Driving to Norway from the UK: Best Routes & Top Tips

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Best routes to Norway from the United Kingdom

Driving from the UK to Norway is a brilliant road trip, with several routes depending on where you live in the UK, how quickly you want to get there and which part of Norway you’re heading for.

There is currently no direct passenger or vehicle ferry from the UK to Norway, so you’ll first need to cross to continental Europe. From there, you can drive through Denmark and Sweden, take a ferry from Denmark to Norway, or sail from Germany directly to Oslo.

In this guide, The Gap Decaders compare the best routes from the UK to Norway, with driving distances, journey times, ferry options and costs, plus practical advice for driving once you arrive.

Driving to Norway from the UK: Key Facts

Direct ferry: There is currently no direct passenger or vehicle ferry from the UK to Norway.
Routes: The Gap Decaders compares seven routes via France, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, using ferries, bridges or a combination of both.
Best route: The best option depends on where you’re starting in the UK and whether you’re heading for Oslo, southern Norway or the western fjords.
Best for: Cars, campervans, motorhomes and motorbikes travelling from the UK to Norway.

Crossing from the UK to Continental Europe

Before you start the journey north to Norway, you first need to cross from the UK to continental Europe. Your best option will depend on where you live in the UK, with fast Channel crossings from the southeast and longer overnight ferries to the Netherlands from Harwich, Hull and Newcastle.

We recommend finding the best deals and crossings from the UK with Direct Ferries, who make it easier to compare timings, routes and costs in one place.

Ferries from the UK to Norway

Until 2008, DFDS operated a direct ferry from Newcastle to Bergen, but that route no longer runs. There is currently no direct passenger or vehicle ferry from the UK to Norway, so you’ll need to cross to France or the Netherlands before continuing north.

You may also have read about freight ferries from Immingham to Norway. These routes are for commercial freight traffic and do not accept private leisure passengers, so they aren’t an option for a Norway road trip.

The good news is that there are several straightforward alternatives, and we’ll compare the quickest and most cost-effective routes below.

LeShuttle

The fastest way to cross from the UK to continental Europe with a vehicle is LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais. The journey through the Channel Tunnel takes just 35 minutes, with services running throughout the day.

This is a particularly convenient option if you’re travelling with a dog, or simply want to get across the Channel and start the long drive north as quickly as possible. Allow additional time for check-in, security and border controls before your booked departure.

Dover to Calais

The Dover to Calais ferry is another fast and flexible option, with frequent crossings operated by P&O Ferries and DFDS. The crossing takes around 90 minutes, giving you time for a meal and a break before starting the drive north through France.

Loading and disembarking generally make the overall journey longer than LeShuttle, but ferry fares can be cheaper, particularly if you’re flexible about your travel time. For a long journey to Norway, the chance to get out of the vehicle and have a proper break can also be welcome.

Crossing to the Netherlands

If you live in the Midlands, north or east of England, sailing directly to the Netherlands can make much more sense than driving south to Dover or Folkestone. Although the crossing is longer and usually more expensive, an overnight ferry can replace a hotel stay and leave you much further north for the onward journey to Norway.

Stena Line operates the Harwich to Hook of Holland route with daytime and overnight sailings. The daytime crossing takes around eight hours, while the overnight service arrives the following morning.

From Hull, P&O Ferries operates an overnight service to Rotterdam, currently departing in the evening and arriving the following morning.

DFDS also operates the overnight Newcastle to IJmuiden route, making this a particularly useful option if you’re starting your Norway road trip in northern England or Scotland.

Whichever route you choose, compare the total cost rather than the ferry fare alone. A Netherlands crossing may save considerable driving, fuel and potentially an overnight hotel compared with travelling south to the Channel.

Other UK Crossings

Other routes to France can also work depending on where you live, including Newhaven to Dieppe, Dover to Dunkirk and crossings from Portsmouth and Poole. Newhaven to Dieppe, for example, currently operates daily and takes around four hours on most sailings.

For a road trip to Norway, the best crossing isn’t necessarily the shortest or cheapest. Compare the ferry cost with the additional mileage, fuel and driving time needed to reach Germany and Denmark before deciding which works best for your journey.

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Route Planner from Mainland Europe to Norway

Once you reach continental Europe, there are several ways to continue to Norway. You can drive all the way through Germany, Denmark and Sweden using the Storebælt and Øresund bridges, take a ferry from northern Denmark directly to Norway, sail from Germany to Oslo, or take a ferry from Germany to Sweden and continue north by road.

