Rent a car in Norway and drive on scenic routes is a great idea, but perhaps only for a summer vacation. In the winter, it will not be too comfortable to ride around the country, it's dark outside the Arctic Circle, some mountain roads are closed, like many hotels and campsites, it's cold and windy, and the snow-covered Norway is very different from itself in the summer, much friendlier to the guests. This does not mean that in winter it is not worth to go to Norway at all, but autotraveling is simply not the best option.
In Norwegian car rental will be leie en bil. The itinerary is better to develop a roundabout - to take a car in one city, and to hand over in another one will be much more expensive (extra charge for one way), and if you also want to leave a car in a neighboring country, the tariff will not please at all. The minimum allowances for one way within Norway are 400 EUR, for example, to Finland - 700 EUR.
Departing on a trip to Norway in winter, note that some hard-to-reach roads in the mountains are closed in winter (most often from November to May). Also, in bad weather, certain sections of mountain roads may partially close for passage. Detailed information can be obtained round the clock in the road service by phone 175.
Documents, insurance
To rent a car in Norway you will need international driver's license, credit card and paid insurance. The driver must be at least 19 years of age and have a driving experience of at least a year. For some categories of cars, the driver must be at least 25 years old, and an additional fee may be charged to the driver from 19 to 24 years (about 100 NOK per day).
The cost of car hire in Norway usually includes: unlimited mileage, insurance against damage with a franchise of about 1000 EUR (CDW - Collision Damage Weaver), insurance against theft with the same franchise. Additionally paid: superinsurance with a smaller franchise or even without it, a child seat, a trunk for skis, a GPS-navigator. Be prepared, that as collateral (excess) on your card will block the amount of about 1000 EUR.
Fuel and refueling
At refuellings in Norway 95 and 98 unleaded petrol and diesel fuel are sold, leaded petrol for sale is not allowed. Gas can be transported in jerricans. Prices for the whole country vary greatly. In mountainous and inaccessible areas, the distance between gas stations can be large.
Traffic rules
Of the characteristics of the traffic regulations in Norway - the requirement to constantly use the dipped headlights. Everyone who is in the car must be fastened. Children under the height of 135 cm should be transported in child seats. Without hands free to talk on the phone while driving is prohibited.
Taking a car for rent, make sure that the machine is equipped with the necessary equipment: an emergency stop sign and a reflective waistcoat. It is recommended to have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher in the car. The use of radar detectors in the territory of Norway is prohibited.
Penalties
In Norway, fines can be paid to a police officer on the spot immediately after the offense. From the Russian realities the situation is distinguished by the fact that in exchange for money you will receive an official receipt. Excess of speed in Norway "costs" more than in all of Europe, and the fine is entitled even if your speed was only 1 km higher than allowed.
Some amounts of fines: exceeding speed - from 600 to 9000 NOK, may be deprivation of rights; non-use of seat belts - 750 NOK for each intruder; talking on the phone without hands free - 1300 NOK; switched off dipped beam - 2000 NOK; violation of the rules of transportation of children - 750 NOK; traffic on a designated for public transport band - 4200 NOK; driving in a state of intoxication - from 6000 NOK or more, there may be imprisonment; radar detector in the car entails a fine of up to 10 000 NOK.
Toll roads
In Norway, toll roads are common (only about 50 sites), the cost of travel on them is on average 20-30 NOK, but there are also sites with a fare of 100-150 NOK. Also payment is subject to entry to the center of some cities. So, for example, to enter the center of Oslo on a passenger car will cost 26 NOK, in the center of Kristiansand - 21 NOK, Stavanger - 20 NOK, Namsus - 18 NOK, Bergen and Tonsberg - 15 NOK, Beruma - 13 NOK.
Travel on the 700-meter Svinesund bridge on the border of Sweden and Norway on the Oslo-Gothenburg route for cars is 20 NOK or 23 SEK (Swedish kroner).
Parking in the cities of Norway - $
Like almost everywhere in Europe, in Norway parking on the streets of cities on weekdays during working hours is paid. Most often, parking is required using the P-automatic system. The parking ticket which the car will give out, it is necessary to put under a windshield. Examine signs near the parking place, it is possible that parking for your car at a certain time will be free. Underground parking lots or garages mostly take payment on the road, also with the help of "smart machines."
Car rental firms in Norway
International companies: Holidayautos, Hertz, Europcar, Auto Europe, Avis, Budget, Sixt.
Rental brokers: TravelJigsaw, Scandinavian Car Rental, Nova Car Hire, Economy Car Rentals, Instant Cars.
All prices are in Norwegian kroner in December 2012.