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Lofoten in Norway

Lofoten Road Trip

(5 days / 4 nights)

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Explore Alluring Lofoten by car

Explore the natural delights of the Lofoten Islands! This 5-day road trip is perfect for photographers, bird watchers and active travellers that want to get close to the striking nature of Lofoten. This tour includes visits to charming fishing villages, vast sandy beaches, and opportunities for thrilling optional activities like kayaking and going on a rib boat safari.

5 days / 4 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 3212 EUR

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless self-drive experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Specialists in Norway self-drive holidays
  • Great customer reviews 
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Tour scenic Svolvær in Lofoten, the home of Svolværgeita
  • Stay in a cosy fishermen’s cabin in Reine with a fjord view
  • Enjoy the local nature, culture and environment of lovely Lofoten
  • Bask in the sunlight of long summer days
  • Visit small, off the beaten path villages like Reine
  • Stroll along placid sandy beaches
  • Take a day trip to Henningsvær, the “Venice of Lofoten”
  • Embark on exciting optional activities like a rib boat safari and kayaking

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Countryside and natural scenery i, Family i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Off the Beaten Path i

Season

May - Sep

Departure

Daily

Interest

Countryside and natural scenery i, Family i, Fjords i, Honeymoon & Romance i, Off the Beaten Path i

Driving distance

252/158 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your Nordic adventure.

  • Day 1: YOUR LOFOTEN JOURNEY BEGINS

    Start your trip with a flight from Oslo Gardermoen Airport to Svolvær Airport, where you will pick up your rental car and head to your first destination, the charming town of Svolvær, known as the “capital of the Lofoten Islands”. Here you will find a variety of small shops and cultural attractions nestled under the town’s landmark mountain, Svolværgeita (the Svolvær Goat), a popular challenge for climbers.

    If you arrive early, we recommend a walk to the nearby island of Svinøya for a visit to the art museum and fish racks or a stroll around town for excellent views of the sea and surrounding islands.

    Spend the night in Svolvær.

    Driving distance: 10 km/ 4 miles

    Attractions Attractions
  • Day 2: LEISURE DAY IN SPLENDID SVOLVÆR

    Today you can explore Svolvær as you wish. This a great opportunity for photographers to experiment with Lofoten's unique lighting conditions or for nature lovers to enjoy activities like hiking, taking a rib boat safari to Trollfjord, fishing, kayaking or a day tour to one of the nearby villages. 

    If you are looking for a day trip from Svolvær we recommend, Henningsvær, sometimes called “the Venice of Lofoten”, for its artistic vibes and incredible scenery along the narrow road to the village. We recommend ending the day with a visit to the “Magic Ice bar” with its collection of magnificent ice sculptures.

    Spend the night in Svolvær.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: SANDY BEACHES AND VIKING HISTORY

    From Svolvær your drive will take you along the national tourist road in the Lofoten Islands, on your way to Reine. The drive gives you the perfect opportunity to stop along the way and explore the breathtaking nature that the Lofoten Islands offer.

    For a taste of Viking history, make a stop to the Lofotr Viking Museum and check out its full-scale reconstruction of a Viking-era house along with the various Viking artefacts. You could also drive up to Gimsøya on the north side of the archipelago for fantastic ocean views and a beautiful sunlit glow.

    Another notable site is Haukland beach, one of Lofoten’s most scenic beaches with white sand and crystal blue waters.

    Spend the night in Reine.

    Driving distance: 121 km/ 75 miles

    Attractions Attractions
  • Day 4: RELAXING REINE & REINEBRINGEN

    Wake early in your cosy fisherman cabin and enjoy the gorgeous fjord scenery. After breakfast we recommend hiking Reinebringen, which offers panoramic view of Reinefjorden and the Lofoten Wall

    For those after some time in the water, you can book an optional kayaking tour on Reinefjorden.

    To learn about the culture in the area, the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum offers a look into village life and the Lofoten fishery over the past centuries. It’s located in Å, only 10 km from Reine.

