Self-Launched Scenic Norway: Oslo, Fjords & the Highlands

Fly into Oslo Gardermoen Airport and take the Flytoget express train (~25 min, ~£22) into the city centre. Check into a budget-friendly hostel or guesthouse in the city centre — the Sentrum area puts you within walking distance of everything. This evening, head to Aker Brygge waterfront for a self-guided wander and pick up dinner from one of the casual restaurants or grab a supermarket meal deal (REMA 1000 or Kiwi are your best friends for affordable eating in Norway). Get an early night — big days ahead.

🚌Flytoget express train from Oslo Airport to city centre, ~25 min, ~£22

🛏Anker Hostel or City Box Oslo — dorm from ~£30/night, private room from ~£70/night

• →Arrive at Oslo Gardermoen — take Flytoget express train to city centre (~£22)
• →Check into hostel or budget guesthouse in Sentrum
• →Self-guided evening wander around Aker Brygge waterfront
• →Dinner from a local restaurant or supermarket to save money

Spend the day exploring Oslo's highlights independently. Start with Frogner Park (free entry) and the iconic Vigeland sculpture installation — allow 1.5–2 hours. Then head to the National Museum of Norway (book online via nasjonalmuseet.no, ~£15) to see the original Scream by Munch and world-class Nordic art collections. In the afternoon, visit the Nobel Peace Center near City Hall (~£14, book via nobelpeacecenter.org). Round off the day with a stroll along the Oslofjord waterfront. Oslo's public trams (T-bane) make getting around easy — a 24-hour pass costs ~£10.

🚌Oslo T-bane (metro/tram) — 24-hour pass ~£10

🛏Anker Hostel or City Box Oslo

• →Frogner Park and Vigeland sculpture installation (free)
• →National Museum of Norway — book tickets online (~£15)
• →Nobel Peace Center (~£14, book direct at nobelpeacecenter.org)
• →Evening stroll along the Oslofjord waterfront
• →Use 24-hour T-bane pass for city transport (~£10)

Take the morning train from Oslo S to Notodden (~2 hrs, ~£20), then a local bus or taxi to Heddal Stave Church — Norway's largest medieval stave church, built around 1150 (entry ~£10). Continue by bus towards Rjukan to visit the Vemork / Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum and the site of the famous WWII heavy water sabotage mission (entry ~£12, book via industriarbeidermuseet.no). It's a moving and fascinating stop. Overnight in the Rauland/Rjukan area — look for guesthouses or a simple hotel. Dinner at your accommodation or a local café.

🚌NSB/Vy train Oslo S to Notodden (~£20), local bus to Heddal and Rjukan (~£10)

🛏Rjukan Gjestegård or similar guesthouse — from ~£60/night

• →Train from Oslo S to Notodden (~2 hrs, ~£20)
• →Visit Heddal Stave Church — Norway's largest (~£10)
• →Bus/taxi to Rjukan and visit Vemork / Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum (~£12)
• →Scenic drive past Lake Tinnsjø

Today is one of the most scenic travel days of the trip. Take a bus from Rjukan towards Odda and pick up the public Hardangerfjord ferry crossing (Brimnes–Bruravik or similar, ~£8) — an iconic and beautiful crossing through Norway's largest fjord. En route, stop at Latefoss waterfall (free, roadside stop) for photos. Many farms around Ulvik and Hardanger sell local apple juice and cider at farm shops — stop at one for a self-organised tasting lunch (~£12). Continue by bus or rental car towards Bergen, arriving in the late afternoon. Do a self-guided orientation walk through Bryggen, the Hanseatic Wharf, harbour and Fish Market before dinner.

🚌Local buses Rjukan–Odda–Hardangerfjord (~£18), public ferry crossing (~£8), bus to Bergen (~£15)

🛏Marken Gjestehus or Bergen Budget Hotel — from ~£55/night

• →Bus from Rjukan area towards Hardangerfjord
• →Public ferry crossing of Hardangerfjord (~£8)
• →Stop at Latefoss waterfall (free)
• →Visit a local Hardanger fruit farm shop for apple juice and cider tasting lunch (~£12)
• →Self-guided walk of Bryggen, Hanseatic Wharf, harbour and Fish Market on arrival in Bergen

Bergen is one of Norway's most charming cities and deserves a full free day. Take the Fløibanen funicular up to Mount Fløyen for panoramic views (return ~£12, book at floyen.no). Explore the colourful wooden houses of Bryggen (UNESCO World Heritage Site — free to wander). Browse the Fish Market (Fisketorget) for fresh Norwegian seafood — try a prawn sandwich (~£8). Visit the KODE Art Museums or Bergenhus Fortress (free). In the afternoon, wander the cobbled alleyways of the old town or take a self-guided hike on the nearby trails. The Bergen Card (~£30 for 24 hrs) covers most transport and several museum entries if you want to pack in more.

