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Cruises to Flam

207 Reviews
Flam (Photo:wojtaro76/Shutterstock)

About Flam

Flam, meaning "little place with steep mountains," could not have a more perfect name. The storybook hamlet, population 350, is nestled on Aurlandsfjord, the innermost arm of the world's second longest fjord, Sognefjord, which stretches halfway to Sweden. With its snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, river, meadows and picturesque farms, Flam is beautiful throughout the year, but most popular in the summer when travelers flock here for the dramatic fjords and outdoor activities. Flam is also a good starting point for a day trip to Naeroyfjord, an arm of Sognefjord, and newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.



Flam's popularity as a tourist destination began in the late 19th century with the arrival of steam ships carrying English and German passengers. Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm and Europe's royals were also frequent summer visitors -- attracted by salmon fishing in the Flam River. In 1909, the opening of the Bergen Railway established Flam as a junction for passengers and goods between Oslo and Bergen. Back then, horse drawn buggies carried vacationers through the spectacular region.



Today, Flam is Norway's fourth largest cruise port (by number of calls -- fifth largest by number of passengers). Around 175 cruise ships squeeze through the narrow fjord annually, bringing thousands of visitors to the tiny town. As terminus for the celebrated Flamsbana, considered one of the world's most scenic rail trips, Flam also receives several hundred thousand train visitors a year. Thousands of Norwegians come in summer and fall to experience Rallarvegen, a spectacular cycling route.

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Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam

21 Night
Legends Of The Fjords & Baltic Jewels

225 Reviews
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Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam

11 Night
Legends Of The Fjords

225 Reviews
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Jewel of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas

12 Night
Arctic Circle Cruise

1,621 Reviews
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Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam

22 Night
European Splendor & Midnight Sun

225 Reviews
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25 Night
Midnight Sun & Legends Of The Fjords

225 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

7 Night
Viking Shores & Fjords

1,980 Reviews
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12 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

24 Reviews
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14 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

24 Reviews
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13 Night
Arctic Circle Cruise

1,621 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

7 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

560 Reviews
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14 Night
Best Of Norway

71 Reviews
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7 Night
Viking Sagas

71 Reviews
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7 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

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7 Night
Viking Sagas

71 Reviews
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14 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

213 Reviews
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More about Flam

Why go to Flam?

Pros:

Hikers, cyclists, kayakers and train enthusiasts will all find beautiful routes out of Flam

Cons:

Weather is changeable, and downpours can make outdoor activity unpalatable

Bottom Line:

When the weather is nice, there's much to explore by boat, rail, wheels or foot

Flam Cruise Port Facilities?

There is no port building with facilities, but everything in town is within a five-minute walk. Public toilets and tourist information are in the Flam Railway Ticket Office building, and restaurants, shops and tour providers all line the harbor.

Good to Know?

The weather in fjord country can change quickly, so it's best to be prepared and dress in layers and bring an umbrella. If you're booking tours in advance, consider whether you're willing to do them in the pouring rain before you commit.

Getting Around?

On foot: Everything you need in Flam is within walking distance. There are also several walking/hiking paths that leave from the town. A map is available at the tourist office.

By car: Flam's sole car rental office, Flam Bilutleie A.S., is located at Heimly Pension, about 425 yards east of the rail station (e-mail post@heimly.no or call +47 57 63 23 00). You'll want to book your rental in advance if you're planning on driving to Undredal (20 minutes), Stalheim (30 minutes), Osterbo (45 minutes) and Voss (one hour).

By public transit: A far less costly way to enjoy the area is by public transportation. The bus stop is located about 200 yards from the dock, just before the train station. Take the bus to Aurland to visit the shoe factory, glass blower and scenic viewpoint. Organized bus tours are also available from independent tour companies.

By boat: Daily ferries leave year-round from Flam to Aurland, Undredal and Naeroyfjord. Choose from two companies, Sognefjord AS and Fjord1, and definitely book in advance. Fjord1 is the public ferry that sails between Flam and Gudvangen on the Naeroyfjord. Sognefjord AS is a tour company that offers a boat trip to Gudvangen and a scenic bus ride back.

By bike: Bikes are available to rent at Haugastol Turistsenter near the train museum. Choose a two-hour or full-day rental and bike along the fjord or into the valley.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The official currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK). For current currency conversion figures, visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com. Unlike Denmark and Sweden, Norway is not a member of the European Union, and the euro is not legal tender. Aurland Sparebank has an ATM one minute's walk from the ship.

Language?

Norway features two official languages; bokmal or "book language," derived from Danish, and nynorsk (new Norwegian), derived from many rural Norwegian dialects. Bokmal is the more common, with nynorsk spoken in the fjord country along the west coast and in the central valleys. Norway's oldest language, Sami, is spoken by the country's indigenous people. Most Norwegians also speak very good English. Interestingly, fjord is a Norwegian word that's become part of the international lexicon.

Where You're Docked?

The Flam cruise pier is right in town and a short walk to everything. Three ships can be in port on the same day.


Flam Cruise Reviews
This town seemed much more of a tourist trap but had some good history to see - the rail museum was great, as were the pastries from café at the port. We did the local street train which took us around Flam - the oldRead More
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Kevin79
Took an excursion on the Flam railway, the steepest railway in Northern Europe. Disorganized tour with lots of waiting and lines for train. Lots of scenery with mountains and waterfalls. Some of the views were not grRead More
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Boardwalkfun
Flam is very touristy and the train ride is the real reason to visit.Read More
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jtm1
Flam is beautiful! We did the train ride and we had just a great day here. The train took us to Vos where we had a delicious lunch and time to walk about town. A darling place. Read More
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waverley7

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