Our Norway road trip was one of our favorite trips we’ve ever taken. We went in August, and between the fjord cruises, mountain views, and drives that had us stopping to take pictures constantly, there was so much to love.

We started with a day in Oslo, then took an inexpensive evening flight to Stavanger and picked up a rental car there. From Stavanger, we drove to Bergen and continued to an Airbnb in Hornindal, our base for exploring Ålesund, Geirangerfjord, and the Loen Skylift. On our final day, we drove back to Oslo, stopping at Lom Stave Church and for lunch in Lillehammer before flying home that evening.

We traveled with our kids and mixed museums and city walks with some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. The fjord cruises were among my favorite experiences, and the Loen Skylift was so spectacular that I returned to do it again on another trip.

This eight-day Norway itinerary follows our route, with seven nights split between Stavanger, Bergen, Ålesund, and  Loen area. It was a busy trip, especially on the final day, but the drives were part of what made it wonderful.

When to Take This Norway Road Trip

We took this road trip in August and loved it. We spent plenty of time outside, from walking around the cities to standing on the decks of the fjord boats and enjoying the views from the Loen Skylift.

For this itinerary, I would plan a summer trip rather than assume the same route and schedule will work in winter. Check seasonal road access, ferry departures, and attraction hours for your dates before booking.

Even in summer, bring layers and a waterproof jacket. You’ll want to be comfortable outside on the boats and at the mountain viewpoints rather than heading indoors just when the scenery gets good.

Book your accommodation and the experiences you care most about ahead of time. For us, the fjord cruises and Loen Skylift were highlights I would make room for again.

Day 1: A Whirlwind Tour of Oslo

We had a great first day in Oslo before taking an inexpensive flight to Stavanger that evening. We’ve been back since, but on this trip we had just one day to explore.

The kids rode scooters around Karl Johans gate while we took a walking tour of downtown Oslo. We then visited the library, which was huge and very cool. The kids were happy to stay there for a while—the Wi-Fi certainly helped—while I took a hop-on, hop-off bus to see more of the city.

I got off at Frogner Park and the Kon-Tiki Museum. The bus worked well for fitting more sightseeing into our short visit before we needed to head to the airport.

You don’t have to see everything in Oslo before starting your road trip. We enjoyed our day, then flew to Stavanger to begin the next part of our Norway adventure.

Day 2 : Stavanger with White Wooden Houses and Waterfront Walks

We spent two days in Stavanger and loved walking among the old white wooden buildings near the port. We rode scooters everywhere, walked along the waterfront, and had a wonderful time exploring.

The Norwegian Canning Museum in Old Stavanger was so much fun. Learning how they canned fish might not sound like an obvious vacation highlight, but we really enjoyed seeing how it all worked. It’s worth including while you’re exploring the neighborhood.

We also loved the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. There were lots of interactive things for the kids to do, and I enjoyed learning about Norway’s oil reserves and the role oil wealth plays in supporting the country’s people. It kept all of us interested, which is always a good thing when you’re visiting a museum as a family.

After arriving on an evening flight from Oslo, we had two days to enjoy Stavanger before picking up our road trip toward Bergen.

Day 3: Drive from Stavanger to Bergen and Explore the City

We wanted plenty of time in Bergen, so we drove fairly directly from Stavanger rather than making lots of sightseeing stops along the way. We stayed for two days and loved exploring the city.

Bryggen’s colorful buildings along the waterfront were a highlight. I loved them so much that I bought little wooden replicas to bring home with me. They are such a recognizable part of Bergen, but seeing them in person was something I had really looked forward to.

We also took the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen to look out over Bergen. Seeing the city and waterfront from above gave us a different perspective after walking around below. We enjoyed spending time in the parks, too, and visited Rosenkrantz Tower.

Our Bergen stay also included Norway in a Nutshell, which deserves its own section because it was a substantial part of our trip.

