How To Plan The Ultimate Norway Road Trip [For First Timers]
December 29, 2022
Norway
By guy yefet
Planning a road trip in Norway? Here you will find how to plan the ultimate Norway road trip, Norway tips & things to know before visiting Norway.
Norway, The beautiful monarchy of the Vikings, a land of trolls and legends, stunning fjords, and dramatic wild landscapes. Norway has Wonderful and pristine land of wonders, suitable for all hiking lovers.
A road trip in Norway is for you if you are a mountain climber and addicted to the adrenaline of peaks, snow, and ice. If you like long hiking in the cold or warm sun, rain or fog. If you like quiet and nature.
The beauty of Norway is an indisputable fact. Norway also has cultural and artistic heritage, some of the steepest roads, some of the northernmost institutions in the world, and many happy people.
A Norway road trip - If you are sick of landscape of any kind!
Important thing to know on a trip to Norway, Prepare your wallet - There is no other way to say it.
Everything is more expensive than we are used to.
The prices in Norway will meet you in all areas of the trip as a tourist in a foreign country: in tourism services and nature reserves, car rental and fuel prices, accommodation and food, site entrances, parking, ferries, toll roads, and more.
However, it's possible to travel to Norway on a budget.
Norway is a large country - A variety of options stands before you visiting Norway.
Therefore, it's recommended to plan your trip to Norway well ahead!
Before we begin - Here are some word suffixes in the Norwegian language related to elements in the landscape:
brean = glacier
vatnet = lake
fossen = waterfall
dalen = valley
Gard = farm
vegen = road
fjellet = mountain road (fjell = mountain)
In my opinion, the minimum time for a Norway road trip is 10 days. the ideal time for a road trip in Norway is 14 days.
Norway is a huge country! On an independent travel to Norway everyone has their own pace and time and it is worth taking the time to make the most of Norway.
Despite this, with 2 weeks in Norway, you can have time to visit the main cities that shape the whole country and also get a taste of the breathtaking fjord sights.
I visited Norway in the summer so I will write about it - I think the best time to do a road trip in Norway its in the summer for those visiting Norway for the first time.
Summer in Norway means long days, short nights, and quite often at stable and pleasant temperatures on land and at sea.
From late June to mid-August, the weather is warm and not really dark.
This is a welcome respite after a long, dark, and cold winter and like the flowers themselves, the Norwegians bloom from the pleasant sun and heat.
Once summer gets a grip on Norway all the locals go outside to enjoy the sun after the long and cold winter, there are barbecues in the parks, and in general, just everyone goes outside the houses.
From late June to early August summer peaks with temperatures that can reach 25 ° -30 ° C.
At the same time, there is almost no humidity in the air, and even at night, the temperatures can remain high.
The further north you go in the summer, beyond the Arctic Circle, the more you can see nights with the midnight sun.
On the evening of June 23, the Norwegians celebrate everywhere.
They gather by the sea, light fires into the night, eat, drink and rejoice.
The water temperatures in the sea can reach 18 ° C and even higher, which makes swimming a popular pastime, but you should check the water before you jump in - it can definitely be colder than expected.
In conclusion, while winter is completely cold and frozen, in summer the possible temperature range is very wide and it can vary drastically.
On a long trip in Norway, you will experience cold and rain (and even snow!) And a few days later a temperature of 30 degrees.
It should be remembered that even when it is hot in Norway - at night it is always pleasant or cool.
If you are traveling Norway for more than a week, it is almost impossible to avoid rain, the rain will probably reach you at least once on the trip.
The Norwegian Meteorological Service website is excellent and regularly updated, it is a must-have item for travelers in Norway.
Clothes for a summer trip in Norway
All types of clothing are needed - warm and cold, long and short.
A good Jacket is a must-have item, as well as at least one thermal shirt and 3 pairs of merino wool socks.
Rain jacket (raincoat or soft shell) is also an essential item.
