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Norway is on many a road-tripper’s bucket list with its dramatic fjords, majestic mountains, and endless coastline. Traveling by motorhome or campervan is also arguably one of the best ways to explore the country, offering many benefits to your journey. To travel in Norway with a motorhome or campervan is truly a unique experience, but one that can’t be tackled unprepared.
This article serves as a comprehensive guide, walking you through everything you need to know to properly plan and prep for your journey ahead and embark on a truly unforgettable Norwegian campervan adventure.
Why Choose a Motorhome or Campervan for Traveling in Norway?
There are many reasons why renting a motorhome or campervan in Norway makes the ideal transport option to tackle your travels in Norway. These include the following:
A Motorhome or Campervan is No Longer the Restrictive Option it Once Was
Once upon a time, renting a motorhome immediately meant having to drive around in an absolute monster of an RV, guzzling up gas at the speed of light, and immediately excluding you from any roads and routes with rougher or narrower sections.
Today, there is an absolute plethora of motorhome and campervan options suitable for any family or trip itinerary. From compact and economic options for solo travelers, and compact 4x4 options for those who like to take on the “roads less traveled,” to absolute beasts of comfort that will have you living like a rock star on tour – you’re bound to find the perfect motorhome or camper.
It Gives You the Ultimate Autonomy and Flexibility
A camper allows you to go where you want to, when you want to, and stay where you want, when you want to. You’re not bound by a pre-determined tour itinerary or pre-booked accommodation’s check-in times.
It’s the Most Budget-Friendly Option
Anyone will tell you that the most expensive part of any trip is your accommodation. By renting a campervan, you take care of both your transport and accommodation needs. You also can’t even begin to compare the prices between hotels and campsites, especially not when you plan on a few wild camping nights, which come at absolutely no cost at all.
With your own little kitchen or cooking gear, you also don’t need to buy any ready-made meals. You can just go normal grocery shopping and cook yourself delicious budget meals.
It’s the Easiest Way to Immerse Yourself in Nature – in the Most Comfortable Way
Some of our campervan campsites get you as close to the action as you can get. For example, can you imagine a more immersive experience than staying where you can just take two steps out of your camper and literally be standing in one of our famous fjords?!
The benefit of going camping in a camper is also that you don’t need to “rough it” in that old traditional sense; you can now have all the benefits of camping without any of the hard work (setting up, packing up, etc.) or discomfort (goodbye rainy days and hard camping mattresses!) that comes along with it!
When is the Best Time to Go on Your Campervan Road Trip Through Norway?
You will find that visiting Norway at different times of the year offers completely different experiences of the country. But if you’re planning on road-tripping, there are a few things to consider when deciding when to come:
- Summer (June to August) will give you the best possible weather when it comes to driving conditions and an itinerary filled with outdoor activities. You’ll have high temperatures and mild weather conditions (no need to worry about things like blizzards in the summer, after all).
- Summer also offers the most daylight hours for road-trippers to plan a jam-packed trip itinerary. If you visit mid-summer, you’ll even get to experience one of our famous natural phenomena, the Midnight Sun. During this time, night never falls, and you essentially have 24-hour days.
- If you’re planning on driving some of our mountain passes, such as Trollstigen, you should definitely plan your road trip during the summertime since these roads tend to be closed during the colder months of the year.
- The downside to summer is that it is peak season here in Norway, so things tend to be pricier and busier. This is often why people choose to visit during the shoulder months (May and September), since these months still offer many of the summer weather perks without the heftier price tag and increased traffic.
- Winter (from December to February) shows visitors a different side of Norway. Norway turns into a winter wonderland. If you don’t believe us, just ask Disney, which used Norway as inspiration for its hit movie, Frozen. This breathtakingly beautiful scene makes for the perfect snapshot and playground for all sorts of icy activities such as skiing, snow hikes, dog sledding, and much more.
- Winter is also your best chance to experience one of our other natural phenomena, the Northern Lights.
- Needless to say, the very reason for Norway’s beautiful winter landscape is also its downside. Temperatures plummet, and if you’re someone who gets cold easily, you’re gonna feel our winter season. Our general weather conditions also become quite harsh at times, with, for example, blizzards.