The best route depends on where in Norway you’re heading, how much driving you want to do and the size of your vehicle. A route that works well for a car may be considerably more expensive in a large motorhome once ferry and bridge charges are taken into account.

To make the routes easier to compare, we’ve used Calais as the starting point and Oslo as the destination, except for the Hirtshals to Bergen route, which is designed for travellers heading directly to the western fjords.

UK to Norway Route Map

Which is the Best Route to Norway?

Best for driving all the way: The Bridges via Denmark and Sweden.
Best for southern Norway: Hirtshals to Kristiansand.
Best for Oslo: Hirtshals to Larvik or Kiel to Oslo.
Best for the western fjords: Hirtshals to Stavanger or Bergen.
Best for travelling via Sweden: Travemünde or Rostock to Trelleborg.

The Bridges via Denmark and Sweden

Calais – Antwerp – Munster – Bremen – Hamburg – Flensburg – Copenhagen – Malmo – Gothenburg – Oslo

Distance: 1,822km
Driving time: Around 19 hours
Crossings: Storebælt Bridge and Øresund Bridge
Best for: Travellers who want to drive all the way without taking another ferry

This route takes you through northern France, Belgium and Germany before crossing into Denmark and continuing towards Copenhagen. From here, you cross the Storebælt Bridge between the Danish islands of Funen and Zealand, followed by the Øresund Bridge from Copenhagen to Malmö in Sweden.

Once in Sweden, it’s a straightforward drive north on the E6 through Gothenburg and across the border into Norway at Svinesund, before continuing to Oslo.

The big advantage of this route is flexibility. There’s no ferry timetable to work around once you leave the UK, and you can easily break the journey in Hamburg, Copenhagen or Gothenburg. The downside is the amount of driving, plus the cost of the two bridge crossings, particularly if you’re travelling in a larger motorhome.

If you’re planning a return journey using the same route, check the current Storebælt and Øresund bridge discounts before travelling, as these can reduce the cost of the crossings.

Hirtshals to Kristiansand Ferry

Calais → Antwerp → Münster → Bremen → Hamburg → Flensburg → Hirtshals → Kristiansand

Distance: Around 1,230km driving to Hirtshals, plus the onward journey from Kristiansand
Driving time: Around 13 hours to Hirtshals
Ferry: Hirtshals to Kristiansand
Best for: Southern Norway and travellers who want the shortest ferry crossing to Norway

Hirtshals to Kristiansand is one of the quickest ways to reach Norway from continental Europe. From Calais, the route heads through Belgium and Germany before continuing north through Denmark to Hirtshals, one of the main ferry ports for Norway.

Fjord Line operates this route year-round. The regular cruise ferries take around 3 hours 55 minutes, while the seasonal Fjord FSTR high-speed catamaran crosses in just 2 hours 25 minutes and operates from late March to September in 2026.

Kristiansand is a particularly good arrival point if you’re planning to explore southern Norway or continue west towards Stavanger and the fjords. It also works well if you’d rather break up the long journey with a short ferry crossing than continue through Denmark, Sweden and on to Oslo.

Ferry prices vary considerably according to the date, vehicle size and sailing, so we recommend comparing the total cost with the Hirtshals to Larvik route before booking.

Hirtshals to Larvik Ferry

Calais → Antwerp → Münster → Bremen → Hamburg → Flensburg → Hirtshals → Larvik → Oslo

Distance: Around 1,395km
Driving time: Around 15 hours
Ferry: Hirtshals to Larvik, around 3 hours 45 minutes
Best for: Oslo and southern Norway with less driving through Scandinavia

The Hirtshals to Larvik ferry is a good alternative if Oslo is your first major destination but you want to avoid the long drive through Sweden. From Calais, you’ll follow much the same route as the Kristiansand option, travelling through Belgium, Germany and Denmark to Hirtshals.

Color Line’s SuperSpeed 2 takes around 3 hours 45 minutes to cross to Larvik, with daily sailings. From Larvik, it’s around 1.5 hours by road to Oslo.

Larvik is also a useful arrival point if you’re heading into southern or central Norway rather than directly to Oslo. If your plans take you towards the western fjords, compare this route with Kristiansand or the direct Hirtshals to Stavanger and Bergen ferry before booking.

As with the other ferry routes, fares vary according to your travel date and vehicle size, so it’s better to compare live prices than rely on a fixed crossing cost.

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Hirtshals to Stavanger or Bergen Ferry

Calais → Antwerp → Münster → Bremen → Hamburg → Hirtshals → Stavanger → Bergen

Distance: Around 1,260km driving to Hirtshals
Driving time: Around 13 hours to Hirtshals
Ferry: Around 11 hours to Stavanger or 17.5 hours to Bergen
Best for: Stavanger, Bergen and the western fjords

If the western fjords are your main destination, sailing directly from Hirtshals to Stavanger or Bergen can save a considerable amount of driving once you reach Norway.