A good and comfortable solution is detachable pants that can be used for hot and cold days.
Shoes are an item that is well worth investing in.
Norway is a destination for hiking and climbing, even if you do not intend to do hiking.
Sneakers will also ruin your legs. You should invest in proper hiking or trail running shoes.
The local currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK).
1 usd = 8.75 nok
1 eur = 9.95 nok
The usual and convenient way to pay in Norway is by credit card.
There is hardly a place where you can't pay with credit card, even in restrooms, however, you should stock up on a little cash as a backup.
Using credit card includes fees, so for those who are interested, you can also get by with cash only (there are some places where you do not receive cash, but they are very few).
In Norway you don't need euros and dollars, there is no point in getting them.
On the other hand, there are places in Norway that accept Swedish Krones, and the closer you are to the border, the more likely it is.
Those coming from Sweden should be equipped with a few Swedish Krones, it will be very easy to get rid of them on the way.
If you are planning a trip to Norway, you should start looking for flights starting at the beginning of the year (January) if you want to travel in the summer months June-August.
When airlines open new flights, there is an allocation of a number of tickets at significantly lower costs.
Keep in mind that tickets with an attractive price are snatched up quickly.
I use the Expedia search engine when I need to book a flight or look for good deals.
If you have a date that you know you can go on vacation, try to book the flights as far in advance as possible!
Like flights, accommodation should be booked early in advance.
As the summer season in Norway approaches prices go up.
Rooms at a relatively low price (still expensive compared to Europe) are quickly hijacked and already during April most of the rooms are occupied.
This is true for almost all types of rooms, from private rooms in hostels to hotel rooms.
So where to stay in Norway? What is the cheapest way to travel in Norway?
Here are some ways to travel Norway on a budget:
Camping is a great option to sleep in Norway on a budget and it is recommended way to feel nature in all its glory, to be in nature as part of nature.
Camping in Norway in summer has several benefits-
Price - The cheapest price for accommodation in Norway is to sleep in a campsite, and more than that especially if you do wild camping in Norway in an area where you do not even have to pay anything and it's completely free.
Norway has a law that says you can set up a tent and sleep anywhere in the country as long as it is 150 meters away from a private area.
This fact therefore greatly reduces the cost of a trip to Norway.
Freedom - There is no limit to reaching a certain destination.
You can always go further or decide to stop and stay in a certain place for a longer time.
Since the days in Norway are quite long, especially in late June and during July.
In fact, there is no darkness and you can hike a lot and see more during the day.
The most basic equipment needed for camping in Norway:
Tent - a good tent for 3-4 seasons that knows how to handle rain and winds.
Sleeping bag - A sleeping bag that is suitable for low temperatures - has cold nights around 0 degrees Celsius even in summer. Especially in mountainous areas.
thermal clothing - Quality thermal clothing even in the summer.
These three are the main things for good sleep without a cold problem.
You should bring a small stove for cooking and a small pot and camping utensils.
It’s always nice to stop wherever you want and reheat the soup on a cold day or sip coffee on a sunny day with a nice stop on the way.
The gas cylinders can be purchased at some gas stations and equipment stores.
The rest of the camping equipment should be brought with you from home as these products are expensive in Norway.
Similar to a camping trip in Norway, a trip with a camper van in Norway also has no limit to which direction you start the route, and all the recommendations regarding camping, apart from the equipment, certainly apply here as well.
Of course, the costs for renting a van in Norway are much higher than in many other places in the world.
There are those who rent the van in neighboring countries where the cost is lower but pay on a longer arrival time.
It is worth noting that in Norway many roads are quite narrow, these narrow roads make it difficult for large vehicles to run like caravans and the speed of these vehicles is quite slow.
All sites marked in Norway with a camping sign catch up on the caravans.
Of course, it is advisable to check and know what services are provided everywhere.
Many travelers like young people, adults, and families use youth hostels as a popular way to stay when traveling around Norway at an attractive price.
