10 Tips For Travel In Norway

By: Greg Hawood

Break Studios Contributing Writer

There are many things that travelers should prepare for when going abroad, but these 10 tips for travel In Norway will help ensure that you have a fun time in the Nordic nation. Norway was once the home of the Vikings who eventually marauded their way across Europe. It is one of the largest countries in the continent but has a small population due to the extreme weather conditions in the winter.

  1. Bring plenty of money. Norway is not in the European union and travelers must convert foreign currency into the Norwegian krone. Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world and there are very few ways to cut costs, so an important tip for travel in Norway is making sure you have plenty of money. 
  2. Learn a few words of Norwegian. Most people in Norway speak very good English, but it is a good tip to learn a few words of the native tongue. Everyone likes visitors who make an effort. Don't worry if you mispronounce a few words--the effort will create goodwill. 
  3. In summer, prepare for long nights. During the summer, the sun shines almost 24 hours a day in Northern Norway. Locals and visitors make the most of the long days by having parties long into the night.
  4. In winter, bring a flashlight. Winter months bring very little daylight to Norway and if you go out after mid-afternoon, it will already be dusk. Dark days don't lend themselves to sightseeing, so if you plan to explore, you need to bring a flashlight.
  5. Bring warm clothes. In summer, the weather is mild rather than hot and in winter, you should expect arctic conditions. Clothes are expensive in Norway so bring thick coats, woolly hats and scarves from home.
  6. Prepare for travel difficulties. People often rent cars when visiting Norway, but a good tip for travel in Norway is preparing yourself to travel by any means necessary. Cars are good in big cities, but be prepared to ride ferries and locally operated boats to cross fjords in remote areas.
  7. Visit Oslo. The capital city of Norway is Oslo and like most big cities, it is a hive of museums, nightclubs and bars. Oslo is a destination by itself, so allow sufficient time to explore it during your trip.
  8. Book a Viking boat cruise. Many local operators run cruises in Viking-style long boats. The Vikings used the simple but sturdy boats for raids on mainland Europe. It is a good tip for travel in Norway to find a local boat operator and book your trip before you arrive.
  9. No Smoking. Like many places in Europe, Norway has banned smoking in public places. Bring nicotine patches because fines are levied on people who break the smoking ban.
  10. Learn to enjoy fish. Seafood has always been the main staple of the Norwegian diet. If you are not a big fan of fish, a good tip for travel to Norway is to do some research ahead of time to find fast food chains because local restaurants serve herring and salmon and not much else.
Posted on: Nov. 04, 2010