Romsdalen: Rauma Railway Golden Train with Guide

The mountains do most of the talking. From Åndalsnes to Bjorli, the Golden Train moves slowly through Romsdalen, giving you time to watch sheer cliffs, emerald rivers, waterfalls, and sharp peaks roll past the window. Lonely Planet has called this Europe’s most scenic rail journey, and the praise makes sense once the train enters the narrow valley.

I especially like the slow pace, which gives you a fair chance to take photographs, and the lively onboard commentary, which adds stories about local life, wartime events, and the railway itself. My main caution is seating: some seats offer better views than others, and the advertised 30-minute stop at Bjorli can become much shorter if the train is delayed by freight traffic.

Key points to know before you book

• Åndalsnes station is beside the cruise quay: This makes the trip especially handy if you arrive by ship and want a scenic outing without arranging a long transfer.
• The train crosses 32 bridges: Kylling Bridge is the star, but the whole route keeps changing as the line follows the river and climbs through the valley.
• Troll Wall and Verma Waterfall are major sights: Keep your camera ready because the train’s slow movement helps, but the best view may not appear on your side.
• The English commentary adds real context: You hear about mountain life, the Second World War, and the Norwegian gold run that gave the train its name.
• Bjorli is a short pause, not a destination day: You can step outside for photographs and visit a small collection of wartime memorabilia, but the train ride is the main event.
• The $64 price is competitive: It is notably cheaper than the same excursion sold through at least one cruise company, while including the round-trip rail ticket and guide.

Starting at Åndalsnes, where the railway meets the fjord

Your trip begins at Åndalsnes station, a particularly convenient starting point. The station sits right by the quay, so you can walk over if you are visiting on a cruise ship. That saves both time and money, two things that matter on a short port call.

The train hosts welcome you onboard, and the first leg to Bjorli takes about one hour. You settle into a window seat, but do not assume every seat gives the same view. One practical tip is to arrive early and look for a place without a window pillar blocking the middle of your photograph.

The right side of the train is often recommended for the stronger views on the outward journey, although the left side still offers plenty to see. On the return trip, the opposite side becomes useful. Some seating areas at the ends of the carriages allow views in both directions, and there are extra windows where you can stand briefly for photographs.

That small amount of seat strategy makes a difference. You will not miss the entire trip from the less favorable side, but you may find yourself leaning across the carriage when the best cliffs or bridges appear. If you are traveling with companions, consider swapping sides on the way back rather than guarding one seat for the full ride.

The first hour: rivers, cliffs, and a railway built for hard country

The Rauma Railway follows a route through one of Norway’s most dramatic inland valleys. The scenery is not a series of isolated postcard stops. It keeps unfolding as the train passes high rock faces, wooded slopes, open stretches of river, and mountains that seem to close around the tracks.

The emerald green Rauma River is one of the route’s constant companions. Its color adds a bright thread below the darker rock and forest. You will also cross 32 bridges, each offering a slightly different view of this rugged part of Møre og Romsdal County.

The train’s steady speed works in your favor. You have time to notice details instead of watching them flash past from a fast express. It also makes the journey relaxing. Several people simply sit quietly and watch the valley, while others move to the viewing windows or prepare cameras.

The train itself has clear windows and is kept clean, which matters when the whole point of the ride is looking outside. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available onboard, and there is a toilet, so you do not need to treat the two-and-a-half-hour outing like a race against time.

The English guide commentary gives the views some meaning. You hear about people who lived among the peaks, relied on the river, and climbed the mountains. You also hear about the railway’s wartime story and the Norwegian gold run during the Second World War. The activity information refers to an audio guide on your own phone, while the experience also includes hosts and live English commentary. Bring headphones and a charged smartphone so you are prepared for the audio portion, even if the onboard guide handles much of the narration in person.

Kylling Bridge: the railway’s best-known engineering feat

Kylling Bridge is the route’s signature sight and the most photographed railway bridge in Norway. It is easy to see why. The bridge crosses a deep rocky setting, with the river and steep mountain country adding scale around the stone structure.