There are attractive places in Norway where the costs of youth hostels and cheap hotels offer similar prices.
Here, too, the accommodation options are varied and the prices vary.
The rooms are definitely of a good and pleasant standard.
There are several accommodation options in youth hostels in Norway:
Accommodation in shared rooms for only a few people with or without sleeping bags
Accommodation in dorms rooms of 3-6 people with shared toilets.
Accommodation in a double room with a private bathroom - the cost of such a double room is the most expensive option.
The rooms are pre-hijacked and in April and even in March there are hostels that are fully booked, mainly those that are in popular places in Norway.
You should make a membership card for the youth hostels that give discounts.
The excellent distribution of youth hostels in Norway gives you the possibility to end the nights and stay in Norway at a relatively reasonable price.
One of the most popular ways to travel in Norway is to stay in holiday cottages.
These cabins are located almost everywhere and almost every campsite has a number of holiday cabins.
There are cabins that include toilets and showers whose cost is probably more expensive.
At the peak of the summer season, the holiday cabins need to be booked in advance because the vast majority are booked in advance.
The combination of camping within cabins is the ideal combination to travel in Norway both in terms of costs and location.
The price of hotels in Norway is really not one of the cheapest in Europe.
Staying in hotels makes the trip to Norway cumbersome in a long trip because you have to be there on a set date.
If you are sleeping in a hotel in Norway you can check and compare prices through booking and find the most affordable hotel.
The advantage of booking from a booking.com is the cancellation option, it is usually possible to cancel the accommodation up to a day before arrival which allows extensive freedom of action.
As a rule, you will always choose hotels that give you the option of self-cancellation as close as possible to the date of arrival at the hotel.
In general, driving in Norway is quite comfortable and straightforward.
Most roads in Norway are in good to great condition - even roads that have steep ascents or descents - driving them is easy, as long as you drive slowly and carefully.
If you are afraid of leading in Norway - then do not (emphasizes that the reference is to summer only).
Some points about roads and driving in Norway that are worth considering:
A large part of the roads in Norway, especially when driving away from the cities are single-lane roads or two-way roads with limited visibility of vehicles coming from the other side.
Sometimes you will find yourself stuck for long minutes after a slow vehicle with no possibility of overtaking or even find yourself as part of a convoy, accept it with understanding and patience, do not try to make dangerous detours.
Many roads in Norway are very narrow - and still full of trucks or the most common hit vehicle in Norway - camper vans.
You will encounter many situations where you will have to stop or slow down to let the vehicle on the other side pass. The keyword is patience.
The maximum driving speed in Norway is 110 kph, but on most roads in tourist areas, the speed limit is 60-80 kph.
Speed cameras are mostly scattered on multi-lane roads near large cities (but not only).
Not sure how many are real and how many are fake cameras.
Many people go over the speed limit and I have not seen a single police car on the whole trip, not even in Oslo.
Drive with discretion.
A trip to Norway will also include quite a few crossings with the vehicle on ferries.
It's a simple, fast and efficient process - almost imperceptible.
Get on the ferry and check out on the other side, sometimes you will not even have time to get off the toilet and you will continue on the way.
You don't need to book a ferry in advance!
*Pay everything on the ferry.
There is no need to even check the times of the ferries that are on major roads - as they operate throughout the day and frequently.
Did a ferry escape you? It's ok, get on the waiting lane, wait 15-30 minutes (in the meantime drink coffee) - and you will already be on the next ferry.
The information refers to transit ferries and not tourist cruises!
* Apart from the ferries in Geiranger Fjord - which should be booked at least a day in advance, these ferries are busier and their activity ends relatively early (the last ferry departs from Geiranger to Hellesylt at 18:30). The ferries in this fjord are considered a tourist cruise and not a means of transportation (although in practice they are also used for this), so they function accordingly.
The ferries on Flåm are also tourist cruise ships and not a means of transportation - so they also require advance booking.
The prices of the ferry vary, but in most places, it is a small amount of money relative to the total trip costs.
