OU Trips - Norway

Join us on an 8-day tour of Norway, enjoying stops in Oslo, Flam, Bergen and Stavanger, staying in highly rated hotels. 

Norway is a wildly beautiful country offering remote wilderness and outdoor activities, fairylike forests, historic towns and friendly people. It boasts some of the most scenic bus trips, boat cruises, and train rides in the world.

On this trip you will be fully immersed in 'The Land of the Midnight Sun', providing ample opportunity to take in astounding scenery of the southwestern Fjordlands, one of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys - the high-plateau ‘Across the Roof of Norway’, UNESCO World Heritage historic trading port of Bergen and its capital Oslo. 

Dates and Times

3rd - 10th June 2027

What's included?

• Coach transfer between The Open University and London Gatwick (return)
• Norwegian Air Shuttle (Economy) return flights
• All train, coach and Ferry travel (including seat reservation fees)
• 3* and 4* Accommodation in hotels, centrally located and/or close to train stations for ease (walking distance or short bus transfer)
• Rooms with en-suite facilities
• Breakfast included (all hotels)
• Dinner included in Flam (Fretheim Hotel)
• Private guided tour in Oslo
• Lysefjord Cruise From Stavanger – Experience Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock)

Prices and Room Availability:

30 Places available 

The following price is TBC and is based on current rates. 

£2450 per person (based on 2 people sharing).

Single place supplement is additional £850 pp

Itinerary

Day 1: London – Oslo 

Early morning coach travel to London Gatwick (depart OU, Milton Keynes TBC) to catch morning flight to Oslo. Upon arrival in Oslo, group will be met and transferred to Thon Hotel Opera by bus/coach. 

Check in to Thon Hotel Opera for 2 nights bed and breakfast

Thon Hotel Opera (image credit: easyjet.com)

Thon Hotel Opera is centrally located in Bjørvika, close to the Oslo Opera House, Munch Museum and new Deichman Library. Close to public transport (only 100m from Oslo’s Central Station), shopping and nightlife in Bjørvika and along Karl Johans gate. Rooms are modern, comfortable and well equipped. The elegant, fjord-view restaurant serves top-quality Norwegian and international fare, while the large breakfast buffet is a wonderful start to any day on the town. The bar is famous city-wide for its marvellous cocktails, making the perfect stop before heading out for the night. 

Day 2: Oslo

This day includes a private guided tour but also the opportunity to spend time at leisure so you can explore some of the city's highlights. For example, take a stroll in Frogner Park, viewing the 212 bronze and granite works by Norway’s best-loved sculptor Gustav Vigeland, including The Monolith, The Angry Boy and Wheel of Life. Or explore more of the maritime treasures in Aker Brygge’s museums, or admire the traditional and contemporary art in Oslo’s many galleries. 

Oslo (image credit: discover-the-world.com)

Day 3: Oslo – Flam

Journey plan (exact times TBC):

A day enjoying two of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys, travel on the high-plateau ‘Across the Roof of Norway’ train to Myrdal where you change to the famous ‘Corkscrew Railway’ for a breathtaking descent to the fjordside village of Flam for an overnight stay.

Flam (image credit: expedia.co.uk)

Check-in to Fretheim Hotel - Flåm for 1 night, half board

Fretheim Hotel, Flam (image credit: best-served.co.uk)

Set in a refurbished manor house from the 1800s in the town of Flam, Fretheim is the perfect base for exploring the unspoilt scenery of western Norway. The building’s older sections have been carefully restored with open fireplaces and antique furniture decorates the lounges, library and historical guest rooms. The restaurant serves delectable Norwegian cuisine, based on organic, locally sourced ingredient which, in the summer, can be enjoyed on the hotel’s terrace. The hotel’s bar is comfortably set out and provides a cosy atmosphere in which to enjoy a drink or tuck-in to a light snack.

Standard rooms are located towards the back of the hotel with views of the mountains and the trails in Fretheim Kulturpark. The rooms have coffee/tea facilities, luggage rack, wardrobe, TV and hairdryer. En-suite bathroom with bathtub.

