These five winter road trips run from three days in the Austrian Alps to a week on Norway's Arctic coast. All of them are driveable in winter on open, maintained roads, but you need winter tyres (and in the Alps, chains on board), short driving days and some slack in the plan for closures.
Norway's Arctic Coast: Tromso to the Lofoten Islands
The route from Tromso to the Lofoten Islands runs past dark fjords, snow-capped peaks rising straight from the sea and red and yellow fishing villages. From late November to mid-January the sun doesn't rise in Tromsø, but there are a few hours of blue twilight around midday, and the northern lights can appear whenever it's dark and clear.
What to Expect on the Road
Norwegian winter roads are well-maintained, but conditions change rapidly. The E8 and E6 south from Tromso are main roads, but once you branch onto the E10 towards the Lofoten archipelago, the road narrows and winds through tunnels blasted from solid rock and across bridges spanning open ocean. Driving here in winter requires confidence, patience, and respect for the conditions.
- Distance: About 580 km (Tromso to Reine)
- Recommended duration: 4-5 days
- Best months: Late January to March (some daylight returns, northern lights still active)
- Must-stop: Reine village, Henningsvaer (the Venice of Lofoten), Senja island
Late February is a good compromise. By then there are around eight hours of daylight, with long pink and violet dawns and dusks, and still plenty of dark hours for the northern lights.
The Austrian Alps: Innsbruck to Salzburg via the Grossglockner
The drive from Innsbruck to Salzburg through the Tirolean and Salzburg Alps passes through snow-heavy forests, past frozen lakes, and alongside ski resorts where cable cars trace lines up impossibly steep mountainsides. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road itself is closed from early November to early May, but the valleys below it stay open.
The Winter Route
Instead of the Grossglockner pass, take the valley roads through Kitzbühel, Zell am See and the Gastein Valley, with an optional detour to Berchtesgaden. Each of these valleys offers a distinct character: Gastein is grand and thermal-spa-rich, Zell am See sits beside a lake that can freeze in cold winters, below the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, and Berchtesgaden (technically in Germany) is home to the crystal-clear Konigsee, which freezes in the coldest winters.
- Start in Innsbruck (optionally with a run up the Wipp Valley towards the Brenner).
- Head east through Kitzbuhel, one of Austria's most glamorous ski towns.
- Drop south to Zell am See for lake and glacier views.
- Loop through the Gastein Valley for thermal baths and alpine grandeur.
- Continue north to Salzburg on the A10 Tauern Autobahn.
- Distance: 300-400 km depending on detours
- Recommended duration: 3-5 days
- Best months: December to February
- Essential: Winter tyres are legally required in wintry conditions in Austria from 1 November to 15 April, and you need a digital vignette for the motorways. See driving in Austria.
Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to Inari
Driving through Finnish Lapland in winter is an exercise in beautiful minimalism. The landscape is vast, white, and quiet. Snow-laden birch and pine forests line roads that run straight for kilometres at a stretch, broken only by frozen lakes and the occasional reindeer standing placidly in your path. The 330-kilometre drive from Rovaniemi to Inari on the E75 takes you deep into Sami territory, where indigenous culture and Arctic wilderness merge.
Highlights Along the Way
- Sodankyla: Home to the Midnight Sun Film Festival in summer, but in winter a perfect base for northern lights viewing with minimal light pollution.
- Saariselka: A fell resort area with glass igloos for sleeping under the aurora, plus excellent cross-country skiing.
- Lake Inari: Finland's third-largest lake, frozen solid in winter. The Sami Cultural Centre Sajos in Inari town is an essential visit.
- Kakslauttanen: Famous glass igloos and a good base for husky safaris and snowmobile excursions.
Finnish roads are well maintained even in deep winter, and hire cars usually come with studded winter tyres. Watch for reindeer, which stand in the road and don't move quickly.
Scotland's Highlands: Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye
The drive from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye via Glencoe and Fort William crosses some of the best mountain scenery in Britain. In winter, snow often sits on the Munros while the glens below stay green and brown, and the low sun gives long, warm light when it breaks through. Daylight is short: around seven hours in December.
