Fjord Cruise Flam to Gudvangen: A Complete Travel Guide

Are you planning your Fjord Cruise from Flam to Gudvangen and grappling with the logistics? In this blog post we report our experience with one of the most stunning attractions in the Sognefjord.

If there is one must-do while visiting the fjords near Bergen, it’s a Fjord Cruise from Flam to Gudvangen. We were mesmerized at the view of sheer cliffs dropping into the ocean, the countless waterfalls, the picturesque yet abandoned farming villages, and we are sure you will be too.

This is a key highlight for anyone visiting the Sognefjord and you have all the information here to make your journey an easy and unforgettable one.

The word fjord is a typical Norwegian invention. The origin goes way back to the Viking’s Age (fjǫrðr in Old Norse language) and indicates a lake-like body of water used for passage of boats. Today, it’s used to indicate a long and narrow sea inlet carved by glaciers with steep cliffs at each sides.

Tucked away in the middle of Fjord Norway lays the Sognefjord, the biggest and most famous fjord in the country. Conveniently located near Bergen, it’s a must for anyone looking to explore the best of nature beyond the city.

Stay a few days to make the most out of the area and visit the key highlights. In this respect, having a car it is the most flexible option, but it inevitably requires more planning. We have visited this area during our 6-day fjord trip from Bergen and included multiple incredible places along the Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord.

If you prefer the comfort of an organized tour, the popular Norway in a Nutshell is a great option, offering a taste of the country’s highlights, including a cruise between Flåm and Gudvangen. In addition to the above, there are countless (especially in summer) fjord tours and cruises whether you are starting your trip in Bergen, Voss or other nearby places.

You can find more information regarding fjord tours here.

With its over 200km, Sognefjord is not only the longest fjord in Norway, but it’s the second-longest in the world. While size matters, it also adds on the complication of choosing the best areas to visit.

When we first planned our trip we were quite confused about this. In the hindsight, we learned that the more inland you go, the narrower and more scenic the fjord becomes. Some of the best spots are actually secondary branches of the Sognefjord, with the Aurlandsfjord and particularly the Nærøyfjord being the jewels on the crown.

The two most beautiful branches of the Sognefjord, resemble Lake Como when looking at its shape on Google maps. But the vibe couldn’t be further from it. Forget the glitz and glamour – here it’s all about majestic landscapes where silence speaks louder than words.

Often referred as the “Grand Canyon” of Norway, the 29-kilometer long Aurlandsfjord is one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords.

Sitting at the innermost part of the fjord, there is the world-famous village of Flåm. While we do not necessarily recommend staying in Flåm (nearby Aurland is the better choice for a crowd-free experience), it is worth paying it a visit as it represents a strategic point to visit the area. Also, it’s the starting point for the Fjord cruise connecting Flam (on Aurlandsfjord) to Gudvangen (on the Nærøyfjord).

There are multiple places worth exploring on the Aurlandsfjord including the Stegastein viewpoint, the remote village of Undredal and the Otternes farmyard, a cluster of 27 old buildings and barns from the 1700s overlooking the fjord from above. You can look at our road trip for more inspiration on how to get the best out of this area!

The Nærøyfjord stretches from the Aurlandsfjord forming a reverse Y shape water basin flanked by majestic cliffs.

About 18 km long, it is the wildest and most dramatic arm of the Sognefjord. With 1,000-meter peaks and a fjord just 250 meters wide at its narrowest point, it looks visually striking. Nestled in between the mountains, the tiny village of Gudvangen sits at the end of the fjord, a popular place to spend your time feeling like a true Viking. We even did some archery and axe throwing, while surrounded by Ragnar Lothbrok and the likes, which was pretty cool!

There is a valid reason why winter in the Western fjords is not the best time to go. Seeing the Northern Lights is unlikely, a lot of panoramic roads are closed and the bad weather is real. Doing the Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise is doable, but availability is more limited (Norway’s Best is the only provider) and weather-related cancellations are more frequent.

