Self-Drive Tours in Scandinavia
Get ready for a road trip around the stunning fjords, countryside and cities of Scandinavia. Visit Norway, Sweden and Denmark in the same trip or choose one country to explore. Car rental, accommodation, ferry tickets and insurance are included in your Scandinavia self-drive tour.
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Book With ConfidencePlan your travels with peace of mind
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Trusted local travel expertsBenefit from our insider knowledge of Scandinavia
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Car insurance includedYou’re covered when you book with us
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Great reviewsWe are proud of our service quality and great reviews
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Stress-free experienceLet us take care of all the practicalities
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Customisable tour optionsExperience Scandinavia your way
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Full financial protectionYour payments are protected with financial safety as standard
Norway
Embark on an unforgettable Norwegian road trip and get ready to soak up jaw-dropping views at every turn. Deep, glittering fjords and towering mountains await.
Norway Fjord Route by Car - Classic
2176EUR
1936EUR
Eur
Scenic Norway - Classic
Road Trip & Hurtigruten Cruise
3695EUR
3315EUR
Eur
Scenic Norway - Grand
Road Trip & Hurtigruten Cruise
5074EUR
4694EUR
Eur
Sweden
Visit Sweden’s cosmopolitan cities and explore the charming countryside by car. En route, you’ll discover royal palaces, tranquil islands and pretty towns.
Iceland
Set out from the trendy capital of Reykjavík and you’ll soon be driving through otherworldly volcanic landscapes. Explore waterfalls, glaciers and black sand beaches.
Iceland Full Circle Classic
350283ISK
315283ISK
Eur
South & West Iceland Classic
282441ISK
247441ISK
Eur
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Talk with our local experts
See contact choicesAbout Your Driving Tour of Scandinavia
Take in the beautiful scenery of Norway, Sweden and Denmark as you make your way around Scandinavia on a road trip. You could discover all three countries in the same trip, or choose one destination for your driving tour. Wherever you decide to visit, you’ll get to travel at a pace that suits you.
When you book a self-drive Scandinavia package with Nordic Visitor, you get:
• An authentic travel experience planned by an established and trusted agency
• A dedicated travel consultant to arrange your tour
• A detailed online personal itinerary with all bookings
• Handpicked accommodation for a relaxing stay
• 24/7 emergency phone support for peace of mind
Nordic Visitor has made it easy to start planning your driving tour. Simply follow these steps:
1. Pick your favourite Nordic Visitor tour
2. Confirm your package
3. Check your confirmation email
4. Book your flights
5. Get ready for your trip
Why choose Nordic Visitor
Book With Confidence
Secure your trip your way with Nordic Visitor. Book a tour with as little as 10% deposit. With a 20% deposit or more, you will receive our Cancellation Protection free of charge. You can also pay the full price right away to guarantee today’s exchange rate. Terms & conditions apply.
Trusted local travel experts
Nordic Visitor specialises in tours of Northern Europe, so you can leave your road trip itinerary to the experts. Our Scandinavia travel consultants are based in Stockholm, the Swedish capital, and have extensive knowledge of the region. They’ll make sure your itinerary is perfectly suited to you.
Car insurance included
You’re covered when you book a self-drive tour with us. All our Scandinavia driving packages already include Collision Damage Waiver and Basic Theft Protection (TP). As well as this, you can enjoy unlimited mileage and a reliable vehicle from a tried-and-tested rental company.
Great reviews
Nordic Visitor is dedicated to the best service quality, and this is reflected year after year when TripAdvisor awards us with their Certificate of Excellence. We also take great pride in our customer feedback: 97% of our travellers say they would recommend us to friends and family.
Stress-free experience
You relax while we take care of all the trip planning. We map out your route and make the arrangements, from accommodation to car rental, so you can sit back and look forward to your Scandinavia holiday. Plus, you’ll have our support throughout your self-drive tour and access to our 24/7 emergency helpline.
Customisable tour options
Our local travel experts have designed these Scandinavia itineraries with the best routes and attractions in mind. However, our self-drive tours are flexible so you can always request changes. Your personal consultant will be happy to add extra nights or make some other adjustments for you.
Full financial protection
With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your tour arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event of insolvency.
SCANDINAVIA TOUR REVIEWS
Find out what our lovely clients liked about their self-drive holidays in Scandinavia.
SallyUnited States
This was the best vacation we've ever had and I'm planning a Norway trip for August 2024 as we speak. Thanks... read more
This was the best vacation we've ever had and I'm planning a Norway trip for August 2024 as we speak. Thanks for a phenomenal time!
PhilipUnited States
We chose the self-driving tour. This gave us the freedom to set our own agenda, while still having some structure to... read more
We chose the self-driving tour. This gave us the freedom to set our own agenda, while still having some structure to the trip so that we did not need to worry about hotel accommodation. The hotels were consistently nice, and the breakfast buffets provided gave us a good start to the day. The rental car was comfortable, and the GPS kept us from getting lost. Sweden is a beautiful country, and we had a great trip!
Certificate of Excellence
Your Driving Tour Highlights
Scandinavia is yours to discover on a self-drive tour. Pick up your rental car, press play on your road trip playlist, and then you could...
- Drive to sandy beaches, wildflower fields and the medieval town of Ystad in Skåne, Sweden
- Delve into Swedish history by visiting majestic castles like Vadstena, Kalmar and Örebro
- Wander down Gamla Stan’s cobbled lanes to explore the Old Town in Stockholm
- Discover the pretty streets and canals of Copenhagen, Denmark, on foot or by boat
- Enjoy an al fresco meal by the water at Nyhavn, the Danish capital’s attractive harbourfront
- Stroll to the Aker Brygge historial area in Oslo, Norway, and look inside the Akershus Fortress
- Head to the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord for dramatic views of “the world’s most beautiful fjord”
- Marvel at the 900-year-old Bryggen wharf in Bergen and enjoy a scenic drive around the fjords
- Take a Baltic cruise to witness the impressive architecture and design of Helsinki, Finland
Advice For Your Scandinavian Road Trip
Get ready for your self-drive tour with these helpful travel guides.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SCANDINAVIA SELF-DRIVE TOURS
You probably want to know more about what to expect from a driving tour of Scandinavia. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions below with our expert advice. Read on to learn all the key details about self-drive holidays in Scandinavia to help you plan and prepare for your trip.
If you’d like to find out how to make a booking, have a look at our FAQs, or learn about our Book With Confidence travel plan.
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.
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.
Contact us
Whether you’re ready to start planning your trip or you want to learn more about Scandinavia tours, get in touch with our experts. They’ll gladly advise you and put together the perfect itinerary for you.
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