Fjord Line operates the route year-round, with daily sailings between Hirtshals, Stavanger and Bergen. The crossing takes around 11 hours to Stavanger and 17.5 hours to Bergen, making it a good overnight option after the long drive through Europe.

Stavanger is a useful arrival point for exploring Lysefjord, Preikestolen and southwest Norway, while Bergen puts you straight into western Norway and within easy reach of some of the country’s best-known fjord landscapes.

This is a longer and usually more expensive ferry crossing than Kristiansand or Larvik, but that’s balanced by avoiding a lengthy drive across or around southern Norway. If the fjords are the focus of your trip, it’s definitely a route worth comparing.

Kiel to Oslo Ferry

Calais → Antwerp → Münster → Bremen → Hamburg → Kiel → Oslo

Distance: Around 840km driving to Kiel
Driving time: Around 9 hours
Ferry: Kiel to Oslo, around 20 hours
Best for: Oslo with the least driving

Kiel to Oslo involves by far the least driving of the routes in this guide. From Calais, you travel through Belgium and northern Germany to Kiel, where Color Line’s overnight ferry takes you directly to the Norwegian capital.

The ferry departs Kiel daily at 14:00 and arrives in Oslo at 10:00 the following morning. A cabin is required for the crossing, and the ships have restaurants, bars, shops and spa and fitness facilities, making this feel more like a short cruise than a conventional ferry journey.

The big advantage is arriving rested in central Oslo without having to drive through Denmark and Sweden. It’s particularly worth considering if Oslo or eastern Norway is your first destination, or if you’d rather swap a long day behind the wheel for a night on board.

Travemünde to Trelleborg Ferry

Calais → Antwerp → Münster → Bremen → Hamburg → Travemünde → Trelleborg → Gothenburg → Oslo

Distance: Around 1,425km
Driving time: Around 15 hours
Ferry: Travemünde to Trelleborg, around 7 to 9 hours
Best for: Travelling via Sweden whilst avoiding the Danish bridges

The Travemünde to Trelleborg ferry gives you another way to break up the journey north, sailing directly from northern Germany to southern Sweden and avoiding the drive through Denmark and both bridge crossings.

TT-Line operates day and night sailings between Travemünde and Trelleborg, with the crossing generally taking around seven to nine hours depending on the departure. Cars, motorhomes, campervans and motorbikes can all travel on the route.

From Trelleborg, you’ll drive north through Malmö and Gothenburg before following the E6 across the Norwegian border and on to Oslo. There’s still a substantial amount of driving once you reach Sweden, so an overnight sailing can work particularly well if you want to arrive rested and continue north the following morning.

Rostock to Trelleborg Ferry

Calais → Antwerp → Münster → Bremen → Hamburg → Rostock → Trelleborg → Gothenburg → Oslo

Distance: Around 1,520km
Driving time: Around 17 hours
Ferry: Rostock to Trelleborg, around 6 to 7 hours
Best for: A faster Germany to Sweden crossing if the additional drive to Rostock works for your route

Rostock to Trelleborg is another option if you want to travel directly from Germany to Sweden rather than driving through Denmark. It involves more driving from Calais than the Travemünde route, but the ferry crossing itself is shorter.

TT-Line operates several sailings each day, including day and overnight crossings, with the journey to Trelleborg generally taking around six to seven hours.

From Trelleborg, the route follows the E6 north through Malmö and Gothenburg before crossing into Norway and continuing to Oslo

Choosing between Rostock and Travemünde will largely come down to the sailing times and fares available for your travel dates. Travemünde involves less driving from the west, while Rostock offers the shorter ferry crossing.

Ferries from the Netherlands to Norway

There is currently no direct passenger ferry from the Netherlands to Norway.

Holland Norway Lines launched a service between Eemshaven and Kristiansand in 2022, later moving its departures to Cuxhaven and then Emden in Germany. The service stopped in August 2023 and the company subsequently went into administration.

There are plans for a new Netherlands to Norway ferry service, but as of August 2026 there is nothing currently bookable. For now, the most practical alternatives are to drive from the Netherlands to Kiel for the ferry to Oslo, or continue north to Hirtshals for ferries to Kristiansand, Larvik, Stavanger or Bergen.

Other No-Fly Options

If you want to travel from the UK to Norway without flying but don’t want to drive, it’s also possible to make the journey by train.

