Scandanavia

[DessyParkerWigWam]

Just at the start of planning an early summer trip to Scandinavia in the van - sailing Hull - Rotterdam, a night or two in Amsterdam then Breman (or somewhere round that part of Germany) before driving up through Denmark and back down through Sweden. Anyone got any great tips on places to stay / things to do / thongs to avoid / places to visit / wild camping / tips and tricks?

We love the outdoors, walking, canoeing, the coast, mountains and lakes - so the focus will be on this - but will add in a couple of must see towns and cities along the way.

 

[kurienp]

Just at the start of planning an early summer trip to Scandinavia in the van - sailing Hull - Rotterdam, a night or two in Amsterdam then Breman (or somewhere round that part of Germany) before driving up through Denmark and back down through Sweden. Anyone got any great tips on places to stay / things to do / thongs to avoid / places to visit / wild camping / tips and tricks?

We love the outdoors, walking, canoeing, the coast, mountains and lakes - so the focus will be on this - but will add in a couple of must see towns and cities along the way.

A great trip to plan. Search for specific countries in the search bar - Norway, Finland, Sweden etc and you will see many posts. Read up and take in the best.

Here's the log our our trip to Finland and Norway - https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/2021-–-finland-and-norway-sept-oct-2021.47109/

Very nice camping and wild camping sites all over.

How many days/weeks are you planning?

 

[Alied]

I recently did a five week trip to Norway in August/September 2024. As I was intending to travel to get there via Denmark and Sweden via the Storebelt and Oresund bridges and to make things easier for crossing these bridges I ordered a tag which the Danes call a bizz from https://oresundpay.com/en/order which was free to order and also free postage. The cost to cross the Oresund bridge one way is 455 DKK,910 DKK return which in English pounds is roughly £101 (November 2024). In order to save money on the crossing I signed up for the OresundGO contract which you can do in your Oresundpay account which costs 359 DKK per year and a one-way trip costs 175 DKK so the total price for a return using the OresundGO contract works out at 709 DKK which is roughly £79 (November 2024). Now here is the interesting part,you can cancel the contract at any time but there is a termination fee as stated in the terms and conditions.

6.3 Payment of the annual fee is made in advance when a new contract year is started. The first contract year runs from the date of the Customer’s registration of its agreement. The annual fee is only notified by the monthly specification. Upon termination, the remaining part of the most recently paid annual fee is refunded, calculated from the last date of the termination period, with deductions of the fee mentioned in section 6.4. Repayment is made via the Customer’s Issuer. A terminated agreement can be reopened later with a payment of a new annual fee. Customer history is stored in “My Account” in accordance with Øresundsbro Konsortiet’s Privacy Policy.

6.4 Upon termination within the first 6 months from the establishment of the agreement, the Øresundsbro Konsortiet charges a fee of DKK 145/ SEK 175. The fee can be changed in accordance with section 1.6.

For me I cancelled the contract after four weeks for which I was refunded 204 DKK which is roughly £23 so in total a return crossing via the Oresund bridge was roughly £57 which is quite a saving.

In the OresundPay account there is a also a contract for the Storebelt bridge in which you can use the bizz (tag) to pay for the crossing but unfortunately there is no discount for UK customers.

Please note that it takes 48 hours before your Storebælt discount agreement comes into effect. Only license plates from the following countries are supported: Sweden (SE), Denmark (DK), Norway (NO), Germany (D), Poland (PL), Bulgaria (BG), Romania (RO), Lithuania (LT), Latvia (LV)

 

[Alied]

I forgot to mention that you can use OresundPay to use the toll roads and ferries in Norway.

 

[WelshGas]

I recently did a five week trip to Norway in August/September 2024. As I was intending to travel to get there via Denmark and Sweden via the Storebelt and Oresund bridges and to make things easier for crossing these bridges I ordered a tag which the Danes call a bizz from https://oresundpay.com/en/order which was free to order and also free postage. The cost to cross the Oresund bridge one way is 455 DKK,910 DKK return which in English pounds is roughly £101 (November 2024). In order to save money on the crossing I signed up for the OresundGO contract which you can do in your Oresundpay account which costs 359 DKK per year and a one-way trip costs 175 DKK so the total price for a return using the OresundGO contract works out at 709 DKK which is roughly £79 (November 2024). Now here is the interesting part,you can cancel the contract at any time but there is a termination fee as stated in the terms and conditions.

