If you want to see Norway in one week without renting a car, this route is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to do it. I built it around places that I personally visited on two different trips (one when traveling in Norway on a tight budget and another time when roadtripping in Norway through southern and western regions), which I think are great for anyone who wants to see Oslo, Bergen, and the fjord region.
So with my one week itinerary, you get city time, scenic train rides, fjords, waterfalls, and landscapes that make Norway feel like Norway.
I’d be happy to do this trip again for all the experiences that make a lasting impression.
Essentials for Oslo + Bergen + Fjords One Week Itinerary
Before getting into the itinerary, here are the main things to consider: places to stay (for people on a budget, best tours for seeing fjords without a car, where to book train tickets for the Oslo to Bergen route, and more!
Where to Stay Along the Route:
- Citybox Oslo – central and cheaper than most Oslo hotels, which makes sense for a short stop (cheapest hotel in Oslo)
- Scandic Ornen – very well placed for this route, close to transport and train station in Bergen
- Moxy Bergen – more memorable than a standard hotel and in a nice waterfront setting
Best Tours for This Itinerary:
- Oslo discovery tour – best because it covers Oslo’s key sights in one go, which suits a short stay
- Bergen Walking Tour – shows pаst аnd present life of Bergen in аn excellent wаy
- Næroyfjord & Flаm tour – best because it combines the exact highlights most people come to Norway for
- Hardangerfjord + Vøringsfossen – adds a different fjord area with waterfalls and bigger landscape variety
Train Tickets & Transport:
- Vy – the official website for booking train tickets in Norway, including the Oslo to Bergen route
- Oslo airport transfer – useful for getting between the airport and the city without figuring anything out after landing
Multi-Day Norway Tours:
- Magical Fjord Adventure – best for the classic Oslo to Bergen route with trains, fjord cruises, and hotels already bundled into one easy trip
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Things to Know about This 7-Day Trip to Norway
This route works best from spring to autumn for people who want to see both Oslo and Bergen without trying to cram in too much (but summer in this part of Norway is the best time).
It is built using my own experience with a lower budget in mind, when you don’t need to rent a car, join expensive attractions (although I do recommend a couple for the best experience), and use public transport instead.
My only recommendation (which I think is best for people who are visiting Norway for the first time and want to get the maximum out of this trip) – spend as little time as possible in Oslo. Yes, it is an easy and pleasant city to explore, but Norway’s real beauty is in the fjord region. I think the goal should be to move west quickly and spend most of your time there.
Quick Itinerary Overview:
- Day 1: Arrival and day in Oslo
- Day 2: Morning in Oslo + Train toward Bergen
- Day 3: Bergen + City Views
- Day 4: Big Fjord Day
- Day 5: Hardangerfjord + Vøringsfossen
- Day 6: Ulriken + Vidden hike
- Day 7: Bergenhus Fortress and departure
Why this Route Works Without a Car
Because it is easy (and affordable from many destinations) to arrive in Oslo, where you do NOT need a car at all. From there, train to Bergen becomes part of the experience rather than just a transfer (book it early and try to take it during daylight to contemplate the scenery).
Once in Bergen, you do not need to keep changing hotels. Bergen is one of the easiest bases in western Norway for people who want to see fjords, mountain scenery, and a few different sides of the region without dealing with driving, parking, or constant logistics (in fact, parking in Bergen is a true headache). However, if you decide to rent a car in Norway, read my tips first.
It is best to go on day trips from Bergen to get to know the fjord region.
My itinerary also avoids wasting time on routes that are awkward by public transport. The most famous fjord experience to Flam and Næroyfjord and the Hardanger region are both realistic as organized day trips from Bergen (these are the most pricey parts on this trip, but well worth it), while the rest of your time stays focused on places you can explore on foot or with city buses.
Detailed 1-Week Norway Itinerary (Starting in Oslo)
Day 1 – Arrive in Oslo
Stay somewhere central so you can do almost everything on foot after arrival. On my last trip, Mark and I stayed in Citybox Oslo (they are among the most affordable hotels right by the station), but I’d also choose Scandic Holberg, which is reasonably priced (I stayed with them in Helsinki and liked it), but it is a bit longer walk to reach this property.