One of the most straightforward options is to take the Eurostar from London to Brussels, continue through Germany with an overnight stop in Hamburg, then travel via Copenhagen and Gothenburg to Oslo. You can also combine rail travel with the Kiel to Oslo ferry for a more relaxed journey.

International rail timetables and connections change regularly, so rather than listing specific departure times here, we recommend using The Man in Seat 61’s London to Norway guide for the latest routes, fares and booking information.

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Travelling Through Europe to Norway

Depending on which route you choose, you may drive through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden before reaching Norway. Driving rules and required safety equipment vary between countries, so check the current requirements for each country on your route before travelling.

Required Documents for Norway

You should carry your passport with you throughout your journey. British citizens need a valid passport to enter the Schengen Area, and although there are normally no routine passport controls when travelling between Schengen countries, including when crossing from Sweden into Norway, you may still be asked to show identification. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you entered the Schengen Area and be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave.

If you’re taking a UK-registered vehicle, carry your driving licence, V5C registration document and valid vehicle insurance. UK insurance provides the minimum third-party cover required in the EU and Norway, and you do not need a green card for the countries covered by these routes.

A UK photocard driving licence is sufficient for the countries on these routes, including Norway. If you have a paper licence or one issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, different rules may apply, so check whether you need an International Driving Permit before travelling.

You may also need a UK identifier on your vehicle and headlight beam converters if your headlights cannot be adjusted for driving on the right.

For current country-by-country driving rules, documents and equipment requirements, see our Driving in Europe guide.

Norway’s Borders

Norway is part of the Schengen Area but is not a member of the EU customs union, so customs rules still apply when you enter the country, including when driving across the border from Sweden.

If you follow the E6 from Sweden towards Oslo, you’ll cross at Svinesund, where there is a permanent customs post open 24 hours a day. You may be subject to customs checks, so make sure anything that needs to be declared is dealt with before you cross.

Norway has specific allowances for alcohol, tobacco, food and other goods. If you’re carrying more than your allowance, you can declare and pay the relevant duty using the Norwegian Customs app before reaching the border, or use the red channel at a staffed crossing.

Visas for Norway

British citizens do not need a visa to visit Norway for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. As Norway is part of the Schengen Area, time spent in Norway counts towards your overall Schengen allowance.

The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational and records the entry and exit of non-EU travellers at external Schengen borders.

ETIAS, the new travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors including British citizens, has not yet started. It is currently scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026, although the exact date has not yet been announced. Once introduced, eligible travellers will need to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation before travelling.

Length of Stay in Norway

Norway is not a member of the EU, but it is part of the Schengen Area. British visitors can stay in Norway and other Schengen countries for a combined total of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

The 90 days apply across the whole Schengen Area, not separately to Norway. This means any time you spend travelling through France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden or other Schengen countries on your journey to Norway also counts towards your allowance.

The 180-day period is rolling, so previous trips to the Schengen Area may affect how long you can stay. Use a Schengen calculator to ensure that you stick to the right number of days and stay within the rules.

Taking Food to Norway

If you’re travelling from the UK, you cannot take meat, meat products, milk or dairy products bought in Great Britain into Norway. This includes items such as fresh meat, cheese and other dairy products, although there are exemptions for some processed foods and for certain infant and medical foods.

However, if you buy food after entering the EU/EEA on your journey to Norway, different rules apply. You can generally bring most foods from an EU/EEA country into Norway for personal use, including up to a combined 10kg of meat, meat products and cheese per person over 12.

There are separate restrictions for some foods, including raw potatoes and fresh fruit and vegetables, so check the current Norwegian rules before travelling if you’re carrying a large amount of food.

Mobile Data in Norway

Norway is part of the EEA and is included in European roaming zones by many UK mobile providers, but since Brexit, surcharge-free roaming is no longer guaranteed for UK customers. Charges, included data and fair-use limits depend on your provider and tariff, so check the terms of your plan before travelling.

If your UK plan has limited or expensive roaming, a travel eSIM can be a convenient alternative, particularly if you’re spending several weeks in Norway or travelling through several European countries.

See our guide to the best SIM cards and eSIMs for Europe for the options we use and recommend.

Taking Pets to Norway

You can take dogs, cats and ferrets to Norway, but you’ll need to meet Norway’s pet travel requirements. Your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination, and you’ll need the appropriate pet travel documentation for your journey.

If you’re travelling with a dog, there is an additional requirement that’s easy to miss. Dogs must normally be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis (fox tapeworm) by an authorised vet between 24 and 120 hours before entering Norway, and the treatment must be recorded in the pet’s documentation.

