Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
South Ireland to Norway route - sound good or another idea? South Ireland to Norway route - sound good or another idea?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Dec 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
South Ireland to Norway route - sound good or another idea?
Rather than shipping my bike stored just north of Cork I'm going to ride/ferry to Oslo. Here's what I have

Rosslare to Pembroke ferry
Ride to Harwich
Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry
Ride to Kiel
Kiel to Oslo ferry

Do you all think this is the fastest route?

Thanks in advance
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Dec 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 380
I went from the SW of the UK to Oslo (and beyond) this summer. It depends upon the timings of the ferries (and prices which varied greatly).

Going out we crossed the eurotunnel late and stayed in Dunkirk, then took 2 days to ride to Frederikshavn. Stopped there overnight and took a day ferry to Oslo early the next morning. Ideally we would have taken the overnight ferry from Kiel to Oslo on that second night but there was not too much in it.

Coming back we rode down to Gothenburg, got an overnight to Kiel, rode the next day to Hook of Holland and got an overnight to Harwich. This worked really well.

Enjoy!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Dec 2016
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,105
Quote:
Originally Posted by little bike View Post
Kiel to Oslo ferry

Do you all think this is the fastest route?
Depends on whether you need to get to anywhere in Norway (in which case yes), or you need to get to the bits of Norway that you really want to ride. Oslo and the Eastern Plain are the populated, heavily trafficked and policed parts of the country. Consider e.g. a Kiel to Helsinki ferry and an overnight car-train from Helsinki to Kolari or Rovaniemi. Great thing about ferries is, you move along as you sleep.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Dec 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
Depends on whether you need to get to anywhere in Norway (in which case yes), or you need to get to the bits of Norway that you really want to ride. Oslo and the Eastern Plain are the populated, heavily trafficked and policed parts of the country. Consider e.g. a Kiel to Helsinki ferry and an overnight car-train from Helsinki to Kolari or Rovaniemi. Great thing about ferries is, you move along as you sleep.
I'd rather skip Oslo, but the only ferry I can find that goes to Kristssand (?) leaves from the Hirtshals, and that's a 12 hour ride from Hook of Holland. I'm going to take the coast route all the way up, I'm going to leave Oslo asap.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 Dec 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee View Post
I went from the SW of the UK to Oslo (and beyond) this summer. It depends upon the timings of the ferries (and prices which varied greatly).

Going out we crossed the eurotunnel late and stayed in Dunkirk, then took 2 days to ride to Frederikshavn. Stopped there overnight and took a day ferry to Oslo early the next morning. Ideally we would have taken the overnight ferry from Kiel to Oslo on that second night but there was not too much in it.

Coming back we rode down to Gothenburg, got an overnight to Kiel, rode the next day to Hook of Holland and got an overnight to Harwich. This worked really well.

Enjoy!
Hmm, just saw the Gothenburg to Frederikshavn, ride to Hirtshals then ferry to Stavanger.

The Gothenberg ferry looks like a good way to get back too, thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Dec 2016
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 49
Hey,

Going from Dublin I took a morning ferry to Holyhead, crossed the UK and took overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland. The ferry is excellent, they also allow you to board really early, so you can go to sleep and rest fairly early too. HofH arrival is quite an early one. Get a cabin, they even have single ones. I'm not sure if it's even possible to book this one overnight without the cabin, but even if it is, please book cabin. :-)

I then spent a long and boring day riding Dutch and German motorways and stayed overnight in a camping just after crossing Danish border. I was there around 7-8pm that day.

Next day I started very early, around 6am, to catch 9 or 10 am ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand. That meant I was in an enjoyable part of Norway already by noon on 3rd day after leaving Dublin.

I would recommend this route. Second day is boring but oh well.
__________________
Motorcycle Rentals in Malaga
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Jan 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 16
I got the Harwich ferry to Hook of holland then rode up to Hirtshals last year. I stopped in Denmark and camped before getting the early ferry to Kristiansand. I then rode to Stavanger in 3 hours.

You could get the longer ferry to stavanger, but i wanted to see the sights. I'm in Stavanger at the moment. If you need anything give me a shout.

Meddy.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 31 Jan 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1
DFDS runs a freight ferry from Ghent to Gothenburg with 8 places for passengers with their own vehicles. When I booked it cost less than the Kiel to Oslo boat.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 31 Jan 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: County Clare, Ireland
Posts: 128
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddartt View Post
Hey,

Going from Dublin I took a morning ferry to Holyhead, crossed the UK and took overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland. The ferry is excellent, they also allow you to board really early, so you can go to sleep and rest fairly early too. HofH arrival is quite an early one. Get a cabin, they even have single ones. I'm not sure if it's even possible to book this one overnight without the cabin, but even if it is, please book cabin. :-)

I then spent a long and boring day riding Dutch and German motorways and stayed overnight in a camping just after crossing Danish border. I was there around 7-8pm that day.

Next day I started very early, around 6am, to catch 9 or 10 am ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand. That meant I was in an enjoyable part of Norway already by noon on 3rd day after leaving Dublin.

I would recommend this route. Second day is boring but oh well.
Went from County Clare to Oslo via Rosslare and Pembroke and couldn't agree more with the above ferry experience from Harwich to Hook of Holland. However, I then rode around Hamburg then north to Copenhagen and crossed that cool bridge/tunnel to Malmo then north again to Oslo. Left home on Friday evening and arrived in Oslo on Monday evening.
__________________
Your Life is Now!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 31 Jan 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: stord island, west norway
Posts: 21
give me a pm when you are near stavanger/bergen, i live right between the 2 and can give you some pointers on good routs and stuff to see.
where abouts in norway are you heading nordkapp?
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Morocco: Where to stay - please contribute Chris Scott Sleep and Eat, Morocco 130 1 Day Ago 08:22
Buenos Aires to Bogota guest123 Route Planning 12 2 Jan 2013 08:18
Europe and the Americas - Video reports as I throttle round the world... JetJackson Ride Tales 31 24 Oct 2012 02:33
Old Tenere - new 660 engine - good idea? RonanE_IRL Yamaha Tech 9 21 Jan 2012 23:14
Egyptian around 30 states Heeso North America 6 13 Nov 2011 02:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:01.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top