Norway
Phone Code
+47
Capital
Oslo
Population
5.5 Million
Native Name
Norge
Region
Europe
Northern Europe
Timezone
Central European Time
UTC+01:00
On This Page
Norway is a Nordic country of fjords, mountains and Arctic coastline, stretching from the North Sea to well above the Arctic Circle. It is not in the European Union but is a full member of the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area, and uses the Norwegian krone (NOK), not the euro.
Visa Requirements for Norway
Norway is a member of the Schengen Area, allowing visa-free entry for citizens of EU/EEA countries, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Passport must be valid for at least three months beyond intended departure date from the Schengen Area. Norway is not an EU member but participates fully in Schengen cooperation through bilateral agreements. Entry procedures are straightforward at Oslo Airport Gardermoen and other ports of entry, with automated gates for many nationalities. Those requiring visas apply through Norwegian embassies or through the embassy of another Schengen country representing Norway in countries without Norwegian diplomatic presence. Travel insurance covering medical expenses at the Schengen minimum level is recommended and may be requested at border control. Norway has very low crime rates and is considered one of the safest countries for travelers. The country maintains high standards for tourism infrastructure and services.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry (Schengen)
For tourism or business for citizens of 60+ countries including EU/EEA, US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and others.
Schengen Visa (Embassy Application)
For nationalities requiring visas for entry to Norway and the Schengen Area, applied through Norwegian embassy or consulate.
Residence Permit
For long-term stays exceeding 90 days including work, study, family reunification, or settlement.
Nordic Passport Union
Special arrangement allowing free movement for citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Important Travel Information
Norway is nature on a scale that defies belief — fjords carved a kilometre deep, mountains dropping straight into the Arctic Ocean, midnight sun and the Northern Lights, all linked by the “allemannsretten” right to roam that lets anyone hike, camp and forage across the country for free. From Bergen's Hanseatic wharf and Oslo's waterfront museums to the Lofoten Islands and Svalbard's polar bears, the country packs an outsized range of landscapes into a single Schengen border.
Discover Norway
Norway's western fjords are the country's headline draw — deep, narrow inlets carved by glaciers over millions of years, with sheer cliff walls rising more than 1,000 metres from emerald water and waterfalls cascading from the heights. Geirangerfjord (UNESCO World Heritage 2005) is the most photographed, with the Seven Sisters cascade tumbling 250 metres down the north wall and the Bridal Veil opposite. Nærøyfjord (also UNESCO 2005) is the narrowest in Europe at just 250 metres wide between vertical cliff faces, and the obvious pairing on most visits. Sognefjord — the King of the Fjords — extends 204 km inland and reaches 1,308 m of depth, making it the longest and deepest fjord in the world. The classic itinerary 'Norway in a Nutshell' links the Bergen Railway, the Flåm Railway (one of the world's steepest non-rack railways), an Aurlandsfjord–Nærøyfjord cruise and a return bus over the Stalheimskleiva. Hardangerfjord is the orchard fjord, photographed in late April and early May when the apple and cherry trees bloom along the shores; Lysefjord south of Stavanger leads to the Preikestolen and Kjerag viewpoints. Most fjord towns have year-round cruise terminals, ferry connections and a well-developed network of small expedition vessels and RIB tours.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Norway's fjords are deep, narrow inlets carved by glaciers over millions of years — sheer cliff walls rising 1,000+ metres from emerald water, with waterfalls cascading from the heights. Geirangerfjord (UNESCO) is the most famous, with the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls. Nærøyfjord (UNESCO) is the narrowest in Europe at just 250 m across. Sognefjord is the longest and deepest (204 km, 1,308 m deep). Explore by Hurtigruten coastal steamer, fjord cruise, kayak, or the scenic roads and rail routes that wind along the fjord edges. Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) drops 866 m in 20 km through tunnels and past waterfalls — one of the world's steepest railway lines.
