Across Norway by night train

Fjords, glaciers, and dancing Northern Lights. Norway is a land of natural wonders. But it is also a land of vast distances. Whether you’re travelling to Oslo, Bergen, or Trondheim, getting around Norway by train takes many hours. So what could be better than comfortably sleeping your way between the largest cities? By night train!

Norway has a small but perfectly formed night train network. The night trains operate on the four main routes: from Oslo to Stavanger, Bergen, and Trondheim, as well as on the legendary Nordland Railway, which runs from Trondheim to Bodø via the Arctic Circle. There is also an international connection to Norway on the Swedish night train from Stockholm to Narvik.

There’s one peculiarity in Norway: the four night train routes are operated by three different providers. Sounds complicated? Don’t worry, this guide will hold your hand and show you around the world of Norwegian night trains.

It’s well worth it: travelling in a Norwegian sleeping car is one of the finest night train experiences in Europe.

Routes

Oslo–Bergen

Provider: Vy

The Bergen Railway is one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world. So why sleep through it? Well, the journey from Oslo to Bergen takes around seven hours. If you don’t have that much time, take the night train. Or combine the best of both worlds: travel there by day and back at night. That way, you experience the route in daylight, save the cost of a night’s accommodation, and, with Interrail, save a travel day too.

From Oslo, the Bergen Railway initially passes through rural Norway before climbing up to the spectacular Hardangervidda. At Finse, the route reaches its highest point at 1,237 metres. It then descends via Myrdal and Voss to Bergen, picturesquely situated on a fjord.

The Oslo–Bergen night train is the only one in Norway operated by the state-owned railway company Vy. One special feature is that, alongside seats and sleeping cars, it also has couchette cars.

Here you can find all connections and check the prices:

Oslo–Stavanger

Provider: Go-Ahead Nordic

Stavanger, with its white wooden houses, is around eight hours by train from Oslo. The journey follows the Sørland Railway, which winds along Norway’s rocky southern coast. The most important stop along the way is Kristiansand, where you can connect to ferries to Denmark.

The night train from Oslo to Stavanger is operated by Go-Ahead Nordic, which also runs daytime services on the Sørland Railway and the branch line to Arendal.

Here you can find all connections and check the prices:

Oslo–Trondheim

Provider: SJ Norge

Norway’s third-largest city, Trondheim, is connected to Oslo by the Dovre Railway. The route passes through the Olympic city of Lillehammer, crosses the Gudbrandsdal valley, and then climbs up onto the high Dovrefjell plateau before descending again towards Trondheim. From Trondheim, you can continue to Bodø via the Nordland Railway. There is also a train from here across the border to Duved in Sweden.

The night train from Oslo to Trondheim is operated by SJ Norge, a subsidiary of the Swedish State Railways SJ. The trains run under the SJ NORD brand. Please note: SJ Norge and the Swedish SJ are two completely independent companies and cannot sell each other’s tickets.

Here you can find all connections and check the prices:

Trondheim–Bodø

Provider: SJ Norge

The fourth purely Norwegian night train route is the longest and passes through the wildest landscapes. The journey from Trondheim to Bodø follows the Nordland Railway: fjords, lakes, roaring rivers – this route has everything that makes northern Norway special. The highlight is crossing Saltfjellet, where the train passes the Arctic Circle. From Bodø, you can continue by ferry to the Lofoten Islands or by bus to Narvik.

SJ Norge also operates services on the Nordland Railway. As the 729-kilometre route is not electrified, diesel locomotives are used here.

Here you can find all connections and check the prices:

Stockholm–Narvik

Provider: Swedish State Railways SJ

This night train is a special feature of the Norwegian network: technically, it is a Swedish train that only enters Norway for the final few kilometres. From Stockholm, it travels via Boden, Gällivare, Kiruna, and Abisko before crossing the border at Riksgränsen. But Norway wouldn’t be Norway if this final section weren’t the most spectacular: the train winds down towards the Ofotfjord, with breathtaking views included. And all in daylight, as Narvik is not reached until around midday.

Narvik is not connected to the rest of Norway’s railway network. Rail services are organised entirely from the Swedish side. From Narvik, you can continue by bus to the Lofoten Islands.

Here you can find all connections and check the prices:

Comfort and facilities

Norway’s railway companies try to operate the night trains with minimal logistical effort. The concept is simple: instead of providing dedicated trains, they use the same train sets that operate on the routes during the day. In the evening, just one to three sleeping cars are attached.

Although the night trains are operated by different providers, the rolling stock and facilities are virtually identical on the four Norwegian lines. The exception is Oslo–Bergen, operated by Vy: it is the only Norwegian night train with couchette cars as well as seats and sleeping cars.

The Stockholm–Narvik night train, operated by Swedish SJ, is a completely different story. You can find out more about its facilities in our article about night trains in Sweden.

Sleeping cars

Norway’s sleeping cars are surprising from the outside: the car body is octagonal and extends beyond the usual carriage width. This creates room for two large beds, one above the other, measuring 75 × 200 cm. The compartment layout is unusual too: the washbasin is next to the window, lengthwise to the direction of travel, set into a partly foldable shelf that extends over the foot of the lower bed.

In Norway, you generally book the entire sleeping car compartment, which can be used by one or two people. The beds are made up when you depart. Each traveller also receives a small towel, a travel kit, and a bottle of water. Reading lights and power sockets are provided too. There is no Wi-Fi, though.