Route Breakdown
- Edinburgh to Glencoe (3 hours): Drive via Stirling and Crianlarich through increasingly wild scenery. Rannoch Moor is wide, empty and exposed in bad weather.
- Glencoe to Fort William (30 minutes): The short stretch through Glencoe itself is one of the finest valley drives in Britain. Stop at the Three Sisters viewpoint.
- Fort William to Skye (2 hours): Pass Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak, then take the A82 north and the A87 west past Loch Garry and Eilean Donan Castle to the Skye Bridge. The alternative via Glenfinnan and the Mallaig ferry runs a reduced winter timetable.
- Isle of Skye: The Trotternish Loop, Fairy Pools, and Old Man of Storr are quieter and more atmospheric in winter than at any other time.
- Distance: About 380 km one way to Portree
- Recommended duration: 4-6 days
- Best months: December to February for snow on the hills; March for longer days
- Caution: Single-track roads on Skye can be icy. Drive slowly and use passing places.
The Dolomites, Northern Italy
The Dolomites in winter are a world of sharp white peaks against deep blue skies, with dark pine forests filling the valleys between them. The highest passes nearby (Stelvio, Gavia) close for the season, but the main roads connecting Bolzano, Cortina d'Ampezzo and Val Gardena stay open. Italian and Austrian cultures mix here, and so does the food: speck, canederli, and strudel alongside pasta and polenta.
Practical Considerations
- From 15 November to 15 April, many Italian mountain roads require winter tyres fitted or snow chains on board. Carry chains even if you have winter tyres.
- Accommodation ranges from luxury ski hotels to cosy mountain refuges (rifugios). Book early for Christmas and February half-term.
- The Great Dolomites Road (SS241, then SS48) from Bolzano over the Costalunga, Pordoi and Falzarego passes to Cortina is one of the most scenic drives in the Alps. The passes are usually kept open in winter but can close after heavy snow.
- Cable cars run for skiers and sightseers alike. Take one up for a perspective no road can offer.
Essential Winter Driving Tips for Europe
- Winter tyres are required in some form in Austria, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway and several other countries. Some set fixed dates, others require them whenever there's snow or ice, so check each country before you go.
- Carry an emergency kit: blanket, torch, phone charger, snacks, water, de-icer, and a small shovel.
- Drive with headlights on at all times. In the Nordic countries this is law year-round; elsewhere it is sensible in winter.
- Check road conditions daily. Mountain roads can close overnight. Norway's vegvesen.no and Austria's ASFINAG provide real-time updates.
- Start early, arrive early. Winter daylight is precious. Plan your driving for the light hours.
- Do not skip travel insurance. Winter conditions increase the chance of delays and cancellations. Make sure your policy covers driving in snow.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drive in Europe during winter?
Yes, with the right preparation. European countries with harsh winters maintain their roads to a very high standard. Scandinavia, Austria, and Switzerland are particularly efficient at snow clearance and gritting. The key requirements are winter tyres (often legally mandated), a cautious driving style, and flexibility in your schedule to accommodate weather delays. Avoid driving in active blizzards, keep your fuel tank above half full, and always check conditions before setting out on mountain roads.
Do I need a special licence or vehicle to drive in winter in Europe?
A standard driving licence valid for the country you are visiting is sufficient. Most rental companies in winter destinations automatically provide cars with winter tyres. If you are driving your own vehicle, you will need to fit winter tyres or carry chains for mountain regions. Some countries, like Austria and Switzerland, require a motorway vignette year-round (mostly digital now). Four-wheel drive is helpful but not essential; front-wheel drive with good winter tyres handles most European winter roads well.
Which European winter road trip is best for seeing the northern lights?
The Tromso to Lofoten route in northern Norway offers the best combination of aurora viewing and spectacular driving scenery. Finnish Lapland's Rovaniemi to Inari route is another excellent option, with flatter scenery but often clearer skies, as inland Lapland is drier than the coast. The aurora season runs from late September to late March, with peak activity around the equinoxes. Get away from town lights, check aurora forecast apps, and be patient.