Where to Stay in Flåm from a Tour Leader's Perspective
Most people coming to Norway will visit Flåm, the small village home to the famous Flåm Railway and Fjord Cruise – two integral parts of the ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ day-trip. While many travellers simply pass through Flåm on a day-trip, it’s worthwhile slowing down the trip and spending a night in Flåm. While there aren’t many options for an overnight stay, the options that are available are wonderful.
I’ve stayed in Flåm many, many times and have stayed and multiple places around the region. So, for this guide I thought about which one I’d pick if I was to plan and book a trip to Flåm myself. But I also thought about practical things – proximity to attractions, scenery, proximity to crowds and cruise ships, and so on.
Accommodation in Flåm is limited and very likely to sell out in the summer, so it’s good to be organised. When it came to writing this guide, I thought it was best to divide accommodation not just by price, but also by proximity to the major touristy area (i.e. the cruise pier).
Here’s how I divide according to price:
- High end: 1500 NOK a night and above
- Mid range: 1000-1500 a night
- Budget friendly: Less than 1000 a night
In summary, my preference:
If I was choosing to spend one night here, I’d definitely stay in the centre of Flåm at either Fretheim or Flåmsbrygga. If I was staying here a few nights, I’d probably stay in Aurland or maybe Undredal and get a self-service apartment as restaurants are few and far between and rather expensive.
In this article...
The E16 Highway
Flåm is located on the E16, the main highway between east and west Norway. You can find my guide to the E16 by clicking the link below.
Be sure to check out my Flåm travel guide, where I put lots of information about what you can see and do in Flåm.
Flåm Centre (Cruise Pier & Railway)
Why Stay Here?
This is the most convenient place to stay. You are never more than a two-minute walk to the railway, ferry pier, or shops and restaurants. It does come at a cost, however. In the summer months, it is very crowded here during the day with buses, cruise ships and tour groups.
The hotels don’t offer parking (there’s no parking lots outside them!) but there is a large communal parking area in Flåm.
High End
Fretheim Hotel
Fretheim Hotel is Flåm’s historic hotel. The hotel was established by Christen Fretheim in the 1870s to provide accommodation for the English tourists visiting the Western Fjords.
This is the hotel where most of the tour groups stay, so expect to have tour buses and groups of up to 40 in the area.
The hotel has a fantastic restaurant that serves a buffet (for a fee) for dinner and an included breakfast that is worth the high nightly fee. You can stay in the modern part of the hotel or in one of the historic rooms (choose when booking directly with the hotel). The staff here are lovely and there’s a large bar and seating area in the lobby. Some rooms have fjord views while others have mountain views.
When trying to get an average on prices for this article, the hotel was already sold out for dates in May and June (I wrote this in February). On their website, historic rooms start at 1990 NOK a night (suites from 2300 NOK a night) and standard rooms begin at 1890 NOK a night.
Flåmsbrygga Hotel
Flåmsbrygga is owned by the same company that runs the microbrewery Ægir. The rooms are spacious and have balconies overlooking either the fjord or the mountains. The downside to the hotel is that it is right by the cruise pier, so can be crowded during the day. You can, however, get package deals through the hotel that includes beer tasting and dinner (since they own the surrounding restaurants too).
Like Fretheim, when I was checking they also had a lot of sold out dates. Their standard rooms start at 3,190 NOK! I was shocked that it’s more expensive than Fretheim. The price includes free breakfast.
Flåm Station Apartments
This property is quite interesting – if you want a fully serviced apartment, this is a great option. You get a balcony, kitchen, private bathroom and even a coffee machine! It isn’t cheap, though, with prices starting at around 3000 NOK a night. But the apartments can fit up to 4 people.
Budget Friendly
Flåm Camping & Vandrarheim
This is as close as you’ll get to budget accommodation in Flåm.
Hostel-style rooms for two-four people with a private bathroom starts at 750 NOK a night, while hostel-style rooms with a shared bathroom starts at 550 NOK a night.
They also offer cabins with private bathrooms (1790 NOK a night) and with shared bathrooms (900 NOK a night) that offer more space for larger groups (such as families). Holiday homes (with three bedrooms) start at 2,800 NOK a night.
They have an area for caravans starting at 400 NOK a night, and a tent area starting at 360 NOK a night. For those categories, they have drinking stations, kitchens, a washing machine and toilet and shower building.
The cabins and hostel rooms are clean and well-maintained, but expect basic facilities here. No included meals.
Outer Flåm
Why Stay Here?
If you want to get a little away from the cruise pier, but maybe don’t have a vehicle, there are some places 10-15 minutes on foot out of the town centre. The prices begin to drop a little bit, too.
The village of Flåm is located about a 40-minute walk from the cruise pier and train station. There you can find some some Airbnbs (not listed on this guide) if you are more interested in renting a full house or apartment. If staying that far out of town, you would probably need a car.
