After working and travelling there for 7 weeks, I learned a ton about all the do’s and don’ts of Norway. From practical travel tips to cultural customs, this post will give you important information for making your upcoming trip to Norway a great success!
If you are in the process of planning or booking your trip to Norway right now then I am sooo excited for you! Norway is one of the most incredible countries you could visit if you are a lover of the outdoors. From world-class hiking and majestic fjords to unique and culture rich cities, you could easily spend years here and never get bored.
Like travelling anywhere, it can be really important to understand the do’s and don’ts before arriving. This can range from social norms to trip logistics, either way they will make a huge difference for the success of your trip.
I worked in Norway for almost 2 months and learned a ton about what it is like to travel the country. Simply interacting and being part of the social environment combined with having lots of local friends, I gained a really good understanding of the do’s and don’ts of Norway for travellers.
In order to make your trip the best it can possibly be, I have written out a full list of things I learned while travelling in Norway. Here is my ultimate list of the do’s and don’ts of Norway for travellers.
Read Related: 7 Ways to Beat the Crowds at Preikestolen Hike Norway
The Ultimate List of Do’s and Don’ts for Travelling in Norway
The Don’ts of Travelling Norway:
While Norway is a super easy country to travel in, there are still a few useful tips of things you should avoid. Here is everything that is good to know before travelling to Norway.
1. Don’t Have a Tight Schedule When Creating Your Norway Itinerary
There are many reasons to not have a tight schedule when travelling anywhere. But this is especially true in places like Norway.
For one, the weather can be super unpredictable and sometimes flat out bad. With most attractions in Norway being outdoors, this can certainly impede your ability to do certain activities. If you are a hiker, which many travellers to Norway are, then this is especially important. While some hikes can still be great in the rain, others can be pointless or flat out dangerous. You don’t want to spend hours hiking to a famous lookout point only to be greeted by a wall of fog.
With a more flexible itinerary, you can adjust to the weather and not have to miss out on certain outdoor activities.
You May Also Like: How to Spend 4 Days in Bergen: Full Itinerary
2. Don’t Bother Taking Out Cash in Norway
Norway is super advanced when it comes to electronic payments. So much so, that cash payments are becoming very uncommon. For the most part, tourists are the only people in Norway who actually still use cash. Many places will actually prefer you pay by card.
I took out cash when I first arrived in Norway and honestly had trouble being able to spend it all. When booking accommodation, buying bus tickets, etc. All of it was done using card.
3. Don’t Go Anywhere Without a Rain Jacket
Peak season in Norway will see a lot of rain. The weather can also change drastically and sometimes be unpredictable. That is why it’s important to always bring a rain jacket with you.
Also, aside from the risk of rain, it can be really good to have at the top of a hike as a wind breaker. When you reach higher elevations at the top, it is often quite windy and the temperature lower than when you started.
Even if it appears sunny and warm before leaving to do a hike, always bring one just in case.
4. Don’t Wait to Buy Alcohol Until Late or on Sundays
Norway is very particular about their alcohol sales. You are not able to buy alcohol from any store after 8pm on weekdays, 6pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays. Only clubs and bars with licenses are able to sell alcohol outside of these hours.
Which type of alcohol you are intending to buy will also change the type of store you’ll need to go to. Regular stores and supermarkets are not allowed to sell drinks containing more than 4.7% alcohol. Instead you will have to go to the only government approved chain, known as Vinmonopolet.
There may also be some surprises to do with specific alcohol sales, depending on the bar. A bar I went to in Stavanger was not allowed to sell hard liquor after 9pm. However, other bars and clubs were able to sell this, so it’ll depend on the place. Basically, try to be a little flexible with what you drink.
5. Don’t Buy Bus Tickets With Cash on Local Buses
While it is possible for you to buy a bus ticket from the driver with cash, it will be more expensive. And a little more inconvenient too. Instead, there are several Norwegian bus apps that you can buy your ticket from. They will give you a QR code to scan when you enter the bus. Or in some cases, like in Bergen, you won’t have to scan it at all. This is how everyone does it in Norway and the tickets will be much cheaper, especially if you are taking multiple buses. The app you use will depend on the region you are in.
If you are traveling around the Bergen area the app is called Skyss Billett. The app in the Stavanger area is simply called Billett. The bus app in Oslo is called Ruter Billett.
I’ll also note, just because you may not have to scan your ticket on the bus, doesn’t mean it is a good idea to not pay for a ticket. There are bus agents that will occasionally do random checks for tickets and if you are caught without it is a hefty fine.
6. Don’t Camp in Areas Where it is Prohibited
Norway is one of the few countries in the world where you are able to free camp pretty much anywhere. This is because of their ‘Right to Roam’ that protects people’s access to nature by law.
