Flåm, Norway: The Ultimate Cruise Port Guide
- George and Dan
- 13 minutes ago
- 10 min read
Flåm cruise port sits at the very end of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the mighty Sognefjord, surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls and tiny farms clinging to the hillsides. It’s a compact village, easy to walk around and perfectly set up for cruise passengers with the railway, fjord cruises, cafés and shops all within a few minutes’ stroll of the pier.
Whether you’re here for the famous Flåm Railway, a fjord cruise into UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord or simply to soak up the scenery with a coffee by the water, Flåm cruise port works brilliantly as a DIY stop. Keep reading to learn how to make the most of your one day in Flåm, Norway.
Flåm is a village of under 350 residents in Aurland Municipality, Western Norway, sitting almost at sea level at the inland tip of Aurlandsfjord. Historically it was a quiet farming and fishing community in the Flåmsdalen valley, linked to the outside world mainly by boat and rough mountain tracks.
Everything changed with the construction of the Bergen Railway and, later, the Flåm branch line to Myrdal in the early 20th century. The Flåm Railway, one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world, turned the village into a gateway to the fjords for both locals and visitors. Today Flåm cruise port and the railway together welcome around 450,000 visitors a year, making it one of Norway’s busiest fjord stops.
Despite the visitor numbers, Flåm itself is still tiny and easy to navigate. The harbour, railway station, museum, hotels, cafés and main souvenir shops all sit around a flat, walkable waterfront area.
What cruise lines visit Flåm?
Flåm cruise port features on a wide range of Norwegian fjords itineraries from the UK and Northern Europe. Cruise lines that visit Flåm include:
P&O Cruises
MSC Cruises
Ambassador Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Costa Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Scenic (Discovery yachts)
Ponant Cruises
Explora Journeys
You’ll see everything here from large mainstream ships to smaller luxury, expedition and river-style vessels. Flåm is also a key stop on many land-based “Norway in a Nutshell” type tours, so it can feel busy on peak summer days even when only one cruise ship is in.
Flåm Weather: What to expect throughout the year
Flåm has a cool, temperate climate with relatively mild, wet winters and fresh but not hot summers. Temperatures across the year roughly range from lows around -9°C in mid-winter to highs around 14–17°C in summer, with rainfall in every month.
Spring (March–May)
Spring is shoulder-season in Flåm. March is still quite wintry, with average highs of only a few degrees above freezing and the chance of snow or icy paths. By April and May, snow in the village has usually gone, waterfalls are roaring with snowmelt and daytime highs creep towards 8–12°C, though nights can still be cold.
Spring can be a beautiful time to visit Flåm cruise port: there are fewer ships than in peak summer, prices on some tours may be lower, and the landscape feels wild and dramatic. Just pack layers, a waterproof jacket and sensible shoes, as rain is likely at some point.
Summer (June–August)
Summer is peak season in Flåm, Norway. Average daytime highs sit around 14–17°C, with long daylight hours and the chance of some genuinely warm, sunny days. Even in July and August, you’ll want a light jacket handy, especially out on the fjord or on the Flåm Railway where the breeze can feel cool.
Rainfall remains frequent but tends to come in short showers, and you’ll have the best odds of clear views from Stegastein or on a fjord cruise. This is also when Flåm cruise port is at its busiest, with multiple ships some days and trains often selling out, so booking key excursions in advance is important.
Autumn (September–November)
Autumn in Flåm is underrated. September often still has mild temperatures (highs around 10–13°C), but the crowds thin out and the hillsides start turning gold and red. October and November are cooler (highs 3–8°C and frequent overnight frosts), and days get noticeably shorter.
Rainfall in autumn is similar to other seasons, so you’ll want waterproofs and decent footwear. In return you get moody, dramatic fjord views, quieter trains and viewpoints, and often cheaper tour prices. Some high mountain roads or viewpoints may close late in the season if snowfall arrives early.
Winter (December–February)
Winter in Flåm cruise port is cold and atmospheric. Average highs hover around 0–2°C, with lows well below freezing and the possibility of -9°C on the coldest days. Snow is common in the surrounding mountains and not unusual in the village itself.
Not all excursions operate in winter, but those that do can be magical: frozen waterfalls, snow-dusted peaks and the fjord often cloaked in mist. If you’re visiting Flåm by cruise in winter, think thick layers, thermal base layers, hat, gloves and waterproof boots with decent grip.
