return trip. No surprise, a lot more people in the cheapest Standard class. And a lot more noise. Regret I didn’t fork over a bit more money.

VY is the local train company for Oslo, and area. It also runs intercity and regional lines. In the Eastern part of Norway. Like Hamar, Fredrikstad, and Sarpsborg, about an hour away each from Oslo. I’ve used it frequently for commuting to work/office outside the city centre.

This is also a cheaper option for getting to and from the airport. It doesn’t take longer than the Airport Express train (Flytoget), but has less departures per hour, 3 only. Riding on the city’s buses, metros, and trams are included in the ticket.

There are two train stations in central Oslo. Oslo S (Oslo central station) and Nationaltheatret (close to the royal palace).

Tip: If you have a Ruter ticket (city buses, metros, and trams) that is valid, you need to buy a train ticket from the outskirts of Oslo to your destination. Your Ruter ticket will cover travelling within the city. Going south, means you’ll have to buy a train ticket with departure Rosenholm. Going west, it will be Lysaker. Going east, means Lørenskog. It will save you a few kroner.