🚌On foot and Fløibanen funicular — Bergen is very walkable

🛏Marken Gjestehus or Bergen Budget Hotel

• →Fløibanen funicular up to Mount Fløyen — panoramic city views (~£12 return)
• →Self-guided walk through Bryggen UNESCO World Heritage Site (free)
• →Fish Market — try fresh Norwegian prawns or a seafood snack (~£8)
• →Bergenhus Fortress — free entry
• →Optional: Bergen Card for museums and transport (~£30)

An epic day on the water. Book the Norway in a Nutshell® route or a dedicated Sognefjord/Naerøyfjord scenic cruise via Norled or fjordtours.com (from ~£50–70 per person, book in advance). The Naerøyfjord is a UNESCO-listed narrow fjord arm — one of the most stunning in the world. After the cruise, continue by bus to Fjærland to visit the Norwegian Glacier Museum (entry ~£16, with the famous 5-screen glacier film). Get a photo stop with views of Jostedal Glacier — Europe's largest mainland glacier. Continue by bus to Loen for the night. Dinner at your accommodation or a local café in Loen.

🚌Public ferry/scenic cruise Sognefjord (~£60), bus Fjærland–Loen (~£20)

🛏Loen Hostel or Pension Loen — from ~£50/night

• →Scenic cruise of Sognefjord and Naerøyfjord — book via Norled or fjordtours.com (~£60)
• →Visit Norwegian Glacier Museum in Fjærland (~£16, includes 5-screen film)
• →Photo stop with views of Jostedal Glacier (free)
• →Bus to Loen for overnight

Today is all about the mountains. Book tickets for the Loen Skylift — a spectacular cable car that shoots you up to the summit of Mount Hoven (1,011m) in just 5 minutes, with breathtaking views over Nordfjord and Lake Lovatnet (return ~£38, book at loenskylift.no). At the top there are walking trails, a restaurant and views of Jostedalsbreen Glacier. Spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful Loen valley and the turquoise waters of Lake Lovatnet on foot — it's one of Norway's most photogenic spots. A relaxed evening in the village rounds out this mountain day.

🚌On foot within Loen village and lake area

🛏Loen Hostel or Pension Loen

• →Loen Skylift cable car to summit of Mount Hoven — book at loenskylift.no (~£38 return)
• →Walking trails at the summit with views of Jostedalsbreen Glacier (free)
• →Self-guided walk along Lake Lovatnet — stunning turquoise water (free)
• →Explore the Nordfjord village of Loen

Another landmark fjord day. Take an early bus towards Geiranger and board the iconic Geirangerfjord public ferry (Geiranger–Hellesylt, ~£18, operated by Norled) — a UNESCO World Heritage fjord flanked by cascading waterfalls including the Seven Sisters. After docking, take a bus or join a small group transfer up the Nibbevegen mountain road to the Geiranger Skywalk at Mount Dalsnibba (viewing platform at 1,476m, entry ~£10 road toll). Jaw-dropping views straight down to the fjord. Continue east by bus and train via Lom (photo stop at Lom Stave Church, free) towards Lillehammer. This is a long travel day — settle into your accommodation and rest.

🚌Bus to Geiranger (~£15), Norled public ferry Geirangerfjord (~£18), bus/taxi to Dalsnibba (~£12), bus/train to Lillehammer (~£30)

🛏Gjøvik Budget Hotel or Lillehammer Hostel — from ~£50/night

• →Public Geirangerfjord ferry Geiranger–Hellesylt (~£18, book via Norled)
• →Bus up to Geiranger Skywalk / Dalsnibba viewing platform (~£12 including road toll)
• →Photo stop at Lom Stave Church (free)
• →Bus/train to Lillehammer (~£30)

Start the morning at the Lillehammer Olympic Ski Jump (Lysgårdsbakkene) — you can take the chairlift up for views and an optional bobsled simulator (~£12). Then visit Maihaugen Open-Air Museum, one of Scandinavia's largest open-air folk museums with 200+ historic buildings including the Garmo Stave Church (entry ~£20, book via maihaugen.no). Drive or take a bus past Eidsvollbygningen — the historic Norwegian constitution building on the shore of Lake Mjøsa (~£10 entry). Then catch the train back to Oslo (~1.5 hrs, ~£15) for your final evening. Treat yourself to a farewell dinner at a local Oslo restaurant — try Mathallen Food Hall for great Norwegian food at reasonable prices.

🚌Local bus Lillehammer sights (~£5), train Lillehammer–Oslo (~£15)

🛏Anker Hostel or City Box Oslo — back in the capital

• →Lillehammer Olympic Ski Jump — chairlift and views (~£12)
• →Maihaugen Open-Air Museum — 200+ historic buildings, Garmo Stave Church (~£20)
• →Stop at Eidsvollbygningen historic constitution building (~£10)
• →Train back to Oslo (~1.5 hrs, ~£15)
• →Farewell dinner at Mathallen Food Hall, Oslo

Enjoy a final Norwegian breakfast before checking out. If your flight is in the afternoon, use the morning for any last-minute sightseeing — the Akershus Fortress (free) and a final walk along the Oslofjord waterfront are perfect low-key options. Take the Flytoget express train back to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (~25 min, ~£22). Fly home with incredible fjord memories and a significantly lighter dent in your wallet than the group tour alternative.

🚌Flytoget express train to Oslo Airport (~£22, ~25 min)

• →Final morning stroll — Akershus Fortress (free)
• →Last walk along the Oslofjord waterfront
• →Flytoget express train to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (~£22)