Car hire in Norway

Explore the fjords along the coast of Norway or go for a hike in one of the country’s forests. Skiing is a popular winter sport, and Trysil as well as Hemsedal both have good conditions for cross-country skiing. Self-drive vacations are the best way to get around Norway, as they provide independence and flexibility. There are numerous car hire outlets in the country, but it is easiest to pre-book a vehicle online in order to secure a car that suits your requirements. There are small cars if you want something compact to get around a city or larger vehicles if you plan to make long road trips and need the extra space. Budget vehicles are a great way to save money while you are on holiday and you can compare car hire prices online here.

Car hire driving tips in Norway

Norway is a large country, and travelling by train or bus here can be time consuming. However, car rental offers a cost-effective alternative. With your own vehicle, you can explore the beautiful Norwegian wilderness and stop to enjoy the view whenever you want. The country has a low population density along with a long coastline, both of which have contributed to the public transport network being less developed than in other countries in Europe. Major cities are well connected but it can be difficult to reach remote areas. The road system in Norway spans across nearly 100,000 kms, consisting of paved roads and freeways. The national roads are well signposted while other roads are maintained by the municipality or county. The E6 stretches from the north to the south and provides access to the entire country, while the E39 provides access to the west coast. 

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: UK driving licences are accepted but it is recommended to have an International Driving Licence.

Which side does Norway drive on: traffic drives on the right side of the road.

Speed limits:

Cities: 50kph

Outside cities: 80kph

Motorways: 100kph

Alcohol limits: the limit for blood alcohol levels is 0.2 per cent and penalties include fines or prison time.

Driving age: 18 years (19 years to hire a car).

Compulsory items: a warning triangle and a reflective jacket are mandatory.

Seatbelts: it is compulsory for the driver and passengers in a vehicle to use seatbelts.

Mobile phones and GPS: it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless the vehicle is fitted with a hands-free kit. GPS navigation systems are available in Norway.

Cost of fuel in Norway: the cost of petrol is high.

Car hire and fuel payment: credit cards can be used to pay for car rentals and this method of payment is also suitable at fuel stations.

Insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory. Higher levels of cover at an additional cost should be considered.

Traffic and parking: some city centres suffer from congested traffic and numerous one-way roads. Norway has strict parking regulations which are clearly indicated by signs. Drivers are usually charged a fee to use parking spaces and the most common method of payment is by parking meter.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Gudbrandsdalen to Romsdalen – take the E6 through the Gudbtandsdalen Valley and stop to explore Dombas village along the way. Road E136 leads past alpine summits and a highlight of this route is Europe's largest rock face.

Utvikfjellet to Stryn – along this route, visitors can enjoy views of mountain passes and fjords. Stop at Olden to see beautiful glaciers.

Oslo to Geilo village – this route stretches through the Halling dal Valley and ends in a small mountain village. The area offers peaceful driving and activities include hiking.

Norway travel tips

Norway has a low population density which includes the minority Sami people, who live in the north of the country. The Northern Lights are a not-to-be-missed sight, while activities such as dog sledding and snow mobile safaris offer equal thrills. Brush up on our travel tips to guarantee your trip is trouble-free.

Norway weather and tourist seasons

The climate in Norway is affected by the Gulf Stream and temperatures vary greatly from 30°C in summer to -25°C in winter. The northern regions of the country experience a higher level of snowfall and winters that are darker than in the south. The best weather conditions are from May to the beginning of September. At the beginning of May, some mountain regions may still be inaccessible before the increasing temperatures start to melt the snow.

Norway contact numbers (+47)

Police – 112 or 02800

Medical - 113

Fire - 110

Tourist Office - 47 2414 4600

United StatesEmbassy – 47 2130 8540

British Embassy – 47 2313 2700

Canadian Embassy – 47 2299 5300

Australian Embassy – 47 6758 4848

Irish Embassy – 47 220 17200

Holidays and festivals

Important holidays include Easter (March or April) and Christmas Day (25 December), and many people go on holiday during July. There are numerous public holidays in May and some of these are marked by celebrations. Some holidays, such as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, are celebrated the evening before.

Money matters

The costs of accommodation and living expenses in Norway are high and travellers on a budget should plan ahead. Service charges are added to the cost of menu items in restaurants. However, tipping is common in upmarket restaurants if you feel that you have received excellent service. It is easy to exchange money in banks or tourist areas. It is also possible to exchange money in post offices or you can withdraw cash from ATMs. Credit cards are accepted but most handsets have been updated to a chip and pin system, so some establishments may not accept signatures.

Health and safety

Crime in Norway is minimal and the most common offences suffered by tourists are pick-pocketing and bicycle theft. As a safety precaution, do not leave your belongings unattended and keep valuables locked away. In the countryside and mountainous areas, travellers should heed local warnings concerning glaciers, turbulent seas and waterfalls. If you plan to enjoy outdoor sports such as hiking, be aware that the weather can change very quickly and it is recommended that you take a guide. If you are making a long journey in winter, take the necessary precautions such as travelling with extra fuel, jackets, food and water. There are no vaccination requirements for travel to Norway.

Fitting in…

Although Norwegians are quite informal, it is polite to remove your shoes when you enter a home in Norway and people generally greet each other by their first names. Punctuality is important and criticising others openly is considered impolite. Treat everyone as your equal and you will get by fine here.

Visas for Norway

Norway is part of the Schengen Agreement and British passport holders do not require a visa to enter Norway. Nationals of the US, Canada and Australia also do not need a visa for stays of less than three months. Contact your nearest Norway embassy for visa details concerning travellers of other nationalities.

Electricity

Norway has a voltage of 220 Volts, 50 Hertz. Plugs here are of the Euro plug type with two round prongs.

Business hours

Business hours are from 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, with an earlier closing time of 15:00 for shops on Saturdays. Museums are generally open 10:00 until 15:00 and closed on Mondays.

Helpful phrases

Goddag – Hello

Hvordan har du det? - How are you?

Hvor er du vra? – Where are you from?

Jeg skjonner ikke – I don’t understand

Hver koster denne? – How much is this?

Resources online

www.wikitravel.org/en/Norway#b

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway