Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Norway Fjord Cruise
( 57 65 69 99;
www.fjordcruise.no
)
A range of boat cruises throughout the country, including Lofoten, Sognefjord, Hard-
angerfjord and Svalbard.
TOUR
Train
Norwegian State Railways
(Norges Statsbaner, NSB; press 9 for English 81 50 08 88;
www.nsb.no
)
Operates an excellent, though limited, system of lines connecting Oslo with Stavanger,
Bergen, Åndalsnes, Trondheim, Fauske and Bodø; lines also connect Sweden with Oslo,
Trondheim and Narvik. Most train stations offer luggage lockers and many also have bag-
gage storage rooms.
Most long-distance day trains have 1st- and 2nd-class seats and a buffet car or refresh-
ment trolley service. Public phones can be found in all express trains and most intercity
trains. Doors are wide and there's space for bulky luggage, such as backpacks or skis.
Reservations sometimes cost an additional Nkr50 and are mandatory on some long-dis-
tance routes.
TRAIN
Classes & Costs
On long-distance trains, 2nd-class carriages provide comfortable reclining seats with
footrests. First-class carriages, which cost 50% more, offer marginally more space and of-
ten a food trolley, but they're generally not worth the extra expense.
Travelling by train in Norway is (like everything else) expensive. Indeed, the fact that it of-
ten costs less to fly than it does to catch a train puts a dint in Norway's impressive environ-
mental credentials. However, if you learn how to work the
minipris
system, or the train
passes, train travel suddenly becomes affordable. And think of the scenery…
There's a 50% discount on rail travel for people aged 67 and older, for travellers with dis-
abilities, and for children aged between four and 15; children under four travel free. Stu-
dents get discounts of between 25% and 40%.
On long-distance overnight routes, sleeper compartments (you pay for the whole two-bed
compartment) are additional to the standard fares.
