Just a short three-hour flight from Paris, Norway is easy to reach (although ticket prices can be high, depending on the season). Its wild landscapes and rich wildlife attract nature and adventure lovers alike. There’s so much to see and do here.
But before you set foot in Norway, here are some essential tips to know.
We've compiled here the essential information on this beautiful Scandinavian country. We cover practices, customs, temperaments, specialties, culture, and more. Who knows—you might just learn something new!
Yes, sorry to start off with this, but it’s true—Norway is expensive! Better to know this upfront than be surprised once you’re there.
Your wallet will thank you 😅.
Almost everything is costly: restaurants, bars, fuel, parking, activities, and more.
To save as much as possible, we suggest:
Norway’s currency is the Norwegian krone, written as "NOK" or "kr," with an exchange rate of around €1 = 11.5 kr (as of April 2024).
Most importantly, in Norway, almost everything is paid by card. So, make sure to bring an international card to avoid foreign transaction fees.
We use Visa Ultim of BoursoBank, a free card and are very happy with it. If you want to open an account, feel free to use our referral code: SILE2464, or click the link below to receive a welcome bonus between €80 and €220 (depending on the current offer and conditions) for new accounts.
Yes… I’m not a fan of this, but in Norway, public toilets are paid. Even those in the middle of nature sometimes require payment. Crazy, right?
And guess what? You have to pay by card. It’s how you unlock the door. No payment, no bathroom access.
On the plus side, they’re very clean. Generally, Norway’s public spaces are all impeccably maintained.
The weather in Norway is famously changeable, and forecasting it is tricky even for experts. This makes planning hikes and outings challenging.
At the start of our trip, we tried to plan hikes for sunny days, but we quickly learned to go with the flow. When the sun shines or there’s a break in the clouds, we make the most of it, but we always carry our rain jackets!
Here are the best weather sites we found: YR and Meteoblue. They’re helpful for checking hourly forecasts.
If you're driving in Norway, there are a few things to know, especially if you're bringing your own vehicle.
The most important point is that it's essential to register your vehicle to pay for tolls, tunnels, certain ferries, and access points once you're there (and to avoid receiving a hefty fine a few months after your trip—yes, they can track your car by license plate even if you haven't registered).
To register, head online (you won’t find toll booths on the roads): either create an account on Epass24 or order an AutoPASS tag from one of the five official providers:
Option 1, Epass24, is the quickest and simplest choice. Just create an account on their website (you can even do this once in Norway if you forgot), enter your credit card, and you’ll be charged when invoices arrive in your account (although it’s not immediate; it may take weeks or even months after your trip).
Option 2, the AutoPASS, takes a bit more planning since it needs to be delivered to you before leaving, but it offers discounts and better rates for tolls and ferry crossings.
If you go with the AutoPASS tag, make sure to plan ahead and request it at least a month in advance, as delivery can take around 4–5 weeks.
For us, since we were on a road trip across Europe with no fixed address or schedule, we opted for Option 1, but Option 2 is likely more cost-effective.
Another crucial point on Norwegian roads is winter tires. Snow tires (Norwegians use studded tires, but chains are also allowed) are required during the winter months, typically from mid-to-late October through March or early April, depending on the region.
A final tip: trust your GPS! If it tells you it will take 4 hours to cover 200 km, that’s likely accurate! Driving distances can be long due to fjords, ferry crossings, or detours. Roads rarely go straight. But you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking scenery!
One last note: always keep your headlights on, day and night, or risk a fine (even though it may feel odd to have them on in full daylight).
If you choose to rent a car in Norway, you won’t need to worry about registering the vehicle. However, we recommend booking through DiscoverCars. This platform compares hundreds of agencies to offer the best rental deals with the best conditions. Prices (with no hidden fees) include unlimited mileage, partial coverage, and theft protection. What more could you ask for?
Norwegians speak fluent English, so you shouldn’t have any trouble communicating. If needed, you can always use Google Translate.
Yes, this right exists, and in Norwegian, it’s called "Allemannsretten," which we could translate as "everyone's right."
This law means that "nature is both wild and accessible to all," applying to anyone living in or visiting Norway. It allows you to walk freely wherever you wish, fish, swim, navigate, ski, and gather natural products (berries, fruits, mushrooms), even in private forests and lands. While it’s frowned upon to pick berries in someone’s yard (or close to it), it’s technically allowed.
Of course, this freedom comes with a responsibility to respect nature and others without abuse!
This right also explains the public barbecue stations in national parks. You’ll often find picnic areas with tables, benches, a barbecue, and wood available. You can light your own fire to cook sausages, peppers, mushrooms, and other treats you’ve brought or gathered along the way.
It makes for a unique break during a walk or hike. Just remember to plan your meal in advance 😉 and, of course, take your trash with you!
