Self Drive Tours in the Nordics & Northern Europe

A Nordic Visitor self-drive tour is a road trip where everything is organised for you. We book all the hotels along your journey, as well as any attraction, train or ferry tickets. You’ll receive a personal itinerary in advance of your trip that will include any additional upgrades or activities you may have requested.

Yes, European and Nordic self-drive tours are relatively easy, providing you follow the rules of the road. When you travel with Nordic Visitor, you will have a dedicated travel consultant to create your itinerary, hand-draw your map and send you a travel guide with important driving information.

You do not need an International Driving Permit to explore Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland or Ireland.

Please note: To rent a car in Northern Europe, you will need to bring your in-date driving licence.

Yes, if you start your journey in the United Kingdom or Ireland then you will be renting a right-hand car to drive. If you’ve chosen a Norway, Scandinavia or Iceland package then you’ll be driving a left-hand car.

Yes, Northern Europe is a safe place to visit. Many of the countries that make up the region rank highly in the Global Peace Index.

The ideal time to visit will depend on what you want to see and do on your trip. If the northern lights are at the top of your list, then visit during the winter months when you’ll have longer nights to chase them. If you want to do outdoor activities like hiking in the Scottish Highlands or fjord kayaking in Norway, we recommend you visit in summer or spring.

Discover the best time to go to our destinations in our series of travel guides:

• The best time to visit Ireland
• The best time to visit Iceland
• The best time to visit Norway
• The best time to visit Scotland
• The best time to visit Scandinavia

The further north of the Arctic Circle you go, the better your chances of seeing the northern lights. We recommend visiting Iceland, Northern Norway, Svalbard, Greenland or Lapland to witness the northern lights.

To find out more about the aurora borealis and the best ways to boost your chances of seeing them, have a look at our guide to the northern lights.

Yes, you can choose the ideal start date for your tour. All Nordic Visitor packages are available to view and book online.

Northern Europe self-drive tours with Nordic Visitor can be tailored to suit your dream itinerary. This is ideal if you want to diverge from your route to see a special area, or if you simply want to add days and nights to your trip. You can also incorporate more recommended activities, like visiting the Blue Lagoon while you're in Iceland, or going on a guided food tour in Norway.

We recommend you look over flights for timings and prices, but hold off purchasing until your package has been secured. Once your dedicated travel consultant has introduced themselves and sent over the confirmation email, you will have all of the information you need to pick and purchase flights.

The weather can be changeable in Northern Europe, so we advise that you prepare for it by packing the following essentials:

• Jumper, sweater or fleece
• Thin insulated layers
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sensible walking shoes
• Umbrella
• Binoculars (for birdwatching or fjord cruises)

For more ideas on what to bring on your trip, have a look at our packing guides for Iceland, Norway, Scotland and Ireland