    Spend the night in Reine.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: FAREWELL TO LOFOTEN

    Today it's time to return to Norway's capital. After enjoying breakfast, drive to Svolvær's airport and return your rental car before your flight back to Oslo, where your tour will conclude. If you would like to extend your trip, perhaps with a Norway in a Nutshell tour, we would be happy to adjust your itinerary.

    Driving distance: 121 km/ 75 miles

Optional extras

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in Norway. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Norway Travel Guide.

We recommend you wait to book flights to Scandinavia, and other parts of your travels, until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availability for this package. Contact us for more details.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Norway, along with any other services specified in your itinerary, such as cruises and planned activities.

During your tour, we’re with you every step of the way. On arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map and detailed Norway Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

Driving in Norway might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:

  • We drive on the right-hand side of the road
  • Low-beam headlights should be on at all times
  • Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h)
  • Speed and traffic violations have steep fines
  • There are over 900 tunnels in Norway, especially in the western fjords
  • Mountain passes can be narrow and winding
  • Tolls are automatically registered to your AutoPass, for roads and ferries

And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!

For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Norway. You’ll also receive more guidance ahead of your arrival in the Norway Travel Guide.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will pick up your vehicle from the car rental office here. At the end of your rental period, you will return the car back to the airport.

We recommend using Google Maps or a search engine to find car parks near your accommodation. You can also ask your hotel for assistance. You might find you have a short walk between the car park and your hotel.

A GPS service is available for an additional fee. You can book this directly with the rental agent.

Alternatively, you may want to ensure you have adequate mobile roaming that you can use during your travels. This way you can use Google Maps or another navigation service on your phone.

It’s also good to note that Google Maps offers more up-to-date information as well as traffic navigation, compared to traditional GPS devices. You’re also able to pre-download maps of areas you will be visiting, so you can use them offline.

Please wait to book flights to Scandinavia until we can confirm your desired travel dates for this tour. This is due to varying availabilities on services included in this package. 

After making a booking with Nordic Visitor, it might take a few weeks to confirm your travel arrangements. We recommend booking your flights once your personal travel consultant gets in touch to confirm your itinerary.

If you have any questions about your flights and itinerary, please contact us for more details.

This package includes 2 domestic flights (return journey) in Norway between Oslo and Svolvær. Flights usually take 2–2.5 hours and include a stop in Bodø.

Your travel consultant will book the best option for your travel dates, depending on availability. Flight times will be confirmed when we book your travel arrangements.

On your Norway tours, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

This tour includes a 2-night stay in an oceanside cabin in the small fishing village of Reine. The cabin is cosy and rustic, while keeping modern comforts like a kitchen, appliances and free Wi-Fi.

For the other nights of your stay, you can select from Comfort Plus or Superior accommodation during the booking process. Comfort Plus usually consists of standard rooms in good quality and comfortable 3-star hotels. Superior is standard rooms in 4-star hotels combined with Superior rooms in premium 3-star hotels.

You will also be able to choose between single, double or triple rooms. Please note that in Norway room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you have a passport from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Norway. This visa-free entry is valid for up to 90 days.

Visiting from another country? You can find out whether you require a visa to enter Norway on the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Select your home country to view details. If you do require a visa, you will be directed to your local embassy website to learn about the visa requirements.

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Norway. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Norway for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore and what you want to see and do in Norway.

During the summer months, June to August, you’ll have the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours of the year. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and taking full advantage of your days for sightseeing.

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months generally have more tour and attraction availability.

Our self-drive tours are only available from May until September when driving conditions are ideal. That means that if you want to travel at other times of the year, you can pick from train and cruise tours or partially guided adventures.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter. Travel to Norway at this time of year to see snowy mountains, sail along frosty fjords and try to spot the magnificent northern lights. If you head north in December and January, you could experience the polar night.

At this time of year, the conditions are also ideal for winter activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and more.

