Top travel tips A–Z

Alcohol

To buy wine or beer in Norway, the minimum age is 18 years. For spirits, it is 20 years.

Beer can be found in most shops, but is only sold before 8 pm on weekdays or 6 pm on Saturdays. For wine, spirits or strong beer, you must visit one of the Vinmonopolet outlets, found in most large cities and towns.

Brochures

Visit Norway has replaced printed travel information by this comprehensive website. Here, you will find numerous travel tips, information about destinations, maps, and a route planner, directions on how to get around, as well as useful facts for a soft landing in the land of the fjords and the midnight sun.

The Visit Norway app gives you information about thousands of places to stay, restaurants, activities, and attractions on and near your destination.

Download the app:
iPhone: Visit Norway for iOS
Android: Visit Norway for Android

Calling home

Dial “00” followed by your two or three digit country code, the area code and phone number.

On most mobile phones, using “+” instead of “00” will also work.

If you are calling home on a mobile phone, buying a local pre-paid SIM-card (called “kontantkort”) may be the cheapest option. 

Customs and regulations

Within the limit of NOK 6,000 you are allowed to bring the following articles free of customs and excise duty into the country (note that the quotas are different from when you’re travelling within the EU):

• A limited amount of alcohol and tobacco
• Meat, meat products, cheese, and foodstuffs except dog and cat food, totalling 10 kilos altogether from EU/EEA countries. From countries outside the EU/EEA, you can’t bring meat, meat products, milk and milk products in your luggage
• Norwegian and foreign banknotes and coins at a total value of NOK 25,000

It is prohibited to import the following without special permission:

• Drugs, medicines, and poisons (minor quantities of medicine for personal use are permitted)
• Alcohol over 60% alcohol by volume
• Weapons and ammunition
• Fireworks
• Potatoes
• Mammals, birds, and exotic animals
• Plants/parts thereof for cultivation

For further information about customs regulations when entering Norway, please contact Norwegian Customs.

Daylight Saving Time

Also known as summer, DST always starts on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October.

Time is adjusted one hour forward in the summer, to move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

Disabled?

In general, airlines, trains, buses, ferries, and shops in Norway are accessible for everyone. But some advance planning will still make it easier for you to get around. Read more about travelling in Norway with disabilities.

Drinking water

Tap water is universally drinkable in Norway, and tastes great. So no need to buy bottled water.

Most running water in the mountains and forests of Norway is clean enough to drink, but avoid water running through pastures or run-off from glaciers, as this may contain harmful microorganisms.

Driving

Norway is the longest country in Europe, and it takes about 30 hours to drive from Kristiansand in the south to Hammerfest in the north. The E-roads are the main roads and connect cities and regions. Read more about driving in Norway.

Along 18 selected roads called the Norwegian Scenic Routes, natural wonders are amplified by art, design, and architecture meant to bring you closer to nature in new and surprising ways.

Drones

Drones and similar remote controlled flying devices must generally be kept at a minimum 150 metres distance from both people, vehicles and buildings that are not affiliated with the drone operator. Flying must happen within 120 metres above the ground or water surface. Never fly closer than 5 kilometres from airports unless you have explicit clearance to do so. The device must always remain within the sight of the operator, who must neither be influenced by alcohol.

All such flight activity must always be performed with concern and respect for the surrounding people, birds, other animals, private properties, public spaces and tourist spots like viewing points. Please check with your destination for local, deviating regulations and military or other special restricted areas where all the aforementioned activities are forbidden by law. Read more about use of drones on Civil Aviation Authority Norway’s website.

Electricity

220 volts AC (50 Hz) is the Norwegian standard.

Norway uses the continental European standard socket.

Almost all electricity in Norway is hydroelectric, so use it with a clear conscience.

Emergency telephone numbers

• 110 – Fire
• 112 – Police
• 113 – Ambulance
• 120 – Emergency at sea
• 22 59 13 00 – Poisons Information Centre
• 1412 TDD (text phone for the deaf or hearing impaired)

Internet access

Internet access is good in most towns and cities, either through mobile data, or public Wi-Fi in cafés and other public areas. Mobile data coverage will be patchy in sparsely populated areas. Most hotels have free Internet access in the rooms, but if it is important to you, it’s best to ask the hotel before you book. Many buses, express buses and trains offer free onboard Wi-Fi, but this will often require registration and have limited capacity.