The price is calculated according to the size of the vehicle - the larger your vehicle, the more you will pay.
The price of the driver is included in the price of the vehicle transfer and each additional passenger has to pay.
Here too, the ferries in Geiranger are exceptional and are considered a tourist cruise - therefore they are much more expensive.
The toll roads in Norway are many - they can not be avoided completely, it is unrealistic for the time-limited tourist.
In some specific cases, a toll road replacement can be found, most often it is not worth the effort.
You can calculate the cost of travel on the troll roads according to the point of departure and the point of end.
Note: For drivers of a rented car - the travel fees are calculated automatically and will be sent to you by email from the rental company.
Check with the rental company before setting off.
One of the most prominent features of the road network in Norway is the tunnels.
A road trip in Norway includes passing through dozens and even hundreds Of tunnels - some of them are particularly long, but most of them are well maintained and well lit.
You will find unimaginable amounts of tunnels hewn in the mountains.
The tunnels in central Norway are modern, comfortable, well-controlled, well lit.
The tunnels have great radio reception.
The tunnels are maintained through cellular reception and an Internet network.
In some of the large intercity tunnels, you will find particularly surprising and impressive, even squares that divide the tunnel and split it into sub-lanes in different directions.
The famous car tunnel, the longest inland in the world, the newest in the world, and the most stunning of them all, is of course the Lærdal Tunnel. Located on an important road in Norway, the E-16, between Bergen and Oslo.
The tunnel is 24.5 kilometers long and connects Lærdal to Aurland.
The Lærdal Tunnel is located 120 kilometers (as the crow flies) northeast of the city of Bergen.
Along with the tunnel strict speed controls.
Claiming that Norwegians are not used to driving on straight roads, and the road may confuse them for driving too fast.
The tunnel is well controlled. After each kilometer, there is a sign that makes it clear to the driver how many kilometers he has traveled in the tunnel, and how many kilometers he has left before him.
The most exciting in the Norwegian Lærdal Tunnel is the surprising lighting, in the extensions along with it.
In the long darkness, you will suddenly discover an extension of a rounded space, resembling an ice igloo, lit by a variety of blue and yellow lighting.
Here you can stop, refresh, take pictures. Even trucks can stop here for rest and refreshment.
The blue-yellow lighting gives a fresh feeling of daylight, prevents apathy and drowsiness from the drivers.
The lighting also reduces feelings of claustrophobia, which can form in this long and almost endless tunnel.
In the tunnel some traffic light barriers, seven blockages deep in the tunnel, due to an accident or other malfunction, allow drivers to retrace their steps and exit the tunnel without getting stuck in it.
The level of communication and control of the tunnel is increased, it has cameras, and as in many Norwegian tunnels, it has an SOS communication system every 250 meters.
A state-of-the-art control system also counts the cars coming in and out of the tunnel. Permanent air conditioning, a dust filtration system, and the world's first electronic filtration to remove carbon and gas emissions from vehicles.
Many people choose to rent a car in another country (usually in Sweden).
Rental prices in Sweden are about 30% -40% cheaper than renting in Norway.
However, this figure is very general and variable, so it is best not to work on an automaton.
You should check the options depending on your specific route and especially depending on the length of your stay in Norway.
I always find the best deals in Rentalcars.com, I booked through them on my trip to Norway.
In general - the shorter your trip, the option of renting a car in another country becomes a waste of unnecessary time.
Sometimes you can find lucrative offers for car rental in Norway, depending on demand, season, etc.
All the options are available to you but remember one important rule - time is also money.
Fuel prices are high in Norway, and they start at about 14.50 Norwegian kroner (NOK) per liter.
In some parts of Norway, gas stations could be 100 km apart.
Small villages in Norway do not always have a gas station, even if they are in a secluded location.
These circumstances, together with the large driving distances in Norway, can create a situation where non-tourists Those accustomed to driving in Norway may get stuck with an empty fuel tank - which is not advisable.
