Self Drive Tours & Trips in Nordic / Scandinavia
Ready to embark on a self-drive tour through the Nordics where you'll enjoy total freedom exploring at your own pace? Marvel at Norway's majestic fjords, visit Sweden's historic cities, capture Denmark's coastline beauty, and chase Finland's Northern Lights. Self-driving lets you linger wherever captures your heart, with no schedule except the one you make yourself.
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Jordyn • traveled in July
Everything in the booking process went smoothly. They were very helpful answering questions and checking-in to hotels and picking up our car was a breeze. The app that was used as our guide was just points of interest on a map, I think it would have been helpful if you could put in a final destination and select points along the away, rather than just be able to choose one point of interest and have it navigate you there. It would also be helpful if the app had descriptions of what each point of interest was in addition to the name, so you didn’t have to look it up separately. We ended up building our own itinerary and used google maps to navigate because it was easier and made more sense to us. Still, having everything booked and a general outline for the trip was very helpful and convenient and I would definitely recommend.
7 day Self-drive tour | Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls - A
Adrienne • traveled in August
We absolutely loved Iceland. It was magical mystery tour. We thought Tour Radar provided us with enough excursions to amazing sights, that it enabled us to make decisions for what we’d like to do on our next visit. There’s too much to explore. Tour Radar provided excellent communication throughout the process, and managed to find us accommodation in the high season, at late notice, when others couldn’t. I was a little concerned when I realised Tour Radar didn’t have a physical presence in Iceland…..but the communication was so quick that it all went very smoothly. It was my first such virtual tour booking….it worked! Thanks to everyone involved.
10 Days Self-drive | In-Depth Iceland Ring Road Tour - R
Rita • traveled in April
Iceland Travel was a great company to work with on our trip. They booked some amazing little hotels and Bed and Breakfasts that I'm not sure we ever would have known about if we had tried booking the same trip on our own. Our agent also made some excellent recommendations on how to spend our time in Iceland. We enjoyed our trip so much and would book with Iceland Travel again in the future. It did take a little longer to get an initial response from the company, but they are a small agency. Once communication was established with them though, booking everything was incredibly easy and they were happy to make any customizations to our package that we needed or wanted for our trip
8 day Self-drive tour | Ring Road Highlights
10 best Self Drive Nordic / Scandinavia tour packages
Compiled by
SteffNordic / Scandinavia travel expert at TourRadar
- Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
- Ultimate Iceland Road Trip - 10-Day Self-Drive
- Iceland Scenic Multi-Activity Self-Drive Road Trip - 9 Days
- 7 day Self-drive tour | Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls
- Self-drive Tour Helsinki - Kuhmo With Happy Holidays Memories
- Norway Self Drive - 8 days
- Self-drive Tour To The Pure Nature In North Karelia
- 5 Day - Fire & Ice
- 17 Days Self-drive | Complete Iceland Tour
- Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls - 6-Day Self-Drive
The trip takes you around Iceland's full ring road with stops at Reynisfjara's black sand beach, Svartifoss waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park, and Hverfjall volcanic crater by Lake Mývatn. You'll drive through Akureyri, see medieval turf houses at Glaumbaer, and find Snorri Sturluson's historic pool in Reykholt.
Duration 9 days Destinations Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik, Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, JokulsarlonSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Operator Snaeland Travel From
- US$1,533
Duration 10 days Destinations Keflavik, Reykjavik, Vik, Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, Jokulsarlon, Hofn, Djupivogur, FaskrudsfjordurSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Operator Snaeland Travel From
- US$1,724
Duration 9 days Destinations Reykjavik, Laugarvatn, Akureyri, Myvatn, Egilsstadir, Hofn, Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Reynisfjara Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Indie From
- US$2,815
7 day Self-drive tour | Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a lovely time and every was perfectly organized.”
Vicky, traveled in July
Your chosen vehicle opens up Nordic adventures through South Coast, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark. Unlimited mileage and comprehensive insurance included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Keflavik, Hveragerdi, Gullfoss, Geysir, Skogafoss, Vik, Reynisfjara, Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell, SvartifossSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Iceland Travel From
- US$1,951
Your Finnish journey starts in Helsinki and winds through the eastern wilderness. The route includes UkkoKoli's famous viewpoints, stays at unique properties like Tuhannen Tarinan Talo with its farm animals, and Kuhmo's cultural sites including Juminkeko centre.
