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Trollstigen road ©visitnorway

Norway Fjord Route by Car - Complete

(10 days / 9 nights)

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Road-Tripping Among Unforgettable Fjords

This 10-day self-drive tour gives you a lot of time to enjoy some of Norway’s most magnificent fjords. Starting and ending in Bergen, you will explore the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord, beautiful Balestrand and lush Loen. You will also spend the nights in charming villages and drive the exciting routes of Trollstigen on the way to Ålesund, and the Eagle Road. If you are dreaming of fjord vistas for days, this is your tour!

10 days / 9 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 3001 EUR

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless self-drive experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Specialists in Norway self-drive holidays
  • Great customer reviews 

Read more

— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Visit the dramatic fjord of Geiranger, and its surrounding beauty
  • See Sognefjord, the largest and deepest fjord of Norway
  • Drive to Loen and explore its serene surroundings
  • Navigate the twists and turns through the hairpins bends of Trollstigen and Eagle Road
  • Roam the UNESCO Heritage site, Bryggen in the beautiful town of Bergen
  • Experience Flåm and be wowed at the Stegastein viewpoint
  • Explore the national Norwegian Scenic Routes through Gaularfjellet, Aurlandsfjellet and Sognefjellet
  • Marvel at the magnificent waterfalls the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil
  • Enjoy a road trip with peace of mind with your personal itinerary from a Norway travel expert

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Culture and History i, Family i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i

Season

May - Sep

Departure

Daily

Interest

Culture and History i, Family i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i

Driving distance

1234/777 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: ARRIVAL IN BERGEN

    On arrival at Bergen Flesland Airport, pick up your rental car and make your way to Bergen’s city centre, where your hotel for the night is located. If you arrive early, we recommend spending the afternoon strolling through the city and exploring the lovely sights of scenic Bergen. You won’t want to miss the old wharf Bryggen – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an interesting range of museums, as well as the city’s vibrant fish and flower market.

    Spend the night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions
  • Day 2: EXPERIENCE THE FJORDS BY CAR

    Start the first leg of your road trip by heading to Norway’s adventure capital, Voss, which is home to the beautiful Tvindefossen waterfall. Your journey will then continue to Sogndal along the Sognefjord – Norway’s longest and deepest fjord – taking in sights including the towns of Stalheim. You’ll then reach the beautiful Aurlandsfjord and the town of Flåm.

    We recommend stopping in Flåm and riding the renowned Flåmsbana railway, a steep train ride between Flåm and Myrdal – a treat for photographers or train enthusiasts alike! A stop at Stegastein viewpoint is recommended., where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Aurlandsfjord. You will then take a short ferry ride before driving towards Sogndal, where you will send the night. 

    Spend the next two nights in Sogndal.

    Driving distance: 237 km / 148 mi.
    Estimated driving duration: 4 hours (without stops)

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: ENJOY A LOVELY DAY ALONG SOGNEFJORD

    Spend the day at your leisure in the Sogndal area, where there is so much to do and see. There are numerous hiking trails you could explore or rent bikes to cycle around the fjord. To immerse yourself, go kayaking on the fjord or take a dip in the water!

    You could also visit Urnes, one of the oldest stave churches in Norway and aUNESCO World Heritage Site or head to the Nigardsbreen glacier, an arm of the large Jostedalsbreen glacier. If you enjoy hiking, go up Molden mountain, which has one of the finest viewpoints in the area.  

    Spend the night in Sogndal.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: SOGNEFJELLET NATIONAL TOURIST ROUTE

    Today you will drive north along Lustrafjorden to the famous National Tourist Route “Sognefjellsvegen”. This scenic route is the highest and most impressive mountain pass in Northern Europe, with the landscape revealing vast, towering mountains as it passes through Jotunheimen National Park to Lom.

    From Lom, you will continue your drive to Geiranger and pass by Dalsnibba with its Skywalk, which is Europe’s highest fjord viewpoint by road. Here you can enjoy sweeping views of Geiranger and across to the mountains and the mighty Blåbreen glacier. With its fairy tale landscape, Geiranger has a lot to offer for nature lovers like snow-covered mountain tops, wild waterfalls, lush green vegetation and the deep blue fjord.

    Spend the night in Geiranger.

    Driving distance: 233 km / 145 mi.
    Estimated driving duration: 4 hours (without stops)

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: THE EAGLE ROAD & TROLLSTIGEN

    From Geiranger, drive up the steep and winding Eagle Road, to Eidsdal, where you will take a short, scenic ferry ride to Linge. If you enjoy twists and turns, you will be very impressed with the drive up Trollstigen, “The Troll Ladder”, one of the most visited attractions in Norway. The road twists through 11 hairpin bends making it an exciting ride.

    After passing the high mountains, continue to Ålesund, a captivating city that was almost completely rebuilt after a great fire in 1904. For that reason, it is very different from any other Norwegian town with its Art Nouveau architecture. The myriad of turrets, spires and beautiful ornamentation give the town its distinctive character. Here you also have the opportunity to visit the Atlantic Sea Park and enjoy stunning views from Fjellstua.

