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Norway travel guide
Deep fjords, northern lights and the midnight sun.
Norway is a long, mountainous country on the western side of Scandinavia, with a coastline cut by dramatic fjords. It is known for fjord cruises, Arctic islands like Lofoten, the northern lights and great hiking.
Travel tools
Getting there
Oslo Gardermoen is the main international airport, with others in Bergen, Stavanger and Tromsø. Ferries link Norway with Denmark and Germany, and trains and roads connect with Sweden.
Best time to visit: Jun–Aug for fjords and hiking; Oct–Mar for northern lights.
Tougher months: No bad time – November to March is dark and cold, but it's the season for northern lights, skiing and snowy adventures.
Weather by month in Oslo
- 0°J●
- 1°F●
- 5°M●
- 10°A●
- 16°M●
- 20°J●
- 22°J●●
- 21°A●●
- 16°S●●
- 9°O●●
- 4°N●●
- 1°D●
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Europe/Berlin. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 93 of 198 other passports can enter Norway without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 105 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of the Schengen Area (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-07-06). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Norway travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Norway are based around Oslo, Bergen or Geirangerfjord. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$90–130 for a backpacker and US$200–340 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Norway page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +47.
Mobile data: read the eSIM for Europe before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Oslo (Capital · culture): A green waterfront capital with the Munch Museum, Vigeland sculpture park and Opera House.
- Bergen (Western Norway · gateway to fjords): A colourful harbour city surrounded by mountains and the starting point for many fjord trips.
- Geirangerfjord (Møre og Romsdal · fjord): A UNESCO-listed fjord with dramatic waterfalls like the Seven Sisters.
- Nærøyfjord & Flåm (Vestland · fjord & railway): One of the narrowest fjords in the world, combined with the famous Flåm Railway.
- Lofoten Islands (Arctic · islands): Spectacular peaks, fishing villages and beaches above the Arctic Circle.
- Tromsø (Arctic · northern lights): A lively Arctic city and the top base for aurora trips, whale watching and winter adventures.
- Stavanger & Lysefjord (Southwest · hiking): A charming old town and the gateway to Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten.
- Svalbard (High Arctic · wilderness): A remote archipelago of glaciers and polar bears, far north of the mainland.
Things to do
- Cruise the Geirangerfjord. Sail between sheer cliffs and plunging waterfalls in one of the world's most famous fjords.
- Hike to Preikestolen. Stand on the flat-topped Pulpit Rock high above the Lysefjord near Stavanger.
- Chase the northern lights. Head out from Tromsø on a clear winter night to watch green auroras dance overhead.
- Ride the Flåm Railway. Descend a steep mountain valley past waterfalls on one of the world's most scenic train journeys.
- Explore Lofoten. Wander red fishing cabins beneath jagged peaks and hike to beaches with Caribbean-coloured water.
- Walk Bryggen in Bergen. Explore the leaning wooden Hanseatic warehouses along the old harbour.
- See Viking heritage in Oslo. Discover Viking history and visit Oslo's striking Opera House and waterfront museums.
- Experience the midnight sun. Hike or kayak under a sun that never sets during summer in the Arctic north.
Source: full Norway guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Brunost – sweet, caramel-like brown cheese
- Fårikål – lamb and cabbage stew
- Laks – fresh or smoked Norwegian salmon
- Skillingsbolle – big cinnamon bun
Source: RoamSun Norway guide
Money and safety
Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not expected; rounding up is fine.
Emergency numbers: 112 police · 113 ambulance · 110 fire.
- The Norwegian krone is the currency, and Norway is nearly cashless – cards and mobile payments work almost everywhere.
- ATMs exist but are becoming less common; you may not need cash at all.
- Norway is very safe, but mountain weather changes quickly – check forecasts and tell someone your route.
- Respect avalanche warnings in winter and stay on marked trails.
Source: RoamSun Norway facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Norway?
Jun–Aug for fjords and hiking; Oct–Mar for northern lights. Mild and wet on the coast, colder inland, with long dark winters in the north.
What time zone is Norway in?
Norway uses Europe/Berlin.
Do I need a visa for Norway?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 93 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 0 need an e-visa or eTA and 105 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Norway use?
Norway uses plug type C, F at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Norway?
The international calling code for Norway is +47.
Do you tip in Norway?
Not expected; rounding up is fine.
What is the emergency number in Norway?
112 police · 113 ambulance · 110 fire.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Norway?
Traffic drives on the right.