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) — a flat granite cliff 604 m above Lysefjord, reached by a 4-hour return hike from Stavanger. Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue) — a rock formation projecting 10 m horizontally over a 700-m drop above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, a strenuous 10-12 hour day hike (or overnight in DNT hut). Kjeragbolten — a boulder wedged between two cliffs 984 m above Lysefjord, photographed by every brave hiker who stands on it. Beyond the icons: over 20,000 km of marked trails maintained by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT), mountain huts with hot meals and beds, and the 'allemannsretten' (right to roam) that allows wild camping almost anywhere.
Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle is one of the world's best places to see the aurora borealis — Tromsø (the 'Paris of the North') is the most popular base, with Northern Lights visible roughly 200 nights per year (best: September-March on clear, dark nights). Chase tours by minibus, boat or snowmobile increase your chances. Tromsø also offers whale watching (orcas and humpbacks November-January following the herring), husky sledding, reindeer sledding with Sámi herders, and the Arctic Cathedral. The North Cape (Nordkapp, 71°N) is mainland Europe's northernmost point — midnight sun late May to late July. Svalbard (78°N, accessible by plane from Tromsø) offers polar bears, glacier hikes and 24-hour Arctic daylight in summer.
The Lofoten archipelago above the Arctic Circle is one of Norway's most spectacular landscapes — jagged peaks (up to 1,000 m) rising straight from the Norwegian Sea, fishing villages of red rorbu cabins on stilts, white-sand beaches with turquoise water at arctic latitudes, and midnight sun from late May to mid-July. Hiking (Reinebringen for the iconic view over Reine), surfing at Unstad Beach (Arctic surfing — wetsuits essential), fishing, sea eagle safaris, and kayaking among the islands. The dried cod (stockfish) racks are a defining image. Connected to the mainland by bridges and the E10 road — drive, cycle or island-hop by ferry. Stay in converted rorbu fishing cabins (price ranges in the money and currency guide). The shoulder months (September-October) bring Northern Lights plus autumn colours.
The Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsveien) — 8 bridges leaping between islands over the open sea, one of the world's most photographed drives. Trollstigen (Troll's Path) — an 11-hairpin mountain road climbing 850 m with a viewing platform over the valley below. The Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen) from Oslo to Bergen crosses the Hardangervidda plateau at 1,222 m — one of Europe's most scenic train journeys (7 hours). Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) descends from mountain station to fjord through 20 tunnels in 20 km. The Hurtigruten coastal steamer from Bergen to Kirkenes (6 days) passes 34 ports along the entire Norwegian coastline — fjords, Arctic islands and fishing villages.
Oslo sits on the Oslofjord surrounded by forested hills: the Munch Museum (The Scream and 26,000 other works in a striking waterfront building), the new National Museum (Nordic art), Vigeland Sculpture Park (212 bronze and granite figures by Gustav Vigeland), the Opera House (walk on the angular white roof), Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen waterfront dining, and the Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy. Bergen's Bryggen (UNESCO Hanseatic wharf), Fløibanen funicular and fish market make it Norway's most atmospheric city. Trondheim has the Nidaros Cathedral (Scandinavia's largest medieval building and traditional coronation church). Stavanger is the gateway to Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock. All cities are compact, walkable and well-connected by efficient (expensive) public transport.
Money & Currency
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Currency code: NOK
Practical Money Tips
Norwegian Krone (NOK) — Norway is one of the world's most cashless societies; Vipps is the dominant local mobile payment app (phone-number-based, for Norwegian account holders); exchange EUR, GBP, USD, or SEK at Oslo airport (Gardermoen) Forex Bureau, DNB, SpareBank branches; CHF exchangeable at major Oslo banks
Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK). The approximate guide rate is NOK 11–12 per EUR 1 (verify current rate before travel — NOK floats). Norway is one of the most cashless countries on Earth: card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted virtually everywhere. Cash is rarely used or needed, but ATMs (Minibank) are available throughout. EUR, GBP, USD, SEK, and DKK exchange well at Forex Bureau counters (Oslo Gardermoen airport, Oslo city centre), DNB, SpareBank 1, and Nordea branches. CHF is exchangeable at major bank branches in Oslo and Bergen. Vipps is a local mobile payment system used between Norwegian residents — not relevant for tourists who need cards or international wallets.
