Planning a trip in Scandinavia 2025. Any advice?

  • Thread starter Catherine Toque
  • Start date
C

Catherine Toque

Messages
4
Location
UK
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 204
Hello, we are thinking of taking the Cali for a couple of months in Scandinavia (from the UK). Has any one got any tip on ferries (to cut down driving getting there), overnight stays and general advice based on recent experience? Thanks.
 
We overnighted on the Harwich to hook of Holland ferry and then drove the following day towards Hamburg. We stopped over at a nice small town called Luneberg before continuing through a very busy Hamburg and on to Denmark.
Once through Hamburg the drive is ok and we made it comfortably to the outskirts of Copenhagen by 6pm.
Next time I might consider, a ferry from Gdansk up to Stockholm or going north from Hirtshal, Northern Denmark to Kristiansand, Norway. These would be useful options to do a circular Scandinavian trip up through Sweden and back through Norway or vice versa.
 
We overnighted on the Harwich to hook of Holland ferry and then drove the following day towards Hamburg. We stopped over at a nice small town called Luneberg before continuing through a very busy Hamburg and on to Denmark.
Once through Hamburg the drive is ok and we made it comfortably to the outskirts of Copenhagen by 6pm.
Next time I might consider, a ferry from Gdansk up to Stockholm or going north from Hirtshal, Northern Denmark to Kristiansand, Norway. These would be useful options to do a circular Scandinavian trip up through Sweden and back through Norway or vice versa.
Thanks I’ll have a look at that.
 
Next time I might consider, a ferry from Gdansk up to Stockholm or going north from Hirtshal, Northern Denmark to Kristiansand, Norway. These would be useful options to do a circular Scandinavian trip up through Sweden and back through Norway or vice versa.
Gdynia to Karlskrona is another option for a circular trip via Poland which worked well for us a few years ago.
 
Hello, we are thinking of taking the Cali for a couple of months in Scandinavia (from the UK). Has any one got any tip on ferries (to cut down driving getting there), …
For my trips of mostly two to five weeks, I prefer taking the longer ferries. Hirtshals–Bergen brings you right into the heart of the fjord region. Oslo–Kiel can be a nice (and fancy) option for the way back if you combine with a visit to Oslo. From Malmö there is a ferry back to Travemünde. If your Scandinavia plans include Finland, then Travemünde–Helsinki cuts out a lot of driving. From others I’ve heard that the ferry route from Sweden to Finland is quite scenic.

Long distance overnight ferries can be expensive and pricing varies between routes and between years. From what I’ve seen so far, there are no really good deals to be had for this summer.
 
There are so many fantastic travel wrote ups of Norway, Sweden and Scandinavia in general on this forum. You’d be better off searching than reinventing the wheel.

Use the search option for Scandinavia but select “search titles only “
Then repeat for individual countries or cities
 
Some reading here. Modify the route as needed.

 
 
Look up wanderingbird videos which give lots of advise. We used an electronic tag for the ferry and road tolls which bill your card automatically. Order in advance. Harwich to hook of Holland overnight, then up tip of Denmark. Route back via Trelleborg to Rostock which was booked just a few days in advance in early June no problem. If travelling out of main season be prepared to change your route as some roads only open for a couple of months in the summer once the snow has been cleared. There is lots info on official websites for tourist routes etc.
Enjoy.
 
Hello, we are thinking of taking the Cali for a couple of months in Scandinavia (from the UK). Has any one got any tip on ferries (to cut down driving getting there), overnight stays and general advice based on recent experience? Thanks.
Hello, I travel a lot to Norway for work and one of my Norwegian colleagues told me (last July) that there were plans to start the ferry between Newcastle and Bergen (or was it Stavanger?), guess you can google all this (Chat GPT?). That aside I have campervanned twice in Norway and you will be amazed at the options you have for wild camping - some places even have plug in (you pay the meter). Head up north east of Bergen to Flam (famous funicular), mind you all of Norway is amazing. Take as much of your own booze - its not cheap and you cannot buy alcohol on a Sunday!
 
I'm planning on a similar trip - so be great tp share info. I've booked on the overnight ferry Hull to Holland - booked a nights camping in city centre Amsterdam - and then taking it from there with a loose plan to overnight in Bremen then Copenhagen before heading up Sweden - into Norway and back down Denmark ... but all of that i'm probably going to make up as I go
 
Thank you all for the fantastic advice. Gona start planning later this week.
 
Hi, we dus a trip to Nordkapp two years ago. Took the Kiel-Oslo Ferry (highly recommend!), then up through Swedish mountains on the West side, crossed over to the coast, up though Hogakusten (recommend, beautiful area!), and then from Lulea up to the polarcircle and Nordkapp. South again through Lofoten (amazing scenery!) and the Fjords area. Trip of a lifetime!
 
Hi, We travel the nordics for many years but only one year with our California. A few tips from our side:
Look at "Free on tour"website and app for many routes. Ours is there too. Great site for planning.
For Norway, take time to research the Ferries and Toll system. My advise: get yourself a toll badge. I have Skyttelpass. You can connect a Autopass Ferjecard to it and it will save a lot of money on tolls.
Not necessary for Sweden and Finland.
Do not forget Finland. Beautiful country, nice people and great camping sites.
For Ferry to get there , take a look at Finnlines. They run Ferryservices for Freight but also take cars. Very good prices and good (truckers) food. Do not forget free Starclub membership. Immediately 5% discount.
Lastly for now. Pick the time carefully. Season is not long and it can get chilly of too many Mosquito's up north. We have good experience August and max mid September. Scandinavians are touring themselves in July
 

VW California Club

Back
Top