A Complete Guide to Driving in Norway

Are you thinking about renting a car and driving in Norway? Are you wondering if it's worth it, how much it costs, or what the rules on the road are?

Well, you've come to the right place! 

Last summer we spent 3 weeks road tripping in Norway, both in the south, and in the Lofoten Islands. We had an incredible time, and are here to share the details so you can decide if it's right for you, and to help you prepare for an epic road trip.

Driving in Norway: Is it Worth Hiring a Car in Norway?

Norway is a magical country, and there is seriously so much to see there! As we wanted to explore extensively, we decided to rent a car in Norway, while we know a lot of people who relied on public transportation.

There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer to this, but hopefiully after hearing about our experience, you'll be able to decide if it is worth hiring a car in Norway for you.

In our experience, we enjoyed driving in Norway because it is simply stunning to drive around! I typically work on the road while Fede drives, but I got no work done because the views were just breathtaking!

🤔 Is it Necessary to Rent a Car in Norway?

It is not 100% necessary to rent a car in Norway in order to see and do a lot. There is public transportation, but you have to remember that not every single place will be able to be done with public transportation, so it really depends on your itinerary.

If you plan on going to mostly cities, and just hitting major tourist highlights, then maybe driving in Norway isn't the move for you. If you're not interested in renting a car, then you certainly can get by in other ways.

🏍 Do You Need a Car to Drive Around Norway?

Norway is MASSIVE, so you probably wouldn't want to explore the country on a motorcycle, especially due to the cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather.

If you decide that driving around Norway is what you are going to do, make sure to get a car rather than a bike or motorcycle.

🤑 Is Car Hire in Norway Expensive?

We aren't going to lie - car hire in Norway is not cheap! It's probably one of the most expensive countries we have rented a car in, which is probably what deters some people from doing so.

We actually decided to camp (most nights actually staying in the car), so the money spent was a bit more justified since we didn't have to pay for hotels, which are also VERY expensive!

🚐 What is the Best Way to Travel in Norway?

The absolute best way to travel in Norway is by campervan! This is because some distances are very far, and being able to wake up in incredible spots without having to spend a fortune on hotel rooms is a true game-changer.

Renting a car is already expensive, so paying a bit extra for a van is kind of a no-brainer for us. Unfortunately, all of the vans were sold out when we tried booking though, so we opted to hire a regular car instead.

This was definitely worth it for us, as we were able to experience so many hidden gems, and have a ton of flexibility with our schedule. This is particularly great because you can then explore at night with the Midnight sun! (Great lighting and less crowds are a win-win).

Driving in Norway: Getting Started

If you've made it to this part, chances are you're already interesting in driving in Norway, and want more details before making your booking. 

Well, here are some of the things to keep in mind before booking your rental car in Norway.

🤠 Can Tourists Drive in Norway?

Tourists can drive in Norway! We rented a car with no issues. You do have to be prepared with the right documents though.

📃 What are the Requirements to Drive in Norway?

The only real requirement for driving in Norway is to have a valid, international license.

🛂 Can I Drive in Norway With a Foreign License?

Having a foreign license is no problem! It does have to be international, which is easier to get than you may think. Essentially, you just have to have a license that has all of the details in English, and you're good to go!

💳 What is Required to Rent a Car in Norway?

Other than having a license, you'll also need to have a credit card to put on file. You'll have to have enough funds on the credit card for the "hold".

This is different for every company, but is typically a few thousand dollars just in case something bad happens. The better insurance package you purchase, the lower the hold amount usually is.

Is Driving in Norway Difficult?

Now that you know how easy it is the rent a car in Norway, let's talk about actually driving in Norway! 

We've rented cars in many countries, and depending on the side they drive on, the road conditions, traffic, and local driving habits, we've had wildly different experiences across the globe.

That's why we're going to go over everything you need to know, so you are ready to drive confidently in Norway!

🚘 Is Norway Easy to Drive in?

Norway actually is one of the most interesting countries we have driven in, for both good and bad. 

The roads are in excellent condition, there is little traffic, and Norwegians are extremely respectful of the rules, and always willing to help. There are signs for everything, and overall, we felt Norway was very easy to drive in!

The one thing that does complicate driving in Norway though, is that it is full of islands! This means that you'll be taking A LOT of car ferries, which can tack on a lot of time and money to your trip.

👉🏻 Is Norway Left or Right Hand Drive?

Just like most European countries, Norway drives on the right hand side.

🛻 Do You Need a 4x4 in Norway?

In the summertime, you won't need a 4x4 in Norway. The roads are really great, and having a 4x4 truly isn't necessary.

If you are visiting in colder months though, you'll absolutely want something with good traction and higher clearance, as Norway gets a ton of snow, and it can be really dangerous in a smaller car!

🚙 Which Car is Best for Norway?

We'd honestly suggest whatever car makes you feel comfortable. The highways are wide, and distances are far, so having a car that's big is much more doable than in other European countries where the streets are narrow and windy, or cities are chaotic.

Due to pricing though, we decided to go with what we could personally afford, which was a small sedan. The car was perfectly competent during the summer months, but we'd definitely recommend a larger 4x4 if you are visiting when there will be snow.

