How do you get to Sälen from Norway?

The ski resort Sälen is situated in Dalarna in Sweden, just east of the Norwegian border. From Oslo and Eastern Norway, it’s a day trip by car, and for many Norwegian groups, it’s the shortest journey to a Swedish mountain resort of all. You drive eastwards, cross the border and arrive the same day without having to stay overnight on the way.

The short distance is also the whole point. A Norwegian family choosing Sälen over Dalarna avoids both flights and ferries, and can bring their equipment, food and dog in their own car. Many people take advantage of this to stay in a larger accommodation than they otherwise would, for example in luxury holiday cottages in Sälenfjällen with a sauna and space for several generations.

Short answer: that’s how close Sälen is to Norway

Which route you choose depends on where in Norway you start. The table shows the most common starting points.

We have deliberately chosen not to specify a journey time in hours or a distance in kilometres. The routes vary, and winter affects both. Enter your own address into a route planner for the dates you are travelling, and then allow extra time to allow for snow, darkness and breaks.

Directions from Oslo

The northern route runs from the Oslo area northwards towards Hamar and Elverum, and from there eastwards towards Trysil. The border is crossed through wooded countryside, and from there it is not far to Sälen in Dalarna. This is the route most Norwegian visitors take.

The southern route heads east from Oslo towards Kongsvinger, across the border and on through Värmland via Torsby and the Malung. The journey is longer but follows smoother roads, and it’s a good option if you’re planning to go shopping on the Swedish side anyway.

Trysil is therefore on one of the routes. Many Norwegians are already familiar with the resort and wonder how the two ski areas differ. We have answered that question separately in A comparison between Sälen and Trysil – here we mention Trysil merely as a stop along the way.

Crossing the border: the car, the luggage and the quotas

Norway is not part of the EU’s customs union. This means there are quotas on the amount of goods you can bring into Sweden, and corresponding rules apply when you return home. In practice, crossing the border is no big deal on a normal skiing trip, but the rules do exist and they are subject to change.

There are three things worth checking before you set off. The Swedish Customs Service can tell you what the rules are for bringing food, alcohol and tobacco into Sweden. The Norwegian Customs Service can tell you what the rules are for your return journey to Norway. And you’ll need to find out what’s required if you’re travelling with a dog, as there are specific rules for animals. We’ve compiled all the practical information in our guide to what you should take with you when crossing the border into Sweden. Always check the current quotas with the relevant authority itself, as the amounts and quantities are adjusted at regular intervals.

Please also bring valid ID for everyone in your party, including the children. Checks are carried out, and they go more quickly if you have your documents to hand.

Driving time, refuelling and breaks along the way

The journey is short enough that many people drive it without any planned stops. With children in the car, however, it’s better to take two breaks: one before the border and one after. Towns and villages along the route are few and far between, particularly on the northern route, so don’t count on there being an open petrol station just when you need one.

Fill up before you leave the main roads. Fuel prices vary from country to country and are linked to the exchange rate, so it’s worth a quick check before you decide where to fill up. Also, make sure you have cash or a card that works in cash machines, as some unstaffed petrol stations have limited payment options in the evening.

NOK and SEK – payment and price level

Sweden uses the Swedish krona, SEK. Norway uses the Norwegian krone, NOK. The figures look the same but the value is not the same, and the exchange rate fluctuates constantly. Check the current exchange rate before you travel, so that you know what a price in SEK is equivalent to for you.

In practice, card payments work almost everywhere in Sälenfjällen: on the lifts, in the supermarkets, in restaurants and at accommodation providers. You’ll rarely need to withdraw cash. Do, however, check what currency surcharge your bank charges for purchases in SEK. Over the course of a whole week, that surcharge can add up to a significant amount, and it’s rarely noticeable at the time.

Many Norwegian visitors take the opportunity to do a big weekly shop on the Swedish side. Do your big weekly shop on the way up or in the valley below the slopes, where there’s the widest selection. If you’re staying in a house with a fully equipped kitchen, this will also be one of the biggest savings you make during the week – especially in large houses for the whole group, where you’re cooking for lots of people at once.

Tyres and road conditions on the final stretch

Sweden has its own tyre requirements during the winter months, and these also apply to cars registered in Norway. This is the only aspect of the journey that could pose a real problem, so check this first. The requirements and applicable dates can be found on the Swedish Transport Agency’s website, and we have summarised them in our guide to The rules on winter tyres in Sweden.

Road conditions on the final stretch rarely come as a surprise to Norwegian drivers. The roads are narrow, covered in snow at times during the winter and lined with woodland. The biggest difference is the wildlife: elk roam close to the road at dusk and dawn, and reindeer are found in certain areas. Slow down in the dark and keep a greater distance from other vehicles.

What Norwegian guests most often search for in Sälenfjällen

Norwegian groups rarely come to try skiing for the first time. They come for the whole package: a large house, a short journey, the whole group together, and prices in the SEK range. Accommodation is therefore more often the deciding factor than the slopes.

The second recurring theme is space. Sälenfjällen has many houses designed to accommodate larger groups, with a sauna, several bathrooms and a kitchen capable of catering for twenty people. For a group of friends or three generations travelling together, it is often harder to find such accommodation back home than it is here.

Summary – planning your car journey from Norway

From Norway, the Sälen via Dalarna is one of the shortest mountain journeys available, and it requires neither a flight nor a ferry. Choose either the northern route via Elverum and Trysil or the southern route via Kongsvinger, Torsby and Malung. Check the tyre regulations with the Swedish Transport Agency and the duty-free allowances with Swedish Customs before departure, keep an eye on the exchange rate between NOK and SEK, and buy food before you reach the mountain villages. If you’re a larger group and unsure which house will accommodate you all – get in touch, and we’ll work it out with you.