Minibankene (ATMs) widely available but rarely needed — DNB, SpareBank 1, Nordea, Eika ATMs nationwide; accept Visa and Mastercard; Svalbard (Longyearbyen) has ATMs; trolley and vending machines are card-only; few places accept cash; withdraw NOK only if needed for rural markets or tipping
ATMs (called Minibank in Norway) are widely available in cities, towns, and even in many rural service stations, but they are rarely necessary given how completely cashless Norway is. DNB, SpareBank 1, Nordea, and Eika are the main networks and accept Visa and Mastercard. Fees apply for international cards — Wise and Revolut significantly reduce these. In practice, most visitors to Norway never need cash: museums, fjord boat tours, train tickets, restaurants, and kiosks all accept cards and contactless. Oslo transit (Ruter) is card/app only. Bergen's Bryggen souvenir market stalls may prefer NOK cash for small items.
Virtually cashless — Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere including small cafés, hiking huts (DNT), ferry crossings, food trucks, and rural service stations; Apple Pay and Google Pay work perfectly; Vipps (Norwegian residents only); no DCC trap — always pay in NOK
Norway is one of the easiest countries for card payments. Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere — from Oslo restaurants to remote mountain huts (DNT cabins have card readers). Apple Pay and Google Pay work seamlessly across Norway: Ruter transit app, Vy train tickets, DNT cabin bookings, fjord tours, supermarkets (Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop), and convenience kiosks. Vipps is a local mobile payment system popular among Norwegian residents for peer-to-peer transfers and some merchant payments — tourists cannot use it without a Norwegian phone number and bank account. If asked whether to pay in NOK or your home currency (DCC), always choose NOK.
Very expensive destination: hotel in Oslo NOK 1,500–4,000/night (EUR 130–350); mid-range restaurant main course NOK 250–450 (EUR 22–40); café coffee NOK 50–80 (EUR 4.50–7); beer at a bar NOK 90–130 (EUR 8–12); day Oslo fjord cruise NOK 300–600; Bergen–Oslo train from NOK 399
Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Hotel in Oslo: NOK 1,500–4,000/night (EUR 130–350). Mid-range restaurant main course: NOK 250–450 (EUR 22–40). Oslo restaurant dinner for two (with wine): NOK 1,000–2,000 (EUR 88–175). Supermarket meal deal: NOK 80–140 (EUR 7–12). Café coffee: NOK 50–80 (EUR 4.50–7). Beer at a bar: NOK 90–130 (EUR 8–12). Day fjord cruise (Nærøyfjord/Geiranger): NOK 800–1,800 (EUR 70–160). Bergen–Oslo train: from NOK 399 (EUR 35) if booked in advance. Oslo transport day pass (Ruter): NOK 106 (EUR 9). National Museum Oslo: NOK 200 (EUR 18). Tipping: not mandatory, but rounding up or 10% is appreciated.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Accredited missions for Norway
Preikestolen is a moderate 4-hour return hike manageable by most reasonably fit visitors; Trolltunga is a genuinely strenuous 10-12 hour day (or an overnight DNT-cabin split), and both require good footwear and weather awareness rather than technical climbing skill.
A long-standing Norwegian tradition, now law, that lets anyone walk, cycle, ski and wild-camp on uncultivated land — including much private land — for free, provided you stay a reasonable distance from dwellings, leave no trace and move your tent every couple of nights below the treeline.
September to early April, with the aurora visible roughly 200 nights a year on average — chase tours by minibus, boat or snowmobile track clear skies across the region to improve your odds on any given night, since it's never guaranteed.
This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.