Read more about the best time to visit Norway on our blog.

From Oslo in the south, Norway stretches hundreds of kilometres into the Arctic Circle. The country is so long that it spans the latitudes of 58°N to 81°N. For that reason, daylight hours vary greatly depending on where you’ll be visiting. That said, summer in Norway brings long days with plenty of daylight. 

In the south, around Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger, you’ll experience 15–20 hours of daylight. If you visit the north, including locations such as Tromsø and Kirkenes, you can expect 20–24 hours of daylight. 

In fact, within the Arctic Circle, from mid-May to late July, you’ll experience the midnight sun. This is when the sun never fully sets. 

Norway’s long summer days give you plenty of time to explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Norway.

During the summer months, you can expect fairly stable weather in Norway. That said, because the country spans such a large distance from north to south, temperatures are likely to vary depending on your location.

For example, the west coast is usually warmer thanks to the Gulf Stream, while the far north is usually cooler.

The months of June, July and August boast the warmest weather of the year. In Oslo, you can expect average temperatures around 16°C (61°F), with potential highs of 20–25°C (68–77°F). In Bergen, it is closer to 13°C (55°F) and in the north, around Tromsø, you can expect temperatures around 10°C (41-50°F) 

It’s also good to know that weather conditions are often changeable in Northern Europe, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Norway weather conditions

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. 

Summertime is the most stable time of year in Norway. That said, you should still be ready to experience all seasons in one day. Especially if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, you’ll want to pack for a combination of weather conditions.

Bring lighter clothes for the warmer, sunny days, and extra layers for chilly nights in the mountains or for taking in the view from cruise ship decks.

Here is an essential summer packing list for your trip to Norway:

  • Shorts and trousers
  • Short and long sleeve tops
  • At least one warm jumper or fleece
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Light gloves, hat and scarf
  • Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
  • Sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen
  • Eye mask to sleep despite the long daylight hours
  • Electronic gear such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • A backpack for easy access to daily essentials
  • and don’t forget your camera!

An umbrella can also come in handy. If you are a wildlife watcher, you may wish to bring binoculars. 

For more information, check out this Norway packing list.

When you travel with Nordic Visitor, breakfast at your Norway accommodation is always included.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 100–400 NOK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 500–1,000 NOK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 1,500 NOK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages. 

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

We recommend waiting for a confirmation from your travel consultant to ensure your travel dates are available. You’ll then be able to purchase your flights with confidence.

If you like to plan well ahead, you’ll find that it’s possible to book many tours for the following year. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

We aim to complete bookings within a few weeks. During this time we take care of booking your accommodation, activities, and transport, confirming all parts of your journey. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. 

When we get back to you might depend slightly on how far ahead you’ve booked your travels and other tours running at the time. 

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

If you have any questions before your trip, you can get in touch with our Norway travel experts. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Norway Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, we will begin the booking process for your trip. We aim to complete the preparation within a few weeks. This includes reserving your accommodation and confirming all your services in Norway.

Once your trip details are finalised, we will prepare your personal itinerary and booking overview, and send all of this to you via email. When you arrive in Norway, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Norway Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Norway?

After picking up your luggage, you’ll collect your rental vehicle or head directly to your accommodation. Your personalised itinerary will be clear on your car rental details, pick up and drop off.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will usually need to check out from your room around 10–11 AM. If you’re staying in town longer, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before making your way to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euro (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Terrific

Great personal service. Terrific in managing unexpected travel interruptions due to weather.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with charming country hotels.

View

Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Rental car

Enjoy the journey, in the rental car of your choice.

VW Polo (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

VW Polo (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

Suzuki Vitara (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

Suzuki Vitara (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 2
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

Toyota Corolla station wagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota Corolla station wagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

VW Passat station wagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

VW Passat station wagon (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 3
  • Doors: 4-5
  • Operation: Automatic

Toyota RAV4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota RAV4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Operation: Automatic

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 3212 EUR

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