The Golden Train on Rauma Railway in Romsdalen

The Golden Train takes you through one of Norway’s most dramatic rail corridors, from Åndalsnes to Bjorli and back. You get steep mountain walls, open views through Romsdalen, and an English commentary that explains the railway and the sights along the way. The train ride itself is the main event, not the short stop at Bjorli.

I like the easy access from Åndalsnes station and the strong value for a scenic trip priced at $74.14. I also like that the journey combines views with useful stories about the railway, so you are not simply watching the scenery slide past. The main drawback is limited time outside the train, plus some confusion around the correct platform and boarding arrangements.

Key points to know before you book

• The full round trip takes about 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 55 minutes, depending on the departure schedule.
• Bjorli provides a short fresh-air stop, but this is mainly a sightseeing ride from your seat.
• The right side of the train usually offers the better views, so arrive early if seating is not assigned.
• English commentary is provided by train hosts, though the sound may be difficult to hear from some seats.
• The train can fill quickly, especially when cruise passengers are boarding at the same time.
• The activity begins and ends at Åndalsnes Train Station, making it simple to fit into a day in town.

Why the Rauma Railway makes such a good short excursion

Norway gives you plenty of scenic routes, but not all of them work well when you have only part of a day. The Golden Train is useful because it starts right in Åndalsnes and returns to the same station. You do not need to arrange a bus connection, find a trailhead, or spend a full day away from town.

The route follows the Rauma Railway into the Romsdalen valley. The scenery changes as the train moves inland, with mountain views, river valleys, and engineering works that make the railway itself part of the attraction. The line was built through demanding country, and the commentary helps explain why this short railway journey took such effort to create.

I especially like the mix of sightseeing and local context. A silent train ride would still be pretty, but the stories give you something to watch for. You hear commentary on the way to Bjorli, then new stories on the return, so the ride does not feel like the same recording played twice.

This is also a good choice for anyone who prefers a gentle outing. You remain seated for most of the experience, with no demanding walk or steep climb. That makes it suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. The maximum group size is 65 passengers, though the train may feel busy when several bookings overlap.

Leaving Åndalsnes station

The meeting point is Åndalsnes Train Station, at Jernbanegata 1. The activity begins at the station parking area, with boarding on the platform. Since the railway station is close to the center of Åndalsnes and convenient for cruise passengers, the start is simple in theory.

In practice, I would arrive at least 20 minutes before departure. The train may fill early, and finding the right platform can take a few minutes. Platform information has caused confusion for some passengers, especially when another train has a line forming nearby. Check your confirmation carefully, then look for the train hosts or railway staff rather than assuming the first waiting crowd is yours.

You need your mobile ticket, but some passengers have also needed a separate Golden Train ticket or boarding confirmation to get on. Keep every ticket and confirmation easy to show. Do not wait alone in the parking area if boarding appears to be starting elsewhere.

Seating may not be assigned. That matters because the better views are generally from the right side of the train on the outward journey. If you want to sit together or have a clear window, early arrival is more important than it may first seem. The train can become full, and late boarding may leave you separated from your group.

The hour from Åndalsnes to Bjorli

Once the train leaves Åndalsnes, the main pleasure is simply watching the valley open and close around you. The route is scenic from the start, but you should think of it as a moving viewpoint rather than a stop-and-see excursion. You will spend most of the first hour looking through the windows while the host points out notable places and explains the railway.

The commentary is in English and adds real value. It gives you a better sense of the engineering behind the route and the role the railway plays in connecting the Romsdalen area. One strong point of the tour is the pleasant delivery of the commentary, though the sound level may not be perfect from every seat.

If you care most about the views, choose your side early. The right side is often recommended for the outward journey. You cannot count on switching seats later, especially when the train is full, so do not assume you will get an equal view on both legs.

This is also a good moment to put away your phone for a while. The train moves at a pace that lets you take in the valley without rushing from one photo stop to the next. You may want your camera ready, but the best reward is the broad view through the window rather than a single famous viewpoint.

One thing to understand before booking: the Golden Train is not designed around frequent stops. If you want to stand outside beside waterfalls, walk along the railway, or spend time at several viewpoints, this will feel too enclosed. If you want a comfortable ride with scenery and commentary, the format works well.

What happens during the Bjorli stop

Bjorli is the turnaround point. The stop is short, with scheduled breaks ranging from about 31 to 35 minutes in the listed departures. That gives you time to breathe the mountain air, stretch your legs, and see part of the Rauma Railway’s past up close.

Do not treat Bjorli as a long independent visit. The stop is best viewed as a pause in the rail journey, not a separate town tour. You should keep an eye on the departure time and return to the train promptly. The whole group needs to leave together, and the train will not wait for a leisurely wander.

The break does help divide the journey. After sitting on the train for about an hour, stepping outside makes the return ride feel fresher. It also gives you a chance to take a few photos without trying to shoot through glass.

The short stop is one reason this excursion suits people who want a scenic outing but do not want a full day of activity. You get a modest taste of the railway’s endpoint, then return to Åndalsnes in time for other plans. Just keep your expectations realistic: Bjorli is a brief stop, not a destination with a full sightseeing program built into the ticket.

The return to Åndalsnes

The ride back gives you another set of stories and another look at the valley. Since you are traveling in the opposite direction, familiar sights can appear different, especially as the light changes or the train reaches a new angle on the mountains.

