Scandanavia
 

Thinking about renting a car and going country to country in Scandanavia. Been all over other parts of Europe this way and was wondering how Scandanavia might be different. All information would be appreciated. Dave

We spent about six weeks in Scandanavia. We rented cars for about five days in Finland and for about 10 days in Norway. No problems at all. Norway was amazingly fun, driving to ferries everywhere, driving on and off, then continuing on our way -- very organized like everything in Scandanavia. Didn't do a car in either Sweden or Denmark -- trains served us well.

Well, last summer (June) we had a "short-notice" trip for one week, and decided on Scan
Flew into Oslo, did the Norway in a Nutshell tour (train from Oslo to Bergen. Picked up car in Bergen, drove south to the southernmost tip, and took ferry across to Denmark. Drove to Aero, then Copenhagen, then Stockholm, then back to Oslo. Lots of driving in 8 days, but that is how we do things. It was great. Can tell you more if you'd like.
However, a few tips. After crossing from Denmark into Sweden, there is a long drive to Stockholm and it is, frankly, quite boring. Driving is incredible in Norway. Stockholm was beautiful, as was Aero and Copenhagen.
SO....might want to drive a lot in Norway, and connect to your other cities by train or ferry??? Just a thought. Also, I was used to driving in Germany...and thus got a speeding ticket in Sweden. Watch out.
EK

And the same applies to Norway... You do get speed tickets in Norway and they DO hurt. As an example driving at 80km/t in a 50km/t area and if you have an accident you loose your license for 1-2 years as well as forfeiting most if not all of your insurance, due to this being called extremely reckless driving.
Another issue you should keep in mind is that especially in the western part of the country on the very small and winding roads you do not have to drive at the speed limit (especially when the roads are wet, icy or similar).
And I would also strongly suggest driving a stickshift not an automatic because of the steep roads.

Anything else you want to know about driving in Norway I'll try to answer.

Cobos

Dave: We drove a big loop through Scandinavia in 2002. Started and ended in Copenhagen. Went across to Southern Sweden, up the Eastern Coast, across to Gotland and the Medieval walled village of Visby, on to Stockholm, Oslo, the fijords, Alesund, Bergen, the Stesdal Valley in Southern Norway, across to Denmark by ferry to Arhus, Ribe and Aero and back to Copenhagen. There were many more stops and overnights than those mentioned and it was fantastic. We too have driven all over Europe and for us, it is the only way to travel. The only boring part of our trip was fom Uppsala to Oslo, a long, less than scenic day.
Southern Sweden on the East Coast was delightful; low rolling hills, views of the sea, beautiful farms, great little villages like Shimrishamn, a 300 hundred year old paper mill, glassworks and the marvelous castle at Kalmar. Visby on Gotland Island was one of the highlights of our trip.
The roads were good. The scenery exceptional. The people wonderful. The food excellent. The weather superb. One of our best vacations.
Happy to answer any questions if you have them. Have a wonderful trip.

Topping for Dave.