Welcome to Norway

Great adventures await in Norway. With its striking landscapes and vibrant cultural life, Norway is effortlessly appealing. Your soul will stir at the sight of gargantuan fjords and ice fields. You’ll feel welcomed in colorful little villages and invigorated in bustling urban centers.

The most active among us will adore Norway for its endless summer possibilities, from hiking to whitewater rafting, and for the snowsports of winter – think dogsledding, skiing and snowmobiling. Meet polar bears and walruses in Svalbard. Greet the puffins of Bleik and the whales off Tromso’s coast. Gape at the Northern Lights. Ride the steepest standard gauge railway in Europe past flowing waterfalls, mountain peaks and mighty fjords.

And speaking of fjords, put Geirangerfjod and Naeroyfjord at the top of your must-see list, two of the longest and deepest in the world. Primeval, yes, but with an eye always on the future’s horizon, Norway is extraordinary.

Unique Facts

• The world’s longest road tunnel – the Laerdal Tunnel – is in Norway. It is 15 miles long! To combat driver fatigue, the tunnel incorporates various features, such as caves to separate sections of road or varied lighting.
• Skiing originated in Norway. Sondre Norheim is the “father of modern skiing,” but ancient rock carvings in Rodoy in northern Norway depict people using skis as long ago as 4,000 years.
• The world’s largest herd of reindeer roam on Hardangervidda, the biggest mountain plateau in Europe. There are around 25,000 wild reindeer in the winter, and up to 7,000 are found on Hardangervidda.
• Norway is incredibly eco-friendly. Nearly 98 percent of the country’s electricity production comes from renewable energy sources, predominantly hydroelectric power.
• The most famous architectural invention in Norway is the stave church, a medieval wood church of which only 28 are left of the original thousand.

Language

Norway’s official languages are Norwegian and Sami.

When To Go

The best time to go to Norway is during the shoulder seasons of spring (May and June) and fall (September and October). High season is mid-June through August. To see the Northern Lights, the best months to go are late September, October, February and March.

Airports

Oslo Gardermoen Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for six months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of 90 days or less

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Norway: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C and F. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Norwegian Krone

Getting Around

The maintenance and condition of urban roads throughout Norway is generally good. Rural road conditions are fair. Most roadways beyond the city limits of Oslo and other major cities tend to be simple two-lane roads. In mountainous areas of Norway, the roads tend to be narrow, winding, and have many tunnels.

Norway has a well-established public transportation system. A large network of buses, ferries, trains and planes connect major cities. The passenger train service runs as far north as Bodo. A variety of train, subway, bus and tram services run in the counties of Akershus, Buskerud, Hedmark, Oppland, Oslo, Vestfold, Telemark and Østfold.

Driver’s License

Valid US driver’s license required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Oslo
Morgedalsvegen 36,
0378 Oslo,
Norway
Mailing address: PO Box 4075 AMB, 0244 Oslo, Norway
Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(47) 2130-8540
Fax: +(47) 2256-2751
osloacs@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Visit https://www.fjordnorway.com/planning-your-trip/travel-guide/tourist-information-offices for a full list of visitor information centers in Norway.

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Police: 112
Ambulance: 113
Fire: 110

Safety and Security

Norway has a low crime rate. Violent crime is uncommon. Residential and petty theft does occur in the Oslo metropolitan area. Pickpocketing and petty theft occurs in major tourist areas, as well as train and transit stations (particularly the Oslo Central train station).