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Flying to Norway

If you’re travelling to Norway, you’re probably flying into one of Norway’s main airports:

  • Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL)
  • Bergen Airport Flesland (BGO)
  • Stavanger Airport Sola (SVG)

As with many capital cities, there are two airports in Oslo. There is an Enterprise branch at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) and it is the largest airport and the closest to the city centre about a 40-minute drive away. Torp Sanderfjord Airport (TRF) is the preferred airport for low-cost carriers and is about 1 hour and 20 minutes south of Oslo.

If you’re looking into hiring a car in Norway, check out our convenient Enterprise Rent-A-Car airport branches so that you can start your journey as soon as you land. Whether you’re planning a road trip to Norway with friends and need a spacious vans or you’re exploring the country’s main cities and need a compact city car, we’ve got the vehicle to match.

Explore Norway's Dramatic Landscapes on a Scenic Drive

Norway, with its stunning fjords and dramatic landscapes, calls out for road trippers to hop in a hire car and head out and explore. Here are some of the most scenic drives, divided into daytrips and longer road trips that will help you discover the real Norway and get the most of your holiday. Begin your adventure by flying into Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL).

Short Drives (1-4 Hours)

Geiranger Skywalk

Duration: 2.5 hours
Nearest Airport: Ålesund Airport (AES).

Pick up a hire car in Ålesund and drive to the iconic Geiranger Fjord following the coastline inland, the route takes about two and a half hours and includes a ferry crossing. Enjoy breathtaking views and, when you get to Geiranger, drive up to the Dalsnibba Skywalk, 1,500 metres above the fjord, for a panoramic view and some spectacular photographs.

Trollstigen Mountain Road

Duration: 3 hours
Nearest Airport: Ålesund Airport (AES).

Experience the thrill of driving Trollstigen (troll's ladder), a winding mountain road dotted with waterfalls and hairpin bends not for the fainthearted. Every bend brings more spectacular views of the Norwegian mountains and valleys below. The road is shut in autumn and winter as in bad weather it is unpassable.

Preikestolen Cliffside Drive

Duration: 4 hours
Nearest Airport: Stavanger Airport (SVG).

Begin your journey in Stavanger and drive to the base of Preikestolen (Pulpit rock). The hike to the famous cliff is about 4km and takes around 2 hours each way, but the views of the Lysefjord from the top are well worth it.

Oslo to Drøbak Coastal Route

Duration: 2 hours
Nearest Airport: Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL).

Hire a car and take a daytrip out of Oslo, head south along the coastal route to the pretty, historic town of Drøbak situated at the narrowest part of the Oslo Fjord. You'll drive through charming seaside villages, pass historic sites and white sandy beaches as you soak up the summer atmosphere and the beauty of the coastline.

 

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Longer Road Trips (1-5 Days)

Atlantic Ocean Road Adventure

Duration: 3 days
Nearest Airport: Molde Airport (MOL).

Start your journey in Molde and drive the Atlantic Ocean Road to Kristiansund, considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Take detours to visit tiny villages, cross iconic bridges and stop along the way for breaks, stunning views and to marvel at the coastal landscapes.


Lofoten Islands Explorer

Duration: 5 days
Nearest Airport: Harstad/Narvik Airport (EVE).

Fly into Harstad/Narvik and set off to explore the stunning Lofoten Islands. The islands stretch out into the Norwegian sea, linked together by bridges allowing you to drive all the way to the enigmatically named Å. Drive through picturesque fishing villages, hike scenic trails, and soak in the Arctic beauty.

Sognefjellet Mountain Road

Duration: 3.5 days
Nearest Airport: Ålesund Airport (AES).

Begin in Ålesund and drive the Sognefjellet Mountain Road. This drive has the best of everything, starting on the coast with stunning fjords and coastal views, then climbing into the mountains for dramatic scenery, glaciers and high mountain passes. Once in the mountains there aren't so many places to stay, so book your accommodation in advance.

Trondheim to Namsos Coastal Expedition

Duration: 4.5 days
Nearest Airport: Trondheim Airport (TRD).

Start in the historic city of Trondheim with its many museums and cathedral dating back to the 11th century, and drive along the coastal road to Namsos. The road crosses fjords covering a blend of coastal scenery, charming towns, and the tranquility of the Norwegian Sea.

Jotunheimen National Park Circuit

Duration: 5 days
Nearest Airport: Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL).

Rent a car and take a road trip through Jotunheimen National Park, the home of Norway's highest peaks. Hike scenic trails, visit glacial lakes, and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Norwegian wilderness.

Top destinations and things to do in Norway

Top Places to Visit in Norway

With its stunning natural landscapes, seaside towns, and remarkable Viking history – there are plenty of things to do in Norway. Read on to explore our top Norwegian destinations along with our sightseeing must-dos!

Things to do in Norway

The Fjords

One of the best things to do in Norway is visiting its world-famous coastal fjords, deep narrow inlets caused by the retreat of glaciers during the last Ice Age. If you’re wondering how many fjords there are in Norway – you’ll be surprised to know there’s over 1,000 fjords!

To visit these epic natural formations, you’ll want to fly into Bergen Airport Flesland where you can rent a car from Bergen Flesland Airport (BGO) so you can explore the nearby fjords at your own pace. To reach the longest and deepest fjord in Norway – Sognefjord – takes about a 3 and a half hour drive from Bergen. Alternatively, head south and in around 1 and a half hours you’ll reach Hardangerfjord and the famous Trollunga mountain.

