Travel tips A-Z

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Useful tips and things you have to know.

We want you to be happy in Norway and enjoy your time here as much as you possibly can. Happy guests come back, and before you know it we have made friends for life. Makes sense, then, to share our best tips to make your stay a good one.

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.

Budget travel

Yes, it's possible. See our 10 budget holidays tips here.

Brochures

Visitnorway doesn't make travel brochures or catalogues anymore. But don't worry, you'll find a lot of information on the site. We offer travel tips, maps and a route planner, directions on how to get around, as well as an abundance of hard facts for a soft landing in the land of the fjords and the midnight sun.

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.

Dynamic Variation:

Daylight Saving Time

Also known as summer time, 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. Read more about Seasons & climate in Norway.

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 runoff from glaciers, as this may contain harmful microorganisms.

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 in daylight only and within 120 metres above the ground or water surface. 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.

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 (textphone for the deaf or hearing impaired)

Foreign languages

Most Norwegians speak passable English, especially the younger crowd.

Many have also learned German, French or Spanish at school, but skill level may vary.

Getting here

By plane or by train, by bus or by boat, we can help you getting to Norway.

Internet access

Internet access is good in most towns and cities, either through mobile data, or public wifi in cafés and other public areas. Mobile data coverage will be spotty 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 wifi, but this will often require registration and have limited capacity.

LGBT

Most LGBT venues and offers are found in the big cities like Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim.

Marriage

Sure you can get married in Norway, but it takes a bit of planning. Start by contacting your Norwegian Embassy for details.

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, ID marking and valid rabies vaccination. Dogs 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 among few rabies-free countries thanks to high awareness and strict rules.

Additional rules apply for non-EU countries. For further information not found on the website of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority 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 in 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

Sorry, but 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.

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 most are quite inexpensive, and you don’t even 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 a passport or visa when entering Norway, but must show valid and sufficient ID. A European Union ID-card or passport is recommended.

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 at udi.no.

The regulations concerning entry to and residence in the Svalbard Islands are different from the regulations on the Norwegian mainland. Svalbard is not part of the Schengen area. Norwegian authorities do not require a visa for visiting Svalbard, but as most transport links connect Svalbard with Norway, foreigners with visa requirements to Norway/the Schengen area will need a valid visa to travel through the Schengen area.
Please read more about entry to Svalbard at sysselmannan.no

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

Dynamic Variation:

Go where you want

but don't go broke

or get lost

take only pictures and keep only memories

Understand the natives

Understanding the language will help you along a great deal, not least due to the sympathy you'll elicit from the locals, who are only too happy to help a visitor out. This list will give you a firm foundation.

Yes = Ja
No = Nei
Thank you = Takk
Excuse me = Unnskyld meg
Hello = Hallo

Train = Tog
Bus = Buss
Metro = T-bane
Tram = Trikk
Station = Stasjon
Airport = Flyplass

Hospital = Sykehus
Emergency services = Legevakt
Fire services = Brannvesenet
Police = Politi

Food = Mat
Drink = Drikke
Alcohol = Alkohol
Non-alcoholic = Alkoholfritt
Vegetarian = Vegetar
Allergic = Allergisk

Receipt = Kvittering
Bill = Regning
Cash = Kontanter
Credit card = Kredittkort

Day = Dag
Week = Uke
Month = Måned
Year = År
Today = I dag
Yesterday = I går
Tomorrow = I morgen

Monday = Mandag
Tuesday = Tirsdag
Wednesday = Onsdag
Thursday = Torsdag
Friday = Fredag
Saturday = Lørdag
Sunday = Søndag