1.1 Norway at a Glance
- Official name: Kingdom of Norway
- Capital: Oslo
- Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Language: Norwegian
- Time zone: Central European Time / Central European Summer Time
- Region: Northern Europe
Norway stretches from the southern coastline to the far north above the Arctic Circle. Its geography is one of the country's biggest attractions: mountains, fjords, glaciers, islands, forests, waterfalls and long coastlines create an enormous variety of landscapes.
For travellers, it is useful to think of Norway as several different travel regions rather than one single destination.
Southern Norway — Home to Oslo and the southern coastline, this region combines cities, beaches, forests and cultural attractions.
Western Norway — This is the classic fjord region. Bergen, Stavanger, Flåm, Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord and Geiranger are among the major destinations.
Central Norway — Trondheim and the surrounding regions provide a mixture of history, mountains, coastlines and outdoor experiences.
Northern Norway — This is where travellers go for dramatic Arctic landscapes, Northern Lights, Midnight Sun, Lofoten, Senja, Tromsø and the North Cape.
1.2 When Should You Visit Norway?
There is no single "best" month for every traveller. Your ideal time depends on what you want to experience.
Summer — June to August
Summer is particularly attractive for: hiking, road trips, fjord cruises, scenic drives, outdoor activities, long daylight hours, Northern Norway's Midnight Sun.
Northern Norway can experience the Midnight Sun during the summer period, when the sun remains above the horizon for extended periods north of the Arctic Circle.
Good for: first-time visitors, road trips, hiking, fjords.
Autumn — September to November
Autumn brings changing colours and generally quieter travel conditions than the peak summer season.
It can be an attractive time for travellers who want: autumn scenery, hiking, photography, quieter destinations, Northern Lights experiences.
Visit Norway highlights autumn's changing red, orange and yellow landscapes and notes that travelling outside peak periods can mean fewer queues and more space.
Winter — December to February
Winter completely changes the character of Norway. Depending on the region, visitors can experience: snow-covered landscapes, skiing, dog sledding, Arctic activities, Northern Lights, Christmas markets, winter road trips.
Northern Norway is particularly associated with Northern Lights experiences during the darker months.
Important: winter travel requires more preparation. Weather, road conditions and daylight hours can affect travel plans.
Spring — March to May
Spring is a transition period. Snow remains in many mountain areas while lower elevations begin turning green.
Spring can be particularly beautiful around waterfalls and fjords because melting snow can increase water flow.
Visit Norway describes spring as the season when Norway wakes from winter, with flowers appearing and nature becoming increasingly active.
1.3 Is Norway Expensive?
Norway is generally considered a relatively expensive destination, so budgeting before travelling is important.
The official Visit Norway travel guide provides indicative prices for common expenses, while stressing that prices vary significantly according to location, season and level of comfort.
Examples listed by Visit Norway include:
- Petrol: approximately NOK 21–25 per litre
- Cappuccino: approximately NOK 35–65
- Budget restaurant meal: approximately NOK 190–350
- Mid-range three-course meal: approximately NOK 650–1,500
These are rough guide prices, not fixed prices, and they can change.
Money-saving tip: one of the easiest ways to control your budget is to combine public transport, supermarket meals, apartments/cabins and free outdoor attractions. Many of Norway's most spectacular experiences are natural attractions, meaning you can enjoy dramatic scenery without paying an entrance fee.
1.4 Money and Payments
Norway uses the NOK — Norwegian krone.
Cards and electronic payments are widely accepted. Visit Norway states that debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and that mobile payment options are also common.
Visa and Mastercard are among the commonly accepted cards.
Foreign currency is generally not something travellers should rely on for everyday purchases, so using Norwegian kroner or a suitable card/payment method is preferable.
Should you carry cash? A small amount can still be useful, particularly when travelling outside larger cities, but most visitors will use cards or electronic payments for the majority of purchases.
1.5 Getting Around Norway
Norway offers several ways to travel around the country.
Air — Domestic flights can be useful when travelling between distant regions, particularly when time is limited.
Train — Train travel can be an excellent way to experience Norwegian landscapes while travelling between major destinations.
Bus — Long-distance and regional buses connect many towns and destinations.
Ferry — Ferries are an important part of Norway's transport network, particularly in coastal and fjord regions.
Car — A car gives travellers greater flexibility, particularly for scenic road trips and remote destinations.
Official Visit Norway travel information recommends Entur, Norway's national travel planner, for planning public transport journeys.
1.6 Norway's Scenic Routes
One of the most special ways to explore Norway is by road.
Norway has 18 official Norwegian Scenic Routes. They were selected for their distinctive landscapes and combine nature with viewpoints, architecture and art installations.
The routes include:
- Varanger
- Havøysund
- Senja
- Andøya
- Lofoten
- Helgelandskysten
- Atlanterhavsvegen
- Geiranger–Trollstigen
- Gamle Strynefjellsvegen
- Rondane
- Sognefjellet
- Valdresflye
- Gaularfjellet
- Aurlandsfjellet
- Hardanger
- Hardangervidda
- Ryfylke
- Jæren
The official Scenic Routes website provides route lengths, elevations and seasonal/winter information.
Special note for Stavanger visitors: The Ryfylke Scenic Route is particularly relevant to visitors staying around Stavanger. The route runs from the Lysefjord area towards Sauda and Røldal and includes two short ferry crossings.
1.7 Responsible Travel
Norway's natural environment is one of its greatest attractions. Visitors should:
- stay on marked trails where appropriate
- take rubbish with them
- respect private property
- follow local signs
- avoid disturbing wildlife
- check weather conditions
- follow local safety instructions
- respect camping restrictions
The goal is simple: enjoy Norway without damaging the places that make people want to visit it.
Quick Norway Planning Checklist
Before your trip, check:
- Passport and travel documents
- Visa/entry requirements if applicable
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Weather forecast
- Hiking conditions
- Appropriate clothing
- Phone/eSIM
- Payment method
- Emergency information
- Route/itinerary
- Ferry/train reservations where needed
Official Resources
For the latest travel information, always check official Norwegian sources before travelling.
Visit Norway — destination and travel planning information.
Entur — national public transport journey planner.
Norwegian Scenic Routes — official information about the 18 Scenic Routes.
Information in this guide should be treated as a planning resource rather than a substitute for checking current official rules, schedules, prices and safety information before travel.