How many days do you need in Bergen & Balestrand?
- Most travelers spend 5-6 days in Bergen and Balestrand combined
- Visiting Bergen and Balestrand in 4 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 7 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Oslo, Flåm, and Aurland
How Many Days to Spend in Norway
Recommended Itineraries for Bergen & Balestrand
Recommended Itinerary for 6 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Welcome to Bergen | Bergen |
| Day 2 | Fjordcruise to Mostraumen | Bergen |
| Day 3 | Train to Flåm - Ferry to Balestrand | Balestrand |
| Day 4 | Explore Balestrand | Balestrand |
| Day 5 | Balestrand -> Ferry to Bergen | Bergen |
| Day 6 | Depart Bergen |
This scenic six-day itinerary highlights some of Norway's most picturesque summer destinations. Settle into the historic port city of Bergen and use it as your base to explore the surrounding mountains and fjords. After discovering the city's colorful waterfront and character-filled cobbled streets, you'll set off into the countryside—climbing mountainsides on a steam train, sailing through the spectacular Sognefjord, and visiting the waterfront towns of Balestrand, Flåm, and Fjærland. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
5-Day Itinerary Including Oslo
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Oslo | Oslo |
| Day 2 | Train to Flåm - Ferry to Balestrand | Balestrand |
| Day 3 | Fjordcruise to Fjærland - Ferry to Bergen | Bergen |
| Day 4 | Explore Bergen with a Local | Bergen |
| Day 5 | Depart Bergen |
This five-day jaunt covers a great deal of Nordic ground, visiting the country's two largest cities and its longest and deepest fjord. Start in Oslo before taking a scenic train and ferry to the fjord-side village of Balestrand. Continue north to Fjærland before getting on another boat—this time to Bergen, a historic wharf city and home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more
8-Day Itinerary Including Oslo & Aurland
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bergen | Bergen |
| Day 2 | Local Bergen Tour - Fjord Cruise | Bergen |
| Day 3 | Fjordcruise to Balestrand | Balestrand |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Flåm | Aurland |
| Day 5 | Slow Travel in Aurland | Aurland |
| Day 6 | Nærøyfjord cruise - Flåm Railway to Oslo | Oslo |
| Day 7 | Explore Oslo with a Local | Oslo |
| Day 8 | Depart Oslo |
After arriving, you can explore the cobblestoned wharf city of Bergen, hike to the top of Mount Fløyen for views over the city, and enjoy a fjord cruise to Balestrand. You'll then take a ferry, with fjord views, to Flåm, where you'll spend two nights in a Riverside Farm Lodge in the Norwegian countryside before enjoying a Nærøyfjord cruise. You'll then take the steep and scenic Flåm Railway to Oslo, with a stop in Myrdal, and spend your final two nights in Oslo. Read more
How to travel between Bergen & Balestrand
There are a few different travel options between Bergen and Balestrand. Renting a car and then taking the express ferry is the fastest way to get to Balestrand from Bergen, about 128 miles (206 km) going this route. There are only two different sail times each day, but this is the best option for anyone looking to get Balestrand efficiently. Pairing ferry and bus travel is an option for anyone not interested in making the drive themselves. If you skip taking the ferry altogether, you can drive the whole way—a journey that takes about nine hours. Read more
Map