Some mountain passes, including popular roads around Geiranger, are closed during the winter (usually November - May). Other mountain roads may be closed for a shorter time (several days or one night) when the weather is severe.
These roads are always closed in winter ("vinterstengt"):
Road 55 Sognefjell (Nov-May)
Road 51 Valdresflya (Dec-Apr)
Road 63 Geiranger (Nov-May)
Road 63 Trollstigen (Oct-May)
Road 13 Gaularfjell (Dec-May)
E69 Nordkapp (Oct-Apr')
Many visitors incorrectly estimate the distances and travel times in the territories of Norway, a large country with relatively slow driving.
Main distances on a road trip in Norway:
Oslo - Bergen: 500 km / 310 mi / 8 hrs
Oslo - Stavanger: 540 km / 335 mi / 8 hrs
Oslo - Trondheim: 500 km / 310 mi / 8 hrs
Trondheim - Bodø: 700 km / 435 mi / 12 hrs
Oslo - Geiranger: 450 km / 280 mi / 7 hrs
Bodø - Tromsø: 600 km / 372 mi / 10 hrs
Bergen - Geiranger: 400 km / 250 mi / 7 hrs
Ålesund - Trondheim: 300 km / 186 mi / 6 hrs
A Norway road trip passes dramatic landscapes - cliffs plunge into long, narrow bays of water, which are the famous fjords of Norway.
Norway's scenic routes are interwoven with spectacular scenery and make the trip itself an unforgettable experience.
Aurlandsfjellet scenic route
Its length is about 50 km .narrow road, and cars are constantly passing by, but everyone is very considerate.
Whether it's small cars or caravans that stop and let pass.
Along the way, you will find such beautiful views and we had to stop, whether it was for a view of the fjord from above, small waterfalls, or snow along the way.
We got used to the twists and turns and got stronger for the next.
Those who are not interested in traveling on the scenic road can make their way in the longest tunnel in Norway - 24 km!
Sognefjellet road
A road with narrow sections and twists and turns and passes between two large parks in Norway - the Jotunheimen and the Jostedalsbreen.
It lasts about 108 km.
This road also has countless beautiful stops, waterfalls, bridges, and small trails and you can stop for a walk and enjoy the view or stop at a small cafe and drink hot chocolate.
You can deviate from the road to other roads (and they are also narrow) and enter the parks, into valleys with waterfalls or glacier trails such as the Nigardsbreen Glacier, which can also be climbed by prior arrangement.
Even the parking bays where we stopped for rest were always with a view or access to water.
Trollstigen road
A scenic road of about 100 kilometers, from the Geiranger Fjord to the north.
The pictures on the internet made me slightly apprehensive about traveling this way, but after inquiries, and after experiencing some winding scenic roads on the edge of the abyss, we already felt experienced.
On the trollstigen, there are neat stopping points including a nice walking trail for observation from which you can see the twists that lie ahead and you can still regret it.
But how will you regret knowing that you are facing a journey in such a dramatic landscape? Twists one after the other, and in the rounds, there are waterfalls with huge amounts of water, and when there is no abyss on both sides there are spaces where you can do hiking trails, get into the water or flip a skimmer.
Wherever you choose to stop you can spend at least a day.
The Atlantic ocean road
A scenic road that runs between Kårvåg and Bud, is 36 kilometers long. Opinions about this road are divided and there are those who say that if you have already driven on some of Norway's scenic roads, the Atlantic ocean road will not then elicit cries of admiration.
On the Atlantic ocean Road, you can stop at lookout points with small hiking trails, look at the ocean and the small fishing houses next to it.
And there are lots more - and besides these famous roads in Norway, there were many more roads, maybe not everyone has a name and fame but they are so beautiful!
Roads that pass over a mountainside and roads that pass through a valley alongside streams are more or less winding and with breathtaking stopping points, and campsites along the way are a pastoral spot within the landscape that makes this whole trip one big experience and leaves a taste for more.