If you’re travelling through the EU before reaching Norway, make sure you plan the timing of the treatment around your Norwegian border crossing, rather than your departure from the UK.

Norwegian pet travel rules vary according to where your pet is travelling from and the documentation you hold, so check the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s requirements before setting off.

Norway Travel Ideas

Driving in Norway

Norway is a fantastic country for a road trip, but journeys often take longer than the distance suggests. Outside the main routes, roads can be narrow and winding, and mountain passes, tunnels, ferries and changing weather conditions can all slow your progress.

We’ve driven extensively throughout Norway, including the Norwegian Scenic Routes, mountain passes and roads well inside the Arctic Circle. Our biggest tip is not to be too ambitious with daily distances. Build plenty of time into your itinerary for stops, ferries and the inevitable views along the way. Follow these tips for safe driving in Norway:

Speed limits: Always follow the posted limit rather than relying on a general national speed. Limits vary according to the road and location, and Norway uses extensive speed enforcement.

Lights: Headlights or approved daytime running lights must be used whenever you’re driving, including during daylight hours.

Safety equipment: Carry a warning triangle and reflective vest, and keep the vest somewhere you can reach before leaving the vehicle in an emergency.

Drink driving: Norway has a much lower legal alcohol limit than England and Wales, and roadside checks are common.

Winter driving: Your vehicle must have sufficient grip for the conditions. For vehicles up to 3,500kg, tyres must have at least 3mm tread during the winter period, and winter tyres, chains or similar equipment must be used whenever conditions require them.

Motorhomes: Different tyre and chain rules apply to heavier vehicles. Motorhomes between 3,500kg and 7,500kg have a 3mm winter tread requirement, while other heavy vehicles are subject to additional winter tyre and chain rules.

Journey times: Allow more time than your sat-nav suggests, particularly on mountain and fjord routes. Check road conditions before setting off, especially outside the summer months.

Low Emission Zones in Norway

Oslo operates an environmentally differentiated toll system, where the amount you pay depends partly on your vehicle’s fuel type and emissions. There is no emissions sticker or vignette to buy, as charges are recorded automatically when you pass through toll stations.

If you’re driving a foreign-registered vehicle, make sure your vehicle’s environmental data is correctly registered with your AutoPASS provider or Epass24 so you’re charged the correct rate.

Oslo can also introduce a temporary ban on diesel vehicles during periods of severe air pollution. This is separate from the normal toll system and is announced in advance.

Toll Roads in Norway

Norway has an extensive toll-road network, including tolls on some main roads, tunnels, bridges and around major cities. All toll stations are automatic, so there are no barriers or booths where you stop to pay. Your toll tag or vehicle registration number is recorded as you drive through.

If you’re driving a foreign-registered vehicle, you have two main options:

Register with Epass24: You don’t need a toll tag and your vehicle’s environmental details will be registered so you’re charged the correct rate. There is no toll discount with this option.

Get an AutoPASS agreement and toll tag: You can choose from several approved toll service providers. Vehicles in Rate Group 1 receive a 20% discount at most toll stations, and your toll charges are billed through your provider.

You can also drive through Norway without registering in advance. Your number plate will be photographed and an invoice sent to the registered owner, although registering beforehand can avoid vehicle-owner lookup fees and ensures the correct environmental tariff is applied.

If you’re travelling in a motorhome over 3,500kg, check its registration category. Most motorhomes are category M1 and can be charged in Rate Group 1 regardless of weight, but those over 3,500kg need a valid AutoPASS agreement and toll tag to qualify. Without this, they may be charged at the higher Rate Group 2 rate.

A toll tag is not compulsory for a privately owned motorhome over 3,500kg used solely for private purposes. The mandatory tag rule applies to vehicles over 3,500kg that are registered to a business or used commercially.

Fjord Ferries

Ferries are an everyday part of driving in Norway, particularly along the west coast and through the fjord regions. They form part of the road network, and your sat-nav or Google Maps will often route you straight onto one as part of your journey.

Most Norwegian ferries use the AutoPASS for ferry system. An AutoPASS-approved toll tag currently gives a 10% ferry discount, while private customers who set up an additional AutoPASS for ferry prepayment agreement can receive a 50% discount on participating routes.

If you don’t have a toll tag, you can register with FerryPay and have the full fare automatically charged to your payment card when your number plate is read. Alternatively, if you make no arrangements in advance, the vehicle owner will normally receive an invoice after the crossing.

Some ferry routes are free, and fares on paid routes vary according to vehicle size. If you’re travelling in summer, check current prices and timetables as seasonal rates apply on some routes.

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