Flåm Things to do in the port
There’s a lot packed into this little village. You can easily fill a full day with a mix of paid excursions and free wandering around Flåm cruise port and the valley.
Flåm Paid excursions (bookable in advance)
Flåm: Flåmsbana Scenic Railway (Flåm to Myrdal)
The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) is the classic scenic train ride up the valley from Flåm to the mountain station at Myrdal, with big fjord-and-waterfall views pretty much the whole way. The journey is around 55–60 minutes each way and includes a short photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall, which is a real highlight. If your ship docks in Flåm, it’s also an easy one to do as the station is only a short walk from the port. 
Tickets for The Flåm Railway can normally be purchased up to 120 days before departure.
Ticket prices: Adult £29.43 / Child £14.71 
Flåm: Highlights Tour (Borgund Stave Church, Lærdal & Stegastein)
This 4.5-hour guided bus tour is a cracking way to see a lot in a short time: you’ll head out from Flåm through the long E16 tunnel, stop for photos at Borgund Stave Church (outside view), have a short break in Lærdal, then finish with the big viewpoint moment at Stegastein, looking down over the fjord and mountains.
Ticket prices: Adult £102.67 / Child £102.67
Flåm: Guided Food Tasting of Local Cheeses & Meats
This is a calm, proper local experience at the Fjord Farm in Flåm, where an English-speaking host talks you through a tasting of regional meats and cheeses, plus a traditional stew and dessert, with a bit of history and farming culture mixed in. After, you can relax in the garden with fjord views (coffee/tea included) and have a look in the farm shop for local bits to take home.
Ticket prices: Adult £55.30 / Child £55.30
Flåm Free and low-cost things to do
Flåm Railway “DIY” viewing & station area
Even if you don’t ride the Flåm Railway, it’s worth spending time around the station area. You can watch the trains come and go, read the information boards and soak up the atmosphere of one of the world’s steepest standard-gauge lines. The station has a small square with shops, cafés and benches, which makes it a nice, low-effort place to sit with a coffee.
For railway fans, the Flåm Railway Museum (right by the station) is either free or very low-cost depending on the current policy, and offers historic carriages, photos and exhibits. Even a quick 30–45 minutes here gives you a much better sense of how remote Flåm once was and what an engineering feat the line is.
Flåm Fjordside walk
From the cruise quay, you can follow a flat, easy path along the fjord towards Flåm Marina and beyond. It takes around 10–15 minutes to walk from the ship to the small marina and waterfront bar/restaurant, and you get lovely views back to your ship and across the water.
Carry on a little further and you’ll find spots to sit by the shore, watch kayaks and small boats, and take photos without the crowds of the main village area. This walk is ideal if you’ve done a morning tour and want something gentle in the afternoon, or if you prefer not to commit to any paid excursions at all.
Flåm Village wandering and viewpoints
The village itself is compact and inviting, with grassy areas, picnic tables and a small riverside. You can wander over to the river for quieter views, duck into local shops for Norwegian knitwear and souvenirs, or visit Flåm Church a short (though slightly uphill) walk away for a more traditional feel.
Even a simple loop from the ship to the station, along the river and back will give you a good feel for Flåm cruise port without spending much. Just keep an eye on your all-aboard time, as it’s easy to lose track while you’re snapping photos.
Flåm The perfect one-day plan
Here’s a simple structure for a day in Flåm cruise port that works for most calls of 7–9 hours. Adjust the timings in line with your actual port times and excursion slots.
Morning: Big highlight
Aim to book a morning slot on your chosen key experience: either the Flåm Railway, a Stegastein coach tour or a Nærøyfjord fjord cruise/combination tour.
If you’re on a guided tour like “The Wonders of Flåm” or the Stegastein, Stalheim and Gudvangen tour, you’ll usually be collected near the ship, which keeps things easy.
Take plenty of photos and, if you’re on the railway, try to move to the doors at the scenic photo stop to maximise the short halt.
Early afternoon: Explore Flåm village
Once back in the village, head to the Flåm Railway Museum and station area if you’ve not already. Allow 45–60 minutes.
Grab a simple lunch in one of the cafés or pick up snacks from the local supermarket or bakery if you prefer something quick.
Spend some time browsing shops for woollen hats, local food items and fjord souvenirs.