6.3 Payment of the annual fee is made in advance when a new contract year is started. The first contract year runs from the date of the Customer’s registration of its agreement. The annual fee is only notified by the monthly specification. Upon termination, the remaining part of the most recently paid annual fee is refunded, calculated from the last date of the termination period, with deductions of the fee mentioned in section 6.4. Repayment is made via the Customer’s Issuer. A terminated agreement can be reopened later with a payment of a new annual fee. Customer history is stored in “My Account” in accordance with Øresundsbro Konsortiet’s Privacy Policy.

6.4 Upon termination within the first 6 months from the establishment of the agreement, the Øresundsbro Konsortiet charges a fee of DKK 145/ SEK 175. The fee can be changed in accordance with section 1.6.

For me I cancelled the contract after four weeks for which I was refunded 204 DKK which is roughly £23 so in total a return crossing via the Oresund bridge was roughly £57 which is quite a saving.

In the OresundPay account there is a also a contract for the Storebelt bridge in which you can use the bizz (tag) to pay for the crossing but unfortunately there is no discount for UK customers.

Please note that it takes 48 hours before your Storebælt discount agreement comes into effect. Only license plates from the following countries are supported: Sweden (SE), Denmark (DK), Norway (NO), Germany (D), Poland (PL), Bulgaria (BG), Romania (RO), Lithuania (LT), Latvia (LV)

So if you have a UK number plate you can't use this?

 

[Alied]

@WelshGas sorry for the confusion. Yes you can use the OresundPay/Bizz agreement to pay for the Storebelt Bridge for UK registered vehicles but you must activate the contract in your account. I paid 275 DKK one way but the countries listed in my post pay a discounted rate.

 

[WelshGas]

@WelshGas sorry for the confusion. Yes you can use the OresundPay/Bizz agreement to pay for the Storebelt Bridge for UK registered vehicles but you must activate the contract in your account. I paid 275 DKK one way but the countries listed in my post pay a discounted rate.

OK.
I paid for a 30 day return on the Oresund Bridge on the Internet and its 10% cheaper and use EPASS24 for Norwegian tolls etc.

 

[Parkinjm]

We stayed overnight in Bremen en route from Rotterdam to Denmark. http://www.hansecamping.de/startseite/ This is on the outskirts of the city and has a restaurant overlooking the lake. From here it’s a lovely 90 minute walk into the historic city via parks. Worth a day extra to visit.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

A great trip to plan. Search for specific countries in the search bar - Norway, Finland, Sweden etc and you will see many posts. Read up and take in the best.

Here's the log our our trip to Finland and Norway - https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/2021-–-finland-and-norway-sept-oct-2021.47109/

Very nice camping and wild camping sites all over.

How many days/weeks are you planning?

Many thanks for the tips - probably going for about 3 weeks or so

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

I forgot to mention that you can use OresundPay to use the toll roads and ferries in Norway.

Useful tip - many thanks

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

We stayed overnight in Bremen en route from Rotterdam to Denmark. http://www.hansecamping.de/startseite/ This is on the outskirts of the city and has a restaurant overlooking the lake. From here it’s a lovely 90 minute walk into the historic city via parks. Worth a day extra to visit.

Thats really helpful we have been talking about a Bremen stop over. Good to hear you recommend it

 

[Hillsiders]

Just at the start of planning an early summer trip to Scandinavia in the van - sailing Hull - Rotterdam, a night or two in Amsterdam then Breman (or somewhere round that part of Germany) before driving up through Denmark and back down through Sweden. Anyone got any great tips on places to stay / things to do / thongs to avoid / places to visit / wild camping / tips and tricks?