With that being said, there are a few areas where camping is prohibited. This could be for reasons such as safety or conservation. As an example, the famous Pulpit Rock hike (aka Preikestolen) has ‘camping prohibited’ signs towards the top of the hike. This is likely because of the proximity to the cliff’s edge and the large volume of people in that area. As well, in Trolltunga, there are signs asking you to camp only on the rocky surfaces in order to conserve the grassy wildlife areas.
With how amazing Norway is for having this law, it is important to respect the few times they set down some rules. Prohibited areas are prohibited for a reason and we don’t want to take all that we have here for granted.
7. Don’t Take a Taxi
Unless you have a super high budget, I strongly recommend against taking taxis in Norway. Why? Simply put, they are pricey as heck.
Safety is not an issue with taking taxi’s in Norway, it really just comes down to the cost. With how great Norway’s public transportation system is, it will save you an arm and a leg to just take the bus.
8. Don’t Underestimate Driving Distances in Norway
Norway is a big country and a lot of people underestimate how long it can take to get to different places within it. This is especially important to remember when planning your itinerary.
It is also important to note that you can’t judge the length of a drive by how many km’s it will be. What might not seem like a lot of km’s could take way longer than expected due to mountain switchback roads or slower driving conditions.
Even the estimated driving time on google maps will often be inaccurate and you’ll notice your ETA slowly increasing as you progress throughout the drive.
9. Don’t Expect to See the Northern Lights
A huge attraction and the reason many people travel to Norway is the Northern lights. If you are traveling higher north in the country anytime in the fall – spring, then chances are you are hoping to see them.
There are numerous tour companies that offer northern lights tours and have special accommodation for viewing them. So yes, you do have a chance of seeing them for sure. Oftentimes though, they can be harder to see than you think. For one, it has to be a night where the lights are strong enough to be visible. In addition, it needs to be a clear night with no clouds blocking your view of them. And finally, you have to be somewhere quite remote that offers no light pollution.
My point in all of this is to say, its good to go with the right expectations. It is good to go into it hoping you will see them but not expecting it. You don’t want any disappointment on your trip.
10. Don’t Wait for Perfect Weather Before Going Outside
In Norway, the reality is that the weather might not be perfect for a lot of your trip. While some hikes are dependent on good weather, there are still a ton of hikes and other outdoor activities you can do without.
I had been waiting for sunny weather to do a hike in Rogaland called Reineknutan. I thought the weather needed to be sunny for me to be able to see the views from the top. However, on my last opportunity to go it was cloudy and super windy. I decided to go anyways and ended up being so grateful I did. The views were amazing!
On rainy days you can also explore some cities by going into museums or being ok with getting a little damp.
The Do’s of Travelling Norway:
1. Pack All of Your Garbage Out With You While Hiking and Camping
This is a good thing to follow anywhere you travel. Maybe it’s just me but it feels extra wrong to litter in Norway. I think with how generous they are with access to the environment, it feels wrong to take advantage of it and leave garbage behind.
Even things like banana peels and apple cores are better to take out with you because it takes years and years to fully compost. Especially if you are on a busier trail.
2. Download Norwegian Specific Weather Apps
While travelling in Norway, you are going to want to keep an eye on the weather. I checked the weather every day I was there. The forecast can change quickly and its great to be prepared.
After a week of being there, I quickly noticed how inaccurate my own weather apps seemed to be. It differed greatly from the forecasts my friends were getting. Once I started using the Norwegian apps, the forecasts were way more accurate.
One of the best websites you can use for checking the weather in Norway is yr.no. You can type in your location and it will give you a variety of options for how you want to view the forecast (hourly, daily, weekly).
3. Always Bring Extra Layers of Clothing With You
With elevation changes comes changes in temperature. A lot of hikes in Norway will involve hiking up to a view point. The elevation at the top is going to vary and standing on an exposed cliff, you will often experience a lot of wind. For all of my hikes in Norway, I was constantly taking off and putting back on layers as the trail progressed.
In addition, you never know when it is going to rain and the rainy weather can also bring cooler temperatures.
4. Cook Your Own Meals
Norway is known for being quite an expensive destination. And while I can’t argue that it is a cheap place to visit, there are definitely ways you can cut costs while traveling in Norway. The biggest ones being camping as your accommodation and cooking your own meals.
Cooking your own meals will save you hundreds of dollars, no exaggeration here. While a meal in an average restaurant might cost you 15 – 25 euros without a drink, the cost of groceries in Norway is actually really comparable to a lot of countries in Europe and North America. In fact, I often found my grocery bill to be slightly cheaper than what I would be paying in Canada. I would spend approximately 50 euros a week on all my food. If you eat a lot, I would budget a bit more than that.
5. Book Your Accommodation as Far in Advance as Possible
If you are not camping, then accommodation in Norway is likely to be your biggest expense. A big way you can save money on accommodation is by booking as far in advance as possible. Prices increase the closer you get to the date. Also the cheapest places to stay will get booked up fast leaving you with only the really expensive options.
For example, there are a limited number of hostels in Norway where you will find the cheapest accommodation options. As a result, they are usually booked up pretty fast.
