Norway
Oslo · NOK (Norwegian Krone) · Norwegian
Hub airports: OSL, BGO, TRD, TOS · Suggested stay: 7–10 days
Norway is in Schengen but NOT in the EU — your 90/180 days here count toward the Schengen total. The country is a series of jaw-droppers: Geirangerfjord, Lofoten Islands, the Trolltunga cliff. It's expensive enough to plan around, but the scenery is the payoff.
Norway in a Nutshell route: train, fjord cruise, mountain railway.
Where to go
Best time to visit
Late May to early September for fjords and hiking — many roads close in winter. February–March for stable aurora season in Tromsø. Lofoten is best June and July (midnight sun) or February (snow + auroras).
Score combines weather, crowds, and price (1–5). See the full matrix across all countries.
US-citizen tips
Norway is in Schengen but NOT EU — most things still feel similar but customs limits differ. Currency NOK. Card everywhere. Vy (formerly NSB) trains. Hurtigruten coastal ferry is a slow, scenic alternative to flying.
Local etiquette
Quiet, reserved, generally honest. Allemannsretten ('right to roam') means you can hike and camp almost anywhere — leave no trace. Sundays are family days; many shops closed.
Getting around
Vy trains (Bergen Railway is one of the world's best). Domestic flights with SAS, Norwegian, Widerøe for north-south. Rent a car in Lofoten and the fjords — can't be beat.
Daily budget (USD)
Common pitfalls
- ⚠Alcohol is taxed heavily — buy duty-free on entry (1L spirits + 1.5L wine + 2L beer).
- ⚠Norway in a Nutshell is great but solo-buying tickets is cheaper than the package.
- ⚠Fjord weather changes fast; pack layers + waterproof shell even in July.
🆘 Emergency reference
Works from any phone (locked, no SIM), free, multilingual operators, dispatches police/fire/medical.
Sea/mountain rescue: 120 (sea) / 1412 SMS (deaf-accessible).
Lost passport, arrested, hospitalized, victim of a crime → contact embassy first, then home insurer. After hours: the main line routes you to a duty officer.
🗣️ Essential phrases
Norwegian (English universally spoken)