For accommodations, you’ll find a variety in Norway, from rustic cabins to more conventional hotels. You can choose whatever style fits your travel preferences:
Norway (like its Nordic neighbors) fascinates visitors with the celestial spectacles it offers, especially above the Arctic Circle, in the region known as Norwegian Lapland.
But why specify "Norwegian Lapland"?
Lapland is a northern region of Europe that stretches across four countries:
Hence, sometimes you’ll see it divided into:
Une grande partie de la Laponie se trouve au-dessus du cercle polaire. Ceci implique des journées de 24h en été (ce qu’on appelle « le soleil de minuit »), et des nuits de 24h en hiver (appelées « nuits polaires » ou « nuits sans fin »).
A significant portion of Lapland is above the Arctic Circle, resulting in 24-hour days in summer (known as the "midnight sun") and 24-hour nights in winter (known as "polar nights" or "endless nights").
This territory is home to the Sami people, an indigenous population (one of Europe’s last) that raises reindeer. Only about 100,000 people live there, largely due to the extreme climate conditions.
With so few residents and cities, there’s also minimal light pollution. This allows for absolutely stunning night-sky observations in winter when the polar nights approach. The stars are breathtaking, and the Northern Lights are even more so. As you move further above the Arctic Circle, your chances of seeing the auroras increase. The phenomenon lights up the sky with a palette of colors from green to violet, red to yellow.
While Finnish Lapland has the best chances for seeing the Northern Lights (about 200 times a year, or every other day), you won’t miss out in Norway!
Beyond the Northern Lights, Norway offers a range of enticing activities:
Swedish Lapland is less touristy than Norwegian or Finnish Lapland, while Russian Lapland remains sparsely populated and developed.
If you visit Lapland, you don’t have to pay for guided activities; you can also explore on your own, admire reindeer, and hunt for the Northern Lights yourself! This is what we chose to do during our trip. It’s a great way to save money and experience the thrill of spotting a reindeer or witnessing the Northern Lights on your own.
In short, though it’s very far north and can get extremely cold in winter (-10°C to -30°C), Lapland is a unique region with experiences you won’t want to miss during a trip to Norway or the Nordics. Just prepare in advance, especially for the right clothing, and enjoy the wild wonders Lapland has to offer.
You might not know this or have wondered about it, but unlike its Swedish and Finnish neighbors, Norway is not part of the European Union.
In fact, Norway has met all the criteria for EU membership. However, it has twice rejected joining in national referendums. The main reasons are concerns over losing state subsidies and control over resources, especially energy and marine resources (including the imposition of quotas). And this brings us to whaling. Norway, despite the global ban on whaling since 1982, continues to hunt these cetaceans. It’s even the leading whaling nation (ahead of Iceland and Japan), killing about 500 whales a year, even though only 2% of the population reports eating whale meat (source: TF1 Info, 2022)…
For such an advanced nation, it's disappointing to think they still carry on whaling, despite the harm it can cause both to the species and the planet.
Norway offers a brighter side when it comes to children! Many public spaces, including museums, churches, and airports, have dedicated kids' corners with small tables, chairs, toys, and drawing materials to keep children occupied. It’s safe to say that Norway is very "kid-friendly."
And because there’s always more to share, here are a few extra fun facts about Norway:
There you have it, our top 10 facts (plus a few bonuses) about Norway. With all this info, we hope we’ve shared some interesting insights and that you’ll be well-prepared for your trip to Norway. If this article has you excited to visit, you can book your tickets here:
Share your own experiences and tips in the comments for fellow travelers 😊.
1. In Norwegian towns, not much happens before 10 or 11 a.m., and everything closes early, around 5 p.m. Keep this in mind for museum visits or shopping trips!
The same goes for meals. Norwegians eat early: lunch is around 11:30 a.m., and dinner is around 5 p.m. They often have an “evening snack” around 8 or 9 p.m., similar to the Canadian or American tradition.
2. Most ferries can be paid for on board or via your Epass24 or AutoPass account (the digital toll system mentioned earlier). However, if you plan to take the Bodø-Moskenes ferry to the Lofoten Islands, you must reserve it online in advance.
3. For a big money-saving tip, if you’re looking to travel between Bodø (mainland) and Moskenes (Lofoten Islands), consider taking the ferry that stops at Værøy (another island), as this route is free. Yes, free! Instead of paying 250 NOK per person (about 21€) or 813 NOK with a vehicle (about 70€), the trip will be slightly longer but free — and you’ll get to explore another island if you decide to spend a few hours or even days there.
Reservations for this ferry can be made on the same site mentioned earlier*.
*Official website for booking the Bodø - (Værøy -) Moskenes ferry: https://www.torghatten-nord.no/
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