Fjord tours from Bergen: the day trips worth taking, and what to do before and after

A fjord tour from Bergen can take three hours or a full day. The shortest is the Mostraumen cruise from the Fish Market, while the Nærøyfjord, Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord need an early start. Here are the tours, where they leave from and how to plan your day in the city around them.

Find a hotel close to the boats and the train

Four fjord day trips from Bergen

Bergen is called the gateway to the fjords for a reason. These four day trips start and finish in the city centre:

• Mostraumen and Osterfjord: 3 to 3.5 hours by boat from the Fish Market. The shortest, the easiest and it runs all year.

• Norway in a nutshell: Train, bus, the Nærøyfjord and the Flåm Railway. A full day from Bergen station.

• Hardangerfjord and Vøringsfossen: Train, bus and boat through orchard country. A full day, summer only.

• Sognefjord by express boat: From Strandkaien up Norway's longest fjord. A long day, spring to autumn.

Rule of thumb: if you have a morning, choose Mostraumen. If you have a full day and want the big fjords, pick one of the other three.

Mostraumen and the Osterfjord: the short classic

The Mostraumen fjord cruise is the easiest way to see a real fjord from Bergen. The boat leaves from Zachariasbryggen by the Fish Market, and the trip takes three to three and a half hours.

The route heads up the 27-kilometre Osterfjord, under the Nordhordland Bridge and through Mostraumen, a narrow, fast-flowing strait where the mountains come right down to the boat. It turns around at Modalen. On the way you pass waterfalls, and when the water is high you may get a cold splash in the face. The boat also stops at a waterfall so you can taste the mountain water.

The cruise is run by Rødne and operates all year, which makes it the best fjord trip if you visit Bergen outside the summer season.

• Departure: Zachariasbryggen, by the Fish Market.

• Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours.

• Price: NOK 940 for adults and NOK 470 for children (4-15) in 2027.

Norway in a nutshell: the Nærøyfjord and the Flåm Railway

Norway in a nutshell is the most famous fjord trip in Norway, and it leaves Bergen station at around eight in the morning. You travel by train towards Voss, by bus through the Nærøy valley, by boat on the Nærøyfjord and on the Flåm Railway, and you are back in Bergen between 6 and 9 pm depending on the season.

The Nærøyfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the narrowest fjords in the world. It is a lot to take in for one day, and that is exactly the point.

The tour runs daily all year. It is popular in summer, so book well ahead.

• Departure: Bergen station, around 8 am.

• Return: Between 6 and 9 pm.

• Price: From NOK 2,698 for adults and NOK 1,204 for children under 16.

Staying next to the station saves you time in the morning. Both Zander K Hotel and Grand Hotel Terminus are right by Bergen station.

The Hardangerfjord and Vøringsfossen waterfall

The Hardangerfjord is the fjord for orchards, small villages and one of Norway's best-known waterfalls in a single trip. Hardangerfjord in a nutshell starts and ends in Bergen and can be done in one day.

The day runs roughly like this: train to Voss in about an hour, bus down to the fjord, a cruise on the Hardangerfjord, an hour at Vøringsfossen and two more hours on the fjord before the bus takes you back to Bergen. Vøringsfossen drops 182 metres into the Måbø valley, and from the boat you pass Ulvik, Eidfjord and Lofthus, surrounded by fruit trees.

This is a summer trip. In 2026 it ran from 21 May to 10 September, and an adult ticket cost NOK 1,991. The 2027 season and prices have not been released yet.

The Sognefjord by express boat

The Sognefjord is Norway's longest and deepest fjord, and you can reach it by express boat straight from the city centre. Norled sails from the Strandkai terminal, next to the Tourist Information, departing at 8 am and arriving in Flåm about five and a half hours later. The boat calls at places such as Vik and Balestrand on the way.

One way by boat is a long day in itself. Many travellers combine the boat with the Flåm Railway and the train back on the same day, so they see the fjord from the water and the mountains from the train. The round trip is sold as Sognefjord in a Nutshell.

• Departure: Strandkai terminal, 8 am.

• Season: April to the end of October, with one departure a day.

• Price: NOK 1,295 one way for adults and NOK 648 for children under 16.

Which fjord tour should you choose?

It depends on your time and how much you want to see:

• Short on time or visiting in winter: Mostraumen. Three hours, all year, five minutes from Bryggen.

• First time in Norway: Norway in a nutshell. Fjord, mountains, trains and the Flåm Railway in one day.