The train provides sightseeing as it passes, rather than a long walking stop at the bridge. That means you should keep your camera ready and avoid packing it away after the previous view. The slow train helps, but you still have a limited window for photographs.

I would not judge the excursion only by whether you capture a perfect image here. The bridge is impressive in photographs, but its setting is best understood as part of the larger route. The railway, river, rock, and mountain walls all work together. The trip gives you a moving view of how difficult it must have been to build and operate a railway through such terrain.

If you want photographs from both sides, use the return journey. The best position on the outward leg may not be the best one coming home. This is also a good reason to spend part of the ride at the carriage’s extra viewing windows rather than remaining in one seat the entire time.

Troll Wall and Verma Waterfall, the big natural sights

Troll Wall, or Trollveggen, is another major highlight. Its vertical rock face gives the train journey its sense of scale. You may be looking at a single wall of stone one moment, then a wider view of high peaks and jagged faces the next.

The railway’s slow pace gives you time to take in the rock formations, but weather remains important. On a clear day, the mountains and waterfalls can be spectacular. In poor weather, cloud and mist may cover the higher peaks. Even then, the valley retains its drama, and the route remains worthwhile, but you should keep your expectations realistic if the forecast is wet or cloudy.

Verma Waterfall is another memorable sight. Water drops through the steep country beside the route, offering a sharp contrast to the solid cliffs and dark rock. The waterfall is best appreciated from the train, where the changing angle gives you more than one view as the line continues onward.

The guide commentary helps here because the scenery can be difficult to identify from a window. You may recognize a waterfall or cliff, but the narration tells you what you are seeing and connects it to the railway’s past. One guide was praised for keeping up a steady stream of amusing and useful facts for nearly the entire ride. That style suits people who want more than a silent train trip, although you may prefer a quieter journey if constant commentary is not your thing.

Bjorli: a useful pause with limited sights

After roughly an hour, the train reaches Bjorli. The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes, giving you a chance to step off, stretch your legs, and take photographs of the surrounding nature.

Bjorli is not presented as a major sightseeing town. The stop is short, and the train ride remains the main attraction. A small station collection includes memorabilia connected with the Norwegian gold run during the Second World War. It does not take long to see, but it adds an unusual historical layer to the outing.

Do not build your whole plan around getting 30 full minutes outside. Freight trains can cause delays, and the return journey still has to fit within the stated two-and-a-half-hour duration. On one trip, the Bjorli pause was reduced to around 10 minutes after delays. That is enough to step off and take a few photographs, but not enough for a leisurely break.

There is also not much else around the station described as part of the tour. If you want a long walk, a meal, or a separate Bjorli visit, this excursion does not provide that. Think of Bjorli as a breathing space between two scenic train rides, not as a second destination.

The return to Åndalsnes gives you another set of views

After the stop, you board again for the one-hour return to Åndalsnes. This is not dead time. The scenery looks different in reverse, and the opposite side of the carriage may now offer the clearest views of features you saw from an awkward angle earlier.

The return leg is also your chance to correct your seating choices. If everyone in your group can move around, change sides. The train includes viewing areas where you can look out from another position, though you should be considerate when taking photographs so other people get a turn.

If freight traffic delays the train, your time at Bjorli may shrink, but the main scenic portion remains intact. That is worth remembering when deciding how much value you place on the stop. The tour’s strongest moments happen between Åndalsnes and Bjorli, not during the time spent on the platform.

Back at Åndalsnes station, you finish beside the cruise quay. For cruise passengers, this simple return is a major advantage. You avoid the uncertainty of a long bus transfer and can get back to the ship without spending the day on transport.

What the $64 price really gives you

At $64 per person, the Golden Train is not the cheapest possible way to see Norwegian scenery, but it offers strong value for a guided rail outing. The price includes the round-trip train ticket and the guide or audio commentary. You also get a two-and-a-half-hour experience built around views that would be difficult to appreciate from a normal road transfer.

