Olden, Norway Cruise Port Guide: What to Do in Olden

Getting from Ship to Village Center

Distance: 1km (0.6 miles) Time: 15 minutes walking, 5 minutes by land train

Option 1: Walk (Free)

Flat waterfront path from whichever pier you land at. Scenic. Easy. No reason not to unless mobility is an issue.

Option 2: Land Train (300 NOK)

“Olden Sightseeing” operates tourist trains from the dock area.

• Departure point: Cruise pier/tender dock
• Frequency: Continuous loop when ships are in port (roughly every 15-20 minutes)
• Journey time: 70-minute full circuit with commentary, OR 5-minute hop to village if you just want transport
• Cost: 300 NOK per person (roughly £23)
• Route: Port → Churches → Floen Lake → Village → Port
• Payment: Cash or card, buy tickets from driver
• Language: English commentary available

The land train actually loops through countryside beyond the village – it’s a mini-sightseeing tour, not just transport. Decent value if you want narrated local history without committing to a glacier trek.

Note: Some cruise passengers confuse the land train with the “Open-Top Glacier Bus” (different service, see below).

Transport Matrix: Where You’re Really Going

Critical distinction: The “Hop-On-Hop-Off Glacier Bus” (400 NOK) drives you 12km to a distant glacier viewpoint for photos. It does NOT take you to Briksdal Glacier trailhead. Different service, different destination.

Getting to Loen Skylift: The Details Everyone Actually Needs

Can you walk from cruise port to Loen Skylift? No. It’s 6km. You’ll waste 2+ hours walking roads with no pavements. Don’t.

Shuttle Bus (Recommended)

• Operator: Olden Adventure (sole provider for cruise passengers)
• Pickup location: Directly at cruise pier – you can’t miss the white tents and booking desk
• Frequency: Departures on the hour from Olden, every 30 minutes from Loen Skylift First bus: Typically 9am when ship docks Last bus: Leaves Loen Skylift 20 minutes before “all aboard” time
• Journey time: 10 minutes
• Drop-off: Directly at Loen Skylift base station (fjord level)

Package Deal: From £105 (920 NOK adults, 460 NOK children 6-15 years, under 6 free) Includes:

• Return shuttle bus from cruise pier
• Loen Skylift cable car ticket (both ways)
• Guided bus tour with commentary
• Flexible time at Mount Hoven summit

Booking (Best Options):

Option 1: Book via GetYourGuide (Recommended)

• From £105 per person
• Instant confirmation, free cancellation up to 24 hours
• English-speaking guide included
• Shore excursion guarantee (won’t miss ship)
• Rating: 4.8/5
• 5.5 hour tour including transport, cable car, and mountain time

Option 2: Book at Olden Adventure desk on arrival

• 920 NOK (~£70) shuttle + Skylift only, no guide
• Same-day availability usually fine
• Queue early if 2+ ships in port

Option 3: Through your cruise line

• Expect £79+ for the same experience
• Significant markup over independent booking

Why book ahead: When multiple ships call simultaneously, the cable car gets crowded. Pre-booking guarantees your spot and lets you choose optimal timing (early morning = shortest queues).

Public Bus Option (For Budget Travelers)

• Route: Bus 130 or 111
• Stop: “Muri” – 3-minute walk from cruise pier (turn right from dock, it’s at the road junction)
• Frequency: 4-5 times daily (NOT continuous, check exact times at Entur.no or ask tourist info)
• Journey: 9-10 minutes to “Loen” stop Cost: ~100 NOK one way
• Then: 500-meter walk from bus stop to Loen Skylift base
• Problem: Buses run to village timetables, not cruise ship schedules. If your ship docks at 9am and departs at 5pm, local buses won’t align conveniently. Factor in 30+ minute waits.
• Verdict: The shuttle exists because cruise passengers need it. Public buses work for backpackers, not 6-hour port calls.

Taxi

• Companies:
  • Stryn Taxi: +47 57 87 23 00 (main service)
  • Olden Taxi: +47 950 86 146
• Cost: 350-500 NOK one way, 700-1000 NOK return
• Booking: Required 24 hours advance or morning-of. Don’t assume dockside availability.
• Capacity: If you’re a group of 4+, taxi starts making financial sense vs. shuttle bus.
• When taxis make sense: You’re visiting BOTH Loen Skylift and Briksdal Glacier. Charter taxi for the day, split costs.

Getting to Briksdal Glacier

Distance from port: 25km Can you walk? Absolutely not. This isn’t even a debate.

