Best way to go to Norway

Both the Ferry route from Hirtshals and the overland route via Gothenburg are good.
The ferry gives you a break but the Gothenbourg route is less restrained for time.
 
There is no direct route from the UK, but there are variations in routes by combining various ferries and bridges and countries and then what do you want to see whilst driving. Going up through Sweden involves lots of forests lakes and rivers and can be a bit boring however if you land in southern Norway the scenery will nearly always be spectacular with fjords , mountains , coastal scenery etc.
 
The wild camping group I took last year did Calais to hirtshals in three days!
Using the ferry over the Elbe to avoid Hamburg,
Hard driving but worth it to get to Norway
Just to add !! The ferry from hirtshals is now just over 2 hrs where in 2018 it was 3.5 hrs
 
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We have been several times and dislike long ferry journeys

So we Chunnel to Calais, through Belgium, Netherlands, Germany (Hamburg is a pain) , Denmark (we have explored all the islands and they’re splendid, worth a journey for themselves) across the 2 spectacular bridges into Sweden. Then head up bypassing Gothenburg to get to Oslo. Turn left and explore. We then found our way to Nordkapp, across to the Russian border at Kirkenes. Down through Finland and its 100,000+ lakes. Ferry across to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania skirting past Kaliningrad (Russian) into Poland, down through East Germany and popped into Czechia, and back out again, then France and back to Calais. Love it.
 
Then hope it's not a rough crossing! :sick:
 
SimonM said:
We have been several times and dislike long ferry journeys

So we Chunnel to Calais, through Belgium, Netherlands, Germany (Hamburg is a pain) , Denmark (we have explored all the islands and they’re splendid, worth a journey for themselves) across the 2 spectacular bridges into Sweden. Then head up bypassing Gothenburg to get to Oslo. Turn left and explore. We then found our way to Nordkapp, across to the Russian border at Kirkenes. Down through Finland and its 100,000+ lakes. Ferry across to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania skirting past Kaliningrad (Russian) into Poland, down through East Germany and popped into Czechia, and back out again, then France and back to Calais. Love it.
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Can I ask how long that whole trip took Simon?
 
If it's less than two months you haven't seen everything. After three months you will want to stay longer. The real question is "how many years does it take to get bored with Norway?" I've no idea.
I will say that driving there is far far far superior to going on cruises there, having done three cruises. All you see are the fjords and fjord towns. On a cruise you won't drive through a 17.5km long tunnel with coloured LED lighting all over the canopy, with laybys you can stop and get out. Driving there, you will of course have mini cruises across and up and down fjords on the surprisingly cheap ferries. Some are free . . . . :oops:
 
gasgas said:
If it's less than two months you haven't seen everything. After three months you will want to stay longer. The real question is "how many years does it take to get bored with Norway?" I've no idea.
I will say that driving there is far far far superior to going on cruises there, having done three cruises. All you see are the fjords and fjord towns. On a cruise you won't drive through a 17.5km long tunnel with coloured LED lighting all over the canopy, with laybys you can stop and get out. Driving there, you will of course have mini cruises across and up and down fjords on the surprisingly cheap ferries. Some are free . . . . :oops:
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We lived there (Bergen) for 5 years and never got bored with it! Didn’t want to leave but Paris called.
 
bigt62 said:
To all answer thanks I have a plan get to calais and then get to Gothamberg and in to Norway
July to August after the F1 at Silverstone
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Expect it to be very, very busy with motorhomes, mostly Germans. We have been in May, June and September, October and even then it was quite busy. October was tailing off apart from the stragglers coming down from way up top.
 
We’re in Norway at present. Travelled Newcastle - Amsterdam, Hirtshals - Kristiansand via the ferry across the Elbe to avoid Hamburg. Easy trip. Now in early May there are very few motorhomes. Seen one other Brit, few Swiss and French and a few more Dutch and Germans. Every overnight stop has never had more than 4 vans. Great time to travel here.
 
Carrerasax said:
P&O Iona 16/5/26 for 7 days🤣🤣
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Iona is too big . If cruising you need to go on a very small ship that can go into the narrow fjords. Fred Olsen Bolette can turn around in its own length and go right up close to the glaciers
 
The trouble with cruising in Norway is you tend to just see fjords, mountains and big towns! By motorhome you can get into the real Norway and see the high plateaux and the tiny villages. If you really want to go by boat the Hurtigruten is by far the best bet.
We lived in Norway for 5 years many years back and still have seen hardly anything!
 
tonybvi said:
17th May is Norwegian Independence Day which is celebrated in style. Expect to find most shops closed and come across a few inebriated folk!!
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We were there 2 years ago and were invited to park up the MH and attend the celebrations by the friendly locals. There we met many, some of whom were from elsewhere in Norway and dressed in their finest. Such as shame we can’t be there again this year. IMG_4540.jpegIMG_4550.jpeg
 
When we lived in Norway my wife bought the complete national outfit - a bunad. Each region has a specific design and even the buttons/brooches are specific to your marital status. As we lived in Bergen hers is a Bergense Bunad which she still wears every 17th May, mainly at home in Scotland as she gets funny looks outside! It is a truly beautiful outfit
 
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