The Ultimate Norway Fjords Road Trip: Chasing Midnight Sun in May-June 2026

May is when Norway wakes up from winter. The snow is melting in the lowlands, the days are getting longer, and by late May, you're treated to the incredible midnight sun – when the sun never fully sets and the sky glows pink at midnight. Combine that with dramatic fjords, steep mountains, waterfalls, and some of the best roads in Europe, and you have one of the world's greatest road trips.

This itinerary focuses on Norway's western fjords – Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord, and the dramatic coast around Bergen and Flåm. May is the perfect time to go: the winter crowds are gone, the summer tourist season hasn't hit full swing yet, prices are lower, and you get the full midnight sun experience starting around May 20.

I've done this road trip twice in May, and this is the perfect 10-day itinerary that hits all the highlights without rushing.

At a Glance

Destination: Western Norway (Bergen → Flåm → Geiranger → Bergen loop)
Recommended Duration: 10 days
Best Time to Go: Mid-May to mid-June (midnight sun starts in late May)
Per Person Budget: NOK 8,500-13,000 (≈€750-€1150 / $800-$1230)
Difficulty: Moderate (roads are excellent, but long driving days)
Perfect for: Nature lovers, photographers, adventure travelers

Getting There & Car Rental

Start and end your trip in Bergen, Norway's second city on the west coast. Bergen has an international airport with direct flights from most major European cities.

Car Rental Tips

Type of car: For May, a normal 2WD car is fine – most main roads are clear of snow by mid-May. If you want to go up some of the mountain passes, check conditions, but generally they're open by May.
Transmission: Manual is standard and cheaper. Automatic costs extra.
Size: You don't need an SUV unless you're going off the main roads. A comfortable compact or mid-size car is perfect.
Cost: NOK 600-1200 per day (≈€55-€110), cheaper for weekly rentals.
Important: Get a car with good headlights – you'll be driving during the midnight sun (which is more like twilight) and good visibility helps.

The 10-Day Fjords & Midnight Sun Itinerary

This is a loop starting and ending in Bergen, so you don't have to backtrack.

Day 1: Arrive in Bergen

Land at Bergen Airport, pick up your car
Drive into Bergen, check into accommodation
Wander Bryggen Wharf – the famous colorful wooden houses
Fish market for fresh seafood dinner
Get used to the long days – sunset is after 9PM in May

Day 2: Bergen → Voss → Gudvangen → Flåm (150km, 3 hours driving)

Leave Bergen after breakfast
Stop in Voss for coffee – adventure capital of Norway
Drive the Stalheimskleiva – one of the steepest roads in Norway with 13 hairpin turns
Incredible views down the valley from the top
Continue to Gudvangen, take the ferry across the Sognefjord to Flåm
Check into your accommodation in Flåm

Day 3: Flåm Area Exploration

Flåm is the most beautiful fjord village you'll ever see
Do the Flåm Railway – one of the most scenic train rides in the world (book tickets online in advance)
The train goes from Flåm up to Myrdal through 20 tunnels and past countless waterfalls
Hike the Aurlandsfjellet mountain road for incredible fjord views if you're feeling energetic
Drive the Aurlandsfjorden road to Stegastein viewpoint – the platform 650m above the fjord is mind-blowing
Watch the midnight sun if it's clear – mid-May already has about 18 hours of daylight

Day 4: Flåm → Laerdal → Lom → Geiranger (280km, 5-6 hours driving)

This is a long driving day but the scenery is incredible the whole way
Go through the Laerdal Tunnel – the longest road tunnel in the world (24.5km!)
Stop in Lom for lunch – historic mountain village with wooden stave church
Continue on the Gamle Strynefjellsvegen – the old mountain road with incredible views (usually open mid-May)
Descend into the Geiranger valley
Check into accommodation in Geiranger