The return commentary is important because it keeps the trip from becoming repetitive. You may hear details that were not covered on the way up, and the guide can point out features that were easy to miss earlier. I would still bring a little patience. This is a two-and-a-half-hour rail experience, and the main activity is sitting, watching, and listening.

Sound quality can vary by seat. If the guide is difficult to hear, move closer to the source of the commentary when possible, or ask a host for help. The hosts are there to welcome passengers and provide information, but the train environment can make a soft voice hard to catch.

The journey ends back at Åndalsnes Train Station. That return-to-start format is especially handy if you are visiting on a tight schedule or arriving by ship. You can step off the train and continue with your day without arranging a separate pickup.

The views, the seating, and the photo question

The scenery is the tour’s most praised feature, and rightly so. You are traveling through a dramatic Norwegian mountain valley where the railway itself becomes part of the view. The combination of steep slopes, open valley sections, and railway structures gives the ride more variety than a simple point-to-point train trip.

Still, your seat affects the experience. The right side is usually the better choice for outward views. Because seating may not be reserved, arrive early and ask where boarding is taking place. If you are traveling with someone, early arrival also improves your chance of sitting together.

Do not count on changing sides halfway through the journey. Some passengers have wished for a formal way to swap seats so everyone could see the best views in both directions, but no such process is provided. You may get good views in one direction and more limited ones in the other.

The windows are your main viewing point, so glare and nearby passengers can affect photographs. I would focus on enjoying the route rather than expecting perfect pictures from every seat. The experience works best when you treat photography as part of the ride, not its sole purpose.

Price and value at $74.14

At $74.14 per person, this is not a bargain train ticket in the ordinary sense. You are paying for a packaged scenic experience with English commentary, organized boarding, and a round trip that takes most of three hours. The value depends on how much you want structure and interpretation.

I think the price is reasonable if you are stopping in Åndalsnes for a short time and want a clear, low-effort way to see the Rauma Railway. The station location saves transport planning, and the return trip means you do not have to solve your own route back from Bjorli.

It can also compare well with excursions sold through cruise lines. A direct booking may cost around half as much as a cruise-ship excursion, according to one passenger’s experience. That makes the tour attractive for independent visitors who are comfortable reaching the station on their own and managing the boarding details.

The value is weaker if you expect a hop-on, hop-off format, a meal, or several long stops. Refreshments are not listed as part of the activity, and there is no promise of assigned seating. Bring what you need for the ride and think of the ticket as payment for the route, the commentary, and the convenience.

Timing, crowd levels, and the best departure

Two regular departure patterns are provided:

• The first option leaves Åndalsnes around 10:55 to 11:00, reaches Bjorli around noon, and returns around 12:23.
• The second option leaves around 12:53, reaches Bjorli at about 14:06, and returns around 15:35.

Some dates have different departure times, so check the exact schedule at checkout. The listed duration varies from about 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 55 minutes.

The earlier departure may suit you if you want the rest of the afternoon free. The later trip can work better if you have a morning commitment, but it may leave less time for other plans in Åndalsnes.

Crowds are the bigger issue than the small difference in duration. The train can fill quickly, and cruise passengers may be boarding at the same time. Arrive early, follow the platform instructions closely, and do not assume your mobile ticket alone explains every boarding step.

Who will enjoy the Golden Train most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want:

• A scenic Norwegian rail ride without a full-day commitment
• A gentle activity with no demanding walking
• English commentary about the route and railway
• A simple round trip from Åndalsnes
• A practical excursion during a short port visit
• A mix of views, local stories, and a brief stop outdoors

It is less suitable if you want to spend most of the day outside, explore Bjorli independently, or choose a seat with guaranteed views. The train does the work, but that also means you have less control over where you stop and what you see from your window.

The experience has a 4.6 rating, with 90 percent of passengers recommending it. Those numbers fit the strengths of the trip: spectacular scenery, comfortable transport, and useful commentary. The weaker points are not about the railway itself. They involve boarding instructions, crowding, sound levels, and limited outdoor time.

Practical details before you pay

You receive confirmation when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the station is near public transportation.

The maximum group size is 65 passengers. That does not guarantee an uncrowded train, since several ticket sources may feed into the same departure. Early arrival remains the safest way to improve your seat choice and avoid a frantic start.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The local start time controls the cutoff. Since the experience requires suitable weather, a weather cancellation offers you another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Golden Train?

Book it if you want an easy, well-organized way to see the Rauma Valley from a train window, especially during a short stay in Åndalsnes. The scenery and railway commentary are the clear reasons to go, and the price can be good compared with a cruise-line excursion.

Skip it if your ideal day requires long walks, many stops, refreshments, or guaranteed seating. If you do book, arrive early, confirm the platform, keep every ticket handy, and aim for the right side of the train. With those small preparations, the Golden Train gives you a comfortable and memorable view of one of Norway’s most impressive rail routes.

FAQ

Where does the Golden Train begin and end?

The activity begins at Åndalsnes Train Station, at Jernbanegata 1, and returns to the same meeting point at the end.

How long does the train journey take?

The full round trip takes approximately 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 55 minutes, depending on the departure schedule.

What destination does the train visit?

The train travels from Åndalsnes to Bjorli, then returns to Åndalsnes.

How long does the train stop at Bjorli?

The listed schedules provide a stop of about 31 to 35 minutes at Bjorli.

Is commentary provided in English?

Yes. Train hosts provide English commentary during the journey.

Which side of the train has the best views?

The right side of the train generally offers better access to the views, particularly on the journey from Åndalsnes to Bjorli.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund.