We hope to go to Norway summer 2004 as family members will be living in Oslo. We will be traveling with 2 teenagers. It has been suggested that we fly into FRANKFURT (?), rent our car there, drive up to Denmark, take the ferry to Norway, etc. We have never been to Scandanavia although have travelled in Europe several times with the kids. Any advice? Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Frankfurt to Denmark? Thanks!

Try www.viamichelin.com for driving times. But I'm curious, why fly into Frankfurt if your destination is Oslo? Or are you planning a trip through Germany and Scandinavia?

peggi: You don't say how long you have and whether you just want to see some of the area. But, if your goal is simply get to Denmark, then this wouldn't be a good plan. viamichelin.com indicates it would be 501 miles and take 8 hours and 48 minutes to go from Frankfurt to Copenhagen by the recommende route.
If you want to tour Denmark a little on the way, fly into Copenhagen. If you are limited on time and need to get to Oslo, fly to Oslo. Or, if you have a little time fly into Bergen and go to Oslo from there. Again, how much time you have is going to dictate the option.

I assume the reason you're being told to go to Frankfurt first is because it's cheaper to rent cars in Germany rather than Scandinavia. If so, I'd consider whether the savings are really worth it in terms of the time lost.

Otherwise, I'd suggest considering low-cost carriers from London or Frankfurt to get to your first Scandinavian destination.

Thanks for the advice and info! We have about 2 1/2 weeks and, yes, the recommendation WAS based on air fare and car rental being a better value in Germany. But will have to evaluate if we want to invest the driving/traveling time since the major destination IS Denmark/Norway/Sweden. Also, from looking on the map, it doesn't seem as though that would be the part of Germany I'd be trying to visit if we were headed there. May not need a car the whole time anyway.

To expand on the suggestion above, about low cost air carriers - - check out ryanair.com from Stansted to their considerable list of Scandinavian destinations (I count nine, as of this summer). It is true that they fly to several from their "hub" in Frankfurt (Hahn - - which is well over an hour from Frankfurt per se).

But I also commend you for thinking about the total cost of your trip plans, and how itinerary can affect more than just your travel costs TO and FROM Europe. Travel costs WITHIN Europe are way too often overlooked - - and then "they" come here deperate for help in planning train/car rental/flights etc within Europe to make up for an air travel plan that was intended to be a best value - - in time, money, conveience, FF miles, whatever...

Best wishes,

Rex

Peggi:
My airport pick would be Copenhagen, and then a Hertz rental, either for a rooundtrip Jutland-Norway-Sweden-CPH.
Hertz competes good in Denmark! Frankfurt-Scandinavia is a very long distance.
Bjorn, Oslo

Ten months later, here's what we plan: fly to Copenhagen, spend 2 nights (tour city, Tivoli, Frericksbourg Slot). Overnight ferry with berth for 4 from Copenhagen to Oslo. Stay w/family in Oslo 3 days then do Norway in a Nutshell to Bergen. Spend a day in Bergen, then catch a bus to Alesund. Meet family in Tynset, return to Oslo for 2 more days, then fly on Norwegian.No to Stockholm for 2 nights b/4 flying back to USA. Any recommendations within that framework??