Bergen to Stralsund: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The drive from Bergen, Norway, to Stralsund, Germany, covers roughly 800 kilometers (500 miles) and includes two ferry crossings. The route passes through some of Scandinavia's most dramatic landscapes: from the fjords of western Norway to the flat farmlands of Denmark and the Hanseatic port of Stralsund. The journey typically takes two to three days, allowing time to explore highlights like the Vøringsfossen waterfall, the Oresund Bridge, and the chalk cliffs of Rügen.

This guide provides detailed information on logistics, attractions, and practical tips for making the most of your drive. We'll cover everything from fuel costs to pet-friendly stops, ensuring a smooth and memorable trip.

For those wondering how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, we recommend using this guide to enhance your journey. The mix of Norwegian fjords, Danish bridges, and German coastal scenery makes this one of Europe's most diverse road trips.

Infrastructure safety is high throughout the route. Norway's E16 has winding sections with tunnels (up to 24 km long) and steep gradients; keep headlights on at all times. Sweden and Denmark have excellent motorways, but watch for moose crossings in Norway and Sweden, especially at dawn/dusk. In Germany, the A19 is a modern autobahn with sections without speed limit, but be cautious of high-speed traffic.

• Speed Limits: Norway 80-100 km/h, Sweden 90-110 km/h, Germany 100-130 km/h (unlimited on some autobahn sections).
• Emergency Services: Dial 112 in all three countries.
• Rest Zones: Every 30-50 km on major roads; Norway has scenic rest areas with WC and views.

Family and child suitability is excellent. Norway offers child-friendly attractions like the Bergen Aquarium and the Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter (open-air museum). In Sweden, the Tom Tits Experiment in Södertälje is a hands-on science center. Germany has the Ozeaneum in Stralsund, a massive aquarium. For pets, many ferries accept dogs in cabins, and hotels along the route are pet-friendly (e.g., Scandic chain). Remember to check pet entry requirements (EU pet passport required).

• Family Stop: Legoland Billund (Denmark) – 1 hour detour from E20.
• Pet-Friendly: German rest stops usually have designated pet areas; Norway requires leashes.
• Fatigue Management: Plan stops every 2 hours; consider an overnight in Oslo or Helsingborg.

The classic route from Bergen to Stralsund follows the E16 from Bergen to Oslo, then the E6 and E20 south through Denmark, crossing the Oresund Bridge to Sweden. From Sweden, take the E4 south to Trelleborg for a ferry to Rostock, Germany, then the A19 east to Stralsund. This route avoids the need for a ferry between Denmark and Germany, but you still need one for the Baltic crossing. Total driving time (excluding ferries) is about 15-16 hours, spread over two days.

• Key Roads: E16 (Norway), E6 (Sweden), E20 (Denmark/Sweden), E4 (Sweden), A19 (Germany)
• Ferry Crossing: Trelleborg (Sweden) to Rostock (Germany) – 4 hours, book in advance during summer.
• Alternative: Ferry from Hirtshals (Denmark) to Kristiansand (Norway) if starting from Bergen side, but this adds time.

Fuel stations along the route are plentiful, especially in Sweden and Germany. In Norway, stations are fewer in mountainous sections, so fill up before leaving Bergen. Tolls exist in Norway (e.g., around Oslo) and on the Oresund Bridge (€60-80). The ferry from Trelleborg to Rostock costs around €100-150 for a car, depending on season. Credit cards are widely accepted.

• Fuel Costs: Norway €2.20/litre, Sweden €1.80/litre, Germany €1.70/litre (2025 estimates).
• Tolls: Oresund Bridge toll is about €60-80; Norwegian tolls add up to €30.
• Total Estimated Cost (fuel, tolls, ferry): €500-700 for a standard car.

Best stops Bergen to Stralsund include the breathtaking Vøringsfossen waterfall (at Måbødalen on E16), the stunning Hardangerfjord viewpoints, and the historical city of Bergen itself. As you drive east, the landscape changes from steep fjords to rolling hills in eastern Norway. In Sweden, the forests and lakes dominate until you reach the southern coast. Denmark offers flat farmland and windmills, while the German leg features the Baltic Sea coast with white chalk cliffs on Rügen Island.

• Vøringsfossen: 182m waterfall with viewing platforms, 2 km off E16.
• Oresund Bridge: 8km combined bridge-tunnel connecting Denmark and Sweden.
• Rügen Chalk Cliffs: Königsstuhl National Park Center, near Stralsund.

Local commerce along the route includes farm shops selling Norwegian brunost, Swedish cinnamon buns, and German bratwurst. In Roskilde (Denmark), visit the Viking Ship Museum. In Stralsund, the UNESCO-listed Old Town offers Baltic amber jewelry and maritime history. Things to do between Bergen and Stralsund include hiking at Preikestolen (if you detour to Stavanger) or visiting the Trelleborg fortress in Sweden.

• Unique Souvenirs: Norwegian wool sweaters, Swedish Dala horses, German Lübeck marzipan.
• Local Cuisine: Smoked salmon (Norway), smørrebrød (Denmark), Nordseekrabben (Germany).