These types of conditions are not great when it comes to road and driving conditions, making a campervan road trip quite challenging during this time. You can also experience a number of sudden road closures, which can really derail road trip plans if you’re not flexible enough.
- Once you’ve reached winter, daylight hours will also have decreased dramatically, leaving you with just about 4 hours of daylight to plan your road trip around. Although this may prove challenging to some, those looking for our winter wonderland and its icy activities will find a way to make it work.
- Some of our campsites are closed throughout the colder months of the year, so you might have to do some extra research if you don’t want to be forced into a night of wild camping.
- It’s important to note that, even though spring may arrive, those first couple of months (March and April) can still have ice and snow, especially in the colder northern parts of the country. This is not because of the weather, but because of winter remnants that haven’t quite melted yet.
How Much Time to Set Aside for a Campervan Road Trip in Norway
There are many popular Norwegian itineraries one can take on that range from 1 to 3 days to a week or longer. To properly explore everything the country offers, we highly recommend a trip of at least two weeks, but we completely understand that that’s not always possible.
Popular Campervan Road Trip Routes in Norway
Norway is a beautiful country with plenty of scenic routes that allow you to explore its highlights. These are just a few:
The Lofoten Road
Distance: 133 km (83 miles)
This route takes you from the Svolvær Airport to the small fishing village of A, and is a journey you won’t soon forget. This route connects the islands of Lofoten in the most magical way, with incredible views of the mountains and the sea, and plenty of attractions along the way, such as Storeidvatnet Lake (a must for any birdwatcher) and Rambergstranda, a beautiful beach.
Atlantic Road
Distance: 111 kilometers (69 miles)
The Atlantic Road is probably one of our most famous scenic routes here in Norway, and probably what many consider to be an attraction in itself. This route is so impressive that it’s even been featured in a Hollywood Bond movie!
This route connects the island of Averoy to the mainland with a total of 8 bridges crossing over the Atlantic Ocean. The route starts near the city of Molde and ends at the Gjemnessndbrua Suspension Bridge.
Sognefjellet
Distance: 108 kilometers (67 miles)
The best way to describe this route is as a majestic inland climb. The route starts in Lom, runs through the Boverdalen Valley, up Europe’s highest mountain pass, before continuing along the fjords (one of which is the largest and deepest in Norway) till it eventually ends in the small village of Gaupne.
Once again, there are many attractions along the way, but the route itself could almost count as one giant attraction. Please note that due to the location of the mountain pass, it is closed throughout the winter months.
Jæren
Distance: 41 kilometers (25 miles)
This route is perfect for those with limited time in the country and essentially allows you to explore our south coast. The route starts in the tiny village of Ogna and ends in the village of Bore, with the road tightly hugging the coast for most of the way and with a myriad of sights along the road. This includes the Kvassheim Lighthouse and Orrestranda (considered one of the best beaches in Norway).
Trollstigen Pass
Distance: 40 kilometers (25 miles)
Although this is another great route for those with limited time in Norway, you mustn’t let the distance fool you; this one can take some time (but it’s WELL worth it!) This route climbs 850 meters (279 feet) up a mountainside and contains 11 heart-stopping hairpin bends that will thrill any adrenaline-junkie.
All this zigzagging ultimately ends in breathtaking views at the summit. But please note, due to the location and the windy nature of the road, Trollstigen is closed from October to May.
Where to Stay with Your Campervan
Your campervan allows for some of the most beautiful and most affordable stays here in Norway:
Campsites
Price: Ranges from +/- $25 to +/- $80 per stand per night
Our campsites can be found all across the country and can range from very basic to such a comprehensive experience that you might never want to leave. Most campsites will have electricity, a campervan dumpsite for your gray and black water, communal showers, a communal kitchen, and a laundry room.
Others will have additional extras such as restaurants, shops, pools, playgrounds, and activities such as canoeing, mini-golf, fishing, hiking, and more, making it the perfect family getaway.
Campervan and Motorhome Overnight Parking (aka Bobilplassen)
Price: Ranges from +/- $5 to $30
This is definitely not where you’ll be booking your long-stay holiday, but these spots are usually incredibly convenient and the perfect solution if you want to spend a couple of nights as close to the action as possible without spending an arm and a leg. These sites rarely have many facilities and amenities (hence why you should mostly rely on your campervan or motorhome’s facilities).
