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Are you ready for the road trip adventure of a lifetime? Exploring Norway in a camper isn’t just a unique way of traveling; it also offers various additional perks when it comes to convenience and affordability. Since you’ll need at least 5 days to experience some of our most famous and must-visit sights and activities here in Norway, we’ve compiled a handy 5-day Norway itinerary to kickstart your journey.
Our trip itinerary has been carefully crafted so you can see and experience a lot of Norway without too much driving every day. This makes the itinerary easy to use and customize for trips all year round. We also provide you with some local insights on the best time to travel and how to get around Norway most conveniently and affordably.
So, without further delay, let’s start planning your 5-day trip to Norway!
The Best Time to Travel to Norway
The best time to travel to Norway is a really subjective topic that will differ between travelers and depends on various factors:
Your Weather Preferences
Your personal weather preferences will play a big part in deciding when to come to Norway. For example, if you’re someone who’s used to a warmer climate, the temperatures during our winter season, with averages ranging between -4 and 0 degrees Celsius (24.8 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit), can be a bit of a shock to the system.
Or you might be someone who’s constantly running the AC on high and would actually prefer things on the colder side. Also, remember that the rule of thumb in the Nordics is that temperatures drop and weather becomes harsher the further north you travel, irrespective of season.
Then, of course, there are weather elements such as snow and ice during our colder months. If you’re a fairly nervous driver, road-tripping around the country with snow and ice covering the landscape might not be the best idea. However, for others, this winter wonderland is exactly what they’ve been dreaming about.
How Many Daylight Hours Will You Need?
Daylight hours vary greatly between seasons, and range from 6 to 8 hours in the winter to 20+ hours in summer. Also, keep in mind that even daylight gets impacted the further north you travel. Ultimately, the amount of daylight you’ll need for your specific trip itinerary will dictate when to visit Norway.
For example, if you’re planning on driving 2 to 3 hours, spend most of your time in the cities and towns or on the ski slopes, there’s no reason why you can’t visit Norway mid-winter.
But, if you’d like a trip itinerary jam-packed with outdoor adventures like fjord cruises and hikes, and you would like to be able to drive at least 5 to 6 hours a day to take in as much as possible of the country, you’ll need to come during one of our warmer months.
What You Would Like to See and Do Here in Norway
Different seasons offer different experiences and opportunities. For example, our winter season offers all sorts of winter sport fun like skiing and snowboarding, your chances are at their highest to spot the Northern Lights, and you can have the unique experience of going dog-sledding. However, summertime means hitting the beaches, kayaking, hiking, and soaking in the Midnight Sun.
Your Tolerance for Crowds
Our summers undoubtedly offer the best weather conditions, so many around the world flock to Norway during this time. That’s why summer is considered peak season here in Norway. If you’re not a fan of crowds, you may need to reconsider a summer visit and opt for one of our quieter periods.
Your Budget
In typical peak season fashion, you’ll also get hit with peak season prices. So, if you’ll be traveling on a tight budget, we’d also recommend that you visit during our so-called “off season.”
How to Get Around Norway
There are many ways to get around Norway. You can catch flights across the country, make use of taxi and shuttle services, or just take advantage of our public transport. But if you’re planning on road-tripping through the country, you’ll need your own transport. And what can be more convenient, comfortable, and affordable than a campervan? Here’s why:
- A camper takes care of 2 expenses in one (transport and accommodation).
- Although wild camping is allowed in Norway (under some strict laws and guidelines based on our Allemansretten), our campsites with all their amenities and facilities are also super affordable. This makes a camper the most budget-friendly accommodation you can possibly have in Norway!
- Because a camper offers so much additional comfort and shelter, you are also able to take advantage of this cheaper way of staying in Norway for much longer than our traditional tent campers. Camping season can start earlier and last longer for you!
- You are absolutely spoilt for choice. Campers vary in size, come in both 2WD and 4WD, and can include all sorts of different features, gadgets, and accessories. So, you’ll always be able to find a camper that suits you and your journey best.
- It’s the ultimate immersive experience. Not only do you get to captain your exploration across our beautiful landscape, camping in it (whether via wild camping or official campsite) gets you the closest to some of our natural wonders and truly embeds you in the surrounding scenery.
5-day Itinerary for Norway
Below you will find a 5-day itinerary for cruising Norway in your camper. You can either use it as is or use it as inspiration to customize your own:
Day 1: Exploring the Capital City
Total Driving Distance: +/- 56.4 km (if you’re not planning on driving the camper around the city)
Total Drive Time: +/- 47 minutes (if you’re not planning on driving the camper around the city)
Today, you will arrive in Norway and kickstart your 5-day campervan itinerary in our beautiful capital city of Oslo. Pick up your rental camper from the airport and spend your first stay exploring the city. There is a LOT to see and do here, so you’ll need to pick whatever you’d enjoy most from our suggestions below.
Take your arrival time into consideration, too, since that will dictate how much time you have available. Still, you’ll also be sleeping over here in Oslo, so you don’t need to worry too much about reaching your overnight stop.
Highlights:
- Strolling through Ekebergparken (can take between 1 and 2 hours).
