Norway Tunnels: The Complete Guide for Campervan Travelers

If you’re planning a motorhome road trip through the country soon, it also means driving through Norway’s tunnels. But these are not just another piece of logistical infrastructure here; they are like snakes winding their way along, over (and even under!) our breathtaking fjords.

This article will explore the various tunnels, reveal which you’re most likely to find along your road trip route, what makes them so impressive, and even give you a few local insights and tips on how to navigate these engineering marvels.

Why Norway Has So Many Tunnels

Norway has over 1000 tunnels. For a country that’s roughly just 385,207 square kilometers (148,729 square miles) big, this is a significant number of tolls. So, why so many?

Well, just like the rest of the world, the main aim of a tunnel is to help create the shortest and fastest route (without something like a mountain or a fjord stopping you). In other words, instead of having to add hundreds of kilometers to a route going around something, you simply go through/under it.

However, in Norway, this becomes exceptionally challenging. Since we have such a staggering amount of mountains and fjords, it’s nearly impossible to have any routes without tunnels. So, it’s not just basic logistics that dictate having so many tunnels – it’s our landscape!

The Types of Tunnels You’ll Encounter on a Norway Road Trip

These are the types of tunnels you’ll encounter on your motorhome road trip through Norway:

Road Tunnels

These are your standard through/under tunnels you’ll find on the road. In Norway, this usually means either going through a mountain or going underneath a fjord. These vary in length and size, which is important to take note of when exploring the country in a motorhome.

The smaller motorhomes generally won’t be a problem, but the moment you upsize, the length and width of the motorhome could mean never seeing the other side of that tunnel.

Subsea Tunnels

These incredible engineering feats managed to connect the various Norwegian islands with each other without having to take a ferry across. These are usually pretty special experiences when you realize you’re quite literally driving through the ocean.

Railway Tunnels (for Admirational Purposes Only)

As a motorhome or campervan explorer, ever finding yourself inside a railway tunnel would mean that something has gone terribly, terribly wrong. However, these deserve an honorable mention along any road trip route through Norway.

Some of these tunnels, such as the Bergensbanen Tunnels and those found along the Flam Railway, are incredibly impressive. So, whether you take a little day outing on the train or just admire them from afar, they still deserve an honorable mention.

The Longest Tunnels in Norway

Norway boasts some of the world’s longest road tunnels:

Lærdal Tunnel: The World’s Longest Road Tunnel

The Lærdal Tunnel is a very important piece of infrastructure when it comes to connecting the east to the west here in Norway. It connects Aurland and Lærdal and is a ferry-free option for those traveling between Oslo and Bergen.

This tunnel is 24.5 kilometers (15.2 miles) long, officially claiming the title as the world’s longest road tunnel. The Lærdal Tunnel is also toll-free.

Ryfylke Tunnel

You may think you’re driving into what looks like the build of a very metropolitan Hobbit as you first enter Ryfylke Tunnel (essentially a two-tunnel tunnel). However, it soon turns into what feels like an almost aquatic ride (especially with its blue lights).

Ryfylke Tunnel connects the municipalities of Stavanger and Strand in the south of Norway and runs underneath the Horgefjord. The tunnel is 14.3 kilometers (8.9 miles) long, and tolls will vary based on the make and model of the vehicle, its emissions, and whether it has AutoPASS. You can budget between 93 NOK ($10.05/€8.55) and 120 NOK ($12.95/€11.05) for vehicles under 3.5 tons.

Gudvanga Tunnel

The Gudvanga Tunnel can be found along one of our most popular road trip routes, the E16, which runs between Bergen and the capital city. The tunnel is 11.4 kilometers (7.1 miles) long and is toll-free.

The Deepest Subsea Tunnels in Norway

Norway doesn’t just have some of the longest tunnels in the world; we boast some of the deepest subsea tunnels as well!

The Ryfast Tunnel System

We’ve actually already mentioned the Ryfast Tunnel System without you even noticing. You see, the Ryfylke Tunnel is actually a part of the Ryfast Tunnel System, which also includes the Hundvag Tunnel (in the original build) and which connects with the existing Eiganes Tunnel and required 53 kilometers (33 miles) of new roads.

This entire system is credited as the world’s deepest subsea tunnel system. At its deepest, it goes 292 meters (958 feet) below sea level. We already mentioned the toll applicable to Ryfylke, but the Hundvag Tunnel will also require toll fees.

Once again, tolls are dependent on the make and model of the vehicle as well as emissions, but you’re looking at an average of between 19.20 NOK ($2.10/€1.80) and 24 NOK ($3/€2.20).

Eiksund Tunnel

Eiksund Tunnel connects Hareidlandet Island and is 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles) long and is only slightly less deep than the titleholder above, clocking in at 287 meters (942 feet) below sea level. But what makes this subsea tunnel unique is that it’s got an unusual gradient of 9.6% between its deepest point and the exit (even earning it a mention in the Guinness World Records!).

The Most Scenic Tunnels on Norway’s Road Trip Routes

As we already mentioned, Norway’s tunnels are not just engineering feats, but also engineering beauties that allow you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking Norwegian landscape. Here are some of the tunnels that promise to be quite the experience:

Atlantic Ocean Tunnel

The Atlantic Ocean Tunnel can be found along one of the most ambitious and breathtaking roads in Norway (the Atlantic Road). The tunnel runs between Oksenvagen in Averoy and Hagelin in Kristiansund. It’s 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) long and reaches 250 meters (820 feet) below sea level.

