Day 19 (28 March): Bergen to Oslo

In 33 days, we'll depart our cute little Bergen Airbnb and make the 16-minute walk to Bergen train station - we'll be off to Oslo! Our train departs Bergen at 8:08 am and arrives in Oslo just after 3 pm. We've booked a 6-seater cabin to cover the 500 km, so we get our own little compartment.

Known as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world with views of fjords, mountains, and waterfalls, the Bergen Line was approved in concept in 1894 by the parliament. From a previous post, you'll recall that at this time, Norway and Sweden were united, but Norwegians were increasingly demanding sovereignty (the union dissolved peacefully in 1905).

There were several challenges with construction, which included crossing the Hardangervidda plateau, a vast, high-altitude wilderness with extreme weather conditions. Work began in 1895 and took 14 years to complete, with over 15,000 workers. Many tunnels needed to be built too. The Bergen Line officially opened on November 27, 1909. Initially, steam locomotives operated the route, but the high-altitude conditions and harsh winters made operations difficult. The line was electrified in 1954, improving reliability and efficiency. Since then, there have been many improvements, such as modern signaling, new tunnels, and high-speed trains.

Gliding through a winter wonderland ❄️🚂 The Bergen Line weaves its way past icy rivers and snow-draped landscapes—Norway at its most magical.

Once we arrive in Oslo, we'll make our way to our next Airbnb! It's just a 9-minute tram ride (or 30-minute walk) from the main station in Oslo. From all accounts, public transport in Oslo is easy and by far the best way to get around.

Although we'll have been in Oslo already once this trip, this time, it's for exploring! Can't wait to see what Oslo will have in store for us!