Olden Adventure Shuttle

• Pickup: Cruise pier
• Journey time: 25 minutes to Briksdal Mountain Lodge (trailhead)
• Operating: Continuous shuttle loop when ships are in port Cost: Packages vary (shuttle only: ~140 NOK, or combined with Troll Cars)

At Briksdal: Two ways to see the glacier from the mountain lodge:

Option A: Walk (Free)

• Distance: 3km (1.8 miles) from parking/lodge to glacier viewpoint
• Time: 45 minutes each way
• Terrain: Paved/gravel trail, moderate incline, some steps

Option A: Troll Cars (150 NOK)

• What they are: Open-top mini-vehicles that drive you to glacier viewpoint
• Time: 20 minutes round trip
• Who uses them: Everyone who doesn’t fancy the climb
• Verdict: Worth it. You’re here for glacier views, not leg day.

Total time needed: 4-5 hours including transport and viewing time.

Booking: Olden Adventure desk at pier. Packages available combining shuttle + Troll Cars + Loen Skylift (10% discount).

Guided Briksdal Glacier Tour

The Hassle-Free Option:

Book Briksdal Glacier Guided Hiking Tour via GetYourGuide

• Price: From £105 per person
• Duration: 4 hours total
• Includes: Transport from cruise pier, guided hike, all logistics handled
• Rating: 4.5/5 (123 reviews)
• Shore excursion guarantee: Ship won’t leave without you (unlike independent travel)
• Guide benefits: Local knowledge, best photo spots, historical context
• Free cancellation: Up to 24 hours before

Why choose the guided option:

• No stress about timing or transport
• Expert commentary you won’t get wandering independently
• Guaranteed ship won’t depart (cruise lines coordinate with tour operators)
• Similar price to doing it yourself once you factor in shuttle + Troll Cars

Total time needed: 4-5 hours including transport and viewing time.

Beyond the Glaciers: Alternative Olden Experiences

Not everyone wants to hike to viewpoints or queue for cable cars. Olden offers experiences beyond the standard glacier circuit:

RIB Boat Fjord Adventure

Book Nordfjord RIB Boat Tour

• What it is: High-speed rigid inflatable boat blasting across Nordfjord’s mirror-calm waters
• Duration: 1 hour
• Cost: From £86
• Rating: 4.6/5 (62 reviews)
• Why do it: Pure adrenaline. See the fjord from water level. Fits any schedule – perfect if you only have 2-3 hours ashore.
• Pickup: Directly from cruise pier
• Fitness: None required, but expect spray and speed

Beginner-Friendly Fjord Kayaking

Book Fjord Kayaking Experience

• What it is: Guided paddle through Nordfjord’s protected waters
• Duration: 2 hours
• Cost: From £75
• Rating: 4.9/5 (76 reviews) – highest rated Olden activity
• Why do it: Peaceful, accessible, surprisingly easy for first-timers. The silence after a noisy ship is therapeutic. Pickup: Cruise pier
• Fitness: Minimal – designed for beginners, stable double kayaks

Guided E-Bike Tour

Book E-Bike Valley & Lakeside Tour

• What it is: Electric-assisted cycling through Olden valley and along Oldevatnet Lake
• Duration: 2 hours
  Cost: From £90
• Rating: 4.8/5 (38 reviews)
• Why do it: Cover 10x more ground than walking, electric assist means no sweating. See countryside cruise passengers miss.
• Pickup: Cruise pier
• Fitness: Low – the motor does the work on hills

Free Things to Do in Olden

Budget-conscious or just allergic to tourist pricing? Olden offers genuine free experiences:

✅ Waterfront Walk – Port to village, 15 minutes of fjord views. Zero cost, maximum scenery.

✅ Olden Old Church (1759) – White wooden church, exterior viewing always free. Interior: small donation (~20-30 NOK) if open.

✅ Olden New Church (1934) – Modern red church for architectural contrast. Free to view exterior.

✅ Village Exploration – Traditional Norwegian wooden buildings, local farm, lakeside paths. Wander at will.

✅ Oldevatnet Lake – Short walk from village. Glass-calm water reflects mountains. Pack sandwiches, save restaurant money.

✅ Local Supermarket – Buy Norwegian brown cheese (brunost), dried reindeer, cloudberry jam. Actual local food at actual local prices.

What’s not free:

• Loen Skylift (490-625 NOK)
• Briksdal Glacier Troll Cars (150 NOK)
• Land Train (300 NOK)
• RIB boat rides (from 500 NOK)

You can absolutely have a fulfilling Olden port day for free. The mountains don’t charge admission.

