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Driving from Oslo to visit fjord country

Posted by (Decatur, GA) on

I’m dizzy from trip research: is the following itinerary not only possible but also advisable in early September?

Drive from Oslo through Gudbrandsdal Valley and over the Jotunheimen Mountains (stay one night?). Drive along the Lustrafjord, visiting Solvorn and the Urnes Stave Church), spending a night. Drive on to Kaupanger, where I am hoping there is a car ferry to Aurland and spend the night. Take a car ferry (again, hoping there is one) to Balestrand and spend a night or two. Take a car ferry to Gudvangen and drive on to Bergen. My main questions are: are car ferries generally available and, if so, should I book them in advance; and does this in general seem like a good itinerary for a couple who likes scenery, walks and hikes, fewer crowds, and not rushing? Many thanks.

Posted by
3358 posts

In general possible with small changes.

Before: One-way car rentals are in most cases expensive in Norway. Optional take train Oslo - Voss and take rental car there - after that train Voss - Bergen.

Ferry Mannheller - Fodnes is a car ferry connecting also Kaupanger with Aurland - as part of street 5 operating full year.

There is no car ferry between Aurland and Balestrand afaik. Choose either Hella - Dragsvik or Vangsnes - Dragsvik. In summer months there is a tourist ferry (also for cars) operating between Gudvangen and Kaupanger - I guess it is not operating in September.

Therefore I find your planned way complicated: Instead I would drive from Kaupanger to Balestrand (for what reason ever you want to go there - it is not special imo except you want to drive Gaularfjell entry which is spectacular.). After this take ferry to Vangsnes, visit stave church Hopperstad, drive route 13 (scenic fjell in this part), overnight in Myrkdalen Hotel and visit Flam, Stegastein (do it before noon) and Aurland from there.

Are you aware of the Norwegian tourist routes?

If you want to drive off the tourist ways and see also the largest stave church in Norway I recommend parts of this route which is nearer to Oslo.

Finally I recommend to take full insurance for rental car - driving in Norway has some surprises; I hope not for you.

Posted by
810 posts

Drive on to Kaupanger, where I am hoping there is a car ferry to Aurland and spend the night.

Instead, take Mannheller Ferjekai ferry southeast of Kaupanger. At Lærdalsøyri, follow the old road (FV243) to Stegastein and on to Aurland.

We only did one fjord tour (without our car) at Geiranger, although we crossed many fjords on car ferries. I found that to be enough time on the water as I thought the scenery was even better on the land.

Posted by
1 posts

I too am planning a five day trip from Oslo RT and want to see the Geirranger and Sojne fjords as well as side trips to the Stave churches & villages. Google map shows a round trip but it is a lot of driving.
Are we better off taking a round trip by train to Alesund then renting a car to do the fjords. We also saw that we might be able to take a ferry from Alesund to Geirrand and spend the night there before heading back to Alesund to get a car & drive to the Sojne fjord.
Too many unknowns & a lack of familiarity with trains & ferries. Any help is appreciated.

Posted by
3358 posts

@ travel_lover: I recommend to open an own thread because it may be perceived unpolitely to hijack another ones thread because also this person is still hoping for feedback. Choose an own expressive headline such as "How to see Geiranger and Sognefjord from Oslo in 5 days?".

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