In just two short weeks, we’ll be boarding a plane for Norway, the land of fjords, midnight sun, and breathtaking landscapes. This trip has been a dream in the making, and as our departure day gets closer, we’re deep in the final stages of preparation. If you’re planning your own Nordic adventure, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re doing during these last couple of weeks — from packing smart to planning scenic drives.
Plan for using my points to get Norway
Flights & Final Itinerary
We double-checked our flights this week — times are confirmed, seats are selected, and travel documents are printed and tucked into our carry-on. Pro tip: download your airline’s app for real-time gate updates and digital boarding passes.
We’ve finalized our itinerary too. From city strolls in Oslo, to fjord-hopping near Bergen, and cozy cabin time near the Lofoten Islands, each day is mapped out with a relaxed pace. We’ve built in buffer time for spontaneous detours (because that’s half the fun in Norway!).
On the Road: Renting a Car in Norway
Norway is made for road trips — dramatic coastlines, mountain switchbacks, and yes, sheep on the road. We’ve reserved a rental car and secured an International Driving Permit, which is a must if your license isn’t in English. Offline Google Maps and the Nasjonale Turistveger app are ready to go for navigating Norway’s famous scenic routes.
We aren’t renting a car, but double-check that all our public transit is ready. I even downloaded the bus app for Bergen. We printed out the tickets for the Trains so we have a paper copy with us.
Packing for Summer in Norway (Hint: Layers!)
Even in June, Norwegian weather can be unpredictable. We’re packing:
- A waterproof jacket
- Fleece layers for chilly mornings or mountain hikes
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Quick-dry shirts, leggings, and one “nicer” outfit
- I took my leggings out because I hadn’t worn them much in years. However went for a walk with them this week and might put them back in.
- The benefit is that they are suitable for hiking and walking, and they dry quickly.
- LINKS
- Men’s quick-dry shirts, Girls’ quick-dry shirt, Women’s quick-dry shirt.
- Most of the time, my leggings and my daughter’s are Athleta, which we get on sale. Here are some Amazon Leggings Women– I have had Gym People ones before, and they have a pocket. Girls leggings
- Dress women
- A swimsuit (hot tubs + Arctic dips? Yes, please.) LINKS: Girls, Women’s
- Small backpack for day trips
- We have this backpack that we will also use as our carry-on which is the link above.
- Here is a small, packable one.
- Type C/F power adapters
We’re skipping heavy luggage in favor of backpacks, and my daughter and I are going to check our carry-on size bag — easier to manage on ferries and trains.
Links to packing: Women’s Guide, Teen Girl, Teen Boys
💳 Cash or Card?
Norway is nearly cashless. We’ll carry a small amount of Norwegian Krone just in case (~500 NOK), but nearly everything — from bakeries to buses — accepts cards or mobile payments.
🧘♀️ The Fun Stuff: Experiences We’ve Booked
We didn’t want to overbook ourselves, but we did lock in a few experiences:
- A fjord cruise
- A guided glacier hike
- Dinner reservations only at one place, so fair we do have a large group, so I might do it one another place. Though otherwise we do have an Airbnb. I know lots of people say to save money and eat in, but we are on vacation, so we will see if we do that. What we could do if a restaurant doesn’t have room for us is take it to go.
- A sauna session with a fjord view
We’re leaving space for spontaneous cafés, hikes, and unexpected photo stops. Norway practically demands it. I will say Oslo is more planned out of things to see, and as we go on with our trip then it’s less planned.
Final Thoughts
It feels surreal to be this close to our Norwegian getaway. There’s still some packing to do, checklists to run through, and excitement to contain — but we’re almost there.
If you’re planning a similar trip, take it from us: plan, but don’t over-plan. Norway has a way of surprising you, and sometimes the best parts are the ones you didn’t expect.
Follow Along
We’ll be sharing highlights (and maybe a few travel hiccups) from the road. Next stop: Norway! 🇳🇴
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