Norway self driving: traversing 3 major highways, reaching the summit of the preaching stone, accompanying the dream town and magnificent fjords along the way, Norway travel guide

Norway - the land of fjords, northern lights, and midnight sun. This Nordic country has always been on my travel wishlist. In September 2023, I finally embarked on this 9-day Norwegian road trip, covering over 2,500 kilometers from Oslo through southern Norway's most spectacular landscapes.

Route: Oslo → Mandal → Stavanger → Bergen → Aurland → Geiranger → Oslo
Duration: 9 days
Travel Season: Late September (autumn colors season)
Total Distance: 2,500+ kilometers
Transportation: Self-drive rental car
Total Cost: Approximately 15,000 NOK per person

We booked flights with Thai Airways, transiting through Bangkok. The total cost was quite reasonable, and the layover time was manageable. The service was good, making it a comfortable journey to Europe.

We rented a compact SUV from Avis, which was perfect for Norwegian roads. The car handled well on mountain roads and provided good visibility for scenic drives. The rental process was smooth, and we had no issues throughout the trip.

A charming coastal town hotel with excellent sea views. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the breakfast was substantial with local specialties.

Located in the city center, this hotel provided easy access to the old town and harbor area. The facilities were modern, and the service was professional.

A boutique hotel near the famous Bryggen wharf. The location was perfect for exploring Bergen's historic district and fish market.

A cozy hotel in the heart of fjord country, offering stunning views of Aurlandsfjord. The traditional Norwegian architecture added to the authentic experience.

Speed Limits:
- Urban areas: 50 km/h
- Rural roads: 80 km/h
- Highways: 100-110 km/h
Important Rules:
- Headlights must be on at all times, even during daytime
- Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers
- No use of mobile phones while driving
- Give way to traffic from the right
- Roundabouts: yield to traffic already in the roundabout

Norwegian roads are generally in excellent condition, but mountain roads can be narrow and winding. In September, weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for rain and fog. Many scenic routes have designated photo stops.

Norway has many toll roads and bridges. Most are automated with cameras that capture your license plate. The rental company will charge these fees to your credit card after the trip, usually within a month of returning home.

Arrived at Oslo Gardermoen Airport in the afternoon. After picking up our rental car, we drove to the city center and checked into our hotel. Spent the evening exploring Karl Johans Gate and had dinner at a traditional Norwegian restaurant.

Drove south to Mandal, a charming coastal town. The journey took about 4 hours through beautiful Norwegian countryside. In Mandal, we explored the beaches and enjoyed fresh seafood at the harbor.

Continued west to Stavanger, known as Norway's oil capital. The drive included a ferry crossing, which was an experience in itself. In Stavanger, we explored the old town with its white wooden houses and visited the Norwegian Petroleum Museum.

Early morning drive to Preikestolen trailhead. The hike to this famous cliff took about 4 hours round trip. The view from the top was absolutely breathtaking - a 604-meter vertical drop to Lysefjord below. Despite the crowds, it was worth every step.

Drove north to Bergen, Norway's second-largest city. The route took us through dramatic mountain landscapes and included several ferry crossings. Arrived in Bergen in the evening and checked into our hotel near Bryggen.

Spent the day exploring Bergen's highlights: Bryggen wharf (UNESCO World Heritage site), Fish Market, Fløyen mountain (took the funicular for panoramic views), and wandered through the charming old streets. Bergen's rainy weather lived up to its reputation, but it added to the city's atmosphere.

Drove east into the heart of fjord country. The route included parts of the famous Snow Road (Snøvegen) with spectacular mountain views. Arrived in Aurland in the afternoon and checked into our fjord-side hotel.

Long driving day covering the famous Geirangerfjord area. The Geiranger-Trollstigen route is considered one of the world's most scenic drives. The hairpin bends and mountain views were incredible. Drove back to Oslo in the evening, returned the rental car at the airport hotel.

After a leisurely breakfast at the airport hotel, we took the airport shuttle to Oslo Gardermoen for our flight home. The 2,500-kilometer Norwegian road trip had come to a perfect end.

This iconic cliff rises 604 meters above Lysefjord. The hike is moderately challenging but suitable for most fitness levels. The panoramic views from the top are absolutely spectacular, making it one of Norway's most photographed locations.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this fjord is surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and cascading waterfalls. The drive along the fjord offers numerous viewpoints and photo opportunities.

This famous mountain road features 11 hairpin bends and a 9% gradient. The viewing platform at the top provides spectacular views of the valley and waterfalls below.

This historic wharf area features colorful wooden buildings dating back to the Hanseatic League era. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to shops, restaurants, and museums.

September is excellent for autumn colors and fewer crowds, but weather can be unpredictable. Summer (June-August) offers the best weather and longest days, but also the most tourists. Winter offers northern lights and winter sports opportunities.

Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Credit cards are widely accepted everywhere. Norway is expensive - budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and fuel.

Norwegian is the official language, but English is widely spoken throughout the country, especially in tourist areas.

Our 2,500-kilometer Norwegian road trip was an incredible journey through some of Europe's most spectacular landscapes. From the peaceful coastal town of Mandal to the dramatic fjords of western Norway, every day brought new wonders. The driving was challenging at times with narrow mountain roads and unpredictable weather, but the rewards were immeasurable.

Despite some rainy days (which are typical for Norway in September), we managed to capture beautiful moments of sunshine and experience the raw beauty of Norwegian nature. The combination of Swiss-like mountain meadows and New Zealand-style rugged peaks created a unique landscape that will stay in our memories forever.

The Norwegian climate is indeed "willful" - sunny days are rare in autumn, but this scarcity makes every moment of sunshine precious. We feel satisfied to have captured these fleeting moments of clear weather and stored them in our Norwegian memories.

As the wind calms and we return home, we say: Norway, until we meet again.

Oslo Gardermoen Airport

It's been exactly one month since that unexpected incident in Bergen - my first experience with property loss during travels. It added some regret to our otherwise smooth Norwegian journey, and those unbacked travel photos became a small void in my heart.

But journeys never stop because of such incidents. The landscapes we should pursue and the trips we should embark on will continue as scheduled.

This small regret from our trip has instead become a reminder to be more careful in preserving our travel memories for future adventures.