Vardo Tunnel

The entrance to the Vardo Tunnel honestly looks like an otherworldly portal. This subsea tunnel runs underneath the Bussesundet Strait and connects Vardoya Island to Svartnes on the Varanger Peninsula. This is one of our older and more historic tunnels, as it was officially opened by King Olav V in 1983. The tunnel is 2.9 kilometers (8.1 miles) long and reaches 88 meters (288.7 feet) below sea level. 

Driving Through Norway Tunnels in a Campervan: What You Need to Know

If this will be your first time driving a camper or motorhome through our tunnels, the following is important to know:

Height and Width Restrictions

As we already touched on, tunnels can vary in size, especially along some of our older routes. So, even though most standard vehicles will be able to pass through, it’s always a good idea to double-check the width and height of your camper or motorhome.

Hot Tip: Ask your rental agent for the specs of your campervan or motorhome upon pick-up because you’re not going to want to start measuring somewhere along the road.

Toll Fees Inside Tunnels

As we also mentioned, some tunnels have toll charges. However, tolls in Norway are purely to recover costs, so you’ll often find that tolls are lower or even completely disappear over time. So, always double-check toll fees. Also, have a chat with your rental agent about how they handle payment for tolls.

Most rentals are registered with AutoPASS, which essentially means that you only need to settle toll charges, along with any other outstanding charges, to the rental company when you drop the vehicle off. However, you never know when those toll charges will be left to you, and you’ll need to start downloading payment apps, so be sure to have the conversation beforehand.

GPS and Mobile Signal in Tunnels

After all the modern-day tech innovations, the one thing we still haven’t figured out is how to get a stable signal inside tunnels. Knowing this, expect your GPS and mobile device to be pretty much non-functioning for those X-amount of kilometers under the water or ground.

We highly recommend having a few offline backups, such as hard copy maps or downloaded maps. You may not get lost in a tunnel, but if you need to start making turns once you’re out of the tunnel and your GPS or mobile device is still playing catch-up with a signal, you may be adding quite a few unnecessary kilometers to your journey.

Safety Rules and Emergency Protocols

All tunnels have existing emergency procedures in place. If you should ever find yourself in an emergency situation, please follow the instructions of those in charge and follow the emergency signs and signals that are found throughout the tunnels.

Obviously, this is an almost apocalyptic rare occurrence. The odds of you experiencing another type of emergency, such as a fender bender, a breakdown, or a medical emergency, are much higher.

If this occurs, move the vehicle out of traffic (if you can and only after having taken very detailed photos from all angles in the event of an accident), turn on the hazard lights, and phone the rental company.

Hot Tip: Save all emergency information on your phone under Emergency Norway. You’ll be surprised at the brain fog one can have in these situations, and it helps to have everything saved in one place. This includes the rental company number, the insurance company’s number (if not part of the rental company), and Norway’s national emergency number (112).

Norway Tunnel Map: Key Tunnels by Road Trip Region

Norway’s tunnel systems are ever-expanding, so check out which you’ll find along your specific road trip route on this Norway Tunnel Map (it is constantly being updated). And use Autosync to calculate the toll fees along your route.

FAQs About Driving Norway’s Tunnels in a Campervan

Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get about driving Norway’s tunnels in a campervan or motorhome:

Is Driving Through Norway’s Tunnels Safe?

Driving through Norway’s tunnels is perfectly safe as long as you keep vehicle height and weight into account. While we understand that these tunnels can be challenging to those suffering from claustrophobia, there is no real danger to driving through these tunnels, like so often depicted in Hollywood movies (you can rest assured that there will be no cracking, leaking, crumbling, you name it).

What is the Longest Tunnel in Norway?

The longest tunnel in Norway is the Lærdal Tunnel, clocking in at 24.5 kilometers (15.2 miles).

Can Norway’s Tunnels Affect Your Road Trip Route?

Yes, Norway’s tunnels can affect your road trip route. If there’s a sudden closure, you’ll need to be diverted, which will alter your route and add more driving time to the itinerary. But this rarely happens, and you won’t be caught by surprise if it does if you keep an eye on the Norwegian road conditions and statuses.

Are Norway’s Tunnels Free to Use?

Some of Norway’s tunnels are free to use, but not all. Check Autosync to see if there are any tunnels with toll fees along your route.

How Do I Pay for Tunnel Tolls in Norway?

If you’re planning on renting a campervan or motorhome, you’ll need to discuss this with the rental agent. Most rental agencies have their vehicles registered with AutoPASS, so they pay the tolls directly.

You simply reimburse them, along with any other outstanding amounts, during the vehicle drop-off. If a rental company requires you to pay tolls out of pocket, you’ll need to download payment apps like EPASS24 and Tollster.

Explore Norway’s Tunnels with a Campervan Rental

Are you getting excited about exploring the country via road trip? Then what are you waiting for? It’s time to start planning and prepping!

If you’ve got any questions about campervan and motorhome rentals, have more questions about Norway’s tunnels, or need some other local advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Motorhome Norway. Our team of experts is always happy to assist and ensure you have a safe and memorable trip.