We love the outdoors, walking, canoeing, the coast, mountains and lakes - so the focus will be on this - but will add in a couple of must see towns and cities along the way.

For a quieter more restful journey consider using the Ferry from Helsingor from Denmark to Sweden.
And Unless you’re visiting Hamburg a nice detour is to the fascinating north German coast between Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven great for birdlife where there are overnight opportunities and then use the charming Wischhafen to Gluckstadt ferry to cross the Elbe just south of Cuxhaven

 

[CaliDeventerNL]

Living in the east of The Netherlands, we have made numerous trips to Scandinavia. We mostly cross northern Germany quickly to be able to spend longer in Scandinavia. However Northern Germany is great but depending on the time we had to make choices. Spend a day in Lübeck. Good park ups. We go there to wait for the Ferry (20 min down the road) .
A few tips: Ferry wise take a look at Finnlines. They have freight ferries also taking passengers and cars. For Sweden the route Travemünde (Lubeck) to Malmö is interesting. Multiple sailings per day , 7 hours crossing. To Finland we are found of the Travemünde-Helsinki route. For our California not expensive. For anyone consider this shipping line: become free member of their star club first: 5%discount!
Furthermore, there are lots of routes on "free on tour"website and app. We put our route to Northern Norway this year also there including all campsites.
When you plan Norway save money with a toll box and Autopass Ferje. It was a bit a quest to get it but it payed off. The Skyttelpass has no monthly fee!
Much more to say but drop a message and we have loads more.
Have fun

 

[Davilu]

We are planning a Scandinavia trip next year - what are your thoughts on the best time of year to visit?

 

[chockswahay]

Everyone has a 'view' on all this, so you will be spoilt for choice

We went in 2014 in a previous van, We LOVED it!, still our all time favourite place in the world!

30 April E6 Flensburg

A personal view of Norway , Sweden and Denmark as we travel through them in our camper van

wolfydoesscandawegia.blogspot.com

Edit: please excuse the 'Scandawegia' reference..... I had been watching Top Gear/Clarkson at the time and it was a way they all referred to Scandanavia

 

[StefanTaylor61]

We did a Scandi van trip through Finland, Sweden & Norway in Sept and I travel to Sweden frequently. The further north you go the easier it will be to wild-camp, but I’d recommend staying in campsites where possible as Sweden/Norway esp have become very popular with wild-camping vans with local communities getting less tolerant due to mess. Be sure to make your van insect-proof if visiting in June/July. Visit National Parks as these have excellent facilities/paths, both of which can be thin on the ground.. The best roads/public facilities are in Norway.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

We stayed overnight in Bremen en route from Rotterdam to Denmark. http://www.hansecamping.de/startseite/ This is on the outskirts of the city and has a restaurant overlooking the lake. From here it’s a lovely 90 minute walk into the historic city via parks. Worth a day extra to visit.

Thanks for this - just booked that campsite - reallyt excited about the trip now.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

Living in the east of The Netherlands, we have made numerous trips to Scandinavia. We mostly cross northern Germany quickly to be able to spend longer in Scandinavia. However Northern Germany is great but depending on the time we had to make choices. Spend a day in Lübeck. Good park ups. We go there to wait for the Ferry (20 min down the road) .
A few tips: Ferry wise take a look at Finnlines. They have freight ferries also taking passengers and cars. For Sweden the route Travemünde (Lubeck) to Malmö is interesting. Multiple sailings per day , 7 hours crossing. To Finland we are found of the Travemünde-Helsinki route. For our California not expensive. For anyone consider this shipping line: become free member of their star club first: 5%discount!
Furthermore, there are lots of routes on "free on tour"website and app. We put our route to Northern Norway this year also there including all campsites.
When you plan Norway save money with a toll box and Autopass Ferje. It was a bit a quest to get it but it payed off. The Skyttelpass has no monthly fee!
Much more to say but drop a message and we have loads more.
Have fun

Thanks you for this help - im now getting quite excited - i set off from UK on the 17th June. Lubeck sounds promising - from there i have to head to Copenhagen where i am meeting up with friends for a couple of nights- so booked the ferry from Puttgarden. After Copenhagen we have no plans so free to explore as we go - thinking the bridge to Malmo is the obvious next move - though please suggest an alternative if you have other experience. Is Malmo worth a short stop or head north - perhaps following the coast? Any tips gratefully received - i like to avoid the tourist traps - small villages /towns or simply out in the countryside exploring - a combination of both.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

We are planning a Scandinavia trip next year - what are your thoughts on the best time of year to visit?