When I was booking a place to stay in Bergen using Airbnb, I found private rooms for around $75 – $80 CAD per night. I waited a few days and when I went to book them, the only options left were well over $100 per night.
6. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
There are 2 reasons you should bring a re-usable water bottle on your trip to Norway. For one, the obvious environmental reasons of not using plastic. And the second, tap water all over Norway is completely safe to drink. It will save you tons of money by eliminating the need to purchase bottles of water while travelling.
If you are camping, you still don’t need to worry too much about buying cases of water to bring with you (in most cases). There are often nearby streams or running water that you can fill your water bottle from. You can purchases water purifying tablets or water pumps to filter your own water. It tastes great! Definitely check if there are sufficient water sources where you are going though.
7. Pack a Sleeping Mask in the Summer
As you may know, most places in Norway experience full daylight for parts of the year. The months that this occurs can vary depending on where you are in the country. The period of full daylight usually lasts between mid May and late July.
With that being said, your accommodation might not always have the best set up for black out curtains which means your room can be quite bright. When I was traveling during the midnight sun in Iceland, we found this to be pretty disorienting to fall asleep. So I strongly recommend bringing a sleeping mask or something to cover your eyes if you are traveling to Norway at this time of year.
8. Round Up Your Bill When Paying at Restaurants
Tipping culture can vary drastically between countries and is an area of confusion for a lot of people travelling somewhere new. I live in Canada where not tipping your server is considered quite rude. In other countries, tipping is not the norm at all.
In Norway, the tipping culture is not huge. Tips of about 10% are really appreciated for great service and the standard is to round up your bill if the service was adequate.
9. Expect a Night Out Drinking to be Expensive
We already know that Norway is an expensive country, but dang the alcohol here is going to cost you a lot. The cheapest beer you’ll be able to find in a restaurant/bar is about 8.50 euros. A “cheap” glass of wine will cost you about 10 euros. And cocktails can be around 12 – 15 euros. Of course if you go for the fancier version of these drinks it will become even more.
If you intend to have a night out drinking, keep this in mind so you don’t spend your budget in a single night.
10. Do as Many Hikes as You Can (Even the Ones That Appear Not as Exciting)
We all know that a huge reason to travel to Norway is for the outdoors and hiking. There are lists everywhere with information on the best and most exciting hiking attractions. And these hikes are on the list for a very good reason, they are awesome. However, my tip here is that you don’t only stick to these popular hikes and try to venture off on some more off the beaten path trails as well.
They may not seem as worth it or exciting, but there are some absolute gems out there that I have never once come across on a list of things to do in Norway. In the month I was living near Stavanger, I hiked the famous Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag. Both were mind-blowing, you should definitely do them. Then there was a local hike near where I was living and I thought ah why not. It ended up offering the best views out of all the hikes I did in Norway, including the ones that make the famous lists. And the best part was? Instead of it being swarmed with other tourists, we came across 1 other group of hikers for the entire 5 hours we were hiking.
11. Take the Scenic Route
This goes without saying, but Norway is a gorgeous country to road trip through. If you have a car then when choosing how to get from point A to B, always choose the scenic route. You should also make sure to leave enough room in your itinerary to do so. Driving can be a huge part of the experience.
Final Thoughts on the Travelling Do’s and Don’ts of Norway
Norway is one of the most easy and enjoyable places to travel in the world. Everything runs super efficiently and it is easy to find information on all the things you want to do there. However, like everywhere it can be super useful to know what to expect when you arrive.
After working and travelling in different parts of Norway for 7 weeks, I learned a ton about the social norms from both observation and my friendships with locals. I also gained a good understanding of the do’s and don’ts of Norway through planning my own travels while I was there (I didn’t have a pre-planned itinerary). And it would have been great to have known these things before arriving.
By following these do’s and don’ts of Norway, you are sure to make yours the best trip it can be.
Happy adventuring!
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Very useful tips. I wish I would’ve read something like this a few months ago when I visited Mallorca. It would have been really helpful and probably made a difference. Oh well, it’s my fault I didn’t research. Anyway, I’ve never been to Norway, but it looks beautiful in your pictures.
Thanks for this! Definitely helpful! I wonder if it’s safe for females to hike alone, not just because of gender but in case of accidents especially the less well known hikes. Do you know if there are organized hiking groups?
Hi VL! I would say hiking on the popular trails as a solo female hiker is very doable in Norway (based on my own experiences). There are often so many people on the trail that you won’t go far without bumping into other hikers. I personally felt quite comfortable hiking alone there. This doesn’t apply in the winter months though, when the trails are snowy and there aren’t as many people. However, I’m a huge believer in not putting yourself into situations you feel uncomfortable (what’s the fun in that) and think group options are a great alternative! I’m not sure if there are day hiking groups, but there are tons of multi day hiking tours out there. I personally really love gadventures (I recently did a group trek with them in Chile and loved how it was all organized – they have group hiking trips in Norway too!).