Planning a whirlwind trip to Norway? This 4 day Norway itinerary will show you where to go, how to get around, where to stay and how much to budget for your Norway adventure.
If you’re planning a 4 day Norway itinerary right now then I’m going to hazard a guess that you’re looking for a quick and easy European getaway, maybe to fit in with an extended weekend off work? Or perhaps you found cheap flights to Norway and want to see what you could realistically squeeze in to a four day Norway trip?
If this is your first time in Norway (or even if it’s your 10th!), this itinerary will tell you all you need to know about how to make the most of your short but sweet time in this slice of Scandinavian paradise.
From dramatic fjord landscapes to charming historic harbours to world-famous train rides, this whirlwind 4 day Norway itinerary shows you a range of southern Norway’s highlights and bucket list adventures.
And it doesn’t stop there, it’ll also give you some tips and tricks to get the best value for money (in one of the most expensive countries in the world!), suggestions on epic things to do and places to stay, and advice on how to get from A to B without wasting time or breaking the bank.
Let’s get started, here’s the perfect 4 day Norway itinerary.
4 day Norway itinerary summary
Day 1: Bergen
Day 2: Full day in Bergen
Day 3: Bergen to Flåm
Day 4: Flåm to Bergen
What to know before your 4 days in Norway
Weather in Norway
Norway is a big country that covers a lot of ground, so as you can imagine, the weather can vary drastically depending on where you are. This Norway itinerary focuses on southwestern Norway, so here’s a bit more about that region’s weather patterns.
☀️ The warmer months in this part of Norway are generally June to September, with an average temperature of about 14-16°C throughout this time.
🍂 October’s average temperature drops to about 7°C, but this is when the region’s colours absolutely pop with reds, oranges and yellows. Ideal for photographers!
❄️ November through to March is chilly, with average temps of 1-4.5°C. During winter you’ll see snow on the mountains, it does snow in Bergen too but generally the classic Bergen rain stops the snow from settling for very long.
🌸 April and May bring milder weather (7-10°C average for those months) and some beautiful cherry blossom blooms.
🌧️ Norway’s southern fjords are incredibly rainy (as in it rains 200+ days a year!) but don’t let that put you off, rain in this type of landscape means loaaads of waterfalls! Just be prepared for inclement weather and take a rain jacket and a good pair of waterproof shoes.
Busy season in Norway
This corner of Norway is popular year-round because of its accessibility to Oslo and the ease of planning a quick trip (hence why you’re reading this!), but it is particularly busy in July and August.
If you’re not keen on crowds and want to avoid high prices, I’d recommend visiting either side of those months. I went in late September/early October and it was perfect!
How to get to Norway
By plane
For this four day Norway itinerary I’d recommend flying into Bergen, that will minimise your travel time and let you hit the ground running rather than having to add in long trains to and from Oslo.
If you do have to fly into Oslo, it’s about 7 hours to get from Oslo to Bergen by train.
By train
If you’re travelling around Europe by train (love that for you!), you can easily reach Norway from either Denmark or Sweden. You’d need to connect through Oslo though, so factor that into your timing.
Train times to Oslo from other cities:
- Copenhagen to Oslo from 8h 15m
- Gothenburg to Oslo from 3h 50m
- Malmo to Oslo from 7h 30m
- Stockholm to Oslo from 5h 15m
If you’ve got more time to travel through Scandinavia you should check out my three week Scandinavia itinerary by train, or if this is part of a bigger European adventure my three month Europe itinerary is suuuuper comprehensive and will help you tailor the perfect trip for you!
How to get around Norway
By train
This Norway itinerary is easily done by train, it’s stress-free and usually more cost-effective for solo travellers or couples/duos.
By car
If you want to explore beyond the easily accessible areas, you could hire a rental car. This can end up being cost-effective if you have three or more travellers to split the cost, but you’ll need to book in advance to find a good deal. Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe for gas, so keep that in mind!
What to budget for four days in Norway
Norway is notoriously expensive, but the good news is that I’m an absolute professional at finding the best bang for my buck and I have some helpful tips to save you $$$.
