Denmark, Norway, Sweden by Car
 

After visiting relatives, we want to go from Jutland (Hirtshals) to Norway (Oslo), to Sweden (Stockholm), and back to Copenhagen. We are not concerned about driving our rental car in Denmark, but we are concerned about weather in Norway and Sweden at end of May and first week in June. In California, we have snow covered mountain roads at that time. Are the ferries from Hirtshals to Kristiansand even operating at that time of year?

Ferries from Hirtshals to both Kristiansand and Oslo run all year. Schedules, etc, are on www.colorline.com.

Don't worry about driving conditions in southern Norway at that time of the year. Sun will rise between 4:30 and 5, hence all ice, which I doubt exists, will be gone way before breakfast time.
The Hirtshals-Kristiansand ferry will enable you to a very nice driving up the Setesdal Valley, down to Hardanger Fjord and from there either crossing the Hardanger mountain plain in the Oslo direction or further north via Voss to Stalheim, Flam and the Sognefjord before turning east/southeast to Oslo.
Fastet way to Oslo, though, is by the Fredrikshavn ferry either to Larvik or directly to Oslo.
Have a nice trip!!
Bjorn, Oslo

Bjorn---- good to see your are back in the forum!! Quick question for you: my husband and I are driving Stockholm-Oslo. Any suggestions for preferred route(s)?, worthy stops?, scenery? Also, if we couldn't make it to Bergen area fjords, which fjords area would you recommend near Oslo? Anticipated thanks for any and all information you and/or any kind reader can offer. Wizard, I am hoping you'll be able to use this info as well :-D

i was in stockholm the second week of june one year and the weather was beautiful. warm and it never really ever got completely dark. you should have no worries about weather.

have fun!

We will be driving in Denmark in August. I have drived in most of the countries in Europe, but not Denmark. Is there anything special I should know? I have an international drivers license.

Thanks

Viajero2:

The Oslo fjord cannot compete with the western fjords. Instead I suggest driving to Telemark, as fjord like as you would like without actually being a fjord. Telemark County is also called Norway in a miniature because of its steep valleys, lakes and mountains.

Suggest driving to Telemark Canal area, takes appr. 3 hours. On your way make sure to stop at Heddal Stave Church at Notodden. I suggest going to Kviteseid and Vrådal. Perhaps stay the night at the Old Dalen Hotel at the far end of the Canal (I have stayed at better hotels, but the atmosphere was great). Or you could take a Canal Cruise.

http://www.telemarkreiser.no/
http://www.visitdalen.com/
http://www.heddal-stavkirke.no/english.htm

Driving back to Oslo I recommend driving via Rjukan, est. driving time 4 hours. Visit the Vemork best known for the heavy -water saboteurs during the Second World War. You could also take Krossobanen cable car for beautiful views of Gaustadtoppen mountaintop from across the valley. There is also a serpentine road from Rjukan that can take you closer to Gaustadtoppen.

http://www.rjukan-turistkontor.no/main.asp

We were in Oslo, Stockholm, & Copenhagen awhile back during the end of May beginning of June. It was fantastic. Not that the weather can't be different for you but for us it was great. We started in Oslo. They were sunbathing there & didn't need a jacket during the day. There was even an outdoor music festival going on all over town. The ferry over to
Bigdoy(sp?) where the Museums are was not a bother at all - no weather worries. There was a bit of trouble getting to Stockholm, because of flooding on the train tracks. But the roads were ok, so the train company had us take a bus for about 1 hour or 2 out of Oslo, & then get on the train there, which was past the flood area. In Stockholm, it was more fantastic warm weather. People would congregate in the parks to after 11pm or later. It was daylight bright until atleast 10:30pm - 11pm - taking outdoor pictures without a flash at 10:30pm.
But again that was the year we went. Things may be different or may be the same, but I don't think you have to worry too much about the cold. By the way Copenhagen had excellent weather for us then also. Fantastic nights walking around Tivoli, & days walking the pedestrian areas. Even on the boat tours in all 3 cities only needed a light jacket & eventually removed because it was warm. We ate at outside places when ever we could at all 3 cities - no weather problems with that. Another benefit for the time of year is it is shoulder season as far as prices & not quite as expensive as in high season.

"We will be driving in Denmark in August. I have drived in most of the countries in Europe, but not Denmark. Is there anything special I should know? I have an international drivers license." - Nothing spc. to worry about AFAIK...just remember we dont use the Euro, but if you have a Visa card you can pay with that pretty much everywhere! The phone# to the emergency service is 112

Wizardwife, how was your trip?