If we were to do it again, we'd probably get a small pick up truck or van, and turn the trunk/back into a bed, like we just did on our Southern Africa road trip.

Driving in Norway: Costs to Expect

Alright, so you know a bit about the rental process, and you know a bit about what driving in Norway looks like. But now let's get to the important part - how expensive is driving in Norway? Well, we're about to break it down for you.

💸 Is it Expensive to Drive in Norway?

Honestly, driving in Norway was not a happy moment for our wallets. Rental prices averaged about $100/day, gas is crazy expensive, and those car ferries added up pretty quickly. We did drive A LOT, which of course did not help the budget.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

⛽️ How Much is Gas in Norway?

If you ever complained about gas prices in the US, then you're in for a rude awakening driving in Norway. The price of gas hovers around $2.20/liter, which is over $8/gallon!

Distances are also really far in Norway, and because of the islands, you end up spending more on gas than you'd think. We'd recommend looking for a car that is hybrid or fuel-efficient so that you can save a bit of money on this one.

💲 Are There Tolls in Norway?

There are tolls in Norway, and they are all paid by a pass. These are already installed on rental cars, and each toll will get billed directly to your rental company, which you'll pay after you rental finishes.

The really short car ferries have tolls that may be a few dollars, while some of the longer ones can be $20-30.

We'd recommend checking your route beforehand, and if there is a ferry use the filter to see if there is another option. Sometimes there is, and if it doesn't change the drive time drastically, then we'd highly recommend taking the alternative route.

There are a lot of bridges and tunnels in Norway too! But luckily we didn't have to pay for any of them.

Driving in Norway: Rules & Other Things to Know

Now you know almost everyhting you need to know for driving in Norway! We're going to share a few more answers for questions you may have though.

🚦 What is the Speed Limit in Norway?

Following the speed limit is super important in Norway! We also noticed that many times it's not even posted, as the rules for speed limits in different areas typically are the same all over.

Unlike the US, you won't find officers waiting to pull people over. Nope - they are more efficient in Norway, and it certainly doesn't work in anyone's favor who has a heavy foot.

There are cameras EVERYWHERE in Norway, and the speeding fines are hefty. Not only that, but it is so easy to speed when you're on these long open highways. We'd recommend keeping a good eye on the signs, and using cruise control when you can to limit yourself from going over the limit.

Speed Limits in Norway:

• Most highways: 80 km/hr
• Major highways: up to 110 km/hr
• Most town centers: 50 km/hr
• Residential areas: 30 km/hr

Speed limits of course can vary, so always keep an eye out for signs!

🅿️ Parking in Norway

Most parking in towns and in nature had lots that were free of charge, with the exception of the bigger cities that had paid parking.

The most expensive parking during our travels through Norway were actually at the big hikes such as Trolltunga, Preikestolen, and Kjeragbolten, which had charges from $30 to $85!

These are just some extra charges to keep in mind during your trip.

🛑 Can you Turn Right on Red in Norway?

Unlike the US, you cannot turn right on red in Norway, even if no one is around.

⛺️ Is it Free to Roam in Norway?

Norway has a really interesting law, which is "the right to roam". This means that the countryside is free for people to enjoy, as long as they leave nature tidy and unchanged.

You may put up a tent, or sleep in the outdoors anywhere in nature, so long as you stay at least 150 meters away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. 

If you would like to stay for more than two nights in the same place, you just need to ask the landowner's permission, with the exception of the mountains or in very remote areas.

🚗 Can you Park Anywhere in Norway?

The "Free to Roam" act allows people to park anywhere! Just make sure you tread lightly, and aren't destroying any nature.

😴 Can I Sleep in My Car in Norway?

Yes! We actually loved this, and we slept in our car almost every night of our trip! This helps cut down expensive hotel costs, and also allows you to keep a flexible schedule, stopping wherever is convenient and comfortable for you.

Norway also has some of the coolest public toilets in the world, free of charge! We've actually saved a bunch of them on our map, and they made fun places to stop along the road, as well as good places to keep our car overnight.

💺 What are the Car Seat Rules in Norway?

Norway has strict rules when it comes to safety, and car seats are mandatory for children under 135 centimeters (4'5''). Children that are over 80 lbs (36 kg), or 135 cm, can use a normal seat in the car.

Tips for Driving in Norway

Conclusion: Is Driving in Norway Worth It?

If you like nature and exploring off the beaten path, flexibility, and photography, then you'll absolutely love driving in Norway! 

If you're a budget traveler, looking to just visit cities, or like more of lowkey plan, then you may want to rethink driving in Norway.

Whatever you decide, we hope this guide has helped you decide if driving in Norway is worth it for you!

So what do you think? Is driving in Norway worth it? For us, it was one of the best road trips ever, and despite the high costs, it was totally worth it!

Want to check out some of the amazing places around Norway? Make sure to check out our other Norway travel guides. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with our other articles coming up every week.

Need help planning your road trip in Norway? Don't worry- we've got you covered! Scratch Your Mapa provides custom-made itineraries, and guarantees to assist you to save both time and money for your trip. Take a look at some of our travel planning packages, or send us an email for any questions you may have about your upcoming travels.

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