Accommodation: Expect to spend €30-50 per night on a hostel dorm bed (up to €70 per night in summer 🫠), €60-120 for a simple hotel room, and €120+ for anything more than that
Food and drink: You could get food costs down to €15 per day if you’re happy to eat supermarket food, but most typical restaurant meals will cost €20-35 (more for the fancy places). A beer at a bar/restaurant is generally €8-€12, and a coffee will set you back €4-7.
Activities: There are lots of nature walks for free, cheap bike rental and affordable museums, but big adventures like the fjord cruise, a RIB safari and the Flåm Railway do add up (but they’re worth it, I promise!).
The ultimate 4 day Norway itinerary
Who is this Norway 4 day itinerary for?
This Norway itinerary is just a tiny taste of what Norway has to offer, but it’s perfect for first-time visitors wanting to experience the iconic fjord landscapes and Norwegian coastal culture. If you love nature, can’t get enough of outdoor adventures and/or have a soft spot for charming cities, you’re going to love this!
Day 1-2: Bergen
What about Oslo?
Sorry Team Oslo, Norway’s capital hasn’t made it onto this itinerary! Oslo is a cool city with lots of museums, but it is daaaamn expensive and I don’t think it’s worth cutting into your time in Bergen and the fjords.
In my three week Scandinavia itinerary I include 1-2 days in Oslo mainly as a connecting hub between other destinations, but I think there are cooler cities to visit in Scandinavia if you have four days for a city break, and if you really want to visit Norway then Bergen + the fjords, the Lofoten Islands or Tromsø up north are better options.
If you’re flying in and/or out of Oslo then you can catch a direct train to Bergen in about 7 hours, I’d recommend jumping on the first one available and avoiding the city if you can.
And if you do have a night or two in Oslo before or after your time in the fjords, K7 Hotel is a cheap and cheerful hotel/hostel hybrid that’s been newly renovated and has a guest kitchen (a must for a budget Norway trip!) and Bob W is fantastic for a higher end comfortable stay.
About Bergen
Bergen is the perfect start to any Norway trip, and it’s a must-see if it’s your first visit to the country.
It’s one of those destinations where you can choose your own adventure, there are so many different sides of the city to experience and explore. Eat your way around the best cafes, bakeries and seafood restaurants, let your hair down with a big night out, learn about history and culture with city tours and museum visits, or escape the hustle and bustle altogether to seek peace and quiet on a mountain or in a fjord.
Things to do in Bergen
- Head up Mount Fløyen by funicular for an easily accessible viewpoint
- Hike Mount Ulriken (around 2 hours round trip)
- Take a walking tour around the famous Bryggen harbourfront, or explore via Segway instead
- Join a food and culture walk for a history lesson with some delicious eats
- See Hardangerfjord’s landscapes and waterfalls by small group bus tour
- Cruise through the Mostraumen strait
- Join a kayak trip around Bergen’s coastline
- Don’t book a Aurlandsfjord/Nærøyfjord cruise from Bergen because that’s where we’re going next!
- See the ultimate fjord view from a helicopter tour
- Take a day trip to Folgefonna National Park to see the famous Glacier Lake
- Visit Bergenhus Fortress
- Do a full day trip to Trolltunga, but it’s a long day! About 3 hours to drive to the hike starting point and the hike is 8-10 hours return, before making the drive back. You could spend a night in Odda before/after if you prefer.
Where to stay in Bergen
Budget
- City Hostel Bergen (basic backpackers in the city)
- Bergen Hostel Montana (also basic but out of the city with easy access to hikes)
Mid-range
- Klosterhagen Hotel (top-rated simple but cosy hotel)
- Citybox (very affordable design hotel slightly out of the city but near public transport)
Luxury
- Opus 16 (elegant 5* hotel in a historic building)
Day 3: Bergen to Flåm
How to get from Bergen to Flåm
This is one of the most iconic train journeys in Europe, get ready for the ultimate window seat views!
Catch a direct train from Bergen to Myrdal along the super scenic Bergen Railway line, it takes about 1h 50m to 2h 20m depending on what train you get. Both sides have great views but the left side of the train when travelling from Bergen to Myrdal takes the cake for this trip.
