By Car with Dogs to Norway

 Northern Lights, Fjords, Snowy Mountains

Preparations

Norway was one of the countries on our bucket list. We wanted to bring our dogs along, so we started planning the trip much earlier than usual. We aimed to leave in early February, so we began planning and booking accommodations already in January.

Things to consider during planning:

• The total time for the trip
• Places we wanted to visit
• Distances between locations and travel times
• Road conditions and possible closures
• Perhaps these are the most important factors.

We started planning with Google Maps, marking the places we wanted to visit. We checked how long it would take to get to each location and included potential rest stops and breaks. We planned for an average of 6 hours of driving per day. Based on this, we selected our accommodations.

The final preparations before departure involved reviewing our and the dogs’ documents. Each country has different requirements for bringing your dog (passport, deworming within 24 hours prior, rabies vaccination, special vaccinations, forms confirming you're not selling the animal, etc.).

The Journey

Fortunately, we calculated everything well. The only delay was at the Sweden-Norway border, where due to weather conditions, crossing was only possible in convoy. This meant we had to wait for two snowplows to arrive, which led and closed the line of cars.

We had snow chains, but we didn’t need them anywhere. However, we constantly checked information about roads and ferries for possible closures. We also carried ice melt and antifreeze windshield washer fluid (up to -25°C). Unfortunately, the antifreeze sometimes froze when temperatures dropped even lower.

Since we spent most of the trip in the car, we missed out on gastronomy, museums, and cultural events. Neither Sweden nor Norway are particularly dog-friendly, so our options were limited. Gas stations were our main supply points. They generally have everything: car equipment, tools, hot and cold food and drinks, free toilets. It’s worth knowing that most places don’t accept cash; we paid everywhere by card. I wanted to buy some souvenirs, but both countries have very few shops like that—mainly in big cities. In Sweden, you can buy and drink alcohol in restaurants, but you can’t take it away or buy it in grocery stores. There’s a special chain where alcohol can be purchased, somewhat like tobacco shops at home.

The Northern Lights

We were lucky enough to see them. We tracked the events through several apps, checking when and where they might be visible, how strong they were, and how clear the sky needed to be. The phenomenon is somewhat similar to light pollution—it’s not as intense as in photos. The human eye perceives it differently than a camera. At first, we weren’t even sure if what we saw was the aurora. But it was definitely a fascinating sight.

The Experience

Contrary to popular belief, neither Swedes nor Norwegians are reserved. Wherever we went, we met kind, smiling, friendly people. One of our hosts even invited us for a glass of wine. Everyone spoke English, so communication was never a problem.

Two large countries, not many people. This means endless spaces and few crowds. The scenery is indescribable. Neither photos nor videos can truly capture the atmosphere. In the endless silence, your mind feels expanded—as if you’re immersed in the icy universe. Problems seem insignificant and fade away. At least, that’s how I felt there.

If you ever want to pause for a moment, breathe fresh air, and forget the hectic life we live, go on a trip.