Flamsbana, the steep fjord railway between Flam and Myrdal

Flamsbana, known in Norwegian as Flåmsbana, is a standard-gauge railway that climbs between the fjord-side village of Flam and the mountain station of Myrdal in western Norway. Built as a branch of the Bergen Line and opened in 1940, it compresses a striking change of altitude into a compact route that has become a showpiece of Norwegian rail engineering.

From fjord village to mountain junction

The core of Flamsbana is its relationship between landscape and line: a train running from near sea level at Flam to the high plateau at Myrdal in little more than 20 km (12.6 mi). The route forms the Flåm Line, a branch of the Bergen Line that connects Flam, at the head of Aurlandsfjord, with Myrdal station on the main east–west railway across southern Norway.a 20.2 km railway line From Flam the track follows the valley of Flåmsdalen, climbing steadily through narrow side valleys before reaching the junction with the Bergen Line at Myrdal.

Flamsbana links two contrasting environments that are part of the same wider geography. Flam lies down by Aurlandsfjord, itself a branch of Sognefjord, while Myrdal sits high above on the mountain plateau where the Bergen Line runs between Oslo and Bergen.the village at the head of the Aurlandsfjord At Myrdal the trains connect with long-distance services, making the branch a visible link between fjord travel and the national rail network.on the Bergen Line

Engineering a steep standard-gauge climb

What sets Flamsbana apart within railway history is its gradient. Over its length the line climbs or descends around 860 m (about 2,820 ft), creating averages that are steep for an adhesion railway using standard-gauge track.a descent of 866 m in 20 km Construction began in 1923 and the line opened in 1940, the result of nearly two decades of tunnelling and earthworks to bring the Bergen Line down to the fjord.built between 1923 and 1940

The steep valley of Flåmsdalen required a series of tunnels and cuttings to keep the alignment within workable limits. The line includes numerous tunnels, many of them excavated by hand, and curves that follow the contours of the mountainsides.a route with 20 tunnels Station names such as Håreina, Berekvam and Kjosfossen mark points where the track meets side valleys, waterfalls and plateau farms, giving the journey a rhythm of short sections between halts.stations from Flam to Myrdal

The experience of travelling Flamsbana

Travelling on Flamsbana means watching the valley change around the train as it moves between fjord and plateau. Trains run between Flam station beside the harbour and Myrdal high above, covering the 20 km route in about 55 minutes in each direction under the current timetable.a journey of approximately 55 minutes The carriages are designed for scenic travel, with large windows that frame the surrounding slopes, river and waterfalls.

Along the way the railway passes small stations, mountain farms and views into side valleys while following the river that drains the high plateau towards the fjord.the line runs between Flam and Myrdal The stop at Kjosfossen is part of the established pattern of the journey, giving passengers time to step out and see one of the waterfalls close to the railway alignment.a halt at Kjosfossen Combined with boat services on Aurlandsfjord and Sognefjord, the line creates a loop that brings together waterborne and rail travel through this part of Norway.

Visiting Flamsbana: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Flamsbana runs between Flam and Myrdal in western Norway, with Flam station beside the harbour on Aurlandsfjord and Myrdal linked to the Bergen Line main route.
• The route follows the valley of Flåmsdalen, and stations and viewpoints lie at varying altitudes, so travellers experience a noticeable change in elevation over the course of the journey.
• Flam is reached by road along Aurlandsfjord and by connecting trains and buses, while Myrdal sits on the Bergen Line and functions as the junction between long-distance services and the branch.
• The terrain around the line includes steep valley sides, river gorges and tunnel sections, and platforms at intermediate stations may be shorter than those at Flam and Myrdal.
• The official language in Norway is Norwegian and the currency is the Norwegian krone.

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Frequently asked questions about Flamsbana

Where is Flamsbana and what does it connect?

Flamsbana forms the Flåm Line between Flam on Aurlandsfjord and Myrdal station on the Bergen Line in western Norway, connecting fjord travel with the national rail network.

What can travellers expect on a journey with Flamsbana?

A journey on Flamsbana covers about 20 km between near sea level and the high plateau, passing tunnels, waterfalls and small stations as the train climbs or descends the Flåmsdalen valley.

What makes Flamsbana distinctive among railways?

The railway combines a steep gradient, standard-gauge construction, a short route opened in 1940 and a close relationship with the surrounding fjord and mountain landscapes.