Late afternoon: Fjord walk & final views
Walk along the fjord path towards Flåm Marina for calm water views and photos of your ship in the fjord setting.
If the weather’s kind, sit outside with a drink and just soak it all in – this is one of the most scenic harbours you’ll ever sail into.
Aim to be back onboard at least an hour before all-aboard time; there’s often a lovely “sailaway” as you glide back down Aurlandsfjord towards the wider Sognefjord.
Flåm Practical information
Where do cruise ships dock in Flåm?
Flåm has a dedicated cruise quay right in the village. When there’s only one ship in, it normally docks directly alongside, giving level access to shore and a very short walk to the railway station and main facilities. On very busy days, an additional ship may anchor in the fjord and use its own tenders to the tender pier around 600 metres from the anchorage.
From both the cruise quay and tender pier it’s just a few minutes’ flat walk to the railway station, visitor centre and shorefront shops. Signage is good, and there are usually staff or volunteers around to point you in the right direction.
Facilities at the Flåm port
Right by Flåm cruise port you’ll find:
Tourist information and excursion desks
The Flåm Railway station and booking office
The Flåm Railway Museum
Souvenir shops and outdoor gear shops
Cafés, restaurants and a bakery
A small supermarket/convenience store
Public toilets (usually small charge or included for paying customers)
Free or low-cost Wi-Fi in some cafés and at certain points around the pier
Card payments (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in Flåm, including at most shops, cafés and tour desks.
Flåm Cruise Port FAQ
What time zone is Flåm in?
Flåm is in Central European Time (CET), which is UTC +1 in winter. In summer it follows Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC +2. Norway usually changes clocks at the same time as most of continental Europe.
What is the currency in Flåm?
The currency in Flåm is the Norwegian krone (NOK). You’ll see prices written with “kr” after the amount, for example “150 kr”.
Is it best to take cash, use card or a bit of both?
For most visitors to Flåm cruise port, a card-first approach works best. Shops, cafés, restaurants and official tour operators all take major debit and credit cards, and contactless is widely accepted. It can still be handy to carry a small amount of cash (NOK) for public toilets, small kiosks or very small purchases, so a mix of card plus a little cash is ideal.
Best time to visit Flåm?
The most popular time to visit Flåm, Norway is June to August, when you get long days, the highest temperatures and the widest choice of excursions. If you prefer fewer crowds, late May and September can be lovely, with milder weather, snow still visible on the mountain tops and good chances of tours running.
Winter calls (especially December to February) are much quieter and can be stunning if you’re happy with cold temperatures, shorter days and a more limited excursion list.
How to get around Flåm?
Flåm cruise port itself is very walkable. The station, museum, shops and most tour meeting points are within a few hundred metres of the pier on flat ground. For anything further afield, you’ll either join an organised excursion (coach or minibus), take the Flåm Railway, or hop on a fjord cruise boat.
There’s no city-style public transport network in Flåm as it’s such a small place, but excursion coaches, taxis (where available) and the train cover the main sights very efficiently.
Is Flåm suitable for those with an accessibility issue?
Flåm village and the immediate port area are relatively accessible, with flat, paved surfaces and short distances between key points. The cruise quay typically offers level gangway access, and the walk to the station and shops is gentle. Some excursions, such as coach tours to Stegastein viewpoint, involve a few steps and uneven ground at viewpoints, plus getting on and off coaches, so they may not suit all mobility levels.
If you or someone in your party uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, it’s worth checking with the cruise line or excursion provider in advance. Many tours will outline whether they’re suitable for foldable wheelchairs, walkers or those who can manage a few steps with support. As a low-effort option, a DIY day around the port area, museum and fjord-side path works well for many guests.
Can you visit Flåm independently without a ship excursion?
Yes. Flåm cruise port is one of the easiest Norwegian ports to explore independently. You can pre-book the Flåm Railway, local fjord cruises or small-group tours directly online, or simply enjoy the village, museum and fjord walk on foot. Just remember to leave plenty of buffer time to get back to the ship, especially if you’re booking anything independently of the cruise line.
Is Flåm safe for visitors?
Flåm is generally very safe, with low crime levels and a relaxed atmosphere. As with any busy tourist spot, keep normal common-sense precautions in mind: look after your bag, watch your footing on wet or uneven surfaces, and follow local guidance on weather and trail conditions.
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