Norway Family Road Trip Guide: 14-Day Itinerary
- rachnamone
- Jul 21, 2023
- 9 min read
Why Choose a Family Road Trip in Norway?
A self-drive road trip is genuinely the best way to see Norway with kids — it lets you set your own pace around naps, snack breaks, and sudden "can we stop there?" requests, instead of working around bus or tour timings. Norway's roads are safe, well-signed, and built for exactly this kind of trip, with frequent rest stops, playgrounds, and fjord viewpoints along almost every route.
Beyond the practical case, it's also simply stunning: winding fjords, dramatic mountain passes, and small towns that make every drive feel like part of the adventure rather than just the way between stops.
We did this exact 14-day route as a family of 4 in May 2023 with 2 kids and absolutely loved it. This Norway family road trip guide covers why self-drive works so well for families, and the full 14-day itinerary we followed ourselves.
The real star of this road trip is the fjord region of western Norway — Geirangerfjord, Aurlandsfjord, and Romsdalsfjord, each reachable by car with genuine family-friendly stops along the way. We travelled in May 2023 (spring), which meant fewer crowds than peak summer, though a few high-altitude viewpoints and mountain roads were still closed for the season — worth planning around if you're travelling in shoulder season too.
Norway 14-Day Family Road Trip — Quick Itinerary
Day | Route / Base | Highlights | Good to know |
1 | Oslo → Lillehammer | Pick up rental car, ease into the drive | Indian driving licence valid for 3 months - carry it in English or with an IDP |
2 | Lillehammer → Rauma (Åndalsnes) | Hunderfossen amusement park, Otta/Dombås stop | Hunderfossen amusement park (paid activity) Grocery stores stock enough to build a simple veg meal - good first grocery run |
3 | Rauma (Åndalsnes) | Romsdalen Gondola, Rauma river, Trollstigen base | Romsdalen Gondola (paid activity) Paid parking |
4 | Rauma → Valldal (via Ålesund) | Atlantic Aquarium, Atlantic Ocean Road, Trollstigen | Alesund Atlantic Aquarium (paid activity) |
5 | Day trip to Geiranger | Eidsvatnet lake, Ørnesvingen hairpins, Dalsnibba | Carry snacks — food options thin out on this drive |
6 | Valldal → Stryn | Loen Skylift, Lovatnet, Kjenndalsbreen | Loen skylift (paid activity) |
7 | Stryn | Briksdalsbreen glacier trek | Doable for kids - moderate walking, no technical gear needed Paid parking |
8 | Stryn | Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre, Øvstefossen waterfall | - |
9 | Stryn → Hafslo | Bøyabreen glacier, Skei stop | - |
10 | Hafslo | Day trip to Flåm & Aurlandsfjord, Stegastein viewpoint, Lærdal Tunnel | Toll roads + ferries add up - factor into your daily budget |
11 | Hafslo → Lom | Nigardsbreen glacier trek, Sognefjellet ("Roof of Norway") | Challenging rocky terrain, dress in layers and good footwear. Paid parking |
12 | Lom → Oslo | Return rental car (~5 hr drive) | - |
13 | Oslo | Oslo Pass: Bygdøy museums, Akershus Fortress | Oslo has the best grocery access for Indian spices/staples and Indian restaurants if you're missing home food |
14 | Oslo | Zoological/Geological Museums, Munch Museum, Oslo Opera House | - |
Quick facts for Indian families:
💰 Budget: ~₹15,000–20,000/day per family of 4 (car rental, fuel/tolls, stay, food)
🛂 Visa: Schengen visa required, apply 4–6 weeks ahead
🚗 Driving: Indian licence valid 3 months; carry an IDP as backup, details must be in English
🥗 Food: Ovo-vegetarian/vegetarian meals are very doable — supermarkets (Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop) carry eggs, dairy, pasta, rice, and veg-friendly staples in every town on this route
👨👩👧👦 Car seats mandatory under 135cm — pre-book with your rental company
Current rate (as of today, July 2026) 1 NOK ≈ ₹9.70 INR. A useful mental shortcut : roughly NOK × 10 = INR (slightly over, so it's a safe rounding-up estimate rather than under). Exchange rate may vary at the time of planning your holiday - check current rates before booking.
Day-by-Day Norway Family Road Trip Guide -
DAY 1 - Oslo to Lillehammer – Picking Up Your Rental Car
The adventure begins as you land in Oslo! Pick up your rental car from Oslo airport and embark on a scenic drive to Lillehammer. Take it easy on your first day, as you get acquainted with the new country and your new set of wheels.
