Self-Drive Tours in Scandinavia

Scandinavia is a subregion in Northern Europe, comprising the kingdoms of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. These three nations are located between the Baltic, Norwegian and North Seas, with Norway and Sweden situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula. Denmark is separated by the Straits of Kattegat and Skagerrak.

Norway, Sweden and Denmark make up Scandinavia. They are close geographically and share many cultural similarities. Although Iceland and Finland are not technically “Scandinavian”, they are two of the Nordic nations. Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland are also Nordic.

In Scandinavia you drive on the right-hand side of the road. It is the same rule in all three countries: Norway, Sweden and Denmark. You also drive on the right-hand side in the Faroe Islands and Greenland, both autonomous territories of Denmark.

Yes, you can drive around Scandinavia as there are excellent road links and ferry crossings between Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Driving is a convenient and enjoyable way to take in the region’s countryside, coastline and national parks.

The famous Øresund Bridge connects the Swedish city of Malmö with Copenhagen, the Danish capital. You can reach Norway from Copenhagen by taking an overnight ferry to Oslo. Then, as Sweden and Norway share a land border, you can cross into each country easily by various roads.

The great thing about self-drive holidays in Scandinavia is that you don’t have to travel long distances to experience the region’s many delights. With a road trip itinerary of 10 days, you could visit the three capital cities – Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo – and enjoy stops in the countryside too.

Spend longer on your road trip and you could see more of Scandinavia or explore at a leisurely pace. Discover the Norwegian fjords, hip towns like Gothenburg, or neighbouring Finland. You can travel between Helsinki and Stockholm by cruise, a great way to visit another Nordic country on the same trip.

If you’d prefer to stick to one or two Scandinavian countries, you can of course do that. Ask your dedicated travel consultant to customise your itinerary to include the places you want to visit. Alternatively, take a look at these Norway self-drive tours, Sweden driving packages or Iceland self-drive itineraries.

As Scandinavia spans the three countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, there is so much you can see and do. These are the top recommended things to do on a Scandinavian road trip:

• Stroll along cobblestone streets and beside canals in Scandi cities
• Stop for a coffee and cinnamon bun to try the Swedish tradition of fika
• Reach elevated viewpoints to admire the stunning Norwegian fjords
• Go swimming in lakes and seas during the summertime
• Visit world-class museums for an insight into Scandinavian history
• Enjoy some light-hearted fun at classic amusement parks
• Taste exquisite Nordic cuisine at fine-dining restaurants
• Soak up the charming atmosphere of traditional rural villages
• Forage for berries in the woods and visit artisan farm shops
• Explore palaces and castles that date back centuries

Is this your first time travelling to Sweden, Norway and Denmark? Check out these Scandinavia tour ideas for first-time visitors for more trip inspiration. Or get inspired by these amazing Europe itineray ideas.

The best time to visit Scandinavia depends on what you’d like to see and do on your tour and how you want to travel around. If you like the idea of driving, the best time to go is between May and September. The scenic roads are easier to drive thanks to better conditions compared to winter.

Tour Scandinavia in summer for the longest days and some of the best weather of the year. July and August is a good time to get off the beaten path and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking. In spring and autumn, you’d find less people at top attractions and be able to admire beautiful seasonal colours.

Explore the region between October and March, on the other hand, and you’ll experience the winter magic of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. You might witness Scandinavia's cities and landscapes drizzled in snow and frost. Given the colder climate, we’d recommend an independent Scandinavia tour instead of a road trip.

Another enchanting thing about visiting Scandinavia in winter is that you could spot the northern lights (aurora borealis). Between October and March, the long, dark nights provide the perfect backdrop to see this natural phenomenon. In summer the skies can be too light to distinguish the colourful aurora.

To chase the northern lights in Scandinavia, travel to Northern Norway or Swedish Lapland. Along with Iceland, Svalbard and Finnish Lapland, these are the best places to see the aurora borealis in Europe. The reason is that they are located in or near to the Arctic Circle, where intense aurora activity occurs.

Read more advice on the best times and places to visit in Scandinavia or how to see the northern lights on our blog.

To plan a Scandinavian trip, you need to figure out all the logistics. Where do you want to go? For how long? How will you travel around? What hotels will you stay in? What will you see and do?

When you book a tour with Nordic Visitor, you get a personal travel consultant who takes care of all the trip planning on your behalf. All consultants are experts in the region they specialise in, with impeccable knowledge of all the best routes, destinations and attractions.

Your dedicated consultant will use their expertise to arrange your trip for you. Tell them the sort of things you want to experience and they will craft a tour to make it happen. You’ll receive a personalised itinerary with all your bookings, plus a hand-noted map if you choose a driving tour of Scandinavia.

Get in touch with our travel team and let us do all the work while you relax and look forward to your holiday.

Nordic Visitor self-drive packages already include the price of car rental, as well as accommodation and breakfast. You’re also covered with our exclusive Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Basic Theft Protection (TP), unlimited mileage and the authorisation for one driver. This all comes at no extra cost to you.

It’s good to know that we only work with trusted, reputable agencies to ensure that your vehicle is high quality. You can pick from a range of cars to find the one that works for you.

Your personal travel consultant will happily tailor your itinerary to suit you. Our Scandinavia self-drive tours are flexible, so you can add extra nights or make other customisations according to your needs.

If you’d like to spend longer in one place, or perhaps add another destination, such as Iceland, speak to your consultant. They will do everything to make your holiday an unforgettable experience.

Yes, you can pick your arrival date online when reserving your driving package. Scandinavia self-drive tours are available to book between May and September, when road conditions are suitable.

If you want to travel outside these months, we recommend you use other modes of transport. That’s because driving conditions at this time of year can be tricky. Take a look at these winter tours of Scandinavia, which include tickets for train, cruise or plane journeys.

It’s a good idea to check flight availability in advance, but make sure that your Nordic Visitor tour package is secured before you purchase your flights.

Once your dedicated travel consultant confirms everything, you can go ahead and book your flights. This is to ensure that all your tour arrangements are in place for the dates you require.

What to wear in Scandinavia depends on the region you visit and the time of year. For example, the climate tends to be colder the further north you go. In summer you’ll need light layers and sun protection with you. On the other hand, in winter you should bring plenty of thermal clothing to keep you warm.

Here is an essential packing list for any trip to Scandinavia:

• Short and long-sleeve shirts
• Warm jumper or fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• Waterproof trousers
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots

For summer:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• SPF lotion
• Light scarf or thin jumper

For winter:

• Thermal layers
• Woollen socks
• Warm scarf, hat and gloves
• Insulated jacket
• Insulated boots

If you are also planning to visit Iceland, you might want to pack a swimsuit. This is so that you can enjoy the hot springs and pools such as the Blue Lagoon, which is open all year round.