Fjord Cruise from Bergen with Kids: An Honest Guide to the Mostraumen Half-Day Trip
- minna
- 4 hours ago
- 7 min read
If you are visiting Bergen with a young child and want to experience the dramatic fjords without committing to a full day out, the Rødne Mostraumen cruise is your best option. It takes just three and a half hours from the city centre, it runs every single day rain or shine, and the boat has a small dedicated kids play area in case they get bored!
We actually did the cruise in the pouring rain and although we got a bit wet it was still a great experience with beautiful views of the fjords. It is also the perfect length. Three and a half hours is just enough time to feel like you have had a proper fjord experience, but it is manageable enough for a toddler without them getting too bored. We were back in Bergen by lunchtime and within minutes in the Fish Market having lunch!
Recommended tour: From Bergen: The Original Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen (Use code TODDLERTRAVELDIARIES5 for 5% off via the GetYourGuide app.)
What You Actually See
The boat departs from the Zachariasbryggen quay in central Bergen, located right next to the famous Fish Market. As you leave the harbour, you get a beautiful view back across the city and Bryggen, the colourful UNESCO listed wooden wharf, which honestly looks best from the water. The route then heads north straight into the Osterfjord, a 27 kilometre stretch of water flanked by steep mountainsides that get progressively more dramatic the further you sail.
The centrepiece of the trip is Mostraumen. This is a narrow strait with massive waterfalls cascading down the cliffsides next to you. The waterfalls appear out of nowhere and it feels like you get close enough to feel the spray! On calm days, wildlife sightings are very common along the route, including eagles, seals, and the occasional wild mountain goat standing on the steep cliff edges.
At the turning point, the boat passes through the tiny village of Mo. On morning departures, this is where passengers who have pre booked the optional guided hike to Slottet mountain can disembark. The morning boat leaves them in Mo, they complete the hike, and the afternoon cruise collects them on the return journey. It is limited to specific spaces and must be booked in advance.
What the Boat Is Like for Families
Getting on the boat is really easy to get on with a pram but there is an outer upper deck which you can only get to via a short set of stairs. Because the weather was rainy and windy we decided to spend the majority of the boat tour inside because it was warm with plenty of indoor seating and tables.
On the main deck level it's really spacious and there are places where you can park the pram out of the way. There are a few toilets including an accessible toilet with a changing table.
There are outdoor viewing decks located both upstairs and on the main deck. When we entered Osterfjord and the crew announced the views were getting interesting, we moved outside where there was plenty of space for my daughter to safely roam around.
Conveniently, there is a small play area tucked under the stairs in a corner of the indoor cabin. Our daughter discovered this within about ten minutes of boarding and used it happily throughout the journey. It is not huge, but it is useful for entertaining a toddler. She even got the chance to briefly visit the captain's deck, which was a massive highlight!
The café on board serves fresh waffles, cinnamon buns, and hot drinks. I can safely confirm that eating a warm Norwegian waffle on a fjord cruise in the rain is a very good life choice. One important thing to note: the café is primarily focused on pastries and hot drinks rather so if your kid needs a proper lunch, make sure to bring a packed lunch. The morning cruise returns around 1pm, so we made sure to pack some food and snacks so we wouldn't have to deal with the otherwise inevitable meltdown.
What Happens if it Rains?
Rain on the Mostraumen cruise isn't really a problem because the indoor deck is warm spacious and you can still admire the sights from the window. You can also head to the upstairs viewing deck at any point and the crew will let you know when you can go out to the outside on the main deck (like when we entered Osterfjord). The views are still stunning in the rain and the waterfalls cascade strongly down and the mountains look much more dramatic covered with low cloud.
As it's Bergen I always recommend bringing a waterproof layer whenever you leave the house and this boat cruise is no exception! The cruise runs every single day, year round, regardless of the weather. If there is thick ice in the innermost parts of the fjord in winter, the route adjusts slightly, but departures are never cancelled just for rain.
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
Departure point: Zachariasbryggen quay, located right next to the Fish Market in central Bergen. It is incredibly easy to walk to from most accommodation in the city centre.
