Norway Travel Guide

Norway is one of three countries that make up Scandinavia. While you could spend your time in its cities, the real beauty of Norway is found in its fjords and country sides.

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Top Things to Do | Itineraries | Know Before You Go | Transportation | When to Travel | Costs & Budget | Solo Female Travel Advice | Photo Inspiration | All Blog Posts

Top Things to Do

Oslo – The capital of Norway is also its most populous city. You’ll find plenty of museums to keep you busy, but don’t linger here too long. There’s so much more to Norway than just Oslo.

Bergen – The second most populous city in Norway also offers something interesting for tourists.

Explore the Fjords – Norway is famous for its fjords and when you visit, you have to incorporate nature however you can. One of the best sights though is the fjord region of Norway.

Norway in a Nutshell – This popular sightseeing route takes you through some of the best scenery in Norway. There’s scenic boat and train rides and the views are just stunning.

Itineraries in Norway

So far I’ve only been to Norway once as part of a larger trip through Scandinavia. Unfortunately due to limited time, I never made it out to the fjords, but I did get a good feel for the capitol city of Oslo.

Know Before You Go

Currency – Norwegian Kroner (SEK). I paid by card exclusively in Norway. There was never a time where I needed to have cash, so I never bothered getting any.

Language – Norwegian. While everything is in Norwegian first, you will find plenty of English throughout Norway. I don’t know any Norwegian and I never felt uncomfortable with the language barrier.

Power – 230V and 50hz. Types C, E, F, and K.

Tipping – Your service charge is typically include in the cost of your meal, so tipping is generally not expected. However, if you had a fabulous experience, a small tip is appreciated.

Water – The water throughout Norway is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle.

Transportation

By Bus & Trains – Trains, along with buses, help connect the long distances. If you’re traveling between cities, or even between countries, check out all of your options. If you’re jumping on a high speed train, make sure to book early so you can save some extra cash.

By Rental Car – As you travel outside of the cities in Norway, you may find a rental car to be the easiest method of transportation. If you’re traveling for an outdoors adventure, a rental car will allow you to stop at any viewpoints and get to those remote trailheads without a problem.

By Plane – If you’re making some really large leaps, such as Oslo to the very north of Norway, a plane will likely be your best option. Oslo is connected to most airports throughout Norway.

When to Go

Low Season – Winters are the low season. You should expect cold weather, the fewest crowds, and limited hours for major sights. Additionally, expect limited daylight. For example, January in Oslo sees the sun rise at 8:30 and set at 3:30.

High Season – Summer has the best weather, but the highest crowds. The major sights will be open and you won’t have to be concerned with the sun setting early. In fact, during the summer months, the sun can stay out as late as 9:00 or 10:00 pm.

Shoulder Season – Spring and fall help to balance out the two extremes, with mild weather and fewer crowds. I traveled in mid April and while it was ok in terms of weather, I did run into some issues with timing on a few sights.

Budget

Norway, and Scandinavia in general, are expensive places to travel. That said, by paying close attention to my spending, I was able to enjoy my time in Norway, but still keep a reasonable budget.

Accommodations – Hotels are not cheap, so if you want a private room, make sure to budget appropriately. During my visit, I spent about 1,000 NOK per night for my hotel in Oslo. You could absolutely go higher, but unless you’re staying in a hostel, you may not get a lot lower.

Food – Sit down restaurants are expensive and if you plan to sit for a nice meal, budget a minimum of 200 NOK per person per meal. I stuck to fast and convenience food, which while still expensive (half the cost of sit down restaurants), it still wasn’t cheap.

Transportation – For your daily transportation (city buses and metros), look for 24 hour passes. In Oslo, I purchased a 24 hour pass for 127 NOK. In general, plan to spend about 40 NOK per ride.

Activities – Like with anywhere you visit, there are plenty of free activities. But for paid activities (such as a museum, castle, etc.), I’d suggest budgeting 150 NOK per sight. You may find some activities cheaper, and others more expensive, but I think this is a great place to start.

For more details, including budget saving tips, check out my Scandinavia Travel Budget.

My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler

I visited Norwya in 2024 as a solo female traveler. There was never a time where I felt unsafe. Now, it should be noted that I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t go out after dark (although I visited in mid April when the sun doesn’t set until after 8:00 pm). I’d argue that Norway, and Scandinavia in general, is the place where I’ve felt safest as a solo female traveler.

Photos to Inspire Your Travels

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