The comparison with cruise pricing matters. The same trip can cost about twice as much when booked through a cruise company, according to the information available for this experience. If you are comfortable booking independently, the direct price leaves more room in your budget for meals, another excursion, or simply enjoying Åndalsnes.

The value is strongest for cruise passengers because of the station’s position beside the port. It is also a good choice if you want a structured outing with a clear start and finish, rather than hiring transport and trying to find the best viewpoints yourself.

The value is less certain if you mainly want a long stop at Bjorli. That part is brief and can become shorter with delays. You are paying for the railway route, the scenery, the commentary, and the history, not for a substantial visit at the final station.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky if your schedule is not fixed. Check the departure time carefully, especially if you are coordinating the ride with a ship arrival.

Who will enjoy this train ride most

I would recommend the Golden Train to you if you want dramatic Norwegian scenery without strenuous activity. You remain seated for most of the trip, with a short opportunity to step off at Bjorli. The onboard toilet and available drinks also make the outing easy to manage.

It suits photographers, though you should be ready to work around reflections, window pillars, and other passengers. A charged phone, headphones, and a small camera setup are sensible. Arriving early is one of the best ways to improve your chances of getting a clear window position.

It also suits anyone who enjoys history alongside scenery. The stories about mountain communities, the railway, and the Second World War make the route more than a pretty ride. The wartime gold-run material at Bjorli is brief, but it gives the tour a subject you are unlikely to encounter on a standard scenic train trip.

You may be less happy if you need guaranteed assigned seating, complete silence, or a long independent stop. Seating can be unclear, and the guide may talk for much of the journey. The scenery is the star, but the presentation is active rather than hands-off.

Practical tips for getting the best ride

• Arrive early: This improves your chance of finding a window seat without a pillar in the way.
• Try the right side outward: The right side is often considered stronger for views, but no side is poor for the entire journey.
• Change sides on the return: You will get a better look at sights that were partly hidden earlier.
• Bring headphones and a charged smartphone: The experience includes an audio guide, and the guide commentary may be delivered through different onboard arrangements.
• Keep your camera ready near Kylling Bridge: The train moves slowly, but the bridge view does not last forever.
• Pack modest expectations for Bjorli: The station pause can be shorter than 30 minutes if freight trains delay the schedule.
• Check the weather: Clear conditions show off the high peaks best, while poor weather can hide parts of Troll Wall and the upper mountains.
• Remember the toilet and refreshments: The train has a toilet, plus hot and cold drinks and snacks are available according to the experience details.

Should you book the Golden Train?

Yes, if you want an easy and memorable way to see Romsdalen’s mountains, rivers, bridges, and waterfalls. The combination of slow travel, strong scenery, live English commentary, and a port-side station makes this one of the better-value outings in Åndalsnes at $64.

Book it with the right expectations. You are not getting a long visit to Bjorli or a guaranteed perfect seat. You are getting a scenic rail journey with some of Norway’s most striking rock country, plus stories that help explain what you are seeing.

For a cruise passenger, a photographer, or anyone who prefers a comfortable ride over a strenuous excursion, I would make this a high-priority choice. Just arrive early, bring your phone and headphones, and be ready to swap seats on the way home.

FAQ

How long does the Golden Train experience last?

The full round trip lasts about 2.5 hours. The train takes roughly one hour each way between Åndalsnes and Bjorli, with a short stop at Bjorli.

Where does the train journey begin?

The tour begins at Åndalsnes stasjon in Møre og Romsdal County, Norway. The station is located beside the cruise quay.

What sights can I see from the train?

The route includes views of Troll Wall, Verma Waterfall, Kylling Bridge, high mountain peaks, jagged rock faces, the Rauma River, and 32 railway bridges.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. English is the listed tour language, and the experience includes an English guide. An audio guide on your own phone is also included.

What should I bring?

Bring headphones and a charged smartphone. A camera is also useful for the bridges, waterfalls, cliffs, and mountain views.

Is there a toilet on the train?

Yes. The train has a toilet onboard. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are also available during the ride.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.