Day 4: Our DIY Norway in a Nutshell Trip from Bergen

While we were staying in Bergen, we did our own version of Norway in a Nutshell. We booked the individual parts ourselves rather than buying the package, leaving our rental car behind and starting with a train from Bergen. We used trains, buses, and a fjord cruise for the outing.

The fjord cruise was one of the most beautiful things we did in Norway. It was easy to find somewhere to sit, but we spent all our time out on the outdoor deck. We didn’t want to miss any of the scenery.

The train ride was beautiful, too, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would be the fjord cruise. That and simply spending time in Flåm were the most special parts of the day for me. Give yourself time to enjoy Flåm rather than treating it as just a place to catch your next connection.

How to Book a DIY Norway in a Nutshell Trip from Bergen

We arranged this outing ourselves rather than buying the Norway in a Nutshell package. It saved us some money but added a little bit of anxiety, but we still thought it worth doing.  We started in Bergen, traveled to Voss and Gudvangen, cruised to Flåm, then returned to Bergen via Myrdal.

Here’s how to book the individual parts:

1. Train from Bergen to Voss
Book through Vy. Enter Bergen as your departure station and Voss as your destination, then choose your date and an early departure that connects with your onward bus.

2. Bus from Voss to Gudvangen
Check your date in the Skyss journey planner. Confirm the operator and ticket instructions for your chosen departure. Some services are operated by Skyss, while tourist departures are operated by Fjord Tours, so don’t assume a Skyss ticket covers every bus.

3. Fjord cruise from Gudvangen to Flåm
Book the Nærøyfjord cruise through Norway’s Best, choosing a one-way journey from Gudvangen to Flåm. This cruise was one of my favorite experiences in Norway. We found seats easily but spent our time outside enjoying the scenery.

4. Flåm Railway from Flåm to Myrdal
Use the Flåm Railway’s official booking page to find ticket options. For this itinerary, you need a one-way journey to Myrdal, not a return trip to Flåm. Leave yourself time to explore Flåm before boarding—it was one of the most special parts of the day for us.

5. Train from Myrdal to Bergen
Book through Vy, allowing enough time to transfer from the Flåm Railway. You can also check whether your Flåm-to-Bergen journey is available as one connected booking through Vy or Entur.

Check the whole day before paying. Write down each departure and arrival time, confirm availability for every leg, and then buy your tickets. Compare the total with the packaged trip before deciding which approach works best for you.

Day 5: Driving from Bergen to Our Base in Hornidal

From Bergen, we drove to an Airbnb in Hornidal, where we stayed for two nights.

We also loved how ferries were simply part of driving in Norway. Sometimes the road would end at the water, and the next part of the journey was by ferry. On our route, they ran regularly, and driving on and off was easy. It became another part of the road trip we enjoyed, rather than something to worry about.

We didn’t plan sightseeing stops along the way, but we kept stopping to take pictures and ooh and aah over the scenery. It felt like there was something beautiful around every turn.

That was one of the things we loved most about this Norway road trip. The drives were part of the experience, and we wanted time to enjoy them rather than simply get to the next place.

Our Airbnb near Loen was also our base for visiting Ålesund, so we didn’t have to pack up and change accommodations again.

Day 6-7: Exploring from Hornindal.

Loen Skylift Was One of My Favorite Experiences in Norway

The Loen Skylift is one of the most beautiful things I have ever done. In fact, I loved it so much that I went back to do it again on another visit to Norway.

The cable car takes you up Mount Hoven, where the view is majestic. You can see water, mountains, and valleys stretching out below you. We saw so much beautiful scenery on this road trip, but this was a highlight even among all of that.

Give yourself time at the top rather than going straight back down. There are hiking trails to explore, and you may see paragliders launching near the restaurant. Watching them take off and float out over that landscape is an experience in itself.

We also really enjoyed Hoven Restaurant. The food was very good, and having that view while you eat makes it worth planning a meal here. Book a table in advance if you want to eat in the restaurant.

