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


Emergency numbers


Police: 112
Fire Brigade: 110
Ambulance: 113