Oslo

With its bustling city centre, modern architecture, and rich history – Oslo is one of the best places to visit in Norway. Head to the ultra-modern Oslo Opera House or keep it traditional by visiting the 13th century Akershus Fortress or the Viking Museum.

Alternatively, take a 15-minute drive out of the city to the Bygdøy Peninsula. Here, you can visit the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History where you’ll find over 150 historic buildings in traditional Norwegian architecture, including the 12th century Gol Stave Church.

Norwegian Arctic

Wondering where the best place to see northern lights in Norway is? Head to the Norwegian arctic region to spot the coveted aurora borealis. You can fly into Tromsø Langnes International Airport (TOS) and hire a car from our convenient Tromsø Langnes International Airport branch. But before booking your arctic trip, you probably want to know when the best time to see northern lights in Norway is. To maximise your chances of witnessing this otherworldly event, visit between October and March.

Tromsø is a great place to see the aurora borealis, but you’ll want to drive outside the city to avoid any light pollution. Just a 5-minute drive from the city centre you’ll find Prestvannet lake, an excellent spot for sky gazing. Alternatively, take a 35-minute drive to the island of Kvaløya for a more secluded experience.

Norwegian Food & Drinks

When it comes to delicious food and drinks, Norway has plenty of options ranging from gourmet dishes to hearty meals. Fårikål, a mutton stew with cabbage and potatoes, is considered the Norwegian national dish and is usually enjoyed in winter. Norwegian meatballs, kjøttkake, are also considered a national dish, along with rømmegrøt, a sour cream porridge that’s especially popular in the summer. But no trip to Norway would be complete without tasting Norway’s prized salmon. Prepared in many ways, from grilled to steamed, try it smoked (kaldrøyking) or pickled (syltet laks) for a traditional experience.

As for drinks, try glögg, Norway’s take on mulled wine, which comes in non-alcoholic variants too. Or opt for vørterøl, a delicious soft drink made from malt. If you want to learn more about Norway’s national drink, akvavit, a distilled spirit made from grain or potatoes, then visit one of the country’s many distilleries.

Events and Festivals in Norway

If you’re wondering what to do in Norway, why not attend one of the many world-famous festivals? From music and food to national heritage, there are plenty of events suited for all ages and interests.

When it comes to music, Norway is home to black metal music, and there’s no better way of experiencing this music than by attending the annual Inferno festival in Oslo during Easter. But don’t worry, if black metal isn’t your thing, there are plenty more music festivals such as Øyafestivalen, also in Oslo; or the Notodden Blues Festival.

Other notable events in Norway include the Matstreif food festival in Oslo, and the Ekstremsportveko extreme sports event in Voss, one of the largest extreme sports events in the world.

Best Norway Road Trips

If you’re renting a car in Norway, you’re probably wondering what road trips to take. From city exploration to nature excursions, there are plenty of things to do in Norway if you’re driving.

Short Road Trips in Norway

No road trip to Norway would be complete without driving the famous Atlantic Ocean Road, also known as the world’s most beautiful drive thanks to its scenic bridges connecting an archipelago of small islands. To take this breath-taking road, you can rent a car from Ålesund Vigra Airport (AES), and you’ll reach this beautiful road in just under a 3-hour drive.

Long Road Trips in Norway

If you’re planning a multi-stop road trip and want to fully immerse yourself in Norwegian nature, take the Trollstigen Pass, (Route 63) a meandering mountain road that links the Geiranger and Valldal valleys and offers stunning natural vistas. Key highlights include the Stigfossen waterfall and Trollstigen mountain, but please note that this road is usually closed between October and May due to harsh weather conditions.

Driving in Norway

If you’re organising a road trip to Norway, you might want to familiarise yourself with the country’s road rules and regulations. But first, you’re probably wondering: what side of the road does Norway drive on? As with neighbouring Scandinavian countries, Norwegians drive on the right side of the road.

When renting a car in Norway, you’ll need the following documentation:

  • A full, valid, driving licence
  • An international driver’s permit (check if you need this!)
  • Registration documents
  • Your passport

It is also helpful to know the speed limits in Norway:

  • 30-50 km/hr in urban areas
  • 60-80 km/hr in non-urban areas
  • 90-110 km/hr on motorways

Driving in Norway is straightforward, and roads are well-maintained and clearly signposted. However, if you’re travelling during winter months, you should take extra precautions as road conditions can get affected by icy weather. Here’s our recommendations when driving in Norway in winter:

  • Check the weather forecast and warnings before driving
  • Winter tyres are mandatory in Norway during winter
  • Keep a snow brush and ice scraper in your car and keep your car hood, roof, lights, and windows snow-free. Failing to do so will incur in a fine.
  • Stay on main roads to avoid unsalted or unploughed road conditions
  • Animal crossings are frequent, so watch out for warning signs

Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers and using your mobile phone when driving is prohibited.

Are you ready to explore Norway? Check out our car rental options and prepare for a scenic drive.

Car & Van Hire - Norway

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is proud to serve customers in Norway. As part of the largest rental car company in the world, which owns and operates more than 1.5 million vehicles, we’re sure to have a location near you or your travel destination. And while we are an internationally recognised brand, Enterprise remains family-owned with one goal in mind for our customers: to exceed your expectations for service and overall value.

With unique attractions, such as the Viking Ship Museum, the Nidaros Cathedral and the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, Norway is a popular destination with tourists and business travellers alike. No matter if you’re visiting for only a few days or staying for a month or more, you can count on us to provide the perfect vehicle for your transportation needs. Get your trip started by searching the map or browsing the locations below.