Route to Northern Norway

saxonborg

Full Member
Posts
1,177
Likes
1,305
Hi All, I am looking for some tips and advice on the best route including ferries as far as Mo-i-rana in northern Norway leaving from the North West of England. Also any advice on where to shop would be appreciated. I know that Norway is an expensive place but I read somewhere that there are similar supermarkets to Lidl and Aldi. thanks
 
I've been looking at this for a while now but the problem is going south to go north. There were rumours of a new ferry to Denmark this year but nothing happening.

I think the first thing is look at how much time you have due to the immense distance (I was looking at 3 weeks).

Anyway, good look and let us know you plans

Graham
 
We live in The South East so

1 we cross from Dover to Calais and would then drive to denmark.
How it is best for you to get to Denmark I am not sure I have heard you may be able to get on a freight ship from Hull (I think)
I have been planning a similar trip and as we dont like Long ferries.. (the short crossings in Norway are fine)

So
Take the ferry from Hirtsals to Kristiansand. The drive North entirely in Norway as far as Lofoten and hopefully Nordkapp.
Then cross via Finland to Sweden and Drive south in Sweden to MALMO and use the Bridges back to Denmark

I have more details so PM me if you like
Motorhome Campsites in Europe - Aires, Stellplatz, Aree di Sostas and Campsites
CAMPINGCAR-INFOS

I have a KML file wth lots of campsites that I have found from the above sources
I can copy you the file but i will need a "normal" email address to do (again PM me)

These show that a lot of cheap camping is available Particularly in Norway
Yes Food and Drink are expensive so stock up with
Baked beans
Corned Beef
Longlife milk
Rice
Cereals
Dried soups etc

Cut down on Booze for the duration
 
Hello
Done this one a couple of times. One of our favourite places to motorhome. I too travel from the Northwest and I'm afraid the only way is that awefull drive down to Dover.
After that lots of choices all good.
Things are a little more expensive than the UK but don't let this put you off. In my opinion the only thing you need to stock up on is booze ( I like a drink)
Remember you are smuggling but most of the roads from Sweden to Norway don't even have a marked border crossing and the Norwegians go to Sweden or Denmark for their booze.
Norwegians like fresh food the same as us and it's readily available. Spend your money in Norwegian shops. Remember you are getting free camping in one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Wildcamping is also hassle free.
As far as travel is concerned.Since September last year there are no direct ferries to Scandinavia.
You can cross from Denmark to Kristiansand or Fredrikshaven to Gothenburg. I like the ferry from Travemunde in Germany to Trelleborg/Sweden. You will find this is cheaper than the bridges in Denmark especially if your over 6mts(Oresund bridge is about 80e if your over 6 mtrs and the Storebaeltsbroen is similar)
Last time we went we came back to Fredrikshaven and spent 3 weeks around the fiords of northern Denmark.Beautiful and again wildcamping great.
Nordcapp is a waste of diesel in my opinion. But definately go to Lofoten. Take the ferry one way from Boda to A

Remember it can be as cold and wet in June as a UK winter. LPG is no problem if you have a refillable system. We filled up in Narvik.

Top tip : Even if like me you don't normally go fishing take a good spinning rod and reel. Buy the lures when you get there. If you like fresh fish you will think you have died and gone to heaven.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
We did it a couple of years ago (plus dog) and had an absolutely marvellous time. We went Dover - Dunkirk and then just meandered up to Hirtschals for the ferry. Thereafter we did more meandering up as far as Trondheim and picked a different route back. We were away about five weeks in total. We signed up for the automatic toll system before we set off from UK. Food was not that expensive although we did import some UK items and picked up some wine boxes en route. On entering Norway the officials were far more interested in the dog's passport than ours and showed no interest at all in the contents of our wine and food store. If anyone is travelling with a dog it is worth knowing that Norway has similar rules to UK for tapeworm with a pre entry treatment required and in addition a treatment within seven days of entering the country. We had pre booked a vet not far outside Kristiansand for when we got off the ferry.

You do need to think twice about Norway if you are at all claustrophobic or don't do tunnels as they are an integral part of the road system. Finally do try and go up Trollstiggen, it is really spectacular and not too difficult a drive. Above all enjoy!!!
 
We traveled as far as the Artic circle in 2007. We were still working so only had 4 weeks. That was not enough. The roads are good so you can make good time on the main roads. A lot of the secondary roads are gravel, so a lot slower. Make sure you take as much tinned and packet food as you can Stock up in Germany before you get to Denmark. I believe there are some budget supermarkets now. Check on their websites. Fill up with Diesel whenever you can because fuel stations are few and far between.

It is well worth doing, but allow as much time as you can.
 
Thanks jann

jann said:
We traveled as far as the Artic circle in 2007. We were still working so only had 4 weeks. That was not enough. The roads are good so you can make good time on the main roads. A lot of the secondary roads are gravel, so a lot slower. Make sure you take as much tinned and packet food as you can Stock up in Germany before you get to Denmark. I believe there are some budget supermarkets now. Check on their websites. Fill up with Diesel whenever you can because fuel stations are few and far between.

It is well worth doing, but allow as much time as you can.
Click to expand...

useful tips
We plan for May (2nd half) June and July Aug (1st half) (retired)
Ferry Hirtsals to K'sand then north.
Back via Finland and Sweden..LOOKS FANTASTIC !
 