LGBTIQ+

Most Norwegians have a liberal attitude towards sexuality and gender identity, and Norway was early on to enact anti-discrimination laws against gays and lesbians. Most LGBTIQ+ venues and offers are found in the big cities like Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim.

Money

Norway's currency is “kroner”, abbreviated NOK. That said, how much should you tip, pay, or expect to be billed?

Pets

Make sure you read the full instructions at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority in good time prior to your travel.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all EU countries must have pet passports and ID marking. Unless from Sweden, the animal also needs valid anti-rabies vaccination. In addition, dogs from most EU countries must be given approved tapeworm treatment minimum 24 and maximum 120 hours before arrival. Small rodents, cage birds, and rabbits must have valid import permits issued by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

Certain dog types are prohibited in Norway. Norway is amongst the few rabies-free countries thanks to high awareness and strict rules.

Additional rules apply to non-EU countries. For further information not found on the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s website, please contact the Norwegian Embassy or Consulate in your country.

Public holidays

Norwegian public holidays are New Year's Day (1 Jan), Labour Day (1 May), Constitution Day (17 May), Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25-26 Dec). Movable holidays are Easter, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, and Whit Monday.

Most shops will be closed on public holidays, and public transit may run with reduced frequency and capacity. Many restaurants and bars will be open, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Many museums are open on Sundays and some public holidays, but will often be closed on the following Monday.

Retail therapy

Here's what you need to know about shopping in Norway. And before you go, here is information on currency and prices. 

Right of access

In Norway, everyone has the unrestricted right of free access to the countryside, ­including the national parks. Read more about the rights of access. 

Safety

We want you to come back, so see our tips on how to stay safe in the mountains, on the seas, or on the roads.

Smoking

Indoor smoking in most public places is prohibited. This includes hotels, bars, restaurants and all other establishments where food and beverage are served.

You must be over 18 years to buy tobacco in Norway.

E-cigarettes that contain nicotine are prohibited in Norway, but can be imported for personal or medical use. Citizens from the EU/EEA area can enter the country with a maximum quantity of one year's consumption. Citizens from outside the EU/EEA are only allowed to import a quantity that doesn't exceed three months of consumption. When importing e-cigarettes that contain nicotine, it's a good idea to bring along documents, such as a prescription or medical certificate that proves that the products were legally bought for personal use.

The Norwegian Directorate of Health states that in the course of 2023 a new regulation of e-cigarettes should come into force, that would allow nicotine e-cigarettes in Norway. Until this regulation has been approved, it is forbidden to produce, trade and import e-cigarettes and e-liquids with nicotine in Norway.

Storage of luggage

You will find storage lockers for your luggage at Oslo S/Oslo Central Station. You are welcome to keep your belongings in the lockers at all hours, but you will not be able to access the same lockers when the station is closed between 01:10 am and 04:30 am. Make your payment for the use of storage lockers by cash, Visa or Mastercard.

Time zone

All of Norway uses Central European Time (CET), which is one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1).

Toll roads

Norway has many toll roads, but the good part is that you don’t need to slow down to pay. Read more about invoicing and how to register your car.

Visa requirements and passports

Visitors from the Schengen countries do not need to show a passport or visa when entering Norway. You may still be asked to identify yourself at some point during your trip, so it is highly recommended to carry a valid passport or national ID card with you.

A number of countries have introduced temporary border controls at the internal borders in Schengen.

Citizens of some countries outside the EU/EEA have to apply for a visitor's visa. You can easily check if this is required for you, and what rules apply to your country with on the webpages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Due to Svalbard being outside the Schengen area, identity control is performed for all guests travelling to and from Svalbard. This also includes Norwegians. All guests, both Norwegian and foreign citizens, must bring their passport or national ID-card.
Please read more about entry to Svalbard at sysselmannen.no

Note that The European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Svalbard. It is therefore strongly recommended to purchase travel insurance before you go there.

What to wear

Norwegian weather is liable to change from day to day, so bring a selection of clothes that you can layer. That way, you can add or remove layers depending on temperature. In addition, bring at least one warm jumper, waterproof coat and/or umbrella and comfortable walking shoes, boots, or trainers.

If you go during the winter, you will need an overcoat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots.

In autumn and spring, you may want to bring waterproof trousers and boots.

For the summer, lighten up, but remember that even summer evenings and nights can be chilly, particularly in the mountains. Read more about Seasons & climate in Norway.