Taxi Services

Taxis don’t wait at the cruise pier. Olden has 500 permanent residents. Book ahead or risk waiting hours.

Stryn Taxi
Phone: +47 57 87 23 00
Booking: 24 hours advance recommended, same-morning possible
Coverage: All Olden destinations

Olden Taxi
Phone: +47 950 86 146
Booking: Advance required

Estimated Fares (approximate, confirm with driver):

What to Do If Your Ship Stays 6-8 Hours

Time-poor itinerary (Loen Skylift only):

• 9:00am: Board shuttle at pier
• 9:10am: Arrive Loen Skylift
• 9:15am: Cable car up (5 minutes)
• 9:20am-12:00pm: Top of Mount Hoven (hiking, photos, restaurant)
• 12:05pm: Cable car down
• 12:10pm: Shuttle back to pier
• 12:20pm: Back at ship Total: 3.5 hours

Ambitious itinerary (Briksdal + Loen):

• 9:00am: Briksdal shuttle from pier
• 9:30am: Arrive glacier area
• 9:35am: Troll Car to viewpoint
• 10:30am: Photos, coffee at lodge
• 11:00am: Shuttle back
• 11:30am: Lunch at ship
• 1:00pm: Loen Skylift shuttle
• 1:15pm-3:30pm: Mount Hoven
• 3:45pm: Back at ship Total: Full port day

Relaxed itinerary (village only):

• 9:30am: Walk to village
• 10:00am-1:00pm: Churches, lake, coffee, shopping
• 1:30pm: Land Train scenic circuit
• 3:00pm: Walk back or take land train to pier Total: 5.5 hours, zero stress

Food & Dining

Norway is expensive. Let’s not pretend otherwise.

Dockside Options:

• Café/pub opposite tender pier: Coffee, waffles, basic meals. Prices reflect “cruise passenger desperation.”

Loen Skylift:

• Hoven Restaurant (summit): Stunning views, premium prices. Expect £15+ for lunch.
• Café (summit): Hot chocolate, lighter snacks, slightly less painful pricing.

Briksdal Mountain Lodge:

• Cafeteria-style. Coffee, sandwiches, Norwegian cakes.

Village Center:

• Small supermarket: Buy bread, cheese, fruit, brunost. Make your own lunch.
• Limited café/restaurant options, all tourist-priced.

Traditional Norwegian dishes to try:

• Fårikål – Lamb and cabbage stew (national dish)
• Brunost – Sweet caramelized brown cheese (acquired taste)
• Rømmegrøt – Sour cream porridge
• Kvikk Lunsj – Norwegian chocolate (basically Norwegian Kit-Kat, actually good)

Honest assessment: Eat breakfast on ship, pack snacks, buy lunch at summit if you want the experience. Don’t expect budget dining.

Practical Information

• Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
• Cards: Accepted everywhere
• Cash: Not necessary, but buses often prefer it
• ATMs: None at port or village
• Mobile coverage: Excellent (Telenor, Telia networks)
• WiFi: Café by pier, limited

Weather:

• Summer (June-August): 10-22°C, unpredictable showers
• Pack: Waterproof jacket, layers, walking shoes
• Glacier areas: Always colder, wind factor significant

Tap water: Safe to drink. Mountain fresh. Better than bottled.

Emergency numbers:

• Police: 112
• Ambulance: 113
• Fire: 110

Medical facilities:

• Stryn Medical Centre: +47 57 87 32 00 (daytime, 8am-4pm)
• Nordfjord Hospital: 116 117 (after hours emergency)

Toilets:

• Limited public facilities near dock
• Village cafés/shops welcome cruise passengers (no purchase required, but appreciated)
• Loen Skylift: Clean facilities at base and summit stations

Sail-In & Sail-Away

Get up early for Olden’s approach. Seriously.

The Nordfjord sail-in (approximately 6:00-7:30am depending on ship speed) ranks among Norway’s finest – comparable to Geirangerfjord’s dramatic approach and sailing into Ålesund. Tiny hamlets with no road access. Waterfalls tumbling directly into the fjord. Mountains that make your ship look comically small.

Sail-away bonus: Olden locals gather dockside with Norwegian flags, music, and enthusiastic waving. It’s genuine, not staged cruise port theater. Wave back.

Pack coffee, claim a deck spot, skip the breakfast buffet queue. This approach is why you paid for a fjord cruise.