    Spend the night in Ålesund.

    Driving distance: 191 km / 119 mi.
    Estimated driving duration: 3 hours and 40 minutes (without stops)

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: FERRY RIDE, FJORDS & LOEN

    Start your day with a short ferry crossing from Solavågen to Festøya on the Vartdalsfjorden fjord. You’ll then drive to Loen, which boasts of mixture of nature and adventure. We recommend boarding the magnificent Loen Skylift, a cable car that will transport you to the altitude of 1,011 metres (3,300 feet) with outstanding views over the fjord. If you want to make use of your hiking shoes and get active, we recommend hiking Mount Skåla, which stands 1,848 metres (6,000 feet) above sea level.

    Spend the night in Loen.

    Driving distance:155 km / 97 mi
    Estimated driving duration: 3 hours (without stops)

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 7: THE TWISTY ROADS OF GAULARFJELLET

    Get ready for an especially exciting drive today! This morning you will travel south along the scenic lakes Jølstravatnet and Haukedalsvatnet, before taking the scenic route of Gaularfjellet, which is full of twists and turns with 9 hairpin bends. You’re in for some jaw-dropping scenery. You could also make a short stop at the Utsikten viewpoint to admire the panoramic views of towering mountains and lush valleys. 

    The final destination of the day is Balestrand, a village known as an art colony because the light and breathtaking nature inspired artists from all over the world. In Balestrand we recommend you visit the Cider house, a family-run organic orchard and cider producer. After, you can go hiking, relax by the fjord or join an optional rib boat safari.

    Spend the night in Balestrand.

    Driving distance: 190 km / 118 mi.
    Estimated driving duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes (without stops)

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 8: JOURNEY BACK TO BERGEN

    Enjoy a relaxed morning in the idyllic village of Balestrand by the Sognefjord. Balestrand is a hiking paradise with numerous trails taking you into the beautiful natural surroundings. Later, you will board a ferry for a short crossing from Balestrand to Vangsnes. Then you will pass Vikøyri village where you find Hove Church, the oldest stone building in the Sogn region.

    After the ferry docks, drive along Vik mountain to Myrkdalen, the centre of agriculture for the region, and an area of great beauty. You’ll pass by Voss once again and continue to Bergen Airport. Here you’ll return your rental vehicle before returning to Bergen city centre, where you can spend the evening at your leisure.

    Spend the next two nights in Bergen.

    Driving distance: 195 km / 121 mi.
    Estimated driving duration: 3 hours and 40 minutes (without stops)

    Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 9: THE CAPITAL OF THE FJORDS

    Spend the day exploring Bergen. We recommend riding the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen or taking the cable car to Mount Ulriken to enjoy panoramic views over the city. Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains, so this is an ideal place for hiking.

    Bergen is also known for its cultural museums that cover the city’s history, architecture, music and art. Among others, we recommend the Edvard Grieg Museum and the KODE art museum, Scandinavia’s largest museum for art and music. If you wish to explore the fjords further, optional fjord cruises are available.

    Spend another night in Bergen.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 10: DEPARTURE FROM BERGEN

    It’s time for your Norwegian adventure to come to an end. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can choose to enjoy some last-minute shopping in Bergen, visit one more museum or relax at a café, enjoying the last few moments of this amazing journey.

    See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in Norway. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Norway Travel Guide.

We recommend you wait to book flights to Scandinavia, and other parts of your travels, until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availability for this package. Contact us for more details.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Norway, along with any other services specified in your itinerary, such as cruises and planned activities.

During your tour, we’re with you every step of the way. On arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map and detailed Norway Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

Driving in Norway might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:

  • We drive on the right-hand side of the road
  • Low-beam headlights should be on at all times
  • Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h)
  • Speed and traffic violations have steep fines
  • There are over 900 tunnels in Norway, especially in the western fjords
  • Mountain passes can be narrow and winding
  • Tolls are automatically registered to your AutoPass, for roads and ferries

And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!

For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Norway. You’ll also receive more guidance ahead of your arrival in the Norway Travel Guide.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will pick up your vehicle from the car rental office here. At the end of your rental period, you will return the car back to the airport.

We recommend using Google Maps or a search engine to find car parks near your accommodation. You can also ask your hotel for assistance. You might find you have a short walk between the car park and your hotel.

A GPS service is available for an additional fee. You can book this directly with the rental agent.

Alternatively, you may want to ensure you have adequate mobile roaming that you can use during your travels in Norway. This way you can use Google Maps or another navigation service on your phone.

It’s also good to note that Google Maps offers more up-to-date information as well as traffic navigation, compared to traditional GPS devices. You’re also able to pre-download maps of areas you will be visiting, so you can use them offline.

Please wait to book flights to Scandinavia until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities on services included in this package. 

After making a booking with Nordic Visitor, it might take a few weeks to confirm your travel arrangements. We recommend booking your flights once your personal travel consultant gets in touch to confirm your itinerary.