For your first afternoon, do an easy self-guided walk through the city: Oslo Opera House to Barcode district, then to Karl Johans gate, from there towards the Royal Palace, and then to Aker Brygge.
The Opera House roof is free and gives you a great first view over the fjord. Barcode shows Oslo’s more modern side, while Aker Brygge is nicer for the evening than the main shopping streets. If the weather is good, this whole route is an easy way to get your bearings without turning the first day into a checklist.
My favorite places to eat: Oslo Street Food (good-value casual place by Oslo standards) – food courtyаrd in a former swimming pool building, Schroder – one of the few places where you can try traditional Norwegian food without spending a fortune. Portions are very generous here.
Day 2 – Morning in Oslo + Train toward Bergen
If you arrive early on Day 1, one full day is enough for Oslo. In the morning, either:
- Take the metro to Holmenkollen for views over the city
or - Walk through Grünerløkka if you prefer staying central
or - Go to Bjorvikа neighborhood for a quick walk by the water next to sleek Scandinavian-style buildings
Around late morning or midday, take the train to Bergen. When I traveled in June, I took the 14:25 train (as of now, in 2026, it costs around €50 depending on the exact day of travel), which worked out perfectly and got me to Bergen around 22:00 (days during this month are long, so that works great).
In the morning, I left my bags in the storage room at my hotel, went for a quick walk in the city, grabbed a kebab to go, and hopped on this scenic train with lunch and snacks prepared in advance.
If you are traveling in spring or autumn, when days are already short, there is another train at 12:03 (costs slightly more, €68 as of now) which gets you to Bergen around 20:00.
What I like about this train is that it crosses mountain plateaus (in some places you can see snow even in June) and taking it is part of the experience. So you get to cover a long stretch of the route without paying much while enjoying the scenery for most of the way.
TIP: For a short itinerary where you spend only a few nights in Bergen, stay near the station. If on a very tight budget, then City Hostel Bergen offers beds for €40 per night, or Comfort Hotel (I stayed there once too and it was very decent).
Another option is to book an apartment (if you can find a cheap one) to cook some meals in between your trips. The one that I found which, by Bergen standards, doesn’t cost much because it’s аcross the bаy (though in a modern neighborhood) is Bjorvikа аpаrtment.
Аfter checking-in and settling, do a short evening walk through Bryggen and along the harbor.
Day 3 – Bergen + City Views
Spend this day exploring beyond Bryggen (old town of Bergen).
Walk to Sandviken for a quieter (very local), wooden neighborhood. Hike Mount Fløyen (if walking up hill for more than an hour is difficult, then take the cable car up to the top and hike down on the way back).
There is really enough to see in the city (where to walk), which can easily take the whole day. If the weather is rainy and windy, then consider museums and sauna time.
You can get ideas for what to do in Bergen from my guide, or join this budget-friendly walking tour, which in two hours gives a really good introduction to Bergen’s past and present.
My favorite places to eat: Daily Pot – veggie based dished at reasonable prices (budget-friendly), Аngry Bite – Middle Eastern food on a budget, Godt Brod Marken – classic Norwegian bakery-cafe.
Day 4 – Big Fjord day from Bergen
Do one major fjord route, which shows the most famous fjord area near Bergen. The most efficient option without a car is the classic Flam + Næroyfjord loop where you depart from Bergen towards Gudvangen, and have a train and bus rides included as well as a premium cruise.
Among those tours I know are on the market, this classic Norway in a Nutshell-style loop is very good, and the one I personally liked when I was on my guided tour in western Norway was the Norwegian fjords tour with a Viking village visit.
It may seem that you are paying a lot for such a type of tour, but in reality there is so much included and after a full day out, it really feels like you’ve seen half of Norway.
After this day trip from Bergen, you don’t even need another fjord cruise later (although I still include my other favorite options for a more complete experience).
Day 5 – Hardangerfjord + Vøringsfossen
If the previous day was not too tiring, on day 5, have a Hardanger day where you get to see another fjord and incredible waterfalls.
The most impressive one among all tours is the Power of Voringsfossen tour from Bergen (it also takes the whole day), but I also like the lighter version (which takes 6 hours only and is cheaper) – Hardangerfjord with culture & аpple pie tour.
This doesn’t feel like a fjord area I recommend you visit on the prior day. It’s actually wider, greener, and more of a fruit valley with waterfalls.