👉 Don't forget to check out our guide on Tips for Renting a Car in Norway for a Family Road Trip
Lillehammer, with its picturesque lake and Winter Olympics history, is the perfect place to unwind and ease into your magical journey.
DAY 2 - Lillehammer to Åndalsnes – Hunderfossen & the Drive Through Dombås
Prepare to be enchanted as you drive from Lillehammer to Rauma (Andalsnes). This four-hour scenic drive is an extraordinary experience, surrounded by breathtaking vistas. Charge up your car and grab some snacks for the road.
Amusement park, Hunderfossen, near Lillehammer can be a great stop if you are travelling with kids.
Otta is a bigger town somewhere midway where you can charge or refuel your car and get some lunch ! Else, you can choose to stop at Dombas, another big town suitanble to make a stop. Most of the journey this day will be on E6 highway - the roads are great and there are plenty of option for fueling.
DAY 3 - Åndalsnes – Romsdalen Gondola, Trollstigen & the Rauma River
Today is all about exploring the wonders of Andalsnes! Take the Ramdalsgondolen and witness the magnificent views of Isfjorden and Andalsnes town. For the adventurous souls, a trek to the top is equally rewarding. Afterward, indulge in a delightful lakeside lunch at Issfjorden. In the evening, spend some time at the Rauma river bank and venture to the base of the iconic Trollstigen road, though its opening status might be worth confirming before you head out.
DAY 4 - Åndalsnes to Valldal via Ålesund – Atlantic Ocean Road & Atlantic Aquarium
In the morning, travel to Alesund, like we did and spend some time at the Atlantic Aquarium for some family-friendly fun! If you have some time on your hand, you can also plan to drive on the Atlantic ocean road (one of the popular tourist roads in Norway) or check out the lighthouse in Alesund.
Later, we headed to Valldal, the gateway to the majestic fjords! The journey is equally thrilling, whether you opt for the scenic Trollstigen in summer or the charming Sjoholt route.
DAY 5 - Geiranger Day Trip – Dalsnibba, Ørnesvingen & the Fjord Cruise
Today, prepare for an exhilarating day trip to Geiranger! Hop on a ferry from Linge to Eidsdal for a hassle-free experience, and make sure to stop by the stunning Eidsvatnet lake along the way. The road to Geiranger, adorned with countless hairpin bends on Ornisvegen, leads to a picturesque town that's both breathtaking and touristy. Take a memorable walk along the waterfall and later enjoy snacks and coffee at the Norsk museum's restaurant . If time permits, a visit to Dalsnibba and Flydalsjuvet is well worth the uphill drive.
DAY 6 - Valldal to Stryn – Loen Skylift & Lovatnet Lake
Take a short two-hour drive to Stryn . Base yourself in Stryn to explore the surrounding Fjord and Glaciers. Dalsnibba is also a short and scenic drive away from here. Loen is a beautiful village 15 minutes drive from Stryn. Enjoy panoramic views from Loen Skylift and savor a delectable meal at the top. Then, venture down the narrow, scenic road alongside Lovatnet to Kjendalsbreen. Lovatnet's charm will leave you in awe, making it an ideal spot for a family picnic!
DAY 7 - Stryn – Briksdalsbreen Glacier Trek with Kids
Head to Brikdalsbreen via the picturesque town of Olden. After parking, embark on a well-marked, moderately difficult 3 km trek to the glacial lake. While there's an electric vehicle option, we recommend the trek for a super fun experience! If energy permits, visit Tvinnefossen or Lokifossen waterfalls .
DAY 8 - Stryn – Jostedalsbreen National Park & Øvstefossen Waterfall
Explore the town of Stryn. Journey to the National Tourist Centre, Jostedalsbreen National Park, and head to see the magnificent Ovstefossen waterfall. Head to Dalsnibba if the weather permits . The weather can be unpredictable, as we experienced on our visit to Dalsnibba, but that's part of Norway's charm – experiencing it all, even the rain!
DAY 9 - Stryn to Hafslo – Bøyabreen Glacier Stop
Travel to Hafslo and visit the Boyabreen glacier on the way, stopping at Skei for a snack, recharge and refuel. Witness the awe-inspiring Boyabreen glacier from the parking lot, and a minimal walk leads you to the glacial lake – a perfect option for tired feet! Take time to explore the charming Hafslo village on foot in the evening.