Day 5: Geirangerfjord Exploration

Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site – and it's the most beautiful fjord in Norway
Drive the Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) – the famous twisty road with hairpin turns going up the mountain
Stop at the Ørnesvingen viewpoint for the classic postcard view of Geirangerfjord
Hike to Seven Sisters Waterfall – the waterfall that cascades directly into the fjord
Optional: Take a fjord cruise to see the waterfalls from the water
At midnight, watch the sun dip just below the mountains and come right back up – that's midnight sun magic

Day 6: Geiranger → Hellesylt → Stranda → Ålesund (200km, 4.5 hours driving)

Take the ferry from Geiranger to Hellesylt across the fjord
Continue to Stranda on the Sunnylvsfjorden
Drive through the Strandafjorden to Ålesund
Ålesund is the art nouveau city built entirely after a fire in 1904
Climb the 418 steps to Mount Aksla for the panoramic view of the city and surrounding islands
Dinner with fresh fish in one of the harbor restaurants

Day 7: Ålesund → Molde → Andalsnes (180km, 4 hours driving)

Leave Ålesund and drive along the Atlantic coast
Stop in Molde – the city of roses, with views across to the Romsdalsalpene mountains
Continue to Andalsnes – the adventure capital of western Norway
If you have time, hike the Trollstigen viewing platform (the road is usually open by mid-May)
The views of the Trollstigen road winding up the mountain are incredible
Stay overnight in Andalsnes

Day 8: Andalsnes → Dombås → Sognefjell → Bergen (You have two options)

Option A: The Scenic Route (longer, more beautiful)

Andalsnes → Dombås → Sognefjellsvegen → Lærdal → Bergen (420km, 7-8 hours)
Sognefjellsvegen is the highest mountain road in Norway (1434m)
Usually opens in mid-May – the views of the Jotunheimen mountains are incredible

Option B: The Direct Route (shorter)

Andalsnes → Gudbrandsdalen → Oslo-Bergen highway → Bergen (360km, 5.5-6.5 hours)
Faster but less scenic

I recommend Option A if the road is open – it's one of the most spectacular mountain drives in Europe. Stop at Jotunheimen National Park for short hikes if you have time.

Day 9: Bergen Area Exploration

If you took the scenic route on Day 8, you'll arrive in Bergen late on Day 8, so use Day 9 to explore:

Mount Fløyen – take the funicular up for panoramic views of Bergen and the surrounding fjords
Bergen Aquarium – one of the best in Europe
Wander the old town streets, shop for Norwegian wool sweaters
Midnight sun hike if you're feeling energetic

Day 10: Departure from Bergen

Last minute coffee and photos
Drive to the airport, return your car
Head home with thousands of incredible photos

Norway Driving Basics

Norway has some of the best maintained roads in the world, but there are a few things you need to know:

Drive on the RIGHT (same as continental Europe and USA)
Seat belts are mandatory for everyone in the car
Headlights must be on at all times – even during the day, it's the law
Speed limits: 50km/h in towns, 80-90km/h on rural roads, 110km/h on motorways
Speed cameras are everywhere – obey the speed limits, the fines are expensive
Tunnels: Norway has thousands of tunnels – some are very long (like the 24.5km Laerdal tunnel). Just stay in your lane and relax.
Ferries: You'll need to take several ferries on this trip. They run regularly in May, but check schedules online in advance. Cost: NOK 80-200 per car + passengers.
Gas/Petrol prices: NOK 17-19 per liter (≈€1.45-€1.65 per liter, which is about $6.20-$7.00 per US gallon). Yes, it's expensive – factor that into your budget.

Accommodation Costs

Norway isn't cheap, but you can find options for every budget:

Budget: NOK 350-600 per person per night – Camping (camp sites are everywhere and very clean), or guesthouses/B&Bs
Mid-range: NOK 700-1200 per person per night – Small hotels, cabins with kitchen
Splurge: NOK 1300+ per person per night – Hotels with fjord views, boutique accommodations

Pro tip: If you're on a budget, rent a cabin with a kitchen and cook your own meals – eating out is expensive in Norway, and this can cut your budget in half.