Without a doubt, Norway is a very expensive country. Supermarket, fuel, and beer prices are expensive.
Accommodation in Norway is also expensive.
As long as you keep a low-cost trip and prefer youth hostels, camping, wild camping, and cabins over hotels you can get by with a low budget.
Prices start to jump whenever you want to be pampered or get service.
Restaurants are very expensive, coffee is very expensive, hotels that are beyond the standard - insanely expensive.
What about Shopping in Norway? Forget it, Norway is not a shopping destination.
You can go out cheaply in Norway (relatively) - if you stick to independent cooking and a smart and economical trip.
The best way to save some money in Norway is to travel with people.
A solo travel in Norway (which does not include tent accommodation) is most expensive due to the lack of single or shared rooms.
Couples have many more options and the groups do not lack cabins, which, if divided by their price, is not a very large expense in most cases.
Couples and groups can also split car, fuel, and food rental prices and save hundreds of dollars in aggregate.
So if you do not want to be alone (which is possible and most legitimate in a destination like Norway) - travel with other people to save some money.
1. The weather in Norway is very unpredictable and may change quickly from a beautiful and clear day to cloudy and rainy.
You should keep up to date with the weather daily on the yr website or app especially if you plan to hike in the mountains.
2. When walking at the edges of the cliffs in Norway there is usually no railing and safety fence and the responsibility is on the hiker.
3. First aid can be far from where you are, which requires taking every action into account.
4. You can almost always pay with a credit card.
5. However, you should always keep at least 100 NOK in coins.
There is a toll road with unmanned checkpoints that do not charge by credit card or bills, so you need some coins to pay.
6. Always make sure to refuel, do not be lazy, and refuel, if the fuel gauge shows less than half a tank should already start thinking about the next refill.
There are areas where the distance between the gas station is large.
7. Make a playlist with your favorite songs, there are long drives in Norway.
8. If you are planning to fish - fishing in Norway is through a special license designed for designated areas for you to protect the fishery from overfishing.
Therefore, freshwater must be licensed. In saltwater (fjords/oceans) fishing is free and no license is required.
9. Speed cameras: Norway is full of them.
Drive at the speed allowed by law. There are quite a few speed traps and in almost every long tunnel there are sometimes 3-speed traps.
Although there are preliminary signs that warn by but note that the fines can be quite high.
10. Important phone numbers: 112 - Police / 113 - Ambulance / 110 - Firefighters
11. Driving in Norway is on the right side of the road.
12. In Norway, you have 24 hours of daylight in summer.
13. A popular and relatively convenient supermarket chain in terms of prices is Rema 100, always looking for their products with the private label because it will usually be the cheapest and most affordable.
14. Get mentally prepared for prices - Norway is expensive.
15. Bring sleeping bags If you do not intend to sleep in hostels, it will save you the payment on bedding that in many places there is an additional and not cheap payment.
Norway is a beautiful country, with a rich history and out-of-this-world landscapes.
Contrary to popular belief Norway is not part of the EU but does have extensive trade and border crossing agreements (Schengen Agreement) with the EU and therefore a stay in Norway will not feel in any way different from anywhere else in Europe.
On a more personal note - During my road trip in Norway I realized that Norway is one of the most advanced countries I have traveled to, both in terms of accessibility of daily procedures (driving, fees, etc.) to the average tourist and in terms of infrastructure and overall comfort.
I hope this Norway travel guide will help you plan the best trip to Norway.
Norway is not an ordinary destination, the scenic routes in Norway, the amazing things to see in Norway, and the wild nature, makes the road trip in Norway so epic.
I have no doubt, I will back to Norway very soon because there is much more to see and discover in this amazing country.
Read My Other Europe Blogs:
8 most scenic routes in norway
how to spend weekend in Amsterdam
2 weeks in sicily: the perfect sicily road trip
scotland road trip Itinerary for 14 days
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