Duration 7 days Destinations Helsinki, Savonlinna, Linnansaari, Joensuu, Kolin Kansallispuisto, Nurmes, Bomba, Kuhmo, Kuopio, Kajaani Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Aksyt Ammat Ltd From
- US$2,003
Duration 8 days Destinations Bergen, Flam, Jostedalsbreen National Park Age Range Ages 25+ Operator On The Go Tours From $5,475
15% Off- US$4,654You save $821
The trail leads through North Karelia's wilderness from Pihlaja to Koli National Park's renowned paths. Head to Uuronlampi lodges for independent wildlife viewing, watching bears and wolves. Cruise Lake Pielinen's shoreline and stop at the traditional Karelian village near Nurmes at your own pace.
Duration 5 days Destinations Helsinki, Kolin Kansallispuisto, Nurmes Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Aksyt Ammat Ltd From
15% Off- US$1,178
What our customers ask about Self Drive Tours & Trips in Nordic / Scandinavia
What are the must-see highlights on a Nordic/Scandinavia Self Drive tour?
The essential route through Nordic countries includes Iceland's Golden Circle where travelers discover Thingvellir National Park Geysir and Gullfoss. The Ring Road offers convenient access to natural wonders while Norway's fjords and Sweden's coastal routes provide memorable driving experiences. Accommodations like Fosshotel Nupar position visitors near Vatnajökull National Park's glacier lagoons and black sand beaches. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula called "Iceland in miniature" by visitors showcases a range of landscapes from volcanic formations to traditional fishing communities. Popular stops include the Blue Lagoon and Lake Myvatn Nature Baths.
What type of vehicle is recommended for a Nordic Self Drive tour?
4x4 vehicles prove essential for Nordic terrain especially when navigating Norway's Fjord region or Iceland's Ring Road. Common options include the Skoda Octavia Combi 4x4 which suits groups of 1-3 people or the Toyota Landcruiser 4x4 ideal for 4-5 travelers. Each vehicle comes with features suited to Nordic conditions: all-wheel drive winter tires during cold seasons and GPS navigation. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Having a 4x4 vehicle was essential for exploring the mountainous terrain around Geirangerfjord especially when we encountered sudden weather changes."
When is the best time for a Self Drive tour in Nordic/Scandinavia?
June through September marks the optimal period for Nordic Self Drive tours. This timeframe offers extended daylight hours and stable weather conditions. Summer temperatures in Norway's Fjord region particularly around Bergen and Hardangerfjord typically range from 15-20°C (59-68°F). A TourRadar traveler noted "The summer weather was perfect for driving through the fjords and the midnight sun meant we could explore for longer hours." Winter brings unique experiences like Northern Lights viewing though some mountain routes close between November and March.
How many days should I plan for a comprehensive Nordic Self Drive tour?
A complete Nordic exploration requires 10-15 days to experience the region properly. The "Panoramic roads of Fjord Norway" route takes 13 days covering key destinations from Bergen through Haugesund Stavanger and the Hardangerfjord region. Those with limited time can explore specific areas like the Norwegian fjords or Iceland's Ring Road in 8-10 days. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our 13-day self-drive through Norway gave us enough time to explore at our own pace and really soak in the scenery particularly around the Lofoten Islands."
What kind of accommodations can I expect on a Nordic/Scandinavia Self Drive tour?
Nordic accommodations blend comfort with local character ranging from mid-range hotels to distinctive guesthouses and mountain lodges. Norway's Arctic Panorama Lodge on Uloya island represents the unique options available while Iceland features farm stays and city-based options like Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavik. Properties are selected for their proximity to attractions and blend modern comforts with Nordic design. A TourRadar traveler commented: "The mix of accommodations was perfect - from the cozy Wilderness Inari in Finland to comfortable hotels in Bergen each offering a different perspective of Nordic hospitality."
How challenging is driving in Nordic/Scandinavia for international visitors?
The Nordic road system welcomes international drivers with well-maintained routes and multilingual signage. Popular routes such as Iceland's Ring Road and Norway's Atlantic Road offer straightforward navigation. Weather presents the main challenge particularly in Iceland's highlands and mountain passes like Trollstigen. One TourRadar traveler noted "The roads were excellent and GPS navigation made it easy to find our way though we learned to check weather forecasts regularly and adjust our plans accordingly."
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