Day 4: Flam - Bergen

Today we take the train from Flam to Bergen. Not only is Bergen right in the heart of the Norwegian Fjords, sitting pretty between Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord, but it is also a UNESCO World Heritage City. Colourful harbourside buildings and narrow alleyways in the Bryggen district reflect its medieval past and important role in the Hanseatic League. 

Bergen (image credit: gofjords.com)

Check-in to Clarion Hotel Admiral - Bergen for 2 nights bed & breakfast

Clarion Hotel Admiral, Bergen (image credit: booking.com)

Day 5: Bergen - Day at leisure

Spend some time delving into its fascinating museums and perusing the craft shops, bars and restaurants. Bergen’s Fish Market is another must-see. Dating back to 1276, it’s where you’ll find the fresh ingredients that find their way into Bergen’s famous fish soup, fish cakes and persetorsk (traditionally steamed cod). For stunning views of the city and surrounding fjords, take the funicular up Mt Floyen where you can stroll walking trails of varying lengths. At Floistuen, relax with a drink and some local pastries and delicacies before heading back down to the city.

Funicular up Mt Floyen (image credit: tripadvisor.co.uk)

Day 6: Bergen - Stavanger 

Today we depart Bergen by ferry and relax on the stunning 5.5hr voyage to Stavanger, watching the fjords, mountains and islands of Norway’s west coast slip past from the deck. Upon arrival, we will be transferred from Risavika Harbour to Thon Hotel Stavanger.

Check-in to Thon Hotel Stavanger for 2 nights bed & breakfast

Thon Hotel Stavanger (image credit: visitnorway.com)

Arriving in the old city of Stavanger, walk among the historic, brightly painted wharf houses – built in the late 18th century as storerooms and saltings for the herring industry. In Old Stavanger, you’ll find over 170 white-washed wooden houses, many of them now used as craft shops, cafés and galleries. One street – Ovre Holmegate – is painted in a rainbow of colours. Throughout the city (Recognised as Europe’s best preserved wooden house settlements) you will come across stunning street art and murals. Stavanger is also an important city for the oil industry and a visit to the petroleum museum is highly recommended. Eating out is another highlight, with options ranging from harbourside cafés to Michelin restaurants RE-NAA and Sabi Omakase. Two nights in Stavanger.

Day 7: Lysefjord Cruise From Stavanger – Experience Preikestolen

Step aboard our silent, electric boat that takes you straight from the city center into the heart of serene and unspoiled fjord landscapes. After we pass Lysefjord Bridge, the gateway to the famous fjord, we are surrounded by steep and dramatic mountains. Feel the thrill as we head towards Fantahålå, the cave where the “vagrants” hid from the sheriff in the old days. Not long after, you will spot one of the most famous attractions in the Stavanger region – the iconic Preikestolen towering 604 meters above the fjord! Lysefjord is also home to several impressive waterfalls. To make this boat trip even more memorable, the boat will approach as close as possible to the thundering Hengjanefossen waterfall so you can feel the refreshing spray. 

Hengjanefossen waterfall (image credit: fjordnorway.com)

Day 8: Depart Stavanger - return to UK

Depart Stavanger with a transfer to Stavanger Sola Airport for evening flight (time TBC) back to London Gatwick. We will be met at the airport by coach and be transferred back to the OU, Milton Keynes. 

Places available

30

Booking deadline

18th May 2026 or when sold out

To request places

By submitting your booking via the booking form (follow link below), you are confirming you have read and will abide by our terms and conditions. 

Please note, you are responsible for the full payment once the place request deadline date is past. OU Trips does not have any reserves to cover cancelled places, so please ensure you have taken out travel insurance to cover yourself.

Booking Form

PLEASE NOTE: Do not submit your request more than once. We would ask you to remember that we are all volunteers. Therefore, please don’t be offended if you don’t receive an immediate response.

Payment Deadlines

For 2 people sharing - £730 pp deposit

For single occupancy - £810 pp deposit 

Deposit Deadline = 12th June 2026

Final Balance due = 22nd March 2027

Contacting us

If you need to contact us regarding a event and your question cannot be answered through our booking information page, please email and ensure that you include the name of the event you are contacting us about in the subject line of your message.