The carriages are getting on a bit, but they are generally clean, well maintained, and – as far as Norway’s winding routes allow – very smooth-running. Toilets are located in the corridor. There are no showers in the sleeping cars, and breakfast is not served on board either. However, the operators work with hotels at the terminal stations, where you can shower and have breakfast at a reduced price.

The compartment door can be opened with a key card. Depending on the train and station, this is issued either on the platform or in the bistro car. Check-in is often possible well before departure, giving you a little more time to sleep.

Some trains also remain at the platform for a while after arriving in the morning, allowing you to stay on board. Around 15 minutes before arrival, the train staff provide a wake-up call.

In Norway, sleeping cars are designated Sove.

Reclining seats

A night in a reclining seat is a good compromise for anyone who wants to spend less without giving up comfort. The spacious seats can be electrically adjusted to a flat reclining position, and there is also an extendable footrest. Each reclining seat has a small table, a reading lamp, and a power socket. A blanket and a bottle of water are provided when you board.

There is usually one car per train fitted exclusively with reclining seats. The name varies depending on the provider:

• Vy: PlussNatt
• Go-Ahead: Hvile
• SJ Norge: Premium Pluss

Seating cars

Most night trains are usually made up of seating cars, like those used for daytime services. These are open-plan cars with rows of two seats and groups of four seats with a table. Wi-Fi and power sockets are available at your seat.

The seating cars are called Standard.

Couchette cars (Oslo–Bergen only)

The night train from Oslo to Bergen also has couchette cars. These come from Deutsche Bahn’s fleet and have compartments with six fold-down couchettes. In a couchette car, you can only book an entire compartment. The service is aimed primarily at families and small groups.

The cars are also attached to selected daytime trains between Oslo and Bergen. During the day, the couchettes are converted into seats. Even then, the car can only be booked as a complete compartment.

Vy calls the couchette car Hvile.

On-board bistro

In the Nordic countries, operating night trains with on-board catering is considered standard practice. Norway is no exception. The bistro cars, known as Kafé, serve hot meals, snacks, and drinks. Naturally, no pølse would be complete without its favourite Norwegian grilled sausage, served either as a hot dog or on a plate with mashed potatoes.

The bistro is open all night and closes 30 minutes before arrival. There is no breakfast service.

Tickets and booking

Although Norway’s railway network, with its various providers, may seem complicated, booking through the central Entur platform is fairly straightforward. Entur is a state-owned company that brings together services from Vy, SJ Norge, and Go-Ahead, as well as public bus services. Tickets are available there without additional fees. Alternatively, you can buy tickets directly from the individual operators.

Regular tickets

There are generally two types of tickets for night trains:

• Flexible: These tickets can be cancelled free of charge up to departure, regardless of the service level. You can also change to another train.
• Non Flexible: These tickets are cheaper, but cannot be cancelled or exchanged. However, within four hours of purchase, you can cancel immediately for a service fee.

Vy also offers semi-flexible tickets. These can be changed, but not cancelled.

Tickets are generally available three months before departure. Prices are dynamic and rise for both flexible and non-flexible tickets as departure approaches. So booking early pays off.

Slightly confusingly, Entur uses its own cross-provider names for some travel categories, which differ from those used by the railway companies:

• Seating car: Standard
• Sleeping car: Sovekupé (English Sleeper)
• Reclining seat: Hvilesete (Reclining seat)
• Couchette car: Hvilekupé (Resting compartment)

Interrail

Norwegian night trains can also be used with Interrail. In addition to the pass, a reservation is required. For a 2nd class Interrail Pass, the current prices are:

With a 1st class Interrail Pass, a seat is free. The other prices remain unchanged.

The couchette car on the Oslo–Bergen route cannot be used with Interrail. A regular ticket must be booked for this service.

Interrail reservations are also available from Entur. Under traveller discounts, select “Interrail” and enter your pass number. The reservation price will then be shown under “Flexible”.

Conclusion

Norway’s night trains make it possible to cover long distances across the country comfortably while you sleep. The sleeping cars are particularly impressive, with their clever design, comfortable beds, and smooth ride. A night in a sleeping car can also be a genuine alternative to a hotel, especially when travelling with Interrail.

The reclining seats offer a good compromise between comfort and price, and are unique in Europe in this form. Together with the bistro car, they make for an all-round appealing night train package.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my bicycle?

Bicycles can be taken on board for an additional charge. They are transported in the luggage compartment of the bistro car. During the journey, bicycles must be free of luggage and left unlocked.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets can only be carried in the regular seating car. Animals are not allowed in the other service levels – sleeping cars, reclining seats, and couchette cars.

What about luggage?

Each traveller can take up to three pieces of luggage. Together, they must weigh no more than 30 kg. The maximum size of an individual piece of luggage is 85 × 55 × 35 cm.

Are the night trains accessible?

The sleeping cars are only partially accessible. Each sleeping car has two slightly larger compartments with room for a wheelchair. However, the toilets are not wheelchair accessible. At larger stations, an assistance service is available for passengers with reduced mobility.

How large are the beds?

In the sleeping cars, the beds measure 75 × 200 cm. In the couchette car between Oslo and Bergen, the couchette dimensions are:
- lower couchette: 68 × 181 cm
- middle couchette: 61 × 178 cm
- upper couchette: 63 × 174 cm

About the author: Sebastian Wilken is a passionate (night) train traveller who writes in his Zugpost about train travel in Europe. He keeps an eye on the night train market for Night Ride and brings you the best tips and tricks for the most beautiful routes.

Do you have feedback or an idea for another blog post? Write to us at info@nightride.com.