DAY 10 - Hafslo – Flåm, Aurlandsfjord & the Stegastein Viewpoint
We headed for a day trip to Flam and Aurlandsfjord on a rainy day and what an amazing experience! We could only imagine how beautiful the village would look along the Fjord on a glorious sunny day! One can easily spend the whole day here in Flam, enjoying the waterfalls nearby and taking a ride on Flamsbana. Make sure to visit the Stegastein viewpoint for great views of Aurlandfjord. Norway has a great network of tunnels and this day we also drove the longest tunnel in Norway - the 24.5 km long Lærdal Tunnel !
We have a blog post where you can read more - Fjords of Norway: Complete Family Travel Guide
DAY 11 - Hafslo to Lom – Nigardsbreen Glacier & Sognefjellet, the "Roof of Norway"
Get ready for a power-packed day as you trek to the Nigardsbreen glacier in Jostedal National Park. Savor a delicious lunch in Gaupne, catch your last glimpse of Norwegian fjords at Skjolden, and traverse the breathtaking National Tourist Route 55, known as Sognefjellet or the "roof of Norway", on your way to the enchanting village of Lom.
We have a blog post where you can read more about Best Glaciers to Visit in Norway With Kids
DAY 12 - Lom to Oslo – Returning Your Rental Car
On the last day of road trip, head back to Oslo via Otta. This journey will take around 5 hours.
Return your rental car at the airport and head into the city to relax and recharge for the next day.
DAY 13 - Oslo – Exploring with the Oslo Pass
Utilize the Oslo Pass to take a ferry to the Bygdoy Peninsula and immerse yourself in the extraordinary Fram and Kon-tiki museums. Once back, explore the Akershus Fortress, City Hall, and the Nobel Peace Prize Museum located nearby. Take a stroll along Karl Johans Road or relax in the gardens near the Royal Palace.
For detailed information, read our post The Ultimate Family Guide to Exploring Oslo with the Oslo Pass
DAY 14 - Oslo – Munch Museum, Opera House & Last-Day Wrap-Up
On your final day in Oslo, start early and visit the Zoological and Geological Museums, Climate change museum and Botanical garden. After lunch, head to Munch museum and Oslo Opera house for a spectacular view of Oslo Fjord. If travelling with kids, make sure to check out the Oslo reptile park!
Norway's allure is one of a kind, especially for young families seeking unparalleled adventures. Embrace the magic of this fjord region road trip, as you create cherished memories that will forever be etched in your hearts.
Remember, it's the tiny villages that hold the true essence of this wonderland.
So, dare to venture off the beaten path and be enchanted by Norway's splendor.
Happy travels!
Planning your Norway road trip? These guides might help:
Exploring the Fjords of Norway: Complete Family Travel Guide — which fjords to prioritize and where to stay near each one
Best Glaciers to Visit in Norway With Kids — Briksdalsbreen, Nigardsbreen, and Bøyabreen compared
Åndalsnes Travel Guide for Families — Trollstigen, Trollveggen, and the Romsdalen Gondola
The Ultimate Family Guide to Exploring Oslo with the Oslo Pass — is the Oslo Pass worth it for your family
Tips for Renting a Car in Norway for a Family Road Trip — driving licence rules, EV vs petrol, insurance
Where to Stay in Norway With Kids: Our Family-Tested Airbnbs — every stay from our 14-day route
10 Things to Know Before Visiting Norway — the practical stuff we wish we'd known
Norway Family Road Trip Guide
Q1: Is Norway safe for a family road trip with kids?
Yes! Norway is one of the safest countries in the world, with excellent roads, well-marked routes, and plenty of kid-friendly stops like fjords, waterfalls, and play areas.
Q2: What is the best time to visit Norway for a family road trip?
The best months are May to September, when the weather is mild, most roads are open, and outdoor activities for children are easy to access.
Q3: Do I need to carry a car seat for my kids in Norway?
Yes, car seats are mandatory for children under 135 cm (around 12 years old). You can bring your own or request one from a car rental company.
Q4: How much does a 14-day Norway family road trip cost?
On average, families spend 15000 to 20000 per day depending on accommodation, food, and activities. Staying in airbnbs and cooking some meals helps keep costs lower.
Q5: Can I do a Norway road trip with toddlers or young kids?
Absolutely! Norway is very family-friendly, with short scenic hikes, playgrounds, aquariums, and museums that toddlers and young children enjoy.
Q6: What kind of food is available for families in Norway?
Norway offers plenty of family-friendly food options, from fresh seafood and traditional dishes to international cuisine, however vegetarian/vegan options might be limited outside big cities and eating out can be expensive. Supermarkets are well stocked, making it easy to prepare simple meals or picnic lunches during the trip—ideal for families traveling with kids.
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