Norway Itinerary: Amazing 7 Day Fjord Road Trip from Oslo

Norway is an amazing country that is best seen by car! We only had one week in Norway and wanted to spend our time exploring the beautiful fjords. Traveling in and out of Oslo, there were countless options for where to go with our 7 day Norway itinerary. Eventually, we decided to drive several of the famous scenic routes, go for a bike ride, and even hop on a boat tour! Below we share everything about our one week Norway road trip to help you plan your own visit.

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How to Get to Norway

Flight: Oslo International Airport offers daily direct flights from all over Europe and around the world. The airport is a 30 minute drive from the city center or 20 minutes by train.

Ferry: Another way to consider getting to Norway is by taking the boat from Copenhagen Denmark to Oslo! This overnight 19 hour trip feels more like a mini-cruise than an actual ferry. This is how we arrived in Oslo and absolutely loved traveling this way! 

→ Copenhagen to Oslo Ferry: Why DFDS is Better Than Flying!

Renting a Car in Norway

Obviously, when starting off on a one week Norway road trip you’ll need a car. Yet, there are two things to look into first. We booked our vehicle round trip from the Oslo Airport and paid for one night of parking in a garage near our hotel. The parking was roughly $40 USD per night. 

Depending on your trip (or how long you plan to be in Oslo) you may want to pick your car up at Oslo central train station the day you start your drive. If you do this you will have to take the train to and from the airport to the city center. At the time of our visit, the train was roughly $14 USD and takes 20 minutes. You can also hop on the Sky Express Airport Train which is $25 but only 2 minutes faster.

→ 9 Important Things to Know Before Renting a Car in Norway

Quick Norway Road Trip Tips

• Norway is full of tunnels! Some stretch many miles under the mountains. You may want to reconsider driving if you’re in any way claustrophobic. 
• Pack snacks and plenty of water. If you’re planning to see as much as we did in one week in Norway then you’ll be spending a ton of time in the car. Make sure to have food and stop at the local bakeries when possible.
• Rent an electric or hybrid car. Norway is known for being at the forefront of EV technology and you’ll see more electric cars than regular vehicles on the road. With gas prices at over $10 a gallon during our visit, we were happy to take a hybrid car!
• Dress warmly. Even in the summertime, it can be chilly in the fjords and mountains of Norway. Be sure to have layers and plenty of athletic clothing packed for your trip. 

→ 12 Best Tips To Know Before Exploring the Norway Fjords

7 Day Norway Itinerary Map

Day One Norway Itinerary

Exploring Oslo

Starting our trip off in the capital of Norway was the perfect introduction to the country. We read about some travelers who flew in and made the 5+ hour drive to the start of the Fjords on the same day!

If you are coming from Europe or have an easy flight that’s totally possible. However, from the USA the long flight and jet lag didn’t allow for it. Also, we didn’t want to miss out on all the fun in Oslo!

Oslo is a great city and the more we saw the more we loved. There are delicious restaurants, countless museums, and we even did some last-minute shopping for warmer layers downtown.

We used the Oslo pass while exploring the city which gave us entry to many of the city’s best attractions. We took the ferry to Museum island where we visited the Farm & Kon-Tiki Museum’s which were definitely a highlight.

For some of the most incredible food head to the Mathallen Oslo Food Market. The duck confit sandwich was delicious and there were dozens of other local and international specialists to choose from. We ate at I Baren Gastropub for dinner which was right on the water. The mussels and salmon burger are highly recommended! 

→ 13 Fun Things to do in Oslo Norway On Your First Visit

Where to Stay in Oslo Norway

For the first stop on our 7 day Norway Itinerary we booked Clarion Hotel Oslo in the city center. The location was perfect near the harbor next to the Munch Museum and a quick walk from the Oslo Opera House.

The rooms were modern and the beds super comfy to rest up before starting our one week in Norway road trip. The best part was the MASSIVE buffet breakfast. There were more options than we could’ve ever imagined with Norwegian treats like brown goat cheese, salmon, and more! 

Day Two Norway Itinerary

Oslo to Voss

On the second day we had an early breakfast and took a walk along the harbor before hitting the road. We knew that it was going to be a long day in the car so it was nice to walk a little before taking off. 

The drive is beautiful with the route along the rivers and lakes. About halfway through our drive we started to get hungry and ended up stopping at Cafe Presttun Ustaoset. This is a small cafe that you would easily pass if you didn’t know to look for it. 

We tried Norwegian sour cream porridge which was great as well as an open-faced sandwich and salad. If the weather is good you can sit out on the nice deck. There is another popular cafe further down the road called Gretteberg Kafé as well.

Drive to Voss

The major highlight of this drive was the section from Haugastøl and Eidfjord. This stretch is called Hardangervidda and is the first of many famous scenic routes of Norway.

