Isn’t it great å være midt i smørøyet?

That roughly translates to ‘to be in the sweet spot’ in Norwegian, which you are now that you’ve stumbled upon a local’s extensive list of 10 things you should know before you visit Norway! 

So you’ve come across a crazy Instagram reel of a Norway Holiday’s Northern Lights, and now you’re thinking, ‘I’ve got to see that before I die.’ I don’t blame you; they’re Norway’s most epic natural phenomenon. But before you rush to book your tickets, here are the things you need to know about Norway, brought to you by a local!

From navigating our public transport system to understanding why Norwegians are perfectly happy having picnics in the rain, these Norway facts will help you experience our country like a local. And trust me, after guiding visitors for over a decade, I know exactly what surprises most tourists when they visit Norway for the first time!

10 Things You Should Know Before You Visit Norway

 

1. Visa Requirements for Norway: Who Needs One?

Any real traveler knows that the first challenge to travel is obtaining a visa. Still, fortunately, Norway is listed in the European Economic Area, which, in layman’s terms, means Norway is a part of the EU even if it isn’t a full member. Norway is also part of the border free Schengen area. 

If you’re a EU citizen already, that means you already get to access it freely, and if you’re a US, UK, or Canadian citizen, you can enter Norway for up to 90 days without a visa!

Otherwise, Indian citizens and other nationalities must apply for a Schengen visa and should always make sure to check the UDI website for the latest requirements.

You should note however that the rules of travel to Europe are due to change in 2025. Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries. Learn more about this here.

2. The Norwegian Currency 

Don’t rush to exchange your currencies to the Norwegian Krone (NOK) in large quantities just yet. Cards, for the most part, are universally accepted and preferred around Norway, and many Norweigans also use Apple Pay and Google Pay. However, from my experience, it would do you some good to keep small change on you for some smaller rural areas around the country. That said, the vast majority of travelers to Norway will do just fine using only “plastic money”. 

Currently, the Norwegian Krone is relatively weak compared to major currencies like the Euro (EUR) and US Dollar (USD), which means your money might go further than you expect. For just 1$, you could get 10 NOK!

 

3. How Much Does Norway Cost? Budget Breakdown

As for your travel budget, that would depend on your travel expectations and preferences. For example, if you’re interested in budget hotels, that’ll cost you 900-1100 NOK, whereas a high-end hotel will cost you around 3000+ NOK, and a mid-range hotel somewhere in between.

A high-end restaurant might cost you 1000+ NOK, but if you rent an apartment with a kitchen, you can shop groceries for only about 200 NOK and end up with a nice home-made dinner.

For your estimates, a daily budget for a budget traveler would range from about 1300 – 1600NOK but would go up to about 4000+ NOK for a luxury traveler. It’s a ‘have it your way’ kind of thing when it comes to Norway travel costs!

4. Getting Around Norway

There are many ways to get around Norway, the cheapest and most convenient of which is using the Public Transport bus system, which would cost you 100-150 NOK a day. Most larger cities in Norway has a good public transportation system, perhaps with the best one being in Oslo. Check out my guide to public transportation in Oslo.

The NOR-WAY bus is also a great option to travel in southern Norway and the fjord country between Oslo and Bergen! The buses are comfortable and well suited for long distance journeys, and they can often take you where the train doesn’t go.

However, for longer distances, the country is also connected through an extensive train network with beautiful scenic routes, many of which are considered some of the world’s most beautiful train rides. The Bergen Railway is one such route, where you begin your journey at Oslo station and then ride through some of the most appealing landscapes in Norway. You can do this journey, including the scenic Flåm Railway, as a part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour!

Wanted to try something different maybe, something coastal? You can transport yourself to your destination on Norway’s Hurtigruten and Havila ferries! Forming connections between 34 ports on the line from Bergen to Kirkenes, these ferries offer cruises travelers always remember along Norway’s mind-boggling coastal views.

If push comes to shove, you can also always take domestic flights to get around, especially if you have trips in mind that don’t have any direct train or ferry routes that could get you there, like getting from Oslo to Tromsø, for example, which is about a 2-hour flight, but a 24+ hour ride if you were to plan a complicated train-bus agenda. 

5. Can I Drive in Norway?

Better yet, if you want the freedom to explore the cities without the hassle of becoming familiar with public transport, you can rent a car given that the roads are well-maintained and international driving licenses are valid and easy to obtain. 

 👉  For car rental in Norway check out Booking.com for some of the best rates, or Cabin Campers if you are looking to rent a camper van.

What I would recommend, however, is to avoid driving during winter, as many mountain passes are closed due to snow, and others might be temporarily closed because of severe weather effects. 

Speaking of which…

6. The Plight of Norwegian Weather

It’s true; Norway’s weather definitely has a flair for the dramatic, and you’ll find that the weather varies enormously depending on the region you’re in and the season you’re planning your trip during. 

Around the Gulf Stream, you might discover the coast to have relatively mild fluctuations, but once you get more inland, the temperature starts to get moody. But as the Norwegians say, ‘det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær!’ or ‘There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’!

We Norwegians love the outdoors, and no matter what Armageddon is going on outside our windows, you will surely find us venturing out to enjoy nature.

Time and time again, I’ve seen tourists unprepared for Norway’s weather mood swings. If there’s one thing you should take away from this article’s guided advice, it’s: always pack layers and always pack rain gear, regardless of which season you plan on arriving. For more packing tips, check out this extensive packing guide that I made.  

 

7. Our Mother Tongue

There’s no need to panic-download Duolingo before your trip – English is widely spoken and understood throughout Norway! While you’ll get by just fine with English, Norwegians love it when tourists make an effort to learn a few local phrases. Just be prepared for our many regional dialects! 

Here are some of my favorite handy phrases to get yourself by:

• Hei hei! (Greeting)
• Ha det bra! (Goodbye)
• Tusen takk (A thousand thanks!)

Fun fact: Besides Norwegian, the Sami language is also officially recognized in certain regions of the country.

8. The Norwegian Royal Family

Norway’s beloved constitutional monarchy, led by King Harald V, holds a special place in our culture and hearts. While their role is primarily ceremonial, the Royal Family is highly respected and genuinely popular among Norwegians. The monarchy serves as an important symbol of Norwegian unity and tradition, representing our country at both national celebrations and international events.

9. Is Norway in the European Union?

Norway is in a totally unique position when it comes to the European Union, which is why lots of travelers need clarification as to its Schengen Status. Here’s the short story: While Norway isn’t a member of the European Union (EU), it is a member of the European Schengen Agreement, which is why there are generally no border checks between it and other Schengen countries.

Here are some key differences and similarities you should know as an EU traveler between Norway and other EU countries:

There are different allowances for alcohol and tobacco than in your typical European country, and while the Euro might be accepted in certain areas as a currency, that only happens at very poor rates, typically in souvenir stores. However, EU citizens can travel and work freely in Norway, and your European Insurance Cards and EU driving licenses remain valid there!

 

10. Planning Your Norway Itinerary

Want to visit Norway but feel overwhelmed with trying to plan out all the things you want to do and the places you want to see? Your best bet is to get in touch with a local, and you’re in luck: you’ve got me! Yes, me, the one writing this right now.

With over 10+ years of guiding experience, I can turn all your complicated wishes and ideas into an extensive tour plan with a day-to-day itinerary and all of the insider tips and tricks: what tourist dreams are made of. 

Book a tour with a local and plan a trip to Norway today!