We will be traveling by car from Sweden to Lillehammer (1 night) then Solvern (2-3 nights). we need to go to Oslo (return flight) and are debating either spending a night in Bergen, dropping the car, and doing NIN back to Oslo, OR just driving to Oslo. It seems much easier to just drop the car and enjoy the scenery on the way to Oslo, but the one way NIN trip and car penalty for drop off are high costs. Viewing the fjords from the water level is important as we've never done that. Can you drop the car in a different location from Bergen along the NIN route? I really care most about the train through Finse and the ferry. Recommendations?
Thank you.
Posted by
Oak Park
243 posts
Hertz has an office in Voss. This is located behind a gas station and is about 3 miles from the train station. The train station is small and easy to pick up the train for Oslo. Aside from having the old address for the Hertz office, this was a very easy drop off, cab ride, and pick up the train.
Avis also has an office in Voss which is about allegedly 1/2 mile from the train station.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I suggest exploring the fjord area fully as part of your drive between Lillehammer and Bergen and skipping the Nutshell/pubic transport package. The driving route may be slightly different from the Nutshell, and may even be better or less crowded. You can get to a selection of stave churches and high viewpoints more easily with a car, even if you may still be dependent on a ferry or a road that does not seem direct.
Then, you can get to Oslo by the most direct route, whether driving (7 scenic hours from Bergen without traffic), train (also 7 hours and also scenic), or flight (www.skyscanner.com).
Try testing more car rental options. AutoEurope showed me good rates to pick up in Stockholm and drop in either Bergen or Oslo; strangely, they were better than the results for a roundtrip booking from Oslo.
Posted by
Oak Park
243 posts
You did not mention when you will be travelling. I drove from Bergen to Voss about 3 weeks ago and there were mudslides that closed one of the tunnels. This added considerable about 2 hours to our drive. I would think that this would be repaired by the time you get there, however you may want to either check this out or have enough time for your drive between these cities/towns that a delay would not cause you logistical problems.
The detour was slow, but the views were amazing!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks very much for your help. We will be traveling this area between 7/5-7/9/15. I am getting final prices for the rental car - they are very high - and deciding between driving back to Oslo or taking the train today. It just seems easier to take the public transportation, ...but I realize the car will give us more flexibility.
Posted by
Seattle
544 posts
Since you're already in a car and going to Bergen, I'd suggest exploring the fjords on the way. Isn't the town you're staying in on the Sognefjord? Then I'd drop your car in Bergen and fly to Oslo. You can compare the cost of driving vs. flying, but keep in mind that diesel is probably 2x-3x more there then here in the U.S. and you will be getting a toll bill after your drive for all the toll roads you may have driven on. Flights are $52 on Norwegian Air Shuttle right now and the flight is super quick. Also, as far as driving, the roads are very twisty and scenic all over.