The views were stunning even in the rainy and windy weather. One thing we didn’t realize at first is the massive wooden posts that follow the road are actually for the snow plows! In the winter these help the trucks see where they are going so you can imagine how much snowfall Norway gets.

Along the drive there are endless viewpoints and lookouts. One place to make sure to stop is at the Vøringsfossen Viewing Platform which looks out over a 270 foot (182 meter) waterfall! 

It was late in the day by the time we arrived in Voss. If it had been earlier we would have taken the gondola up to the top of the mountain. Instead, we grabbed dinner at a cute cafe and brewery called Tre Broer Cafe before calling it a night. 

Where to Stay in Voss Norway

We spent the night at Scandic Voss which is in the center of town and directly across from the lake. The hotel is very stylish and modern with a fun design throughout the property. There is a large sauna to check out on the top floor of the hotel. Also, the breakfast was a huge buffet and had many great local and international treats.

Day Three Norway Itinerary

Voss to Undredal

The third day of our one week in Norway was definitely a favorite! Checking out of the hotel after breakfast we made the quick drive to Tvindefossen Waterfall.

This is on the route to Flam and takes just a few minutes to walk to the base of the falls. After that we stopped at Gudvangen, took some photos, and enjoyed the view. From here you can visit the Viking Valley Village or pre-book a kayaking trip with Nordic Ventures AS. 

Once we made it to Flam it was time for one of the most exciting activities of our trip! First, we stopped at the Flam Bakery and grabbed some sandwiches and coffee. We originally planned to take them with us on our adventure but it was raining and we had some time to kill.

Lining up early, we hopped on the Flam Railway to make the ride up to the village of Myrdal. This train is known for being one of the most scenic in the world. However, to us, nothing compared to the bike ride back down! Only a small fraction of travelers do this and it was so worth it.

→ Flam Norway Railway: Why You Should Take the Train & Bike Back

Where to Stay in Undredal Norway

Once we finished our bike ride we made the quick drive to Undredal Norway. We actually planned to stay in Flam but everything was sold out! Lucky for us, staying in Undredal ended up working out better than we thought.

This small town is famous for having just 100 people but well over 500 sheep! We booked the Superior Two-Bedroom Apartment at Visit Undredal which is run by the only restaurant in town. The view from our deck was incredible and honestly the kind of thing that people travel to Norway for. We even had our own sauna inside the house! 

For dinner, we ate at Kafe Ost where we tried traditional goat stew and meatballs. There is also a small grocery store if you want to prepare something yourself. 

→ Undredal Norway: One Night in the Fairy Tail Fjord Village

Day Four Norway Itinerary

Undredal to Sogndal

The morning in the small town of Undredal was pure Scandinavian magic. It ended up being one of our favorite places we stayed during our one week in Norway so we took our time leaving the next day.

Our first stop on this day was at Aurlandsvangen for breakfast at Marianne Bakery & Cafe. The bread here was amazing and we loved the small patio overlooking the water. This would become a theme of our 7 day Norway itinerary as the bakeries are perfect for grab-and-go on a road trip. 

After breakfast, it was time to drive the famous Aurlandsfjellet Scenic Route! One warning is that the road is very narrow with tight corners and lots of traffic. Many cars, campers, and tour buses make the trip up to Stegastein viewpoint above the town.

Scenic Route or Lærdal Tunnel

Want to skip the Aurlandsvangen to Lærdalsøyri section of the scenic route? Well, there is another option for you on this Norway itinerary! It’s actually connected by the longest car tunnel in the world that stretches over 24 kilometers.

While that is pretty cool, we recommend skipping the Lærdal tunnel for the scenic route. The entire landscape is completely unique and even in early August, we found snow left over from the winter! This is also another friendly warning to bring layers no matter what time of year you are visiting.

Spending the Night in Sogndal Norway

The rest of the drive to Sogndal was easy and smooth. We stopped and grabbed lunch before hopping on the car ferry and making the trip across the fjord. The ferries are positioned all around Norway so don’t be surprised if you come across a few of these along your route. 

We enjoyed Sogndal but really you could stay anywhere between Sogndal and Geiranger depending on how much you want to drive. We did a beautiful walk along the fjord before grabbing dinner at Dampskipskaien Cafe right downtown. The fish soup was delicious and it was the best view in town.

Day Five Norway Itinerary

Sogndal to Geiranger

Waking up early, we started the rainy drive along the fjords. We decided to drive the most direct route which was a little under 4 hours. Leaving around 9am, we still didn’t arrive in Geiranger till past 2pm because of the different stops and viewpoints we visited. 

We loved our route and highly recommend it… Especially if you enjoy riding along the fjords! However, there is another option which is slightly longer called the Sognefjellet Scenic Route. You can do this as an add-on to your day if you have time, or skip it and continue on as we did.

