A day in FLAM and the Flamsbana Railway
The town is located in the municipality of Aurland, in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. The name Flam is documented as early as 1340 as Flaam, and is derived from the plural form of the Old Norse word fla meaning “plain, flat piece of land”, and refers to the flood plains of the Flam River.
The village of Flam is a popular tourist destination and has been so since the late 19th century and currently receives almost 450,000 visitors per year, many by Cruise Liners and come to enjoy the spectacular 20 kilometre Flam Railway (Norwegian, Flamsbana) between Flam and Myrdal, one of the steepest railway tracks at 1 in 18 gradient, in the world.
There is a former rail station in Flam, which now houses a museum dedicated to the Flam Railway which is certainly worth a visit.
For all cruise guests, the Flamsbana is a must see activity and is easily accessible from the main Flam Cruise Terminal or from where the tenders land when they are used.
The trains depart Flam at 0835, 0945, 1100, 1220 and 1335 for the 50 minute ascent to Myrdal, returning at 0939, 1055, 1211, 1327 and 1443 respectively. The cost is around 350 Norwegian Kroner (around £40) per person for the return trip.
Other attractions which we enjoyed whilst on land were the mini tourist train visiting the Flam Valley and the “Old village” of Flam.
For more information to this or any other Cruises then please contact me at any time and I will be very pleased to assist with your holiday planning.