Road trips
Road trips and rail journeys: 12 routes by car, train, boat and bike
Some trips are about the destination, others about the journey. Here are Picolo's guides to road trips and routes, from the Atlantic Road and Route 66 to the Bergen Railway, Hurtigruten and train journeys across Europe.
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The window is down, and the sea crashes against the rocks on both sides of the road. Ahead, the Storseisund Bridge rises as if it might end in mid-air, and round the next bend waits another islet, another bridge. Nobody is in a hurry. That is the whole point.
A round trip is a different way to travel. You move on every day, and the road, the rails or the fjord become as important as the places you sleep. We have gathered our guides to the best routes, sorted by how you travel.
Short answer: which route should you choose?
To drive, the Atlantic Road and Norway's fjord routes are hard to beat, and Route 66 is the American classic. By train, the Bergen and Flåm railways are Norway's best. For a longer journey, Hurtigruten along the coast or a rail trip through Japan is worth every day.
Best drive in Norway: the Atlantic Road
Best train ride: the Bergen Railway with the Flåm Railway
Best by boat: Hurtigruten
Best long-haul: a Japan rail itinerary
Best active trip: cycling in Europe
Car: The Atlantic Road
Eight kilometres of bridges hopping from islet to islet between Molde and Kristiansund, and one of the world's most famous drives. Read more: The Atlantic Road: road trip and hotels.
Car: Driving in Norway
The best fjord routes, with tips on car hire, ferries and where to stay overnight. Read more: Car hire in Norway.
Car: Route 66
From Chicago to Santa Monica on the old highway through eight states, with the motels and stops worth making. Read more: Route 66 road trip.
Car: Driving in Spain
From Málaga and Andalusia to Mallorca: the routes, the roads and what to know about car hire in Spain. Read more: Car hire in Spain.
Train: The Bergen Railway
From Oslo to Bergen across the Hardangervidda plateau, with stops along the way and tips on where to sit. Read more: The Oslo to Bergen train.
Train: The Flåm Railway
One of the steepest railways in the world, from Myrdal down to the fjord at Flåm. Read more: The Flåm Railway.
Train: The train to Stockholm
Oslo to Stockholm in six hours, and why the train beats the plane. Read more: Oslo to Stockholm by train.
Train: Train journeys in Europe
Nine routes worth a whole day on the rails, from the Alps to Scotland. Read more: The best train journeys in Europe.
Train: A Japan itinerary
Two weeks by train from Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima and beyond, planned day by day. Read more: Japan itinerary.
Boat: Hurtigruten
A coastal voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes, calling at small harbours all the way. Read more: Hurtigruten from Bergen.
Boat: Fjord cruises
The Norwegian fjords from the water: Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord and how to choose the right trip. Read more: The Norwegian fjords.
Bike: Cycling holidays in Europe
Eight routes worth riding on holiday, from the rivers of France to the coast of Croatia. Read more: Cycling holidays in Europe.
Hotel Brosundet
Hotel Brosundet in Ålesund.
Where to stay along the way
Two hotels we would choose on classic routes in fjord Norway, one for the drive and one for the train.
Hotel Brosundet: start in Ålesund
The hotel fills an old warehouse on the canal in Ålesund, a fine base for the Atlantic Road, Geiranger and Trollstigen. Book the lighthouse room if you want something extra.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Brosundet
Flåmsbrygga Hotel
Flåmsbrygga Hotel by the fjord in Flåm.
Flåmsbrygga Hotel: at the end of the Flåm Railway
The hotel stands by the fjord in Flåm, where the Flåm Railway ends and the fjord boats leave. It has its own brewery and a Viking-style beer hall. A natural stop on a round trip between Oslo and Bergen.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Flåmsbrygga Hotel
Good to know before you plan
Do not drive too far each day: three to four hours leaves time for the stops that make the trip.
Book ferries and trains early: popular summer departures fill up.
Stay two nights in places: you get full days without packing.
Check the season: several Norwegian mountain passes close in winter.
Road trips: frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful drive in Norway?
The Atlantic Road between Molde and Kristiansund is one of the finest, along with the fjord routes between Geiranger and Trollstigen.
What is the best train journey in Norway?
The Bergen Railway across Hardangervidda, ideally combined with the Flåm Railway down to the fjord.
How long should a round trip take?
A week gives plenty of time for a route in fjord Norway. Hurtigruten and Japan are best with two weeks.
Do you need a hire car for a round trip in Norway?
For the fjord routes and the Atlantic Road a car is easiest, while trains and boats cover Oslo, Bergen and Flåm well.