You’ll find decent (Norwegian) weather in summer but at the expense of big crowds, especially in Flåm due to heavy cruise traffic.

The shoulder seasons (late May/June or September/early October) are the nice sweet spot. We really enjoyed our trip in late May and we had good weather (with passing showers) and no big crowds (except maybe in Flåm). Also, most of the key activities/attractions were open and did not require significant pre-booking, including the fjord cruise.

Norway’s Best vessels plying across the Aurlandsfjord during our fjord cruise from Flam to Gudvangen

The cruise between the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord starts in Flåm and ends in Gudvangen (or vice versa) and takes approximately two hours one way. For the return you could do the following:

• Buy a return ticket in the opposite direction (longest and most expensive option)
• Take the shuttle back to Flåm (most popular option)

The shuttle and cruise are timed for a smooth round trip, with the bus departing 15min after the cruise ends. However, you can also mix and match different departure times between the cruise and the shuttle. This gives you great flexibility to relax, take photos or visit cool attractions such as the Viking Village in Gudvangen. We spent a few hours in Gudvangen after the cruise and felt that it was the right choice.

There are two main providers offering the Flåm to Gudvangen fjord cruise:

• Norway’s Best offering modern, fully electrical vessels, designed to maximize sightseeing in a very tranquil and noise-free environment. This is the go-to option for most people, and the only one available if you travel in winter (although a special ice route is operated due to risk of freezing in the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord). They also offer a package including the return on the shuttle bus, which you can book here. Most people start their journey in Flåm (or Gudvangen), but alternatively you can also board in Aurland (although it may be complicated on the way back, as the shuttle only stops in Flåm). You can also reserve intermediate stops (such as the cute little village of Undredal), if interested.
• Lustrabaatane with their classic-design ferries, representing the slightly cheaper option. Their ferry are only available from mid-April to mid-October and are only fully operational between June and August.

The cost of a one-way ticket at the time of writing (2026) is NOK 665 (~$65) for Norway’s Best and NOK 550 (~$54) for Lustrabaatane.

Both operators offer excellent, small-scale fjord cruises that feel intimate and personal. This is far removed from the big crowds and atmosphere of gigantic cruise ships, which you will see docked at Flåm’s harbour.

In our opinion, Norway’s Best represents the most attractive option, especially considering that the price difference is only marginal. However, Lustrabaatane is a valid alternative if the other is fully booked or if you prefer their slightly different timetable.

Lustrabaatane also operates a car ferry between Gudvangen and Kaupanger in summer. In that way, you can effectively cruise the Nærøyfjord (but not the Aurlandsfjord) through a different route.

We booked our Norway’s Best cruise (May) only a day before, ideal for staying flexible and choosing the date based on the weather (check in advance if you are travelling in high season!).

We started our journey in Flåm, a pretty place except for the view of a gigantic cruise ship, almost the size of the village. Fearing sardine mode, we were pleasantly surprised by how few people were on board our boat instead!

The cruise is relaxing and you can appreciate the landscape at a slow pace and in complete silence. There are screens inside describing the scenery, but we preferred to enjoy the journey without unnecessary use of technology.

The Aurlandsfjord is very dramatic especially near Undredal, a tiny village known for goat cheese and Norway’s smallest stave church. But it is once turning towards the Nærøyfjord, the only UNESCO-listed fjord together with Geirangerfjord, that the landscape becomes otherworldly. The fjord gets narrower and the vertical cliffs dotted with waterfalls and snowy peaks, make you feel incredibly small. The occasional human settlement, especially around Bakka, further adds a sense of scale that leaves you completely in awe. The Nærøyfjord is at its narrowest here, just 250m wide, with cliffs raising over 1,000 meters high. We were treated to a mix of sunshine and menacing clouds, and spotting killer whales along the way made the experience even more unforgettable!

Once in Gudvangen, we spent a few hours exploring Njardarheimr, an immersive Viking village that brings the past to life, with archery and axe throwing making you feel like Thor.

Is the fjord cruise on your bucket list? Drop us a line and we would be happy to help you!