Essential information / Good to know
Airports
Oslo is served by three airports. Oslo Lufthavn Gardermoen is the main international airport. Moss Lufthavn Rygge and Sandefjord Lufthavn Torp are smaller airports served mainly by European low budget airlines.
As taxis are expensive in Norway, we strongly recommend using public transport from the airport.
From Oslo Lufthavn Gardermoen to Fredrikstad and Hvaler
The Airport Express Train (F11 Flybussekspressen) will take you directly to Fredrikstad in approximately 2 hours. Order a ticket online HERE.
The Airport Express Train (Flytoget) will take you from the airport to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) in less than 20 minutes, or you could take a local train to Oslo - approximately 45 minutes. Student discounts are available. From Oslo you could choose to go by bus (timetable) all the way without changes to Fredrikstad and Hvaler, or by train (timetable).
From Moss Lufthavn Rygge to Fredrikstad and Hvaler
Express buses (Rygge-Ekspressen) correspond with certain flights and will take you to Fredrikstad in approximately 30 minutes.
From Sandefjord Lufthavn Torp to Fredrikstad and Hvaler
Express buses (Torp Expressen) correspond with certain flights and will take you to the Oslo Bus Terminal in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Oslo you could choose to go by bus (timetable) all the way without changes to Fredrikstad and Hvaler, or by train (timetable).
Arrival in Oslo by other means of transport
Arrival by train
Oslo can be reached by train from Copenhagen (Denmark) through Sweden (Malmø/Gothenburg) or from Stockholm (Sweden). You will arrive at the Oslo Central Station.
Arrival by bus
Oslo can be reached by bus from Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Buses stop at Oslo Bus Terminal, located next to the Central Station.
Arrival by ferry
You can reach Oslo by ferry from Denmark (Copenhagen – DFDS Seaways, and Frederikshavn – Stena Line) and Germany (Kiel – Color Line). The DFDS Seaways and Stena Line terminal is located at Vippetangen, close to the Central Station. The Color Line terminal is located at Hjortneskaia. A shuttle bus will take you to the Central Station (Oslo S/Jernbanetorget) in 10 minutes.
Drinking water
The tap water in Norway is perfectly safe to drink.
Banking hours: Monday − Friday, 9am − 3.30pm, Thursday,1. In some cities banks may stay openuntil 6pm. Most of the banks are closed on weekends and on publicholidays. Banks at airports, ports and main railwaystations are generally open longer.
Shopping hours: Monday − Friday, 10.00am − 5(shops)/8pm (shopping mall and supermarkets,Saturday, 9.00am − 3(shops)/6pm. In larger towns, departmentstores remain open until 9pm or later. Some are also openon Sundays between approx. 12 noon and 6pm. Shopsgenerally close early the day before a public holiday.
Climate / Temperature
Norway enjoys a generally temperate climate, thanks tothe Gulf Stream. Above the Arctic Circle, winter can becrisp and invigorating. In the south, winter is generally mildwith an average temperature above 0C/32F degrees, but temperatures can vary markedly in different parts of the country.
Norway’s northerly position has a definite summer advantage in that temperatures are rarelyextreme and humidity levels are not high.
Credit cards
Major credit cards (some restrictions apply to AmericanExpress) are widely accepted throughout Norway. You can access cash with your Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or Cirrus card at any “Cash Machine”.
Daylight savings time
Daylight savings time (clocks set 1 hour forward) is in effect from the last weekend in March to the last weekend in October, changing during the night between Saturdayand Sunday.
Pharmacy
Prescriptions are dispensed at pharmacies (“Apotek”),which are generally open during normal shop hours. A24-hour service is available in the major cities. You willhave to pay the full cost of any prescription drugs up to alimit, and part of any costs above this limit. If you are onmedication, make sure you have an adequate supply before leaving for Norway
Post
In addition to the regular post offices, many grocery stores
have a postal service. Stamps are also available from most
newsagents and tobacconists
Electricity
The electrical current in Norway is 230V at 50Hz with a typical two-pin European plug. Electronics with a C, E or F type of plug ("Schuko") will also work here. Appliances made for 220-240V will function here. Most electronics from Europe, Africa and Asia will function with just an adapter. If you bring electronics made for North and South America and the Caribbean, check to see if the product has a built-in converter or you will need a transformer. Transformers in Norway are expensive and, if needed, we recommend that you purchase one before you depart.
Carefully read the specifications on the electronics and appliances, for example your laptop or hair dryer, that you plan to bring with you. Some modern electronics have power supplies that can convert the different electrical currents.
Please carry the following in your hand luggage:
Passport
Health Insurance and/or Travel Insurance card
Credit/VISA card
Money: ATMs/cash machines (called "minibank" in Norwegian) at the Oslo airports and central train station accept international cards
Visa
Countries not needing a visa for Norway
A: Andorra, Albania (holders of biometric passports), Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria
B: Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda (BDTC passport), Bosnia and Herzegovina (holders of biometric passports), Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria
C: Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic
D: Denmark
E: El Salvador, Estonia
F: Finland, France
G: Germany, Greece, Guatemala
H: Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR passports and BNO passports), Hungary
I: Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy
J: Japan
K: Republic of Korea
L: Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
M: Macau (SAR passport), Macedonia (holders of biometric passports), Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro (holders of biometric passports)
N: The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua
P: Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal
R: Romania
S: San Marino, Serbia (holders of biometric passports), the Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, Switzerland
T: Taiwan (holders of Taiwanese passports that contain an ID card number),
U: The UK, Uruguay, the USA
V: The Vatican City State, Venezuela
Remember to apply for a TOURIST visa,. Make sure that the dates on your visa application include traveling days. Visa applications must be submitted to the Norwegian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
Norwegian embassies and consulates: www.norway.info
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration: www.udi.no
Please note that the visa application process may take several weeks, and we strongly advise you to apply early. You must complete and submit the visa application yourself.
Essential info for Norway
Population: Just over 5 million
Major religions: Christianity
Capital city: Oslo (also largest city)
Legal system: Parliamentary republic
Main languages: Norwegian (official), English
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October)
Currency: The Norwegian Krone (NOK), which is divided into 100 ore.
Tipping: Service charges range between 10 to 15% in most hotels and restaurants. Taxi fares are generally rounded up to the nearest krone.
International dialling code: +47
Emergency numbers: 112 (police), 113 (ambulance), 110 (fire)
Drives on the: Right