Im going in a couple of weeks - Mid June - mid July - hopefully avoid worst of summer holidays - though anticipate a lot of Mosquitos!

 

[CaliDeventerNL]

Thanks you for this help - im now getting quite excited - i set off from UK on the 17th June. Lubeck sounds promising - from there i have to head to Copenhagen where i am meeting up with friends for a couple of nights- so booked the ferry from Puttgarden. After Copenhagen we have no plans so free to explore as we go - thinking the bridge to Malmo is the obvious next move - though please suggest an alternative if you have other experience. Is Malmo worth a short stop or head north - perhaps following the coast? Any tips gratefully received - i like to avoid the tourist traps - small villages /towns or simply out in the countryside exploring - a combination of both.

Thanks you for this help - im now getting quite excited - i set off from UK on the 17th June. Lubeck sounds promising - from there i have to head to Copenhagen where i am meeting up with friends for a couple of nights- so booked the ferry from Puttgarden. After Copenhagen we have no plans so free to explore as we go - thinking the bridge to Malmo is the obvious next move - though please suggest an alternative if you have other experience. Is Malmo worth a short stop or head north - perhaps following the coast? Any tips gratefully received - i like to avoid the tourist traps - small villages /towns or simply out in the countryside exploring - a combination of both.

Malmö is a nice city, For a stay you might also consider Lund. It is nearby and a old university town. For going up north, I would take the route west of the Great Lakes. Cost is nice but also the place where it is packed with locals from mid June onwards. Be prepared for endless amounts of trees. After having visited all Nordics, we liked Finland for the versatility of nature, Norway, breathtaking views (and prices) and Sweden for cozy friendliness but not extraordinary. Off course it is a very personal view and lots of people will have different experiences.

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

Malmö is a nice city, For a stay you might also consider Lund. It is nearby and a old university town. For going up north, I would take the route west of the Great Lakes. Cost is nice but also the place where it is packed with locals from mid June onwards. Be prepared for endless amounts of trees. After having visited all Nordics, we liked Finland for the versatility of nature, Norway, breathtaking views (and prices) and Sweden for cozy friendliness but not extraordinary. Off course it is a very personal view and lots of people will have different experiences.

many thanks

 

[trailtrotters]

Living in Bath, 12 miles from Bristol and regularly visiting London, all of which have automatic vehicle access charging systems in place, I was particularly cautious before we set off to tour Scandinavia in our T6 Ocean in 2023. I suggest you become experts on the subject well in advance of your trip as like England there are multiple local rules in place for cities as well as National ones.

I recall I uploaded a copy of our V5 to the German government and paid for a windscreen sticker to confirm our diesel Cali was Euro 6 compliant, which an office in Berlin sent us in the post.

We were glad we had joined Epass24 in advance before heading into the numerous Norwegian tunnels with Number Plate recognition cameras so you can pay as you go from your registered debit/credit card or elect to have an invoice sent to you for later settlement (which is what I did). Ferries and bridges are so commonplace that they have very well developed automatic systems in place across Scandinavia, with provision for vehicles registered in other countries.

Once you have decided where you want to go I suggest you do your homework in advance to avoid having to worry about it while you are away or face an unexpected bill when you get home. As a local pedestrian I often try and help visiting motorists avoid triggering automatic penalties from unknowingly driving through bus gates - easily done, often more than once if you are looking for something and miss the signs, or you follow the car in front which happens to be a permitted taxi.

Have a great trip, worth every minute of your effort.