Travelling with pets: rules and life hacks for road trips in Norway
Planning to travel through Norway with your pet? Read our detailed guide Travel with Pets Norway 2025 and discover everything you need for a comfortable and safe trip with cats and dogs. Find essential entry rules, handy tips for car transport, advice on public transport and ferries, plus a selection of the best pet-friendly places to stay. Don’t miss the checklist with must-have documents and gear to make your journey smooth and stress-free. Let’s go — for new adventures together with your furry companion!
What you need to bring your pet to Norway
| Requirement | Details | When to do |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 11784/85 microchip | Scanned at customs | Once – before vaccination |
| European Pet Passport | Includes owner details & vaccinations | Obtain from EU/EEA vet |
| Rabies vaccination | Live or inactivated vaccine | No earlier than 12 weeks; ≥ 21 days before entry |
| Echinococcus treatment (dogs) | Praziquantel 5 mg/kg | 24–120 h before entry; repeat every ≤ 28 days if staying |
| Owner’s declaration | Form for personal pets (< 5 animals) | Complete online; present printout at border |
If arriving by Color Line or Fjord Line ferry, veterinary checks are usually performed at the port alongside passport control.
Transport by car: comfort and the law
- According to §23 Vegtrafikkloven, animals are considered "cargo" and must be secured (fine: NOK 900).
- A window crack, not a draught — wind can cause conjunctivitis in dogs.
- Try to take a break every two hours. The E6/E16 "Rasteplass" service areas have grassy areas and rubbish bins for bags.
- Water on a pole. Lots of sites have a free "bobil water" tap, which is great for your pet.
- This is about the temperature. If you leave your car in the sun for 15 minutes at 20°C, the temperature of the interior will go up by 37°C. And whatever you do, never leave your pet in the car, even for a minute.
Public transport and ferries
| Type | Rules | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vy trains | Cats/dogs in carrier free; without carrier 50% of adult fare | ≤ 110 NOK |
| Nor-Way / Vy Express buses | Small pets in carriers free; large pets in luggage hold + 49 NOK | 49 NOK |
| Skyss / Ruter city | Carry or muzzle; no seats for pets | free |
| Fjord1 ferry | Pets on open deck 3; in salon only in cage | free |
| Hurtigruten | Pet cabins limited—book 2–3 months ahead; scheduled deck walks | 310 NOK/trip |
Life hack: keep leashes shorter than 1.5 m on ferries—long leashes are prohibited after dogs fell overboard in 2023.
Pet-friendly accommodation: where to look
| Type | Pros | Average pet fee |
|---|---|---|
| Campsites (Odda, Ramberg, Preikestolen) | Spacious grounds, walking areas, dog shower | 0–50 NOK/night |
| Airbnb / Finn.no | Often no extra charge; deposit ~500 NOK | 0–100 NOK |
| Scandic / Thon Hotels | “Pet room” with wood floor and bowl | 200 NOK/night |
| Hyttegrend (rental cottages) | Private yard, full kitchen | 100 NOK one-time |
Sort on Booking.com by “Pets allowed” filter and message hosts in advance—some only accept small breeds.
Walking and leash rules
- You'll need to keep your dog on a lead when visiting nature reserves and national parks from 1 April to 20 August (nesting period).
- You can let your dog off the leash in city parks, as long as you do so in the special areas marked "Hundeluftområde" (you'll see these areas because they have green signs with a picture of a dog on them).
- If you don't keep your dog on its lead when it's off the leash in the wrong area, you'll be fined 2,000 NOK.
- In Sweden, you can walk your dog off-leash away from houses, as long as you keep control of them by voice. This is called "Allemannsretten".
Emergency veterinary clinics (24/7)
| Region | Clinic | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo | Oslo Dyresykehus | +47 22 68 35 00 |
| Bergen | AniCura Bergen Nord | +47 55 39 29 00 |
| Trondheim | Stjørdal Veterinary Clinic | +47 74 80 12 00 |
| North (Tromsø) | Evidensia Tromsø | +47 90 66 40 00 |
Write down the numbers and coordinates in advance—mobile reception can be unreliable in the mountains.
Essential equipment
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Carrying case/car hammock | Safety and a clean interior |
| Hands-free belt | Free hands for hiking poles |
| Silicone folding bowl | Lightweight, quiet in backpack |
| Tick repellent | Southern Norway is a Lyme disease zone |
| Spare tags with phone number | Quick contact if your pet runs away |
| “Hundepose” bags | Fine for not picking up: 900 NOK |
The "Fjords with Paws" route (5 days, 650 km)
- Oslo → Geilo (220 km) — ride along the Rallarvegen cycle path, overnight stay at Geilo Camp.
- Geilo → Flåm (110 km) — morning ferry to Aurlandsfjord, pet-friendly deck.
- Flåm → Bergen (170 km) — stop at Tvindefossen waterfall, café with dog bowls.
- Bergen → Odda (145 km) — Odda campsite with a trail to Låtefossen waterfall (leash required!).
- Odda → Oslo (270 km) — through Hardangervidda with a photo stop at Vøringsfossen, spacious walking area.
Pre-departure checklist
- The microchip has been verified, and the pet passport along with the echinococcus treatment certificate (in English) are safely stored in the folder.
- AutoPASS is registered, with “Rasteplass” rest stops selected approximately every 150 km for convenient breaks.
- Rabies vaccination was administered at least 21 days before departure to ensure pet safety.
- Veterinary clinics along the route are marked in the Hundeliv app for any unforeseen situations.
- The carrier or hammock is securely fastened, with an additional non-slip mat for stability.
- It is recommended to bring a towel — even in summer, pets will get wet after swimming in the fjord.
This checklist will help make your trip comfortable and safe for your furry friend.
Norway is a great place for furry travellers, as long as their owners follow the rules: microchip, passport, vaccinations and a leash where required. In return, you'll get to experience all the amazing scents of the taiga, cool fjords for those brave enough to swim in them, and campsites where your dog can snooze to the cries of seagulls. Get your documents ready, plan your route with plenty of breaks in mind, and your adventure will be an event not only for you, but also for the happiest tail in the back seat. Hey, good to see you here! Now go out and explore the stunning Norwegian trails, and don't forget to leave your paw prints along the way!