• Summer and waterfalls: The Hardangerfjord and Vøringsfossen.

• The most time on the water: The Sognefjord by express boat.

• Travelling with small children: Mostraumen. The others are a long day to sit still.

Whichever you pick, book ahead in high season and check the forecast. The fjords are beautiful in the rain too, but it helps to know what to wear.

Before the tour: an early breakfast near the departure

The big fjord tours start early, so where you stay matters more than you might think. If your train leaves from the station, Zander K Hotel is the easiest choice. It is right by Bergen station, and breakfast is full of organic and local produce.

If your boat leaves from the Fish Market or Strandkaien, Bergen Børs Hotel is right there. At Frescohallen, breakfast is served from 7 am on weekdays and from 8 am at weekends, beneath the great frescoes.

Tip: ask reception to store your luggage if you check out on the day. [SJEKK: luggage storage at check-out at the hotels]

After the tour: dinner in the city centre

You will be back hungry and full of impressions, so it is nice not to have to go far.

• With a harbour view: Bjerck Restaurant & Bar on Torgallmenningen has large panoramic windows facing Bryggen and the Fish Market. Fish and chips, mussels and fish soup are good choices after a day on the water.

• Traditional Bergen food: Wesselstuen by Ole Bulls plass is the place for traditional Bergen dining.

• By the station: Amundsen Bar & Bistro keeps its kitchen open until 10 pm and has a whisky collection that makes it easy to stay a while.

Still light when you get back? Mount Fløyen is only minutes away. See our guide to Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen.

The fjord without leaving the city

Not enough time for a full fjord tour? You can still get a taste. Bergen sits on the Byfjord, and you can see it from all over the centre.

• From Mount Fløyen: The funicular gets you up in minutes, with views over the harbour, the Byfjord and the islands towards the sea.

• From Mount Ulriken: Higher and wider, with fjords and mountains rolling inland.

• From your table: Big windows facing the harbour and Bryggen let you watch the boats come and go over dinner.

• From the quay: An evening walk along the harbour and Bryggen, where the fjord boats dock, is free and always lovely.

It will not replace the Nærøyfjord, but it is a good start if you only have an evening.

Practical tips before you go

• Dress for wind. It is colder on deck than in the city, even in July.

• Pack snacks. On the long tours there is not always time to sit down for a meal.

• Check the return time. Plan dinner around it, not the other way round.

• Be early. Trains and boats do not wait.

• Charge your phone. You will take more photos than you expect.

If you have several days, a fjord trip is a great contrast to the city. Spend the others on things to do in Bergen.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the fjord cruise to Mostraumen?

The fjord cruise from Bergen to Mostraumen takes three to three and a half hours return. It leaves from Zachariasbryggen by the Fish Market, sails up the Osterfjord and through the narrow Mostraumen strait before turning at Modalen. It runs all year, so it also works if you visit Bergen in autumn or winter.

Can you do a fjord tour from Bergen in winter?

Yes, several fjord tours from Bergen run all year. The Mostraumen fjord cruise and Norway in a nutshell to the Nærøyfjord and Flåm both have winter departures. Hardangerfjord in a nutshell and the express boat to the Sognefjord are seasonal and run from spring or early summer to early autumn. Check the timetable for the year you travel.

Where do fjord boats leave from in Bergen?

Most fjord boats leave from Bergen city centre. The Mostraumen cruise departs from Zachariasbryggen by the Fish Market, while the express boat to the Sognefjord and Flåm leaves from the Strandkai terminal next to the Tourist Information. Norway in a nutshell and Hardangerfjord in a nutshell begin with a train from Bergen station.

Can you see the Nærøyfjord on a day trip from Bergen?

Yes, you can see the Nærøyfjord on a day trip from Bergen with Norway in a nutshell. The tour leaves Bergen station at around 8 am and combines train, bus, a boat on the Nærøyfjord and the Flåm Railway. You are back in Bergen between 6 and 9 pm depending on the season. The fjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Do I need to book a fjord tour in advance?

Booking a fjord tour in advance is a good idea, especially from June to August, when the most popular trips can sell out days ahead. Outside summer it is easier to find a seat at short notice, but booking early guarantees your place and gives you time to plan breakfast, luggage and dinner around the trip.

A great fjord day starts with a good night in the city. Stay close to the boats and the train, eat an early breakfast and come back for dinner in town. Our hotels make the day easy.

See our hotels in Bergen city centre