Cruise Geirangerfjord to Hellesylt

On the same day we visited the Loen Skylift, we took our rental car aboard the ferry through Geirangerfjord to Hellesylt, then drove back from there.

The drive down to the ferry in Geiranger was amazing. The road wound down the mountainside, with views of the fjord and village below. It was different from anything I had seen before, and the drive became part of the experience before we even boarded the ferry.

This was another spectacular experience. The ferry was transportation, but for us it was also one of the highlights of the trip. Looking back, the fjord cruises were among my favorite things we did in Norway. I would absolutely make room for one in your itinerary.

A Visit to Ålesund

We visited Ålesund from our Airbnb near Loen. We didn’t have long there, but we had time to eat lunch and walk around downtown before driving up to a viewpoint overlooking the city.

That view was the highlight of our visit. Seeing Ålesund from above gave us a different perspective after walking through the streets below.

For us, Ålesund was a short visit rather than an overnight stop. If you’re following our route, allow time for the drive there and back as well as lunch, a downtown walk, and the viewpoint.

 

Day 8: Driving Back to Oslo via Lom and Lillehammer

We drove back to Oslo on our final day, returned the rental car, and flew home that evening. We loved this drive, too, and made time for a couple of stops along the way.

In Fossbergom, we visited Lom Stave Church, then stopped for lunch in Lillehammer before continuing to Oslo. Even our journey back to the airport felt like part of the road trip.

This worked for us, but it was a full travel day. If you’re flying home the same evening, allow plenty of time for stops, returning your rental car, and getting through the airport.

 

Where to Stay on This Norway Road Trip

We kept our accommodation simple: two nights in Stavanger, two nights in Bergen, and three nights at an Airbnb in Hornindal. Having a few bases meant we weren’t packing up and changing hotels every morning.

Stavanger and Bergen: Scandic Hotels

We stayed in Scandic hotels in both Stavanger and Bergen. We first discovered Scandic on a trip to Sweden and have loved staying with them since. The accommodations are nice enough, but the incredible breakfast buffet is a big part of why we keep coming back.

A good breakfast before a day of sightseeing or driving is something we really appreciate when traveling as a family. Check whether breakfast is included in the rate you’re booking, along with parking availability and any additional parking charge.

For Stavanger, look at how easily you can reach the old town and waterfront. In Bergen, consider access to both the waterfront and the railway station, since the DIY Norway in a Nutshell outing starts with a train.

Hornindal: An Airbnb for Three Nights

We stayed at an Airbnb in Hornindal and used it as our base for visiting Ålesund, the Loen Skylift, and Geirangerfjord. We liked being able to return to the same place after exploring rather than move again each night.

Check the location carefully before booking. Staying in Hornindal worked for us, but you’ll still have driving to do. Compare the routes from the actual property to your planned activities rather than choosing accommodation simply because it is described as being near the fjords.

Renting a Car for This Norway Road Trip

We picked up our rental car in Stavanger and returned it in Oslo. That let us start with a short flight from Oslo to Stavanger, then spend the rest of the trip exploring by car. If you have more than 8 days you can easily pick up a rental car in Oslo and drive the entire route, but because we were a little short on time, we did it a different way.

When comparing rentals, enter Stavanger as your pickup location and Oslo as your return location from the beginning. Check the full price, including any fee for returning the car somewhere different. Choose the exact return branch carefully, too, especially if you’re heading straight to a flight.

Ask how tolls and ferry charges will be billed, and check whether the company adds administration fees. If you prefer an automatic car, select that when booking rather than assuming one will be available.

We left the car behind for our DIY Norway in a Nutshell day from Bergen. When choosing accommodation, check parking availability and cost—you won’t need the car for every part of this trip.

Taking Car Ferries in Norway

One of the things we loved about driving in Norway was how ferries became part of the journey. Sometimes the road would end at the water, and we would drive aboard a ferry to continue. On our route, they ran regularly, and getting on and off was easy.

