Aalesund Airport Car Rentals: Best Rates & Zero Hidden Fees

US driver's licenses are valid in Norway for up to 90 days, but rental companies strongly recommend carrying an IDP alongside your US license. An IDP costs around $20-$25 through AAA and is essentially your translation document—some agencies may refuse to rent without it, especially during peak season. Get one before you leave the US to avoid any surprises at the counter.

Yes, winter tires are legally required from November 1st through Easter Monday—typically 5-6 months of the year. Norway mandates M+S (Mud + Snow) marked tires with at least 3mm tread depth. If you're renting in winter (December-March), nearly all vehicles come equipped with winter tires already. Summer visitors can skip them, but mountain passes may still have snow patches even in late May. Always check yr.no for real-time road conditions before heading into the mountains.

Norway operates an electronic toll system called AutoPASS—virtually all rental cars have this transponder pre-installed. Toll charges are automatically added to your rental agreement, typically appearing 2-4 weeks after your trip. Expect to pay 50-150 NOK ($5-$15) per tunnel crossing on major routes. The Lærdal Tunnel (24.5km) and other mountain tunnels have tolls. Budget around 300-600 NOK ($30-$60) total for a week of moderate driving around Ålesund and the surrounding fjords.

Yes, you can rent at 22 in Norway, but expect to pay a 'young driver surcharge' of approximately 100-200 NOK ($10-$20) per day if you're under 25. The minimum age varies by rental company (21-25 range), so always check ahead. Drivers under 21 are generally ineligible for rental. If you're 22-24, budget an extra $70-$140 onto your weekly rental cost. Some agencies offer 'young driver' packages that bundle insurance—read the fine print before accepting.

The Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen routes almost always involve ferry crossings—you cannot drive around fjords, you cross them. Ferries run year-round but on reduced winter schedules (every 1-2 hours vs. every 20-30 minutes in summer). The MQ-5 ferry across the fjord costs around 155 NOK ($15) per car one-way, paid at the dock. Download the 'Norwegian Public Roads Administration' app for real-time ferry schedules. Summer traffic can back up 30+ minutes at popular crossings, so start early—aim to reach ferries before 9 AM.