Why it’s worth it: it’s a completely different fjord region and visually not repetitive.
NOTE FROM ME: It’s easiest as an organized day trip where you go with a tour. You could do it yourself too, using buses, but it will take much more time and you’d need to prioritize which locations to visit since you won’t have time for all of them.
Day 6 – Ulriken + Vidden hike (mountain plateau day)
On this day, go up Ulriken (walk up if you want it cheaper, cable car if you want to save time), then do the Vidden hike across the plateau. This is Bergen’s most impressive hike with open plateau and big views that don’t feel like the short Fløyen viewpoint walk you did earlier.
You can finish the hike before Fløyen (turn back) if you don’t want to end at the same spot again where you’ve been on day 3.
Non-hiking Day 6 options (from Bergen, no car) that still feel very like very authentic Norway:
- Bergen museums day – Gamle Bergen if light rain, Hanseatic Museum + KODE (best rainy-day plan or when tired after lots of trips)
- Mostraumen fjord cruise (half-day) – easiest iconic scenery with minimal logistics
- Sauna + cold plunge by the harbor – very Norwegian, great even in bad weather
Day 7 – Return to Oslo (by train or plane) or depart from Bergen
If you have time in the morning vefore your flight (or train), I would recommend doing one easy but beautiful thing – walk toward Bergenhus Fortress.
From there, you can continue along the waterfront toward the Aquarium area and then just wander the Nordnes peninsula with small wooden houses, quiet lanes, local feel, and just pretty area outside central Bergen.
I like that it’s free, doesn’t feel like a tourist checklist, and is good for the last half day before the airport.
Budget for This 7-Day Norway Itinerary (When Starting from Oslo)
This itinerary is not cheap, but it is a lower-cost way to see a lot of Norway without renting a car. I am not including flights to Oslo here, only the cost once you are already in the country.
For accommodation, from my experience, €700-800 total for 6 nights for two people is a realistic average if you book simple places. Oslo is usually the most expensive stop, often around €150-200 per night (depending on the day because prices fluctuate a lot), while Bergen is more like €100-130 per night, or less if you choose a hostel or apartment across the bay or in more distant neighborhoods.
Local transport should not add too much. In Bergen, a standard ticket is around NOK 51 (€4.30), and in Oslo around NOK 46 (€3.90). Overall, I would allow roughly €25-30 per person total for local transport during this trip.
The biggest splurges are the tours. Classic Flam + Næroyfjord day is around €300+ per person and Hardangerfjord + Vøringsfossen day is around €230+ per person. But honestly, they are excellent tours worth joining. They give the feeling that you’ve seen half of Norway.
Oslo to Bergen train is another important cost to plan for. If booked early, expect roughly €50-80 per person, but it can also be as much as €150 if booking in the lаst minute or on а speciаl dаte like holidаy or event.
For food, in my experience, €60 per day for two people is very doable if you keep things simple with supermarket breakfasts, salads, snacks, pastries, and one bigger meal later in the day.
So overall, this is the kind of trip where you should expect:
- €700-800 total for accommodation for two (or twice as cheap if you choose bunk beds in hostels)
- around €60 per day for food for two people
- around €25-30 per person total for local transport
- €50-80 for the train between Oslo and Bergen
- €250-350 per person for fjord day trips if you want the full experience
So in totаl, 1 Week in Norway (if using this itinerary with my exact recommendations) is going to cost:
- For 2 people: €1,720-2,060
- For 1 person: €885-1,070
- For 1 solo traveler (because one person needs to cover the whole room alone): €1,235-1,470 (can be less if you book a bunk bed in a hostel or stay in a room in someone’s apartment)
Cheap? Expensive? Of course, I don’t know what is cheap for you personally, but by Norwegian standards, this is considered very affordable.
More Norway Travel Ideas
If you аre planning more time in Norway or want to adjust this route, these guides may help:
- Visiting Modalen from Bergen – lesser-known town on the way to Mostraumen fjord
- Discovering Ulvik – hidden gem fjord town worth the stop
- Where to Go in Northern Norway – my favorite stops after a long road trip
- What is Tromso in Summer Like – things no one tells you about
- Tromso Trip Cost – budget breakdown based on my trips in different seasons
- Oslo to Stavanger Drive – scenic road trip with many interesting stops
