You may not be able to contain all of your excitement when you decide to go on a trip to Norway. However, there are some things that you need to consider. Aside from the language, you need to know the weather conditions, main routes, and other factors before renting a car.
There are essential points to know about road trips in Norway, and you must be prepared before hitting the open road. If you’re looking for the best rates, you can visit Go autos leiebil Kristiansand, especially if this is the place where you’re going. They can give you a specific make and model and book in advance, so you won’t have to worry about a thing when you get there.
Points to Consider when Driving in Norway
1. Use price comparisons present on many websites before choosing a car rental company. Sign up for available deals and newsletters so you’ll be alerted when some companies have discounted rates.
2. Know that there are sketchy companies out there, so you need to be very careful. Read the website reviews and ensure that the pick-up points can be easily accessed. There are reputable corporations out there, but sometimes, their customer service is unresponsive. Read blogs on the internet to know what to avoid.
3. Budget-conscious backpackers can choose to rent manual cars. This can be convenient on narrow roads in Europe but make sure that you’ve already driven one before going.
4. You may be required to show your International Driver’s Permit if you don’t currently own a license generated by the EEA or EU. But this is not the case all of the time. Some have reported renting vehicles and showing only their Malaysian Driver License in countries like Norway, and they have worked fine.
5. Unlimited mileage is the ideal choice, especially if you go to Kristiansand, where you will be covering far distances.
6. Look for the most fuel-efficient and smallest vehicles, especially if you’re going alone because Petrol in Norway is pretty expensive.
7. Many vehicles available today are hybrids. If they don’t have this available, look for another company because hybrids will not use too much fuel.
8. Know that you may have to choose between automatic and manual transmission cars. The manual varieties are more efficient with fuel, and it’s recommended. After all, you can maximize your focus because you’ll need to drive on the right side of the road.
9. Ensure that the car is well-equipped, complete with a red warning triangle for emergencies on the road and a yellow fluorescent vest. You’ll need them when you’re alone at the side of the road, and you’ll be easier to spot by others that are passing by.
10. Know that there are add-ons, but they can be expensive. You may want to bring your very own baby chair if you’re traveling to save more.
These are just some of the reminders when you go to Norway, and here are some more tips.
Other Things to Remember
11. You don’t necessarily have to purchase a GPS system. You can use your phone when there’s a network connection, but most car systems have them already, so you don’t need to worry about navigation.
12. Insurance is critical, and it may not be worth it. But the point is you’ll have peace of mind while traveling because it will cover any damages you may have regarding unwanted accidents or theft.
13. A mobile plan is essential, and you can purchase sim cards at the airports. You may not want to use your postpaid while you’re in another country, as you may find yourself facing expensive bills when you get home. Open roads in Norway don’t necessarily have Wi-Fi access, and you can stop at cafes and malls for internet access.
14. If you’re not a digital nomad and visit the country for just a few days, you need something like 1 GB to get by. Learn more about digital nomads here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/307252. Some have reported purchasing plans for 3 GB, and they found out that they have over 2 GB remaining at the end of a one-week trip.
15. Rentals may be expensive initially, but they will be a lot cheaper than trains and buses. In other parts of Europe, you may be spending about $50/week, which others already consider costly. However, when it comes to Norway, a deal of $280 to $300 is already excellent. A Ford or a similar model in Oslo for $284 for seven days is considered an excellent quote where you’re going to be picked up at the terminal and be given full fuel.
16. Even if Norway is considered one of the largest fuel exporters worldwide, you may think that you’ll get cheaper diesel, but this may not be the case.
17. Always use cash when you fuel up. Using a debit or credit card will result in a hold for a deposit for a full tank. This is for monster trucks where your deposit money is going to be refunded after a week. For budget travelers, you may not notice this, but you may already be reaching your card limit in just a few days!
18. The price of petrol tends to go down in the late evenings, and they are the cheapest at night, but this can depend on where you refill.
19. The gas stations are few and far between, especially if you’re hiking in the countryside. When you know that you’re in for a long drive, never hesitate to fuel up. You may find yourself with only one bar left and frantically searching for a station before long.
About the Tollways
20. Know that making a trip to Iceland where the roads are almost tolless is different from Norway. You’ll encounter one in a new city, fresh newly-built roads, tunnels, bridges, and a lot more. Some will only charge about 20+ NOK, but others are costly. If you happen to go on the Atlantic Ocean Road, expect to pay at least 150 NOK when you arrive at the toll.
21. You don’t need to stop for most of the tollways because the car rental companies will put stickers or electronic tags along the way. You are going to be billed once you return the vehicle.
22. Get a toll package if there’s one and if you’re going to be on the road on a continuous number of days. As an example, a 2-day pass will only be valid on consecutive days when you’re driving on December 12 or December 13. If you intend to rest on December 13 and continue on the 14th, it will be a 3-day pass. It may not be worth it to everyone, but these are just some things to consider an alternative. Do the math and the calculations and survey accordingly.
23. Some roads have honesty boxes, and it’s better if you don’t let them down. You may come across private roads that require a cash deposit, but there will be no one watching. Honesty is always the best policy, and many Norwegians will appreciate it if you don’t let them down.
Choosing the Right Starting Point
Know that this country is enormous and there are about eight international airports. Decide the city where you’re going to fly and the travel destinations you can encounter along your route.
24. You can start with Oslo or Christiana, which is the capital of Norway where you can see mountainous regions
25. A second option is Bergen which is the second-largest city in Norway. Get to know the fjords and hike to Trolltunga if you have the chance.
26. Stavanger will give you fantastic hikes like the ones in Kjeragbolten and Preikestolen
27. The fantastic Northern Lights or Auroras can be visible in Bodo or Tromso. This is where the arctic regions and Lofoten are located as well.
28. It’s essential to see ports, and the location of Atlantic Ocean Road in Alesund, Trondheim, and Haugesund is something that you need to experience.
29. Take as many detours from the National Tourist Routes if you possibly can to avoid traffic and hours of getting stuck in it.
30. Ask around and find out if there were road closures before going. Some of the mountainous and smaller routes are often closed during winter.
31. You may not be able to avoid ferries if you’re on the West Coast, and they can cost 150 NOK when you want to cross the fjord, but they offer breathtaking views of the seas.