Wild Camping
Price: Usually free unless there’s been a special arrangement with a landowner
In Norway, you can still legally go wild camping based on Norway’s Allemannsretten if you stick to a few basic ground rules:
- Stay at least 150 meters from a residence that’s inhabited.
- Stay no longer than two days unless otherwise arranged with the landowner.
- Respect the environment; don’t DIY your own routes and pathways, clear fauna to create makeshift parking spots, and follow the “leave no trace principle.”
Road-tripping Norway in a Campervan: Rules and Tips
Please take note of any rules or other conditions you may find here in Norway that may differ from what you're used to back home:
Our Road Conditions
Be prepared for plenty of uphills and downhills that may be more winding than a contortionist snake thanks to our breathtaking mountains. But don’t worry, as long as you know what to expect and drive safely, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, especially in places such as Trollstigen (aka the Troll Ladder).
Our Road Rules
Ensure that you adhere to our road rules, and remember that some may be different from what you’re used to back home. For example, our speed limits are typically limited to 50 km/h in urban areas and 80 km/h on rural roads. Our road rules are not to be trifled with. If you’re caught breaking any of them, you’ll be on the hook for quite a hefty fine.
Our Ferries
There are many places in Norway where the land is separated by water, and the only way across is our ferries. So, please double-check your planned routes, so you know what to expect.
Our ferries allow for vehicle crossings, so you don’t have to worry about what to do with your camper. However, those prone to motion sickness might have to take some precautions. Also, remember that using the ferries is not free, so you’ll need to budget accordingly.
Our Tolls
Our tolls can sometimes be challenging to understand. In Norway, tolls are not a permanent fixture; they are the means to an end. Our tolls serve to pay for construction or repairs, so once the cost thereof has been recovered, the toll falls away.
These “moving” tolls can be hard for visitors to understand and keep track of, so we highly recommend you chat with your rental agent about your route (to get some local insight and budget accordingly). Most rental vehicles will already be registered with AutoPASS, so you’ll probably pay any toll fees to your rental agent upon returning the vehicle, but just ask if you’re unsure.
Our Gas Stations
Fueling up is easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Plan your fuel stops if you’re planning on traveling to our more remote regions. Needless to say, you’ll find fewer gas stations in our more remote regions than in our densely populated capital city and surroundings, so you’ll need to ensure that you’re fully topped up before heading out.
- The most common method of payment is your credit card. Although options such as digital payments are slowly increasing in popularity, your credit card will still be the best bet for gas payments.
Our Winter Season
As we already touched on, winter weather can be pretty harsh, especially the further north you go, and this will impact road conditions. Not only can roads be plagued by both annual and sudden road closures, but a few extra vehicle accessories will be a legal requirement.
From October to April, winter tires are mandatory (although this period can begin earlier and last longer, depending on weather conditions), and some mountain roads may even require snow chains.
Our Deep Respect for Our Environment
Norwegians have a deep respect for our environment (well, how could you not if your environment looks as spectacular as ours?!) That’s why we follow a strict “leave no trace” principle. This doesn’t just mean environmental basics like not littering; it means no one should even be able to tell that you were there in the first place (no trampling of fauna, doing your “business” out in nature, and so forth).
Our Signals
In Norway, you’ll find stable mobile and Wi-Fi signals practically everywhere. But, like any other country, we also have signal failures, especially in our more remote regions. Ironically, this might be where you need them the most. To avoid getting lost on your campervan adventure when your GPS is down, we recommend having a few hard copies or downloaded offline maps with you.
Is It Time to Travel Norway with a Motorhome or Campervan?
After reading our guide and seeing all the benefits and perks of exploring the country with a motorhome or campervan, we’re sure you’re ready to start planning, prepping, and hitting the road.
Traveling Norway with a motorhome or campervan promises to be the adventure of a lifetime if you have respect for our environment, do proper planning with a few local insights, and have a spirit of adventure. So, what are you waiting for? The road is calling, so catch that flight, rent a campervan in Norway, and come experience the breathtaking landscapes, natural wonders, and unique activities on your campervan road trip through the country!
