Norway Travel Tips

Banks are normally open from 08:15 to 15:30 Monday to Friday and until 18:00 on Thursdays. During the summer all banks close 30 minutes earlier than these times.

Visitors need not heed any specific warnings regarding safety while holidaying in Norway. Crime rates are low in comparison to most EU countries and any criminal factions that do exist, present little threat to the average holiday maker. Observing general common sense behaviour while in city centres will ensure that you don’t fall victim to opportunist thieves. Remove temptation from the attentions of pickpockets by keeping wallets or purses in front pockets and steer well clear of unlit, unpopulated areas at night to avoid the attentions of muggers. 

Emergency: 110

The currency in Norway is the Norwegian Krone, also known as the NOK. Notes are available in denominations of NOK1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 while coins come in NOK20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 øre.

You can exchange currency or traveller’s cheques at all banks in Norway; however the latter option is by far the best as cash exchanges invariably incur large bank fees. Outside of banking hours, urgent exchanges can be made at bureaux de change located at the country’s major airports. ATM’s also except most foreign cards although be sure to inquire about withdrawal fees with your own bank before leaving home.

There are no currency restrictions on import and export of local and foreign currency to Norway.

For alcohol, EU visitors may take home either one litre wine, one litre spirits (over 17% by volume) and two litres beer or two litres wine. For tobacco, either 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of other tobacco goods are permitted. For other goods, such as gifts, a maximum value of NOK 5000 is permitted.

Electricity: 220V/50 Hz

Norway doesn’t really have any distinct social conventions and visitors from EU countries will find the normal rules are applicable with regards to polite behaviour and good manners. If meeting locals for the first time, then a handshake is appropriate while you should consider bringing a small token such as flowers or wine if you are invited to somebody’s house for dinner. Norwegians make a point of using Christian names when addressing one another and while this may sound a little strange to foreigners, it’s something you should attempt to observe if conversing with the locals.

Visitors do not need to have any specific vaccinations in order to enter Norway as the country has no reputation for harbouring diseases other than those found in all EU countries.

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink however visitors not accustomed to its taste may prefer to buy bottled water which is available in large bottles from supermarkets. 

Standards of health care in Norwegian hospitals and health care centres are high and as a large percentage of the population speak English, you shouldn’t have any problems communicating with doctors, nurses and other health care staff. 

Emergency number: 112

Norwegian is the official language of Norway. The language is very close and mutually intelligible with the two other Scandinavian languages, Danish and Swedish. Sami is a minority language which has official status in some Northern regions.

Tipping is never expected in Norway and is much more of a voluntary and discretionary gesture than in European countries. If you are happy with service in a restaurant then you might want to consider leaving a tip of 5 to 10 per cent, the same can be done with taxi fares but remember that there is no onus on you to tip and you won’t get dagger-looks for not doing so.

The country code in Norway is +47. Norway has both landline and mobile telephone service providers; the former often offering internet services while the latter invariably have roaming agreements with other countries allowing visitors to use their domestic mobile phones on Norwegian networks.

Time: GMT+1

EU residents can stay in Norway for up to 90 days without the need for a visa provided they have a valid passport. The same is applicable for US, Canadian, Irish, South African, New Zealand and Australians citizens