I'll be in southern Norway for about ten days (11-19 August), then at some point meeting up with my husband who is biking the Nordkapp 4000 - which ends up at Nordkapp sometime around August 22-24. I'd love feedback on last-minute, flexible airplane flights (since I won't know his precise arrival date until he gets close - best arrival location for proximity to Nordkapp?) (and he may not make it all the way!) ...and car rental - is this a busy time, and will I regret not making reservations for air or car? We'll then be traveling to Stockholm - probably by air - any airport suggestions? Thanks!
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7519 posts
Alta is probably the closest airport with direct flights to Oslo. But if you don't know how far he will make it it's going to be tricky. Last minute flexible flights are not going to be cheap.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
7070 posts
I suspect car rentals (last minute, in the far north) may not be cheap, too (I'm trying to think of anything that's cheap in Norway...OK, child care or health coverage, hopefully you won't need that for this trip). Availability? I haven't been there, but in remote Northern places that I have been to, rental car availability often dries up. Especially in peak season. Even more so when there's a special event nearby.
Your situation seems to check all those boxes. I'd brace myself for some sticker shock.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7519 posts
I'm trying to think of anything that's cheap in Norway.
Electricity is cheap in Norway!
Posted by
Schwerin
3870 posts
North Cape or better island Magerøya with Honningsvåg airport is a place with limited capacities. In main travel times it will not be so easy to find accommodation to sleep.
Prices for flights and rental cars will be high anyway during main season.
Prepare yourself for a treeless landscape with some reindeers (photo). Pure midnight sun will be over there since end of July.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9327 posts
I only visited North Cape for a day while on a cruise. I thought the landscape was lovely and I really enjoyed my time there. I think you may be looking at a perfect storm if you try to get last minute anything in this area. Not only will you be competing with others that are associated with the race, but also any cruise passengers that happen to be in port that day and choose to rent a car for the day.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you all for your thoughts - I think I’ll fly into Alta (I will be coming from Bergen) and rent a car; reserve several nights in a Honningsvagen hotel and deal with the uncertainty of dates! (all fully refundable, which costs a bit more but is probably prudent) Better to have a place and not use it than to scramble at the last minute! We’ll then return to Alta and fly to Stockholm for the end of our trip.
Posted by
Chicagoland
522 posts
Melissa,
Regarding your car rental. Will you need a bike rack? Or a car large enough to hold a bike plus luggage? How long would you want the car?
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Jeanm - I’m looking at renting something like the SIXT Corolla STW (like a station wagon) which we’d put the bike and luggage into (won’t have much luggage). We usually bring along a bike rack, but it’s not feasible this time. I’m thinking I’ll need the car (from and back to Alta) on Aug 19 to the 25th.
Posted by
Schwerin
3870 posts
Alta is a very good option, Tromsø would be another one (maybe more flights and / or cars available).