What the Cruise Lines Won’t Tell You

1. Olden Adventure has a monopoly on cruise passenger shuttles. They know it. Prices reflect it. Still cheaper than ship excursions.
2. Public buses exist but don’t coordinate with cruise schedules. You can use them, but you’ll waste port time waiting.
3. The “Hop-On-Hop-Off Glacier Bus” doesn’t go to Briksdal Glacier. It goes to a distant viewpoint. Different product entirely.
4. Weather changes in 15 minutes. Sunshine becomes sideways rain becomes sunshine again. Waterproofs aren’t optional.
5. Loen Skylift gets crowded when 2+ ships call simultaneously. First shuttle departure = shortest queues at the cable car.
6. You can’t do everything. Loen Skylift OR Briksdal Glacier OR relaxed village day. Pick one unless your ship gives you 9+ hours.
7. Most passengers book ship excursions and overpay by 40-50%. Read this guide. Save money. Do the same activities.
8. Norway fjord itineraries follow patterns. If you’re visiting Olden, you’re probably also calling at Geirangerfjord, Ålesund’s Art Nouveau district, or Bergen’s Bryggen Wharf. Read those port guides now – planning ahead beats scrambling the night before each stop.

Common Questions

Is there a hop-on-hop-off bus in Olden?
No. The “Hop-On-Hop-Off Glacier Bus” is actually a fixed circuit sightseeing bus (400 NOK) that goes to a viewpoint 12km away, NOT a hop-on-hop-off service. The Land Train (300 NOK) loops continuously, but it’s village-focused, not a HOHO bus.

Can I walk from Olden cruise port to Loen Skylift?
Technically yes. Realistically no. It’s 6km along roads without pavements. You’ll spend 2.5 hours walking when you could shuttle in 10 minutes. Your port time is precious. Don’t waste it on roads.

Do I need to book Loen Skylift in advance?
Not essential, but smart on days when 2+ ships call. Olden Adventure sells packages on arrival (same price as online), but popular sailing days can sell out by mid-morning. Book ahead if it’s a bucket-list item.

What’s the difference between Briksdal and Kjenndal glaciers?
Both are arms of the massive Jostedalsbreen glacier. Briksdal is closer to Olden (25km), more visited, easier access. Kjenndal is further (30km), less crowded, requires boat ride across Lovatnet Lake. Most cruise passengers visit Briksdal.

Can I do both Loen Skylift and Briksdal Glacier in one port call?
Yes, if your ship gives you 8+ hours and you move fast. Do Briksdal first (morning shuttle, allows time for walking/Troll Cars), return by 11:30am, grab ship lunch, then Loen Skylift 1-4pm. Doable but exhausting. Most passengers choose one.

Is Olden suitable for passengers with mobility issues?
Yes and no. Village is flat and walkable. Loen Skylift is wheelchair accessible (cable car, summit platform, restaurant). Briksdal requires walking/Troll Cars (Troll Cars accommodate limited mobility but have steps). The tender process can be challenging if you’re tendering rather than docking.

What language do people speak?
English is universally spoken in tourist-facing roles. Olden Adventure staff, Loen Skylift operators, land train drivers – all fluent. Don’t worry about Norwegian.

When do shops and facilities open?
Coordinated with cruise ship arrivals. If your ship docks at 8am, the Olden Adventure desk opens at 8am. If you arrive at 9am, they open at 9am. Everything runs on cruise schedules during summer season.

Other Norway Cruise Ports

Southern Norway & Fjords:

• Bergen cruise port guide – Gateway city, Bryggen Wharf, Mount Fløyen funicular
• Ålesund cruise port – Art Nouveau architecture, 418 steps to Aksla viewpoint
• Molde cruise port – City of Roses, 222 mountain peaks viewpoint

Northern Norway (Arctic Circle):

• Tromsø cruise port guide – Northern Lights capital, Arctic Cathedral, Polaria Aquarium
• Alta cruise port – UNESCO rock carvings, Sami culture, reindeer sledding
• Hammerfest port guide – World’s northernmost town, Meridian Column
• North Cape cruise guide – Europe’s northern edge, midnight sun, Nordkapphallen
• Narvik cruise port – WWII history, Fagernesfjellet cable car, Ofoten Railway
• Harstad port guide – Lofoten gateway, Trondenes Church, midnight sun
• Longyearbyen, Svalbard – Polar bear territory, Arctic research hub, Global Seed Vault

Planning Resources:

• Complete Norway cruise ports guide – All Norwegian ports in one place
• Norwegian fjords polar cruise routes – Itinerary planning