Your suggestions for a 3-week Scandinavia itinerary

Hi there,

It all depends on your travel goals. You’re including 3 capitals, and with all the transfers by plane, train, etc., the trip can get tiring pretty quickly. There aren’t many "nature" stops in the end because even with the cruise, you won’t be able to visit Norway’s iconic spots... but if you’re prioritizing museum visits and culture, this trip might work for you.

It’s hard to give advice without knowing what you’re looking for, but having been to these countries several times, I’d personally recommend narrowing your choices. Why not rent a car and customize a less packed itinerary (just one country) with more variety (hiking, national parks, etc.)? Or focus on a train route through a greener, less "civilized" area. Save the other capitals for another city trip.

We go to Scandinavia or Finland every year, but with our 3–4 weeks of travel, we usually stick to one country (max two). That way, we can explore the places we visit more deeply without spending too much or feeling overwhelmed by a packed itinerary.

Thanks for these great tips. We’ll definitely look into the options you mentioned.

Thanks again.

good evening, I agree with my predecessor—don’t lose sight of the fact that distances are long in Scandinavia, just like they are in Quebec. One route to take is Oslo-Bergen, and the descent from Myrdal to Flåm—it’s truly stunning as you arrive in a majestic fjord. Probably the most beautiful place I’ve personally visited in Scandinavia

Thanks for the comment—I’ll keep it in mind.

Actually, we’re planning to visit Scandinavia just this once. That’s why we think it makes sense to see the major capitals and enjoy nature with a fjord cruise, plus a few train trips to take in some beautiful landscapes.

As for renting a car, I should mention that my partner gets vertigo, and since I assume the roads in Norway can be pretty dizzying at times, we think the cruise is a good alternative.

Thanks again for all your great tips!

For Norway, not all roads are cliffside... you can easily avoid the small mountain roads without any problem. Now, you do need to be mindful of traffic since it can get dense on certain stretches (RVs, buses, etc.), but there are passing zones.

It’s true that ferries and trains are also really enjoyable ways to travel. Just keep in mind that spending 2 days in each capital will still be packed with sightseeing, and you’ll end up spending a lot of time getting around.

Don’t forget to book your accommodations well in advance, as you’ll be in highly popular areas, and prices will only go up if you wait too long.

For example, all our accommodations for our summer vacation in Norway are already booked. If you’re considering hotels, there’s less risk in booking later with well-known chains (Nordic Choice Hotels, Scandic, Radisson, etc.). Check the chain’s website—it’s often cheaper than big booking sites, and you can create a customer account for a small extra discount.

Happy planning—it’s all part of the fun of the trip!

Hi Mathews,

We’re seriously considering taking your advice about Flam and cutting back on our travel a bit, especially by skipping the cruise all the way to Kirkenes.

If we do that, what would be possible in terms of a one-day fjord cruise departing from Bergen or even Flam—where else could we go?

If you have any other suggestions, we’d really appreciate them.

Thanks again.

Hello, Following the excellent feedback we’ve received and further research, we’ve revised our plan (though it’s still flexible).

This will be our only trip to Scandinavia. We definitely want to focus on the major cities and their immediate surroundings, while also enjoying the stunning Norwegian landscapes—not in a scattered way, but in a more concentrated manner if possible. A quick glimpse of Scandinavia in 3 weeks, realizing we can only see a tiny part of something truly exceptional. But hey, that’s what traveling is all about.

So here’s the plan... looking for your expert suggestions.