Disembark at Myrdal, where you’ll catch the famous Flåmsbana train down to the village of Flåm. The train itself is nothing fancy but the route is seriously impressive, it’s one of the steepest train trips in the world and takes you through hand-built tunnels, across sheer cliff faces and past dramatic valleys with endless photo opportunities. Sit on the left hand side of the train when travelling from Myrdal to Flåm for the best views.
You can take suitcases on both of these trains and there will be other travellers doing the exact same trip as you, so you don’t need to worry about not knowing where to go!
You can book the journey from Bergen all the way to Flåm on the official Norway railway website.
About Flåm
Flåm is the gateway to Sognefjord, the King of the Fjords, which is a massive 205km long from the ocean to the innermost village.
Aurlandsfjord is a branch of Sognefjord and is where the village of Flåm sits, right on the water with easy access to fjord adventures like cruises, kayaks and RIB safaris. Nærøyfjord is another branch right next to Aurlandsfjord, and most cruises take you through both.
Flåm village itself is quite touristy but I think it’s worth an overnight stay to enjoy some lesser-known local adventures, like hiking trails, bike paths and ziplines. So, on that note…
Things to do in Flåm
- Take a fjord cruise, my top recommendation is to do this on your way back to Bergen as it’s an easy one-way trip connecting with the Bergen train line (more on that next)
- See the fjord from a different perspective with a RIB Fjordsafari that will zoom you right up close to the rugged cliffs and misty waterfalls
- Fly down Scandinavia’s longest zipline, Flåm Zipline is a thrilling 1380m trip with some of the best zipline views in the world
- Rent a bike at the bottom of the zipline (or from the village) and hit the valley’s bike trails
- Rest your muscles with a sauna by the water, bonus points if you’re brave enough for a fjord plunge
- Hike to Stegastein viewpoint for mind-blowing views
- Get a history lesson on the train’s impressive engineering history at the Flåm Railway Museum
- Try local craft beer at the award-winning Ægir Brewpub
- Jump in a kayak and paddle around Aurlandsfjord
Where to stay in Flåm
Budget
- Flåm Hostel and Flåm Camping & Cabins are the same accommodation provider but check both links as they offer different types of rooms. Super cosy, comfortable, warm (except for the outside walk from the shared showers to the private rooms if you’re staying where I was staying 🙃), access to kitchen facilities and a short walk from the village.
- Svingen Guesthouse looks beautiful but it small and books out well in advance
Mid-range
- Flåmsbrygga (top-rated hotel in the village)
- Flåm Ferdaminne (self-contained apartment right above the main village building)
Luxury
- Wangen Apartments AS in Aurland, accessible by bus from Flåm (stylish apartments with unbeatable fjord views)
Day 4: Flåm to Bergen
How to get from Flåm back to Bergen
If you want to keep it easy you can simply catch the train from Flåm back to Myrdal and rejoin the Bergen Railway to get to Bergen.
But what I’d actually recommend is turning your Flåm adventure into a bit of a loop!
- Catch the Nærøyfjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen, this is the cruise end point so you just need to book a one way ticket (and there’s space for luggage on the ship)
- Catch a bus transfer from Gudvangen to Voss train station
- Jump on the Bergen Railway again from Voss to Bergen
That looks confusing but it’s actually simple and many travellers do it, so you won’t be stuck not knowing where to go. You can book your tickets for the various segments of that trip below:
- Nærøyfjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen (make sure you only book one way)
- Bus transfer from Gudvangen to Voss (it automatically populates with Voss to Gudvangen, so you need to switch them around)
- Train from Voss to Bergen
4 day Norway itinerary FAQs
Is 4 days in Norway enough?
Four days in Norway isn’t really enough to say you’ve seen the country, but it’s a good start for your first trip and enough to tick off some of the highlights of Bergen and the fjords!
What about northern Norway?
With only four days there’s no way you could see both southern and northern Norway, so you’ve really got to choose one. To visit both ends of the country I’d recommend a minimum of 10 days in Norway, but ideally two weeks.
Other 4 days in Norway options
The Lofoten Islands
My personal favourite region in Norway is the archipelago of the Lofoten Islands, located north of the Arctic Circle in Norway’s Nordland county.
