Car Rental in Norway

Why rent a car in Norway?

Home of trolls, fjords, and Northern Lights, Norway is a unique destination. Although culturally close to its Nordic neighbors, the country’s wild archipelagos and mountainscapes make it look different from any other land in Europe. And, should you tire of all the natural splendor, you’ll find an oasis in Norway’s scenic and culturally vibrant cities. All the ingredients are in place for a memorable trip. 

Top ways to enter Norway

• Oslo Gardermoen Airport: By far the busiest in the country and the main airport serving the capital, Oslo Gardermoen saw more than nine million travelers in 2019. The airport is a large hub for Norwegian Air, the local low-cost carrier that offers flights to destinations all across Europe and beyond, and hosts flights by more than 30 other airlines. Gardermoen Airport is located about 50km (31 miles) from the capital, a trip that takes 40 minutes by car.
• Sandefjord Airport, Torp: Sometimes also branded Oslo-Sandefjord or Oslo Topr. Despite being more than 100km (62 miles) south of the capital, this small airport is the hub for Widerøe, another Norwegian airline. It is also favored by low-cost carriers WizzAir and Ryanair, often making it significantly cheaper to fly to than Gardermoen. The trip from Sandefjord Airport to the capital takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Bergen Airport, Flesland: Serving the second-largest city in the country, Bergen-Flesland is aptly the second-busiest airport. The airport handled more than 6.5 million travelers in 2019, with the bulk of the flights being served by Norwegian Air, Widerøe, and Scandinavian Airlines. The airport serves as the gateway for much of the southwestern portion of the country. Located 17km (11 miles) south of Bergen, it can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Trondheim Airport, Værnes: Serving the industrially and scientifically advanced city of the same name, Trondheim Airport offers access to the central portion of the country. The airport hosts the flights of ten airlines, offering flights to many Mediterranean resort destinations, but also from cities like Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Krakow. Located 33km (21 mile) west of the city, the airport can be reached in about 35 minutes.
• Tromsø Airport: The largest in the north of the country, Tromsø Airport is especially busy during the colder months of the year when thousands of visitors arrive to enjoy winter sports, the Northern Lights, and husky rides. A large portion of the traffic is domestic flights to the southern part of the country, but there are also international connections with places like Germany, Italy, Austria, and the United Kingdom. The airport is just 5km (3.1 miles) north of the city of Tromsø, a trip that takes about ten minutes.
• Stavanger Airport: Serving the so-called oil capital of Norway and known for its large helipads that provide connections with oil drilling platforms in the North Sea, Stavanger Airport is also busy with civilian traffic, serving about five million travelers annually and providing connections with destinations all across Europe. The airport is a notable base for both Norwegian Air and Scandinavian Airlines.

Top cities and places to visit

• Oslo. Home to about one-third of the country’s inhabitants, Oslo is undoubtedly its busiest and most entertaining place. Many of Norway’s greatest museums are located in Oslo, including those that honor the city’s most famous sons like Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen. A sustainable and innovative place, Oslo also boasts some of the most beautiful modern architecture in Europe, such as the Oslo Opera House. While the nature in and around the city is arguably not as spectacular as in other parts of the country, Ekeberg Hill right to the east of the city center, along with Lakes Sognsvann and Mariendal to the north, provide a welcome refuge from the urban business, as well as fantastic panoramas of the city below.
• Bergen. An old maritime and mercantile center, Bergen remains one of the most affluent places in the country. You might have heard about it setting records for rainy days, but the impressive scenery around it more than makes up for it. The city is also home to some of the nicest wooden architecture to be found anywhere.
• Tromsø. Equal parts a hub for all imaginable wintry excitement and a sophisticated university city, Tromsø is one of the gems of Norway. The city is well inside the Arctic Circle, so you’ll most likely need to fly to get there, but the long trip is worth it, not least for the city’s beautiful sights such as the Artcic Cathedral,  the opportunity to see the Northern Lights and experiencing the midnight sun in summer.
• Kristiansand. Sometimes called the unofficial capital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand is a fun and relaxed place. A popular destination for both domestic tourists and foreign visitors, especially those coming from nearby Denmark to which the city is connected by ferry, Kristiansand is known for its Fish Market, historical shipping industry, and beautiful hiking trails in the surrounding mountains, forests, and lakes. A notable place among the latter is the area of Baneheia which provides great city views from above.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in Norway is the Volkswagen Polo, followed by the Suzuki Vitara and the Volkswagen Golf. The most popular rental car types are economy, compact, and mini. 