If you don't sign up for the tolls it's no problem. You get a bill from a collection agency in London in sterling and you pay on line. Tolls are very little. Not including the bridge tolls.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Many thanks to all who responded. I have been to Norway before but not in a motorhome(not got it yet). I don't mind the long drive down and then up as I prefer short sea crossings. When wilding in Sweden and Norway where would you pick up fresh water? Also if you stay on a recognised camp site and have an electric hookup are the connections standard.
thanks again
 
Similar to us

saxonborg said:
Many thanks to all who responded. I have been to Norway before but not in a motorhome(not got it yet). I don't mind the long drive down and then up as I prefer short sea crossings. When wilding in Sweden and Norway where would you pick up fresh water? Also if you stay on a recognised camp site and have an electric hookup are the connections standard.
thanks again
Click to expand...

We prefer the tunnel only a bit more than ferries quicker and easier more pleasant (especially if the sea is "lumpy")

Again we tend to get the tunnel mid afternoon and stay in a nice but simple camp-site at Le Pont D'oye and about £10 less than 30 mins east of Calais ..just off the motorway.

Short crossing not too bad from Hirtsals but other options to Sweden even shorter but quite expensive so the bridges seem best for us (for Sweden) but we will travel out Hirtsals Kristiansand.

I have read (on this site and elsewhere) That fresh water is norway is very good garages have taps.
Dumping waste (grey and black also good...Not sure about Sweden ... Finland may have to use campsites

EHU . again dont know but I suspect the usual European adapter will be good to have (many places here supply)
 
Our trip to Norway took 5 months,we went Dover Calais then up Germany to Puttgarten and an unbooked ferry to Robbyhaven Denmark 80 euros then up through Demark to Helsinger /Helsingborg for another unbooked ferry again 80 euros 8 metre tag axle Hymer two persons,we are now in Sweden drove up through Sweden and turned left into Norway about half way up arriving at a place called Grong,we had a grand tour of Norway for six weeks, our return route brought us back over the Oresund bridges and tunnels and cost us 160 euros so swings and roundabouts regards cost,tolls were paid on line on our return home in Sterling so that was no problem,in all the time we were on our trip we used a campsite for two nights at Geiranger, the rest of the time we were wild camped or Aires,get the Vicarious books guide to Aires of Scandinavia great help.Water and toilet dumping was never a problem both freely available plenty of Supermarkets and shops and fuel stations,we got our money via ATMs as and when we needed it no problems.we took loads af food stuff with us also booze,we did not encounter officialdom at all on our trip so any stories you may hear about customs etc certainly did not bother us,we ate out frequently and the cost was not prohibitive,fuel was cheap enough too,a steady rise in cost of it from Germany, Denmark Sweden and then Norway.so o big shock,and as we were free camping we saved there.Norwa is a beautiful country, we walked on Glaciers, frozen lakes, rode the Flam railway had trips on the Fiords saw beauiful scenery and lots of snow and mountains, the Artic Circle experience was wonderful and we spent a free night there at the visitors centre.We rarely plan our trips,just go for it and see what happens go for it, you will love it.
 
water and toilet emptying not a problem. A lot of picnic sites have toilets, emptying points and drinking water. Never had to pay.
 
More Info

jagmanx said:
1 we cross from Dover to Calais and would then drive to denmark.
How it is best for you to get to Denmark I am not sure I have heard you may be able to get on a freight ship from Hull (I think)
I have been planning a similar trip and as we dont like Long ferries.. (the short crossings in Norway are fine)

So
Take the ferry from Hirtsals to Kristiansand. The drive North entirely in Norway as far as Lofoten and hopefully Nordkapp.
Then cross via Finland to Sweden and Drive south in Sweden to MALMO and use the Bridges back to Denmark

I have more details so PM me if you like
Motorhome Campsites in Europe - Aires, Stellplatz, Aree di Sostas and Campsites
CAMPINGCAR-INFOS

I have a KML file wth lots of campsites that I have found from the above sources
I can copy you the file but i will need a "normal" email address to do (again PM me)

These show that a lot of cheap camping is available Particularly in Norway
Yes Food and Drink are expensive so stock up with
Baked beans
Corned Beef
Longlife milk
Rice
Cereals
Dried soups etc

Cut down on Booze for the duration
Click to expand...

Can't find any way to pm you. Is this because I am a free member?
 
Bridge Tolls

MkNx said:
We toured Norway in 2012 but took our time going North. Fabulous country and people.
see the archives for May, June and July for 2012 in Mike and Pauline's Travel Blog
Good luck.
Click to expand...

Now that I have my van, I have started to research the best method of getting into Sweden(for me that is ). The Oresund bridge is an expensive crossing but if you register for a yearly "Bropas" (cost 39 euros)you get a better than 50% reduction on your toll charge. The transponder that comes with the Bropas system also works with "Easygo" toll system which is in use in various Scandinavian countries as well as Germany and Austria. So if you prefer to stay on the road this seems to be good alternative. For more info you can go to the Oresund Bridge website
 
We were planning a trip to Norway this year but I came across this site so have decided to put it back to next year, as a ferry across would enable us to spend ore time exploring Norway.
 
Horses for courses

Weston said:
We were planning a trip to Norway this year but I came across this site so have decided to put it back to next year, as a ferry across would enable us to spend ore time exploring Norway.
Click to expand...

Being retired and based in the South East of UK and not liking a long ferry journey..We will still use Dover to Calais drive to Hirtsals boat to Kristiansand.
Then return via Malmo and the bridges.:wave:
just allow 4 days each way to go via Denmark (time no problem)
 
18 hours on a ferry across the North Sea, plus a drive up to Scotland for me, would probably be more expensive than doing the Calais Denmark drive and only save a day.
I too plan to do Norway Sweden in 2016.
I may even set off a week early on my own and have the wife fly to Norway to max out her school holidays.Then we can have six full weeks in Scandinavia. Flights are very cheap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top