Day 1 and 2 - Flight from Montreal to Copenhagen - Overnight in Copenhagen

Day 3, 4, 5 - Nights (3) in Copenhagen - Exploring the city - Possible day trip: - Frederiksborg Castle - Viking Village of Roskilde and Boat Museum

Day 6 - Train from Copenhagen to Stockholm - Overnight in Stockholm

Day 7, 8, 9 - Nights (3) in Stockholm - Exploring the city - Day trip to the Stockholm archipelago

Day 10 - Train from Stockholm to Oslo - Overnight in Oslo

Day 11, 12, 13 - Nights (3) in Oslo - Day trip to the Oslofjord - Day trip to the Folkemuseum (Stave church)

Day 14 - Norway in a Nutshell (Day 1) - Train from Oslo to Myrdal to Flam - Overnight in Flam

Day 15 - Norway in a Nutshell (Day 2) - Ferry through the Sognefjord - Visit to Gudvangen - Bus to Voss, then to Bergen - Overnight in Bergen

Day 16, 17 - Nights in Bergen - Possible excursions: - Hardangerfjord (?) - Osterfjord (Mostraumen) (?)

Day 18 - Train from Bergen to Oslo - Overnight in Oslo

Day 19 - Return flight from Oslo to Montreal

Thanks in advance for your valuable tips!

It’s funny, because I would’ve done this itinerary (well chosen!) but in the opposite direction?! Great idea to prioritize the train (with a pass or a package deal?). PS: Get ready to break the bank… but it’s worth it anyway.

Hi there,

Especially if the trip is still quite a ways off, I’d still recommend flying over taking the train. Not only will the train be more expensive, but you’ll also spend a lot of time on it. Lots of airlines have great fares on the routes between the capitals you’re considering.

Michel

Oh, opinions vary! The train lets you enjoy the scenery (if it's not overnight), especially in Norway, and sometimes you make great connections with people.

Sure, to each their own. I don’t quite see how meeting people would be easier by train than by plane, but hey, if you say so… 🙂 For the scenery, as long as you manage to get a window seat, it’s stunning from the air—I’ve always loved those views.

Michel

Ouch, I’d forgotten “Don’t argue with Tatra”! Looking at your avatar, I can see why you prefer flying… As for meeting people on trains, it’s because you spend more time together—especially if you’re sharing a compartment—than you do on a plane. I’m speaking from experience, even though I’m also used to long-haul flights!!! Fair enough, to each their own…

I'm not convinced there are still many compartment trains left in Scandinavia; overnight sleeper trains, probably. Worth checking based on your expectations and budget.

Michel

Hi Xrctn and Tatra, happy to see the friendly debate! I have a slight preference for trains—they’re more sociable. Stations are better located than airports, the scenery is more at eye level, and the waits are less tedious. That said, we might end up going for a mixed solution.

One extra question for Xrctn: If you’d done the route in reverse, is there a reason I should know about?

Thanks again to both of you.

No particular reason other than I’d rather start with the most ‘complicated’ part and finish with the easiest. Plus, maybe there’d be fewer tourists (though I doubt it) in the fjords in early June than at the end?! No matter the direction, I’m sure you’ll love your Scandinavian loop. Have a great trip!

Great. Thanks again.

Hi Mathews, I have a quick question for you about Flam. I was thinking of booking a tour: Norway in a Nutshell, on this site: https://www.fjordtours.com/en/norway/tours/norway-in-a-nutshell.

I was planning to do this route from Bergen to Oslo. I’d have liked to do it over 2 days instead of just one, and spend a night either in Flam or Voss. But the accommodation prices are way too high.

I’d like to know what you think about doing it all in one day: leaving Bergen at 8:30 AM and arriving in Oslo at 10:30 PM (it’s late, but in June the sun sets at 10:40 PM in Oslo).

Thanks for your great tips.

I'd like to know what you think about doing it all in one day: leaving Bergen at 8:30 AM and arriving in Oslo at 10:30 PM (it's late, but in June the sun sets at 10:40 PM in Oslo).

Hi, oops, sorry I didn’t see the question—doing it all in one day means the visit will be rushed, and we won’t have time to enjoy the scenery. The issue with Norway, as you rightly mentioned, is the very high cost of living. From what I know, there’s a campsite in Flåm, so check if it’s possible to rent a mobile home. But doing the train trip in one day and only spending a few hours in Flåm is a shame.