Norwegian highways are of very good quality, so getting a smaller car is usually fine for not just exploring the cities, but also traveling around much of the country. However, if you plan to drive up in the mountains or explore other scenic areas, getting a 4x4 vehicle might be a good idea. Also, you may need snow chains in winter — ask your rental car provider about the availability in advance.  In the north, many car rental companies will provide winter tires, those with studs are highly recommended for driving in snowy conditions.

Driver's license requirements

• Norway recognizes driver’s licenses from all the member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) as long as they are valid. Other licenses in the Latin alphabet are generally also recognized, provided that you have been in the EU or EEA for less than three months and are visiting on a short trip. (Drivers who have been in the EU/EEA for longer than this period are required to get a local license from their country of residence).
• If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP instead.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Although Norway is not a member of the European Union (EU), it is a member state of the European Economic Area, an international agreement that includes most EU members, as well as countries like Switzerland and Iceland. Consequently, it is possible to travel with a rental car from Norway to its EU neighbors, Sweden and Finland as long as the rental company permits it.

You can find car rental companies that permit international one-way rentals by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations on our search. One-way rentals are more expensive as they include an additional fee, but they give your trip flexibility should you want it.

If you plan to pick up your rental car in Norway, visit a neighboring country (e.g., go to a national park in Sweden) and then come back to drop it off in Norway, you should ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it. 

It is not possible to cross the border with Russia in a rental car. Norway’s border with Russia in the far northeast of the country is very short and remote.

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in Norway. The toll depends on the road and on the type of vehicle (cars that are more environmentally friendly have to pay less). All toll payments in Norway are cashless. There are no toll booths on the roads - instead, the vehicle’s license plate number is automatically photographed and registered. The only exception is the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel where you need to stop at a toll booth upon entering the tunnel and make the payment in advance. The tunnel is about 570 km (354 miles) northwest of Oslo. 

Most drivers use the AutoPass system for paying the tolls. AutoPass offers two payment options - using the electronic OnBoard Unit transponder or paying via the AutoPass Visitors Payment.

Most rental cars are pre-equipped with an OnBoard Unit transponder. In this case, your rental car provider will receive the payment request about each time you have used a toll road; the payment will be later charged to your card or taken from the deposit paid at time of pick-up. Some rental car providers might charge an additional fee for providing the transponder or for administering your toll road fee. Do ask your rental car provider in advance about toll roads and fees in Norway.

If you are coming to Norway in a rental car from a neighboring country like Sweden or Finland, you (or your rental car provider) need to register your vehicle in advance. Since your rental car won’t have the Norwegian OnBoard Unit transponder, you can use the Epass 24 app. In this case, you’ll need to connect your credit card with your rental car license plate number. You will then need to make a prepayment of 300 NOK or about 30 EUR; the toll will be automatically subtracted from this amount each time you will use a toll road. Ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you to cross the border with Norway and what would be the best method for paying the Norwegian tolls.

Top driving routes

• Hardangervidda. A national park less than a three-hour drive east of Bergen, Hardangervidda is where Norway’s magnificent nature is at its full force. The great thing is that large parts of it can be explored by car — although there is also a network of trails that take you along highland lakes and — hopefully — within sight of reindeer herds. There are a number of lodges and guesthouses in and around the park, so visiting on just a day trip is not a necessity. 
• Atlanterhavsveien. Known as the Atlantic Road in English, this is arguably one of the most scenic drives in Europe. Just 8km (5 miles) long, it is roughly halfway between the towns of Molde and Kristiansund and connects the mainland with the island of Averøy. If you’re visiting the west coast of Norway with a rental car, it is worth going out of your way for this memorable experience.
• Nordkapp. The final stop on the European route E69 is literally the end of the road — the northernmost point in Europe. This destination is obviously very remote, but the little towns of Karasjok, Alta, and Hammerfest are all within a reasonable driving distance. If you’re one of the adventurous spirits traveling around the northeastern part of the country, this is a milestone worth achieving.

Car rental prices in Norway

• SUVs - from $42 per day
• Vans - from $109 per day
• Small cars - from $37 per day
• Medium cars - from $37 per day
• Large cars - from $53 per day
• Station wagons - from $50 per day
• Premium cars - from $56 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are several good methods to find a cheaper rental car:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Norway is the cheapest in October when renting a car is about 56% cheaper than the yearly average and 78% cheaper than renting a car in July.