Norway

Ferries aren't optional here

Many coastal routes in Norway are simply broken by fjords that no bridge or tunnel replaces. Ferry crossings are a routine part of the day's driving, not a detour, and a typical fjord road trip involves several of them. Most are short, ten to thirty minutes, and run frequently in summer.

Booking versus queueing

• Busier routes often allow booking ahead through the operator's app; worth doing in July and August
• Quieter routes are first come, first served, arrive a little early and you'll be fine
• AutoPASS tags are read automatically at many ferry crossings, no need to queue at a payment window

How AutoPASS works

Norway's toll system runs on cameras that read your number plate as you pass, at normal speed, with no barriers and nothing to stop for. It covers many roads, tunnels, bridges, and city toll rings. There is no separate motorway vignette, AutoPASS is the whole system.

For foreign vehicles

• Register in advance at autopass.no or through a toll service provider such as Euro Parking Collection (EPC)
• An AutoPASS tag posted to your address, or a registered agreement, unlocks a discount and avoids surprise fees
• If you don't register, you'll simply receive an invoice by post after the trip, charged at the standard undiscounted rate

The world leader in EV adoption

Norway has the highest share of electric vehicles on the road of any country, and the charging network reflects it. Fast chargers appear roughly every 50 to 70 km along major routes, with dense coverage in and around cities. Even fairly remote fjord roads usually have something within reach.

Main networks

• Mer: one of Norway's largest networks, strong coverage on national routes
• Recharge (formerly Fortum Charge & Drive): widespread fast chargers along highways and in towns
• Ionity: high-power charging at key corridor locations
• Elton: an aggregator app that bundles multiple networks into one map and one key

Why bring an EV specifically here

Zero-emission vehicles receive meaningful discounts, sometimes a full exemption, on many toll roads, and pay at most half the standard fare on most ferries. Given how much of a Norway itinerary involves tolls and ferry crossings, this is one of the few places in Europe where driving electric genuinely changes your budget, not just your emissions.

Not really motorway country

The motorway speed limit is 110 km/h, but genuine motorways are rare in Norway. Expect narrow, winding two-lane roads through mountains and along fjords, often much slower than the map suggests. Plan journey times generously, especially in the west and north.

Some of the world's longest tunnels

• Lærdal Tunnel: 24.5 km, the longest road tunnel in the world, with lit rest caverns along the way
• Many other fjord and mountain routes use long single or double-lane tunnels, some unlit or with tight clearances
• Check your van's height against posted tunnel restrictions, especially on older rural routes

Seasonal closures

High mountain passes such as Trollstigen and Sognefjellet typically close from around October to May depending on snowfall, and can shut with little notice even in shoulder season. Always check current road status before committing to a mountain route outside summer.

Budget reality

Norway is consistently one of the most expensive countries in Europe: food, campsites, and eating out all cost noticeably more than in Central or Southern Europe. Vanlife softens this considerably compared to hotels and restaurants, but it still needs a realistic budget.

Where to save

• Cook in the van: restaurant prices are steep, a supermarket dinner costs a fraction as much
• Kiwi, Rema 1000, and Coop Prix: Norway's discount supermarket chains, look for these over pricier options
• Use Allemannsretten: free, legal wild camping on many nights offsets paid campsites and cabins
• Drive electric: toll and ferry discounts add up fast on a route that involves both constantly
• Free water and toilets: most campsites and many petrol stations offer these even if you're not staying the night

One of Europe's best organised camping cultures

Norway has around 900 official campsites, many run to a very high standard with proper facilities, and a good number set right on a fjord or lakeshore. Alongside pitches, most also rent simple cabins (hytter), which are a genuinely good option on a wet or cold night.

How locals do it

• Campsites are affiliated with national networks and generally well signposted from the main road
• Cabin rental is normal practice for Norwegians themselves, not just a tourist fallback
• Many sites offer a discount for members of national camping and caravan associations