They are alllll about the outdoors, so if you’re keen for hiking, landscape photography, seeing the Northern Lights (Sept-April), some Arctic surfing or just a good ol’ road trip, the Lofoten Islands might be up your alley.
They are much harder to get around, you really need a car or to book expensive day trips, so logistically they are trickier to plan than Bergen + the southern fjords, but the views make it worth it.
Tromsø
Another four-day option for your Norway trip is Tromsø, a winter wonderland even further north than Lofoten.
With four days in Tromsø you could go whale watching, visit the Storsteinen viewpoint, tour around Arctic fjords, chase the Northern Lights, go for a snowmobile tour, experience the thrill of a husky safari, learn about traditional Sami culture and eat at the world’s northernmost Burger King (this was my dinner for my 28th birthday, we couldn’t afford to eat anywhere else 🙃).
Tromsø is best in winter to see it in all its snowy glory, but the shoulder months of October/November and February/March give you a good combo of some sunlight, great aurora chances and magical landscapes.
Oslo
And if you’re reeeeally set on a Norway city break, you could certainly fill four days in Oslo.
Visit the Nobel Peace Center, roll through the many museums the city has to offer, take a cruise through Oslofjord (not as good as the southern fjords but still a nice escape from the city), eat your way around Mathallen food market, go back in time at Akershus Fortress, and join a walking tour to learn the city’s history and culture.
Is a Norway rail pass worth it?
A Norway Eurail/Interrail Pass can often end up saving you $$$ on transport, but for it to be worth it you need to be travelling on trains within Norway for at least three days. For this particular four day Norway itinerary it wouldn’t be worth getting a rail pass.
If you’re travelling for longer, like following my three week Scandinavia train itinerary for example, then a Norway rail pass can save you loads!
If you have less than four days in Norway…
If you’ve got less than four days in Norway then you could fly in and out of Bergen and either squeeze the Flåm visit into a single day (train to Flåm, straight on a cruise to Gudvangen, bus to Voss and back to Bergen) or you could drop Flåm altogether and just take a fjord cruise from Bergen instead.
If you have more than four days in Norway…
If you’re fortunate enough to have extra time in Norway, here are some potential add ons:
- Add on a city break in Oslo
- Add on Stavanger, another southern Norway town best known as a gateway to the Preikestolen hike (accessible by bus or ferry from Bergen)
- Jump on a coastal cruise from Bergen to Trondheim (3 days), the Lofoten Islands (4 days) or all the way to Kirkenes in the north (7 days) with Havila Voyages or Hurtigruten
- Switch to the north of the country and explore the Lofoten Islands and/or Tromsø
And there you have it, a detailed itinerary for 4 days in Norway! I hope this itinerary has helped you plan your quick Norway adventure, and I hope you love this slice of Scandinavian paradise as much as I do.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to leave me a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
MORE SCANDINAVIA TRAVEL INSPIRATION:
MORE SHORT EUROPE ITINERARIES & CITY GUIDES:
- An epic 5 day Switzerland itinerary
- 2 day Budapest itinerary
- 2 day Milan itinerary
- 2 day Porto itinerary
- How to spend four days in Iceland
MORE EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION:
- How to spend two months in Europe
- The ultimate three month Europe itinerary (I’ll show you how to build your own itinerary!)
- Is a Eurail Pass worth it for your Europe trip?
- The ideal Europe Christmas market itinerary by train
- 27 Europe holiday ideas to inspire your next trip
- The ultimate Italy bucket list
MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong.
Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it, or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator.
Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com, they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button.
Activities 🗽I use GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! P.S. If you book anything on Klook you can use the promocode FINDINGALEXXKLOOK to get 10% off
Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around.
Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company, but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage).
Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases, one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff.
Camera gear 📸 I use a iPhone 15 Pro Max for phone photos/videos, and my camera kit includes a Lumix S9 (incredible lightweight full-frame camera, a game changer for travel creators!) with a 20-60mm lens, a Lumix G9 with an 8-18mm and 12-60mm lens, a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10. I do all my writing and editing on my ASUS Zenbook 14, it’s lightweight but powerful enough for photo editing and intense blogging sessions.
Leave a Reply