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Norway's Dovre Line links Oslo and Trondheim on a scenic journey through Gudbrandsdalen and across the mountains of Dovrefjell. Here's what to expect, how to book tickets, and whether the day or night train is right for you.

Not long after I moved to Norway in 2011, I started travelling regularly between Oslo and Trondheim.

Back then, I chose the train mainly because it was cheap. I hadn't quite adjusted to the cost of living in Norway yet, and saving money mattered more to me than saving time.

Then I moved to Trondheim in 2013 and the journey became a regular part of my life.

I still travel between the two cities by train today. Given the choice, I'll often take it when I'm not in a hurry. There's something appealing about settling into a seat with a coffee, getting a few hours of work done, and watching central Norway slowly roll past the window.

For international visitors, there's another reason to consider it. Rather than losing much of a day getting to an airport, checking in, flying and travelling back into a city centre, the train takes you directly from central Oslo to central Trondheim.

And this isn't simply transportation. The Dovre Line is an enjoyable journey in its own right.

Is the Oslo to Trondheim train worth taking?

If scenery matters to you and you have the time, yes.

The journey usually takes around seven hours, although some services are somewhat faster. Several departures operate each day, with fewer services on some weekend days. The route is known as F6 and is operated by .

It's not quite as famous among international tourists as the Bergen Line, but the scenery is very different.

Rather than crossing the vast Hardangervidda mountain plateau, the Oslo-Trondheim train follows Lake Mjøsa, runs through the broad Gudbrandsdalen valley, climbs onto Dovrefjell, and eventually descends towards Trøndelag. It's a wonderful cross-section of the Norwegian landscape.

The train also stops at Oslo Airport on its way north, so visitors arriving by air can travel directly towards Trondheim without first heading into Oslo. Southbound trains stop at the airport for passengers leaving the train.

From Oslo alongside Lake Mjøsa

The first part of the journey isn't particularly dramatic, but things become more interesting as the train heads north towards Norway's largest lake.

Lake Mjøsa stretches for more than 100 kilometres through eastern Norway. If you're travelling north from Oslo, the left-hand side of the train generally gives you the best views of the lake. Travelling towards Oslo, choose the right.

Soon afterwards, the train reaches Lillehammer. Best known internationally for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics, Lillehammer is also an attractive small town and a possible place to break up the journey for anyone with extra time.

From Lillehammer, the railway follows Gudbrandsdalen northwards. This long valley is one of Norway's historic north-south transport corridors, surrounded increasingly by mountains as the train passes places including Ringebu, Vinstra and Otta.

For me, this is when the journey really begins to feel as if you're leaving urban Norway behind.

Dombås and the climb to Dovrefjell

Eventually, the train reaches Dombås. The town itself is small, but its railway station is an important junction. This is where the Rauma Line branches west towards Åndalsnes, one of Norway's most spectacular railway journeys.

So if you're planning a longer trip around Norway, one interesting itinerary is to travel from Oslo to Dombås, continue down the Rauma Line to Åndalsnes, and explore the fjords before continuing elsewhere.

Stay on the Trondheim train, however, and the railway begins its climb towards the high mountain landscapes of Dovrefjell. This is my favourite part of the journey.

The railway passes and Kongsvoll on its way across the mountains. The highest point of the Dovre Line is just north of Hjerkinn, at more than 1,000 metres above sea level.

The complete railway between Eidsvoll and Trondheim was finally opened in 1921 after being built in stages over several decades.

Depending on the weather and the time of year, Dovrefjell can look dramatically different.

On a clear summer day, there are sweeping views across an open mountain landscape. In autumn, the colours can be wonderful. During winter, the same area can become an almost completely white wilderness.

It's also one of Norway's most important wildlife areas. Dovrefjell supports wild reindeer and is famous for its musk oxen. Musk oxen disappeared from Europe thousands of years ago but animals from Greenland were reintroduced to Dovrefjell during the 20th century.

You shouldn't expect to see one from the train. I've made this journey countless times and sightings are very much a bonus rather than part of the experience. But keep your eyes open, all the same.

From Oppdal to Trondheim

Once across Dovrefjell, the train begins its long descent through the mountains towards Oppdal.

Oppdal is best known today as a ski resort and outdoor destination, but the railway has been an important part of the town since the completion of the Dovre Line in 1921.

From there, the landscape gradually changes again. The mountains give way to the valleys and farmland of Trøndelag before the train eventually pulls into Trondheim Central Station.

You're then within walking distance of much of central Trondheim, including the colourful warehouses beside the Nidelva river, Bakklandet and Nidaros Cathedral. That city-centre arrival is one of the great advantages of taking the train.

Which side of the train should you sit on?

I get asked this a lot, but there isn't one perfect side for the entire journey.