Check the timetable for each crossing rather than assuming every ferry runs frequently. Give yourself some extra time in case you have to wait for the next departure, especially when you have another reservation to reach.

For a rental car, ask the rental company how ferry charges are handled and whether there are additional administration fees. Payment arrangements vary, so it helps to understand them before setting off.

The drive down Geirangervegen, part of Route 63, to the ferry in Geiranger was amazing. The road wound down the mountainside, with views of the fjord and village below. It was different from anything I had seen before, and the drive became part of the experience before we even boarded the ferry.

Is Eight Days Enough for This Norway Road Trip?

Eight days worked for us, and this was one of our favorite road trips we’ve ever taken. But it was a busy trip but we didn’t feel overwhelmed or particularly rushed for time. We had one day in Oslo, two nights in Stavanger, two in Bergen, and three near Loen before driving back to Oslo.

If you enjoy full days and scenic drives, this itinerary gives you a wonderful mix of cities, mountains, and fjords. If you want more time for hiking, slower mornings, or exploring each town, I would add a few days.

The final drive deserves particular thought. We stopped at Lom Stave Church and ate lunch in Lillehammer before returning the car and flying home that evening. We enjoyed it, but another night near Oslo would give you more breathing room before your flight.

Check the location of your accommodation near Loen carefully, too. We visited Ålesund from our Airbnb, and your exact base will affect how much driving you do.

How Much Driving Does This Itinerary Involve?

The scenery made driving one of our favorite parts of this trip, but allow more time than the mileage might suggest. Ferry crossings, photo stops, and winding roads all affect your day.

Stavanger to Bergen: Allow roughly 4–5 hours for the direct E39 route, plus extra time for ferry queues and breaks. We traveled fairly directly because we wanted more time in Bergen.

Bergen to Hornindal: Allow around 6 hours, plus stops. We kept pulling over to take pictures, so I would give this journey most of the day rather than plan something with a fixed start time afterward.

Hornindal to Ålesund: Allow around 2 hours each way, depending on your accommodation and route. Treat this as a full-day outing, even if you only plan lunch, a downtown walk, and the viewpoint.

Hornindal to Oslo Airport: Allow around 7 hours before sightseeing stops, lunch, fuel, and returning the rental car. Our stops at Lom Stave Church and Lillehammer made this a longer travel day. We flew home that evening, but an overnight near the airport would give you more breathing room.

Check directions from your exact accommodation before booking activities. These estimates are a starting point, and your travel date, road conditions, and ferry connections can change them.

What to Budget for This Norway Road Trip

When pricing this itinerary, include more than your flights and hotels. You’ll also need to account for the rental car, any fee for returning it in a different city, fuel, parking, tolls, and car ferries.

Price the DIY Norway in a Nutshell outing separately, including both train journeys, the bus, the fjord cruise, and the Flåm Railway. Booking independently saved us money on our trip, but compare current prices with the package before deciding.

Add the Geirangerfjord car ferry, Loen Skylift, museums, and meals to your budget, too. Check whether breakfast is included in your hotel rate. We loved the Scandic breakfast buffets, and having a good breakfast before heading out was a real benefit.

Use prices for your own dates and family size rather than relying on an old trip total. You can balance the paid experiences with waterfront walks, parks, and enjoying the scenery along the way.

Would I Do This Norway Road Trip Again?

Absolutely. This was one of our favorite road trips we’ve ever taken. We loved exploring the cities, but the scenery was what kept us stopping to take pictures and ooh and aah along the way.

The fjord cruises were among my favorite experiences, and the Loen Skylift was so beautiful that I went back to do it again on another visit. Even the car ferries became part of the fun.

Eight days gave us a wonderful introduction to this part of Norway. If you have more time, give yourself longer to enjoy it. Leave room to stop, spend time out on the water, and enjoy the drives themselves. Those were some of the best parts of our trip.