The rainy weather made for some epic scenery, and the waterfalls were streaming in full force all around us. We stopped at the Boyabreen Glacier Viewpoint which also has a cool cafe called Brævasshytta where you can grab coffee or lunch. 

When you get closer to Geiranger, stop by the Ovstefossen Waterfall. From there you can take the path down from the parking area that goes right up to the falls.

Where to Stay in Geiranger Norway

As we pulled into Geiranger we were tired from several long days of adventure. We took the afternoon to relax which was nice because we were staying at one of the most beautiful hotels in fjord country! Grande Fjord Hotel is a popular place to stay in Geiranger that has modern rooms overlooking the fjord. 

We had a magnificent view from the 5th floor and it really made our night. The hot tub that looked out over the Geiranger Fjord was a nice touch, too! Dinner was held on the 6th floor right above our room.

The food here is served buffet style with seafood, lamb, salmon, and countless desserts available. Even if you’re staying somewhere else in town definitely check out this awesome restaurant! It was easily one of the best dinners we had on our 7 Day Norway itinerary.

Day Six Norway Itinerary

Geiranger to Lillehammer

After a relaxing morning, we checked out and headed down to the center of Geiranger. The large cruise boats from the night before were gone so the area we relatively quiet in comparison.

We booked the 11am sightseeing cruise from Geiranger that goes to the Seven Sisters Waterfall. Something to be aware of is that some tours stop at Skagefla where you can do an hour hike before getting on the next boat back to town. 

If you don’t plan on doing this hike then opt for another boat as they will be extra crowded with travelers. The waterfall boat ride was beautiful and it was nice to see a different side of the fjord from where we had been driving.

→ Geiranger Fjord Guide: 10 Helpful Things to Know Before Your Visit

Geiranger Skywalk

On our way out of town, we drove up to the Geiranger Skywalk which is the highest Fjord viewpoint in all of Europe! It cost 270 Krone which is about 27 USD per car. The road is well maintained and the view from the top is unreal as it looks out over the entire valley. 

→ Geiranger Skywalk: How to See Europe’s Highest Fjord Viewpoint

Where to Stay in Lillehammer Norway

With the full morning of exploring Geiranger, we didn’t even hit the road until almost 1pm. From there we had another 4 hour drive to the cute city of Lillehammer Norway.

As we drove away from the fjords the scenery instantly transformed into a rural country landscape. We mostly went to Lillehammer so we wouldn’t have too long of a drive before catching our international flight the next day. 

If we had another night or didn’t mind the longgggg drive before our flight, we would have taken on the Geiranger to Trollstigen Scenic Route. I guess we will have to save that for another one of our Norway itineraries! 

Day Seven Norway Itinerary 

Lillehammer to Oslo

Lillehammer is a gorgeous town set on the Northern tip of Norway’s largest lake. On the morning of our flight, we took a walk around town as all the shops were coming alive for the day. The city become internationally known when it hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics. 

As we said, our last day in Norway was planned around the fact that we had an afternoon flight out of Oslo. Although we missed out on another part of fjord country, we ended up having a super fun day in Lillehammer!

We visited the famous ski jump and Olympic Park, then went for a nice drive along the lake. Hamar is also a fun little town with a lot of history if you need somewhere to spend a couple of hours afterward.

More Norway Itineraries

When planning your trip know that there are unlimited Norway itineraries to look into. Honestly, one week is nowhere near enough time to see all of the country! Regardless, we hope our own 7 day Norway itinerary gave you some good ideas and a place to start your research. We’re already so excited about our next visit! 

→ Planning a Trip to Norway: 10 Step Easy to Follow Travel Guide

What We Would Consider Changing

• Booking a one-way car rental so we wouldn’t have to backtrack to Oslo. This can depend heavily on the one-way fee and flight options.
• Making a route that included a longer car ferry crossing such as the road from Geiranger to Hellesylt/Sylte. 
• Look into renting a campervan! There are some awesome campsites and this is one of the most popular ways to see the country. 
• Book farther in advance. We reserved our rental car & hotels a month and a half before the trip. Norway has a very busy summer season so many accommodations were already full. 
• Take a full-day hike. While we did some smaller scenic hikes and walks we would have liked to add a longer one to our 7 day Norway Itinerary. 
• Picking one of the fjord towns to spend two nights in so we would have more time for activities like kayaking. 

 Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists! Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials! 

Have any questions about our 7 Day Norway itinerary or want to share your own tips for first-time travelers to the country? Let us know in the comments below! 

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

 Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar! 

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Norway Travel Planning 

 Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Italy to Prague for under $40 USD!

Rental Car: We use Discover Cars when abroad. It is especially popular to rent a car and spend one week cruising between the Fjords. 

 Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda.  Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget. 

Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Norway. You can book everything from an Oslo pass for museums and transportation to a Bergen Fjord tour and even take a famous Tromsø Aurora Borealis Tour! 

 Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.

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