Norway Travel Advise - Best Practices

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• General Advise - Visitnorway.com 

• Time of the year to travel. 

  • Summer - Tends to be peak months for travel and also for Norwegians. Some sites and people many be unavailable or with limited hours in July as most vacation within Norway.. Check before you go. Prices for lodging and local travel may be more during peak times. ​

  • Spring and Fall - April, May, September and October tend to have fewer travelers, thus costs may be more economical. The weather is similar to the Chicago area, so coats and sweaters are needed, but it tends to be comfortable. 

  • Winter - Winter may have economical availability, except for Christmas time. Winter in Norway tends have short days, and no sun north of the arctic circle, yet has it's own charm. Many travel to see the northern lights, skiing and winter activities. 

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• Packing - The weather is similar to Chicago for packing, except the mountain areas tend to cool. Therefore jackets and sweaters are recommended all year, although in spring, summer and fall they may not be needed. Raingear is always recommended with preference to raingear over umbrellas especially  in the mountains and country.  

  • Money - The currency in Norway is the Krone. Depending on the exchange rate, Norway can be fairly expensive for common items compared to the US. Plan your funds. 
    As in most European countries, cash stations and the use of credit cards are widely located. Purchases can be made by card at the current exchange rates. You are advised to convert or keep some kroner for those purchases that do not use cards.
    Norway is not a part of the European Union however some establishments use the Euro also, if you have some from other travel. ​

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• Air Travel - Inevitably, you will travel to Norway by air. As in the US, various pricing and routes are available and dependent of day of week and month of the year. Summer is travel season, some prices will be less in fall, winter and spring. Many US airlines fly economically to Stockholm, Copenhagen or other cities and a transfer flight to major Norwegian cities can be taken. 

  • Flyr​

  • Norse Atlantic Airlines

  • Norwegian Air Airlines

  • Norwegian Air Shuttle

  • SAS- Scandnavian Airlines

  • Widerøe

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• Sea  and Ground Travel - Norway has an extensive coastline, giving convenient access to sea travel. Many routes are through archipelagos and coastal waterways that provide protection from North Atlantic storms. 
  Norway has a wonderful public transportation system of planes, trains, boats and busses. You are strongly advised to make reservations online or through a travel agent to guarantee passage. Frequently, open seating is not available

  • Hurtigruten - Perhaps the best known Norwegian shipping line, with a costal travel now from Oslo to North Cape or points between. Many other cruises to and from Norway. ​

  • Express Boats - Northern Norway

  • Express Boats, Bus and other 

  • Trains​ - Norway is widely connected by it's rail system offering comfortable reserved seating and even sleeper cars on some lines. 

  • Auto Rental and Driving - Renting an automobile and driving in Norway is somewhat similar to the USA, but the differences should be understood and not assumed. The total cost of rental is generally expensive compared to the US due to currency differences,  fuel, and insurance adders. 

    • License and Insurance - The US state drivers license is honored, US Auto insurance is usually not valid; insurance must usually be added to the rental contract. A physical license or International License is required. Driving on a ticket or digital license is not allowed. 

    • Rental Companies - Many US Auto rental companies are available from airports and neighborhoods. Norway have many other local rentals as well. Many Norwegians drive stick shift, and do not assume your rental is an automatic transmission. Electric and hybrid cars are extensively used in Norway; do not be surprised to find that in the list.
      • ​Hertz
      • Budget
      • ​​Avis Auto Rental 
    • General Driving Tips  - The roads are typically well maintained, but as anywhere, care for travel in rain and snow is needed. US Drivers may find Norway roads narrower than they are accustomed to, and many roads do not have a center line. Most do have a dashed white edge line to the road suggesting that only a few inches between you and the soft shoulder, vegetation or cliff.  Trucks and busses use this road as well, and care need be taken to pass by. 
      As previously mentioned, driving along a drop-off is common and many have no guardrails. Drive carefully. There is no tolerance for drinking and driving under influence of anything will result in ticket or arrest. 
    • Speed Limits - Speed limits are generally posted and should be absolutely followed. Speed cameras all over the city and small towns will flash and send your ticket to the auto owner. 
      Special speed limits range from 10 km/h (6 mph)to 110 km/h (68 mph0. The most common being 30 km/h (18 mph) in residential areas, 50 km/h and 60 km/h(37 mph) in urban areas, and 70 km/h (43 mph). Speedometers are in km/hr
    • Gasoline/Petrol - In spite of Norway being a major oil supplier, there are no refineries in Norway and all fuel is imported. Prices are in kroner per liter. .In 2022, typical gasoline was priced at 22.84 kr/liter or $8.19/gal.

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• Customs - Customs ​inspection will take place at various country entry points. Note that the custom searches to exit are extensive to the US. Buying liquids, liquor or other items for carry on are forbidden. Buy and pack legal items. 
  You may find that entry to/from Norway from other Scandinavian or EU countries ado not require customs check; the train from Stockholm to Oslo or flight to Copenhagen for instance.  Entry to the US will likely have a checkpoint at both departure and entry. 

  • US Customs and Border Security​

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• Emergency Norway telephone numbers

  • Fire 110

  • Police 112

  • Ambulance 113

  • Poison information centre +47 22 59 13 00

  • TDD – Text Phone for deaf 1412

  • US Embassy in Norway

    • ​Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540

    • Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540

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