Must-Know Tips on How to Travel Norway by Campervan [2025]

If you love wild nature, stunning landscapes, and adventure, then you're going to love Norway. Known for its majestic fjords, towering mountains, and vibrant cities, Norway is one of Europe's must-visit countries for a campervan road trip. 

With its flexible camping rules, it’s also one of the best places in Europe to travel by van or tent, giving you the chance to be immersed in nature like never before. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know for a Norway road trip by campervan, from getting there to wild camping and more!

How to Get to Norway by Campervan

Norway can be easily reached from mainland Europe by either driving the whole way or taking a ferry. Depending on your starting point and the time of year, different options might be more convenient for you.

If you’re travelling from the UK, read our guide below about how to get from the UK to Europe

👉 A guide to driving from the UK to Europe

Denmark - Norway Ferry

We took the ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark to Kristiansand in the South of Norway. This ferry route was a good option for us because we had just explored Denmark so it made sense geographically. This is also the best option if you plan to head to the South of Norway or Western Norway first. 

Germany - Sweden - Norway Ferry

If you're heading further north, a cheaper and faster route is through Sweden. Take a ferry from Germany (Rostock or Travemunde) to Trelleborg in Sweden and drive through Sweden, which offers more motorways, less toll roads and higher speed limits compared to Norway.

You can also get the ferry from Germany (Kiel) to Norway (Oslo) which is another good option to explore the South or West of Norway.

Denmark - Sweden - Norway Driving 

You can also cross into Sweden by driving across the Øresund Bridge from Denmark. You do have to pay for the bridge with the cost depending on your vehicle size (https://www.oresundsbron.com/prices). If you are planning to explore Western Norway then the better option would be to get the ferry straight to Norway.

Vanlife in Norway: The Ultimate Freedom

Norway’s right to roam

Norway offers everyone the right to roam, also called the right of access (allemannsretten), a traditional right from ancient times. This means you can camp for free, most places in Norway, simply by following some basic rules; 

• Tents, vans and motorhomes must be at least 150m from houses and cabins.
• Don’t camp on private properties and farmland.
• Show consideration for your surroundings.
• Take any rubbish home with you.
• If you don’t have a toilet in your vehicle, make sure you find somewhere far away from your camp spot and rivers when you have "to go", dig a hole and cover with soil after.

Campsites

If you would feel more comfortable staying at campsites, there are more than 1000 campsites across Norway to enjoy! We didn’t stay at any campsites on our trip but we drove past many in beautiful places, along the side of lakes, on beaches and with amazing mountain views. You can find many of Norway’s campsites on camping.info website

👉  Camping and campsites in Norway

If you’re looking to head off even more into the wilderness and leave your van behind, the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) runs more than 550 cabins all over Norway that you can book into! There are three types of DNT cabins: staffed lodges, self-service cabins and no-service cabins. You can find the cabins and more information on 

👉 DNT huts 

Leave no trace

It goes without saying to follow the leave no trace principles. You can familiarise yourself with these on their website. 

👉 Leave no trace principles

Flying and renting a campervan

If you are not planning to drive to Norway in your own vehicle then you can fly to Norway and rent a vehicle.

The most likely airport you would fly to is Oslo, if you want to explore the North you can then get another flight to Tromsø. If you want to explore Western Norway, you can book a flight to Bergen or you can drive from Oslo. 

If you’re not bringing your own vehicle, Norway offers plenty of campervan rental options. Here are some of the best choices:

• Campervan Norway
• Indie Campers
• Arctic Campers
  

Understanding Norwegian Weather and Preparing Your Van

Norwegian weather can be unpredictable, even in the summer. To stay prepared:

• Pack Appropriate clothes: Be sure to bring warm clothes, waterproofs, and sturdy footwear, as weather conditions can change rapidly, even in the summer
• Winter Travel: If you plan to visit during winter, make sure to have winter tires from November 1st to the second Monday in April. It’s a legal requirement in Norway during this period

The Freedom of Norway by Campervan

Exploring Norway by campervan offers an incredible way to experience the country’s breathtaking landscapes. Norway is huge and there is so much variety that you could easily miss so many beautiful places by flying. 

We hope this helps you to feel a little bit more prepared for you Norwegian road trip.