- Visiting the Munch Museum (can take between 2 and 3 hours).
- Strolling around Lake Sognsvann (can take between 30 and 45 minutes).
- Check out Vigelandsparken: a celebration of Gustav Vigeland’s impressive sculptures (can take between 1 and 1.5 hours).
- Admire the Oslo Opera House, and don’t forget to take a walk on its roof! (can take between 30 and 40 minutes).
- Check out the Royal Palace. You can either walk the grounds free of charge or buy tickets to see the inside (can take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on whether you’ll be touring the inside).
- Admire the flora in our Botanical Garden (can take between 1 and 2 hours).
- Visit Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Irrespective of whether you’re a skier or not, it’s very impressive (can take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on whether you’ll be going up the tower and visiting the museum).
- Check out Akershus Festning (can take between 1 and 1.5 hours).
Overnight at: Topcamp Bogstad
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Hot Tip of the Day! Since the Oslo city center is so close, there’s a bus that runs from the campsite to the city. If you like, you can park the camper early in the day, take the bus into the city, and then explore on foot or by using our public transport. |
Day 2: Begin Your Scenic Road Trip to Bergen
Total Driving Distance: +/- 258 km
Total Drive Time: +/- 3 hours, 57 minutes
Today you’ll be cruising through scenic landscapes with spectacular views. The route you’ll be taking is via the impressive Lærdal Tunnel; however, you’ll be stopping over for the night before actually entering the tunnel, since it’s quite a long way to Bergen. Tomorrow you’ll do the next stretch of the journey.
During the first couple of hours, this journey may also not seem so impressive, but just be patient. All of a sudden, it’s just one jaw-dropping sight after another with majestic mountains, glistening fjords, valleys stretching out for days, and picturesque and quaint little villages till you reach Bergen.
Highlights:
Overnight at: Borgund Hyttesenter and Camping
Day 3: Continue Your Scenic Road Trip to Bergen
Total Driving Distance: +/- 220 km
Total Drive Time: +/- 3 hours, 37 minutes
Today will be the last leg of your road trip to Bergen.
Highlights:
- Lærdal Tunnel (the world’s longest road tunnel).
- Stegastein Viewpoint (with breathtaking views over the Næroyfjord).
- Flam.
- Tvindefossen Waterfall.
Overnight at: Lone Camping
Day 4: Exploring Bergen
Total Driving Distance: +/- 20.2 km (if you’re not planning on driving the camper around the city)
Total Drive Time: +/- 29 minutes (if you’re not planning on driving the camper around the city)
Bergen is a beautiful city known for its colorful wooden houses. The city is an eclectic mix of vibrant city life, rich history, and incredible natural beauty, which almost seems to be wrapping its proverbial arms around the city. Spend the day exploring everything this city has to offer.
Once again, there’s a lot to do and see in Bergen, so you’ll need to pick a few preferences below based on the time available to you. Luckily, you’ll be staying over in Bergen again, so there’s no need for any unnecessary rush.
Highlights:
- Go on a walking tour through Bergen (can take up to 2 hours).
- Take the Floibanen Funicular up Mt. Floyen (can take between 1 and 1.5 hours if you’re also planning on spending some time at the top).
- Visit Gamle Bergen Open Air Museum (can take between 2 and 3 hours).
- Take the Sherpa Steps up Mt. Ulriken (can take between 1 and 2 hours, depending on fitness level).
- Visit Troldhaugen: the house of Edvard Grieg, one of our most famous composers (can take up to an hour, if you go on the official tour).
- Visit Damsgard Manor: one of Europe’s best preserved wooden Rococo buildings (can take between 1 and 2 hours).
- Take a stroll (or have a tan) on Sandstrand Beach (how much time you spend there is completely up to you).
- Visit the KODE Art Museum (can take between 2 and 3 hours).
- Check out Bryggen: a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you’ll find the colorful wooden houses of Bergen (can take between 1 and 1.5 hours, depending on how much of the harbor you’ll want to walk).
- Visit the Hanseatic Museum (can take between 1.5 and 2 hours).
Overnight at: Lone Camping (again)
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Hot Tip of the Day! Get yourself the Bergen Card. This card will give you unlimited hop-on-hop-off access to the buses in Bergen and give you loads of discounts on everything from parking and restaurants to museums and tours. |
Day 5: Departure
Total Driving Distance: +/- 20.5 km (if you drive straight to the airport)
Total Drive Time: +/- 23 minutes (if you drive straight to the airport)
Today you’ll be leaving Norway, and depending on your flight, you might be able to squeeze in a few last-minute excursions in Bergen before dropping off the camper and flying out from Bergen Airport.
Have Questions About Your 5-Day Trip to Norway?
If you have any questions about customizing this 5-day Norway itinerary, you’re struggling to decide when the best time to visit would be, don’t know which campervan to get, or how rental insurance works, the team here at Campervan Norway is always happy to help.
Together, we can ensure that you have the road trip of a lifetime, with only the fondest of memories and without any of the unnecessary hiccups or mountains of paperwork that, let’s face it, most of us barely understand and practically never read through properly. Let’s get you on the road, cruising through Norway!