For Lake Mjøsa, choose the left side travelling north from Oslo and the right side travelling south. Beyond Lillehammer, the railway twists through valleys and mountains and the best views change sides frequently.

So I wouldn't worry too much about securing one particular side for the whole seven-hour journey. If you're travelling with someone else, two seats facing each other around a table can be a nice option, especially if you plan to eat, play cards or work.

Buying tickets for the Dovre Line

Although the train is operated by SJ Norge, the easiest place to search for journeys and buy tickets is Norway's national journey planner, . Entur sells train tickets for services across Norway without an additional booking fee.

SJ currently releases tickets as far as 120 days before departure, so it's worth looking early if your travel dates are fixed. This is especially important if you want one of the limited sleeping compartments on the night train.

Prices vary according to demand and ticket flexibility, so there isn't one standard Oslo-Trondheim fare.

The cheapest tickets are generally non-flexible. Flexible tickets cost more but can be changed or cancelled, although a fee applies to cancellations made within 24 hours of departure.

SJ also periodically sells discounted “Trollpris” tickets on selected less popular departures. At present, these are offered on the early morning train from Trondheim and an evening departure from Oslo, subject to availability.

Standard, Premium or Premium Pluss?

There are now on daytime Dovre Line trains, although they aren't all available on every departure.

Standard

For most travellers, Standard is absolutely fine. You get an assigned seat, and where seat selection is offered you can choose your preferred position when booking. Flexible and non-flexible ticket options are available.

There are also dedicated family areas on the long-distance trains. These include a playroom, and there's no additional charge beyond the normal Standard fare.

If you're not travelling with children and want a quiet journey, it's worth checking the seating plan before selecting a seat near the family area!

Premium

Premium is less about a dramatically better seat and more about having a quieter carriage and a few extras.

Water and hot drinks are included, and SJ refurbished its Premium carriages in 2025. Premium is available only on selected daytime Dovre Line services and is not offered on the night train.

For a long daytime journey, I find the quieter environment can be worthwhile if I'm planning to work.

Premium Pluss

Premium Pluss is a bigger upgrade. The wide reclining seats have an electrically adjustable backrest and footrest and can recline to around 45 degrees. They also have personal reading lights, power sockets and USB charging.

There are fewer seats across the width of the carriage, so it feels much more spacious. Premium Pluss isn't available on every departure, but it is also offered on the night train as an alternative to a sleeping compartment.

Food and drink on board

One big advantage of the Dovre Line is that you don't need to pack enough food for a seven-hour journey.

SJ currently provides a café carriage on all Dovre Line departures, selling meals, snacks and both hot and cold drinks. Alcoholic drinks are also available. Of course, you're perfectly free to bring your own food too.

Personally, a coffee from the café and something to eat while crossing Dovrefjell has become part of the journey for me.

There is also free Wi-Fi on board, although as with any long railway journey through rural and mountainous Norway, I wouldn't plan an important video meeting around having a flawless connection for seven hours. SJ also provides power for charging devices. 

Night train from Oslo to Trondheim

If you're trying to save daytime sightseeing hours, the night train is another possibility.

There is normally one night service in each direction on most nights. Current timetables have the Oslo departure at around 10.50pm and arrival in Trondheim shortly after 6.30am, while the southbound train leaves Trondheim at around 11.15pm and reaches Oslo before 7am. Timetables change, so always check your specific travel date.

There are three main ways to travel overnight. The cheapest is an ordinary Standard seat. I've tried this, and personally I don't get much sleep.

Premium Pluss reclining seats are a considerably more comfortable halfway house for anyone accustomed to sleeping in an airline-style seat.

The best option for actual sleep is a sleeping compartment. Each compact compartment has two beds and its own washbasin, while toilets are shared at the end of the carriage.

I've generally slept reasonably well in them. The downside is availability. Sleeper compartments can sell out, which is another reason to book as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.

Don't forget that this isn't an especially long night train journey, either. Even with a compartment, you'll be arriving in Oslo or Trondheim very early in the morning.

Check for railway work before travelling

One final piece of advice: check your journey shortly before departure.

The Dovre Line is a hugely important railway, but maintenance work, engineering projects and weather-related disruption can result in altered services or replacement buses.

SJ publishes current disruption information, while Entur will normally show changes when you search for your specific journey. It's particularly important to check if you're connecting to a flight or another long-distance service.

I've taken this train many times over the years, sometimes because it was the cheapest option, sometimes because I needed to work, and sometimes simply because I fancied taking the train rather than flying. I still enjoy it.

Oslo and Trondheim are the obvious attractions at either end, but the seven hours between them reveal another side of Norway: farmland, enormous lakes, historic valleys and the open mountain landscapes of Dovrefjell.

If your Norway itinerary has room for the journey, I think it's well worth seeing at least once.

Have you travelled between Oslo and Trondheim on the Dovre Line? What did you think of the journey? Let me know in the comments below.