If you have any questions about your flights and itinerary, please contact us for more details.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

Yes, you can do so by booking an optional service during the booking steps or by contacting your travel consultant as soon as you can. If you plan on arriving and departing from Oslo, we can book you a direct train or domestic flight.

Another option is to add a Norway in a Nutshell® tour so you can travel in style between Bergen and Oslo. This is one of Norway’s most iconic journeys. You’ll travel by train, bus and ferry, seeing beautiful landscapes of steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, shimmering fjords, charming villages and scenic coastline.

You can also request to add extra nights in the capital to rest on either side of your trip.

On your Norway tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience. 

During the booking process, you can select whether you want Comfort Plus or Superior accommodation. Comfort Plus usually consists of standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels. Superior is standard rooms in 4-star hotels combined with Superior rooms in premium 3-star hotels.

You will also be able to choose between single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Norway room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. 

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra single bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Norway. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Norway on the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select your home country to view details. If you do require a visa, you will be directed to your local embassy website to learn about the visa requirements.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Norway. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Norway for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore and what you want to see and do in Norway.

During the summer months, June to August, you’ll have the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours of the year. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and taking full advantage of your days for sightseeing.

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months generally have more tour and attraction availability.

Our self-drive tours are only available from May until September when driving conditions are ideal. That means that if you want to travel at other times of the year, you can pick from train and cruise tours or partially guided adventures.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter. Travel to Norway at this time of year to see snowy mountains, sail along frosty fjords and try to spot the magnificent northern lights. If you head north in December and January, you could experience the polar night.

At this time of year, the conditions are also ideal for winter activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and more.

Read more about the best time to visit Norway on our blog.

From Oslo in the south, Norway stretches hundreds of kilometres into the Arctic Circle. The country is so long that it spans the latitudes of 58°N to 81°N. For that reason, daylight hours vary greatly depending on where you’ll be visiting. That said, summer in Norway brings long days with plenty of daylight. 

In the south, around Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger, you’ll experience 15–20 hours of daylight. If you visit the north, including locations such as Tromsø and Kirkenes, you can expect 20–24 hours of daylight. 

In fact, within the Arctic Circle, from mid-May to late July, you’ll experience the midnight sun. This is when the sun never fully sets. 

Norway’s long summer days give you plenty of time to explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Norway.

During the summer months, you can expect fairly stable weather in Norway. That said, because the country spans such a large distance from north to south, temperatures are likely to vary depending on your location.

For example, the west coast is usually warmer thanks to the Gulf Stream, while the far north is usually cooler.

The months of June, July and August boast the warmest weather of the year. In Oslo, you can expect average temperatures around 16°C (61°F), with potential highs of 20–25°C (68–77°F). In Bergen, it is closer to 13°C (55°F) and in the north, around Tromsø, you can expect temperatures around 10°C (41-50°F) 

It’s also good to know that weather conditions are often changeable in Northern Europe, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Norway weather conditions

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. 

Summertime is the most stable time of year in Norway. That said, you should still be ready to experience all seasons in one day. Especially if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, you’ll want to pack for a combination of weather conditions.

Bring lighter clothes for the warmer, sunny days, and extra layers for chilly nights in the mountains or for taking in the view from cruise ship decks.

Here is an essential summer packing list for your trip to Norway:

  • Shorts and trousers
  • Short and long sleeve tops
  • At least one warm jumper or fleece
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Light gloves, hat and scarf
  • Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
  • Sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen
  • Eye mask to sleep despite the long daylight hours
  • Electronic gear such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • A backpack for easy access to daily essentials
  • and don’t forget your camera!

An umbrella can also come in handy. If you are a wildlife watcher, you may wish to bring binoculars. 

For more information, check out this Norway packing list.

In most major Norwegian cities and towns you will be able to find coin-operated launderettes, with self-service facilities, and dry cleaners. Most hotels on your trip will also offer a laundry or dry cleaning service for an additional cost.

When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Norway accommodation is always included.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 100–400 NOK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 500–1,000 NOK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 1,500 NOK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages. 

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

We recommend waiting for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Norway travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Norway Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, we will begin the booking process for your trip. We aim to complete the preparation within a few weeks. This includes reserving your accommodation and confirming all your services in Norway.

Once your trip details are finalised, we will prepare your personal itinerary and booking overview, and send all of this to you via email. When you arrive in Norway, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Norway Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Norway?

After picking up your luggage, you’ll collect your rental vehicle or head directly to your accommodation. Your personalised itinerary will be clear on your car rental details, pick up and drop off.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before making your way to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Really pleased

We were really pleased with the materials provided and hotels arranged on our behalf.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with charming country hotels.

View

Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Rental car

Enjoy the journey, in the rental car of your choice.

VW Polo (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

VW Polo (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

Suzuki Vitara (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

Suzuki Vitara (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Stationwagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota Corolla Stationwagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

VW Passat Stationwagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

VW Passat Stationwagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 3
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

Toyota RAV4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota RAV4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Operation: Automatic

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 3001 EUR

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2024

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