Norway's longest and deepest fjord
The Sognefjord is about 127 miles (205 km) long and reaches a maximum depth of 4,291 feet (1,308 m). The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research states in a 2025 report that this makes it the longest and the deepest fjord in Norway. It is not a world record.
The fjord is not part of the World Heritage site. That listing covers two other fjords, the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, and it does not extend to all Norwegian fjords. Flåm, where the boat from Bergen ends, is also the start of the Flåm Railway and of the boat through the Nærøyfjord.
Ways to travel on and around the fjord
Flåm is the hub: the boat from Bergen arrives there, and the railway and the Nærøyfjord boat start there.
| Option | Time | Season | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express boat Bergen to Flåm | 5.5 hours one way | 1 April to 31 October | No cars. Stops include Balestrand and Vik |
| Flåm Railway, Flåm to Myrdal | About 1 hour | All year | 20 km (12 miles), timetable depends on the season |
| Boat Flåm to Gudvangen | About 2 hours | All year | Goes through the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord |
The express boat is a passenger service run by Norled from the Strandkaiterminalen in Bergen. It leaves Bergen at 08:00 and reaches Flåm at 15:30 on its daily run. A return in one day would mean about 11 hours on the water, so it works better as one direction by boat and the other by train.
Sognefjord and Flåm tours
Fjord cruises, Flåm Railway trips and combined days around the Sognefjord, with live prices and availability.
Express boat fares in 2026
The operator lists these one-way fares for Bergen to Flåm, as seen in October 2026. A separate 2026 fare table valid from 1 February 2026 gives a 50 percent discount for children and seniors and 40 percent for students. Family fares are listed unevenly, so ask the operator for the current amount before you book for a family.
| Group | One way, Bergen to Flåm |
|---|---|
| Adults | NOK 1,295 |
| Children 6–17 and seniors from 67 | NOK 648 |
| Students 18–29 | NOK 777 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
If you want to sleep somewhere on the way, each stretch has to be booked separately.
Balestrand and Vik on the way
Balestrand and Vik are two of the stops on the boat from Bergen. The photo shows the St. Olaf's Church in Balestrand. Whether you step off for a night or stay on to Flåm, plan it before you buy: a stopover is a new booking, and the boat does not carry cars.
Check opening times and entry fees for churches and other sights on the shore locally, and do the same for parking at the intermediate stops.
Glaciers, cruise ships and the weather
Three questions that come up when you plan the fjord.
Glaciers are a separate trip
A fjord ticket does not include a glacier visit, and a glacier is not something to try on your own. The Jostedal glacier area has its own guide at Stryn, Loen and Olden.
Cruise ships
The zero-emission rules adopted for the World Heritage fjords do not automatically apply to the Sognefjord. For ports, rules and routes see the fjord cruise guide.
Light and weather
The fjord lies in western Norway, south of the Arctic Circle. There is no midnight sun and no polar night, but summer evenings are long. Month by month advice is on the page for the best time to visit.
Plan the rest of your trip
From Flåm, the other fjord guides are close.
The Flåm Railway
The 20 km line from Flåm up to Myrdal.
The Nærøyfjord
The narrow fjord between Flåm and Gudvangen.
Norway in a Nutshell
The round trip by train, boat and bus, and how to book the legs yourself.
The Hardangerfjord has its own guide, and fjord day trips from Bergen shows what leaves from the city. For the fjord country far to the north, Northern Norway has its own guide to Lofoten and Senja.
Sognefjord: frequently asked questions
Is the Sognefjord the longest fjord in the world?
No. It is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, about 127 miles (205 km) long and 4,291 feet (1,308 m) deep, but not a world record.
How do I get from Bergen to the Sognefjord?
The express boat runs from Bergen to Flåm from 1 April to 31 October, leaving Bergen at 08:00 and arriving at 15:30. It takes 5.5 hours and does not carry cars. Outside that season the route is by train via Myrdal.
How much does the boat from Bergen to Flåm cost?
In October 2026 the operator lists NOK 1,295 for adults one way. Children 6–17 and seniors from 67 pay NOK 648, students 18–29 pay NOK 777, and children under 6 travel free.
Can I do a day trip from Bergen on the boat?
Only with a long day. A return trip means about 11 hours on the water, so most visitors take the boat one way and return by another route.
Is the Sognefjord a World Heritage site?
No. The World Heritage listing covers the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord only, and it does not apply to all Norwegian fjords.
Is there a midnight sun at the Sognefjord?
No. The fjord is south of the Arctic Circle, so there is no midnight sun and no polar night. Summer evenings are long, but the sun does set.