Car hire
Car hire in Norway: a road trip through the fjords, Trollstigen and Lofoten
Hairpin bends climbing out of the fjord, ferries between the mountains and roads that run straight out to sea. Here are the best road trips in Norway, and where to collect your hire car.
Some of the most beautiful drives in the world run through Norway. The fjords of western Norway, the mountain passes between east and west and the coast roads of the north are far easier to experience by car than by bus, because timetables outside the towns are sparse and many of the best places lie between the stops.
Car hire in Norway works as well for a long weekend in the fjords as for a whole summer along the coast. Expect ferries, low speed limits and more photo stops than you planned. That is half the point of a Norway road trip.
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How to choose the right hire car in Norway
Electric cars are common, and charging is good along the main roads. Plan charging on long rural stretches.
A mid-size car is fine for the mountain roads in summer.
Winter tyres and four-wheel drive add peace of mind from late autumn to spring.
Collect the car at the airport in Bergen, Ålesund, Tromsø or Bodø, close to the routes you plan to drive.
The fjords: Geiranger, Trollstigen and Loen
From Ålesund it is a short drive to the Hjørundfjord and the Geirangerfjord, up Trollstigen and across to Loen, where Loen Skylift runs from the fjord to the summit. The Old Strynefjell Mountain Road and the road up to Dalsnibba are among the finest mountain roads in the country, but they close in winter. See also Geiranger and Trollstigen.
Collect your car in Ålesund
Ålesund is the nearest major airport for Geiranger, Trollstigen and the Sunnmøre region, and the Atlantic Road is a day trip away.
Car hire: See car hire in Ålesund
Hotel Union Øye
A historic fjord hotel at the head of the Hjørundfjord.
Where to stay in Sunnmøre: Hotel Union Øye
A historic wooden hotel at the head of the Hjørundfjord, with fireside lounges and mountains right outside the window. A classic stop on a fjord road trip.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Union Øye
Storfjord Hotel
A timber hotel above the Storfjord, outside Ålesund.
Where to stay near Ålesund: Storfjord Hotel
A timber hotel on the hillside above the Storfjord, a short drive from Ålesund and a good base for Geiranger.
Book your stay: See rooms at Storfjord Hotel
Loen
The fjord and mountains at Loen.
Where to stay in Loen: Hotel Alexandra
A family-run fjord hotel with a spa, right by Loen Skylift. Good for two nights while you drive the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road and visit the Briksdal Glacier.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Alexandra
The Atlantic Road
The Atlantic Road between Molde and Kristiansund hops from islet to islet straight out into the sea. It is as dramatic in a storm as on a calm summer day, and makes an easy day trip from Ålesund or Molde.
The Atlantic Road
The road that hops from islet to islet.
Drive the Atlantic Road from Ålesund
Collect the car in Ålesund and combine the Atlantic Road with Trollstigen and Geiranger on a loop.
Car hire: See car hire in Ålesund
Hardanger, Trolltunga and Bergen
From Bergen the road leads to the Hardangerfjord, with orchards along the water in spring and Trolltunga above Odda. Bergen is also a natural start or end point for a trip to the Sognefjord. Read more about the Norwegian fjords.
Collect your car in Bergen
Bergen has the largest airport in western Norway, with plenty of rental desks and roads in every direction.
Car hire: See car hire in Bergen
Where to stay in Hardanger: Hotel Ullensvang
A fjord hotel right on the water at Lofthus, looking across the Sørfjord to the mountains. A good base for Trolltunga.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Ullensvang
Collect your car in Stavanger
Stavanger is the starting point for Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten and the Lysefjord.
Car hire: See car hire in Stavanger
Northern Norway: Lofoten, Senja and Tromsø
In the north a car is the best way to see Lofoten, with fishing villages, beaches and mountains rising straight out of the sea. From Tromsø you can drive out to Senja and the Lyngen Alps, and in winter chase the northern lights far from the city lights.
Collect your car in Bodø
From Bodø the ferry crosses to Moskenes in Lofoten. You can also fly on to Lofoten and collect a car there.
Car hire: See car hire in Bodø
Collect your car in Tromsø
Tromsø is the base for Senja, the Lyngen Alps and chasing the northern lights on your own. In winter you should be confident driving on snow and ice. See also our best hotels in Tromsø for the northern lights.
Car hire: See car hire in Tromsø
Collect your car in Oslo
From Oslo you can drive over the mountains to the fjords, or head for Telemark and Valdres.
Car hire: See car hire in Oslo
Staying in Oslo before or after the drive? See the ten best luxury hotels in Oslo.
What you need to know about driving in Norway
Tolls: Toll stations are automatic. The rental company usually bills you for tolls afterwards.
Ferries: Ferries are part of the road network in the fjords and the north. Check the departures, especially in the evening and at weekends.
Mountain passes: Several mountain roads, including Trollstigen and the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road, close in winter. Others may run in convoy in bad weather.
Speed: Speed limits are low and there are plenty of speed cameras. Winding fjord roads take longer than the map suggests.
Animals on the road: Sheep, reindeer and elk can wander onto the road, especially at dusk.
When should you book your hire car?
For summer in the fjords and Lofoten: book early, as the small airports have limited cars.
In winter: ask for winter tyres and consider four-wheel drive.
Check how tolls and ferry fares are billed after your trip.
Frequently asked questions about car hire in Norway
Where should I hire a car to drive the fjords?
Ålesund and Bergen are the best airports for the fjords. From Ålesund you reach Geiranger, Trollstigen and Loen, and from Bergen the Hardangerfjord, Trolltunga and the Sognefjord.
How do tolls work with a hire car in Norway?
Norwegian toll stations are automatic, so you never have to stop. The rental company receives the bill and usually charges you afterwards, sometimes with a fee. Check the terms when you collect the car.
Is Trollstigen open in winter?
No, Trollstigen closes in winter, as do several other mountain roads such as the Old Strynefjell Mountain Road. They usually reopen in spring or early summer, depending on how much snow has fallen.
Should I hire an electric car in Norway?
Electric cars work well in Norway, and there are plenty of charging stations along the main roads. On long rural stretches and in winter, plan your charging a little more carefully.
Is a Norway road trip worth it?
Yes. Many of the country's highlights, from Geiranger and Trollstigen to the Atlantic Road and Lofoten, are best seen by car, with the freedom to stop at viewpoints and take ferries across the fjords at your own pace.