Duration: Three to three and a half hours return.
On board facilities: A café selling waffles, cinnamon buns, and hot drinks. Clean toilets including a baby changing area. Indoor seating with tables. Outdoor viewing decks. A small children's play area. Remember to bring real food if your child needs a proper lunch!
The Slottet hike option: On morning departures, the boat stops at Mo village and a small number of pre booked guests can disembark for a guided hike to Slottet mountain. The afternoon cruise then collects them on the return journey. There are highly limited spaces, and it must be booked far in advance through Rødne. It is not suitable with young children, but it is worth knowing if you are visiting Bergen over several days and one adult wants to do it while the other stays in the city.
Combining the Cruise with the Rest of the Day
The morning cruise departs at approximately 10am and returns around 1pm, which beautifully leaves the entire afternoon free for everything else Bergen has to offer. Bryggen, the Fish Market, and Mount Fløyen are all within very easy reach of Zachariasbryggen in the afternoon.
Alternatively, the afternoon departure allows for a slow morning at the aquarium or up on Mount Fløyen before joining the cruise. If you are working your way through Bergen over three days, as we did, there is no need to rush and choose!
For absolutely everything else to do in Bergen with young children, including Mount Fløyen, the brilliant Bergen Aquarium, Bryggen, and Nordnes, read our full Top Things to Do in Bergen with Kids guide. And for where to stay in Bergen across all price points and neighbourhoods, our Where to Stay in Bergen with Kids guide covers everything from central Bryggen to the gorgeous Fanafjorden cabins.
Where to Stay in Bergen
The cruise departs right from Zachariasbryggen, which puts the most central Bergen accommodation within very easy walking distance. For the full breakdown by neighbourhood, head to our dedicated accommodation post. Here are three quick top picks:
1. Home Hotel Bryggen (prices from around £130 per night)
Best for: Families who want to be mere steps from Zachariasbryggen, Bryggen, and the Fish Market, with breakfast, afternoon snacks, and an evening dinner all brilliantly included in the room rate.
Located right on Bryggen, this means an easy five minute walk to the cruise departure so you're right in the middle of everything if you stay here. The included dinner is a massive bonus, completely removing the need to hunt for a restaurant on the exhausted evening you arrive. Excellent family rooms are available here and a cot is available on request at this property.
2. VANDER Altona (prices from around £110 per night)
Best for: Families who want a much quieter base in Nordnes, sitting next to the Bergen Aquarium and the waterfront park, just a fifteen minute walk from the cruise departure.
This is a beautiful design hotel set in a converted building in the Nordnes neighbourhood. The area is highly residential, significantly quieter than the Bryggen side, and a very short walk from the aquarium and the brilliant open air seawater pool. The neighbourhood is excellent for a calm evening walk or a slow morning before the cruise. Great family rooms are spacious and comfortable with cots available on request.
3. Fanafjorden Cabins (prices from around £100 per night)
Best for: Families who have a hire car and want a stunning fjord side cabin outside the city, with direct nature access and a completely different feel from a central city hotel.
These are gorgeous traditional cabins situated directly on the Fanafjorden south of Bergen, about a twenty minute drive from the city centre. The beautiful fjord views, the total quiet, and the amazing ability to step outside straight into the landscape make this a genuine, brilliant alternative to central Bergen for families who are not dependent on walking everywhere. You simply drive in for the cruise and the day's city activities, and come back to the peaceful cabin in the evening. They are highly family friendly, with cots available, and staying at the cabins will feel like a really cosy getaway.
Is it worth doing with kids?
The Mostraumen cruise is a really beautiful way to explore the fjords and stunning scenery in the area. The boat cruise is accessible, the staff are lovely (we got to visit the captain and hold the steering wheel!) and the views are beautiful. Whilst other longer fjord cruises are available we felt this one was the perfect length with a toddler meaning the rest of our afternoon could be completely dedicated to more fun activities for her.
Recommended tour: From Bergen: The Original Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen (Use code TODDLERTRAVELDIARIES5 for 5% off via the GetYourGuide app.)