High End
Flåm Marina
Flåm Marina is the high-end option for those who want to be close to Flåm, but also want to avoid the crowds. The accommodation offers a high-end restaurant and excellent views out to the fjord. Double rooms with a terrace start at 3150 NOK a night, so it’s definitely a high-end option. All rooms have a kitchenette and private bathroom, as well as parking.
There are saunas close by that float on the fjord!
Mid Range
Svingen Guesthouse
Svingen Guesthouse is located by the fjord, but about 10 minutes on foot from the cruise pier area. The property has a shared kitchen, shared lounge and garden area. The rooms at the hostel part of the guesthouse have a shared bathroom and some come with a view to the fjord. The rooms in the main guesthouse come with private bathrooms, bed linen and towels.
This was also mostly sold out when I was doing my research, making it tricky to get prices.
Budget Friendly
Brekke Gård
Brekke Gård Hostel is located about 15-20 minutes on foot from the cruise pier area. Here you can find dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms, single rooms with shared bathrooms, or high-end rooms with a private bathroom. Note that towels are not included and you need to clean before checkout.
Reviews for this hotel are mixed, but it does offer good value in expensive Flåm. They do offer breakfast at an additional fee.
Neighbouring Villages: Aurland
Why Stay Here?
Aurland has all the charm of a fjord-side village that you are looking for, but without the mass crowds. It has a historic church, charming shops and cafes, hiking trails, and magnificent views to the Aurlandsfjord. Big cruise ships don’t dock here, and tour buses generally don’t stop here. It’s also only a 10 minute drive to Flåm (so you’ll need a car), making it a perfect place to base yourself.
High End
Wangen Apartments
Wangen Apartments offer private apartments with a terrace, kitchen, private bathroom and full amenities. A one bedroom apartment with fjord views starts at 3,690 NOK, so this is definitely not the cheapest place to stay. Still, the apartments look brand-new and high quality.
Hotel Aurlandsfjord
Hotel Aurlandsfjord is the classic hotel in Aurland. A twin room starts at 2,890 NOK a night, while suites are closer to 3,800 NOK. Here there is breakfast included (unlike Wangen Apartments, for example).
Mid Range
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri
Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri is a good mid-range option. Here you can either rent basic or deluxe cabins, basic rooms or full apartments. Basic double rooms and cabins start at 1700 NOK a night, while the deluxe cabin is 2800 NOK a night. All rooms have private bathrooms, the cabins and apartments have private kitchens, and most rooms have views out to the fjord.
Budget Friendly
Lunde Camping
Lunde Camping is about as budget friendly as it gets, but the rooms are very basic (if not rather dated). A double room starts at 1100 NOK and comes with a private bathroom and private semi-kitchen (cooktop, microwave, fridge and oven). There’s also larger rooms for up to 5 people starting at 1250 NOK a night. If you are okay with basic, this is a well-valued option.
Neighbouring Villages: Undredal
The one place in town!
Undredal is quite isolated, and you will need to rely on a car or the ferry service to get in and out. That said, there is a hotel here (called Visit Undredal) that offers fantastic value.
Beginning at 2100 NOK a night, you can get a three-bedroom apartment (up to six people) with a view to the fjord, kitchen, private bathroom and balcony. The rooms are 70m2! You are a 20 minute drive to Flåm, but it’ll be so peaceful out here it may be worth the commute.
Neighbouring Villages: Gudvangen
Gudvangen's Options
Located on the Nærøyfjord, Gudvangen is a 20-30 minute drive from Flåm but is also one end of the famous fjord cruise. The hotel here, Gudvangen Fjordtell, is basic but offers good rooms that are not that cheaper than Flåm. Based on these prices, I’d not sure I’d choose here over Flåm or Aurland, unless both those places were sold out. Apartments (kitchens, bathrooms) start at 2,800 NOK a night, while double rooms with private bathrooms are 2,800 NOK a night (rooms with shared bathrooms are only 100 NOK cheaper, which seems odd).
There is the Gudvangen Budget Hotel as well, which has rooms with shared bathrooms starting at 1,800 NOK a night.
Neighbouring Villages: Stalheim
Stalheim Hotel
The furthest village from Flåm, Stalheim is the famous historic Stalheim Hotel. It offers spectacular views over the Nærøy valley and is in a truly peaceful region. I love this hotel, though expect it to be a little basic considering the price tag. Double rooms start at 2,700 NOK (deluxe from 3900 NOK).
Check Availability & Prices
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Flåm
Where you choose to stay in Flåm should depend on your own personal preferences and practical needs. Just be sure to book far in advance!
The E16 Highway
Flåm is located on the E16, the main highway between east and west Norway. You can find my guide to the E16 by clicking the link below.
Be sure to check out my Flåm travel guide! Here you can find all my recommendations of things to do and see, including my self-guided walks.