Food & Drink

Eating out in Norway is expensive, but the food is fresh and delicious:

Breakfast at hotel: Usually included in the price, and it's a massive buffet that will keep you full until lunch.
Lunch: Pack a sandwich from a supermarket – it costs way less than eating out. Supermarkets like Rema 1000 and Kiwi have good prices.
Dinner: Expect to pay NOK 300-500 per person for a main course + drink at a restaurant.
Must-try: Fresh salmon (Norway has the best in the world), rakfisk (fermented fish – only for the adventurous), brunost (brown cheese – love it or hate it, try it), lefse (Norwegian potato flatbread).

Sample prices (2026):

Coffee: NOK 40-50 (≈€3.50-€4.50)
Beer at a bar: NOK 80-110 (≈€7-€10)
Bottle of water at supermarket: NOK 15-20
Salmon sandwich at a gas station: NOK 80-100

Best Photo Spots You Can Drive To

Stegastein Viewpoint (Aurlandsfjord) – 650m above the fjord, incredible views any time of day
Ørnesvingen Viewpoint (Geirangerfjord) – Classic view of the fjord with the Seven Sisters waterfall
Stalheimskleiva – The hairpin turns looking down the valley
Mount Aksla (Ålesund) – Panorama of the art nouveau city
Sognefjellsvegen – Countless pullouts with views of the Jotunheimen mountains
Trollstigen Viewpoint – The iconic view of the famous road

May Weather Tips

May weather in western Norway can be unpredictable. Be prepared for:

Temperatures: 10-18°C (50-64°F) in the lowlands, colder at higher elevations (0-10°C on mountain tops)
Rain: Bring a waterproof jacket and waterproof pants – the west coast gets a lot of rain. Don't leave home without them.
Layers: Weather can change quickly – start the morning cold, it can be warm by afternoon. Layers are your friend.
Midnight sun: Bring a sleep mask for your hotel room if you're sensitive to light – it never gets completely dark at night in late May!

Money Saving Tips

Travel in May: Accommodation prices are 20-30% cheaper than July-August, and everything is less crowded.
Cook your own meals: Grocery shopping is affordable compared to eating out. Cabins with kitchens are easy to find.
Book ferries in advance: Some popular ferry routes charge more if you book on the spot.
Camping: Camping is the cheapest way to sleep, and Norwegian camp sites are excellent.
The Bergen Card: If you're staying a few days in Bergen, it gives free public transport and free entry to most museums.

Safety Notes

Watch for sheep on the road: Norwegian farmers let their sheep graze by the roadside, especially in mountain areas. They can wander onto the road, so be careful especially around curves.
Fill up your gas tank: In the mountains, gas stations are far apart. Don't let your tank get below half.
Check road conditions: Before driving mountain passes, check vegvesen.no for the latest opening status. Some high-altitude roads might still be closed in early May.
Wild camping is legal in Norway (as long as you're far enough from buildings) – this is a great way to save money and camp in incredible spots.

Final Thoughts

Driving Norway's fjords in May during the midnight sun season is an experience you'll never forget. The light is magical – the golden light at midnight is something that you just can't experience any other time of year. The roads are empty compared to July-August, prices are lower, and the snow is just melting, leaving countless waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides.

This itinerary gives you the best of the best – Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, the dramatic mountain roads, the charming coastal cities, and of course, the midnight sun. You don't need to rush – 10 days gives you enough time to stop and hike, take photos, and just soak in the incredible scenery.

The key is to be prepared for the weather (bring layers and rain gear), rent a comfortable car, and embrace the midnight sun. Even if it rains, the fjords look incredible in the mist – you'll still have an amazing trip.

Pack your camera, charge your batteries, and get ready for one of the greatest road trips in the world. Norway in May is waiting for you.

Cover image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1476610182048-b716b8518aae?w=1200&h=630&fit=crop

The Ultimate Norway Fjords Road Trip: Chasing Midnight Sun in May-June 2026

At a Glance