Norway travel guide: where to go and how to plan it
Norway is long, mountainous and thinly populated, with two main cities, deep fjords on the west coast and an Arctic north. For a short trip, most people spend two or three days in Oslo and two or three in Bergen, then add a fjord day. The one thing to know is that distances are bigger than they look on a map, so pick a region and do it slowly.
The short answer
- First trip
- Start in Oslo, take the train to Bergen, and add a fjord on the way. Go to the far north only if you have a week or more.
- How long
- Three days for Oslo alone. Five to seven for Oslo, Bergen and a fjord. Ten to fourteen if you want Lofoten or Tromsø as well.
- Best time to go
- June to August for long light evenings and open mountain roads. November to March for northern lights and snow.
- Getting around
- Trains link Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. Fjords and coasts are covered by ferries and the Hurtigruten coastal route. A car helps in the countryside.
- Money
- Norwegian krone (kr). Cards are taken almost everywhere, including small kiosks and public toilets.
- Book ahead
- Fjord cruises and the Flåm railway in summer, sleeper trains, northern lights tours and rental cars in peak season.
Best cities to visit in Norway
Oslo
A calm capital on a fjord, with big museums, a waterfront opera house, forests and islands a short metro ride away. It suits first-time visitors, museum lovers and anyone who likes a city with nature on its doorstep.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Bergen
A harbor city of wooden houses, steep hills and a fish market, ringed by mountains and close to the fjords. It suits walkers, food lovers and anyone using it as a base for fjord trips.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Places to visit in Norway beyond Oslo and Bergen
The Sognefjord and Flåm
The longest and deepest fjord, with villages, ferries and the steep Flåm railway. Most visitors reach it from Bergen or Oslo by train and boat in a long day.
Geirangerfjord and the western fjords
Narrow fjords with waterfalls and mountain farms around Geiranger and Ålesund. They are easiest by car or tour in summer, and some roads close in winter.
Trondheim
A relaxed university city with a medieval cathedral, reached by train from Oslo in about seven hours or by a short flight. It suits a longer trip.
Lofoten
Steep peaks, fishing villages and white beaches above the Arctic Circle. Fly to Bodø or Harstad/Narvik and continue by ferry, bus or car.
Tromsø
The main base for northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer. It is a short flight from Oslo.
Norway itineraries
- Three days: Oslo
Spend the first day on the waterfront, opera house and main museums. Use day two for the museums on Bygdøy or a ferry to an island in the fjord. Keep day three for a forest or lake walk reached by metro. Everything runs on one transit ticket.
- Seven days: Oslo, the Bergen railway and Bergen
Three nights in Oslo, then the train to Bergen for four nights. The trip takes about seven hours and crosses the high plateau. Add a fjord day from Bergen by boat or the Flåm line.
- Ten days: Oslo, Bergen and the western fjords
Start in Oslo, take the train to Bergen, then go inland by ferry and bus to the Sognefjord. Finish with a fjord stop near Geiranger or Ålesund if you have a car. Spend about three nights in each base.
- Fourteen days: Oslo, Bergen and the Arctic north
Four nights in Oslo, four in Bergen and the fjords, then fly north to Tromsø or Lofoten for five to six nights. Winter trips should leave spare nights in the north, because cloud can hide the aurora.
Best time to visit Norway
June to August is the main season: warm days, very long evenings and the midnight sun in the far north. Mountain roads and fjord boats run fully, and hotels and cars fill early, especially in July.
May and September are quieter and cheaper, with good walking weather. November to March is dark and cold, but it suits northern lights, skiing and Christmas markets. Check opening hours in winter, because many fjord and mountain places close.
How to get around Norway
- TrainsVy runs the main network, including the scenic Oslo to Bergen line and a sleeper to Trondheim. Book early for cheaper fares, and note that other operators run some routes too.
- Rail passesInterrail and Eurail passes work on Vy trains, but the fastest and overnight services need a seat or berth reservation. Check what your pass covers before you buy.
- Ferries and the coastal routeCar ferries and passenger boats cross fjords all year, and the Hurtigruten coastal route links the west coast with the north. Timetables thin out in winter.
- FlightsDomestic flights are the fast way to the north, to Tromsø, Bodø and Lofoten. Book ahead for the best fares.
- DrivingRoads are good and traffic is light, which suits the fjords. Many roads have tolls and ferry links, tunnels are long, and winter driving needs proper tyres and care.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Norway. Each city guide has its own list.
- Fjord cruises and the Flåm railway3 to 6 weeks ahead
Summer departures fill, and booking early gives you the choice of times.
- Sleeper trains and long train seats4 to 8 weeks ahead
Reservations are needed on the fastest and overnight trains, and cheap fares sell out first.
- Northern lights and winter tours2 to 4 weeks ahead
Small groups sell out, and an early booking lets you add a spare night in case of cloud.
- Rental cars and island stays6 to 10 weeks ahead
Cars and rooms in Lofoten and the fjords run short in July and August.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyNorwegian krone (kr or NOK). Norway is not in the EU or the euro.
- Cards and cashNorway is close to cashless. Cards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere, even for small amounts, and some places refuse cash. Bring a chip-and-PIN or contactless card.
- TippingService is included in prices. Rounding up or leaving about 10 percent for good table service is common but not expected. Nobody expects a tip in a cafe or taxi.
- Tourist taxesNorway has moved to let municipalities charge a visitor tax on overnight stays, set at up to 3 percent and approved case by case by the government. Some places have applied, so check with your hotel when you book.
- EntryNorway is in the Schengen area though not the EU, so the same rules apply. Non-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and F sockets, 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Norway
- Trying to see the whole country
Distances are long and roads are slow. Pick one region for a first trip, such as Oslo, Bergen and the fjords.
- Changing cash
You will rarely need krone notes. Use a card and skip the exchange desks.
- Fjords in deep winter by car
Some mountain roads close and some ferry and boat services thin out. Go in summer, or use trains and organized tours.
- Driving in Oslo and Bergen
Parking is limited, and tolls and low-emission rules add cost. Trams, metro and buses cover the cities, so rent a car only for the countryside.
Norway: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Norway?
Three days covers Oslo. A week adds Bergen and a fjord. For Lofoten or Tromsø, plan at least ten days in total so the travel does not eat your trip.
What is the best city to visit in Norway?
Oslo is the best first choice, with the museums, the fjord and the easiest connections. Bergen is the usual second stop and the better base for fjords.
When is the best time to visit Norway?
June to August for light evenings and open mountain roads, November to March for northern lights and snow. May and September are quieter and cheaper.
Is Norway expensive for tourists?
Yes, especially for hotels, restaurant meals and alcohol. Self-catering, lunch deals and traveling outside July and August help keep costs down.
Do you need cash in Norway?
Almost never. Cards and phone payments are accepted nearly everywhere, and some places do not take cash. Bring a backup card.
Is Norway worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want northern lights, snow or skiing. Expect short days and cold, and some fjord and mountain services run less often, so book ahead.
How do you get around Norway without a car?
By train between Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim, ferries and boats on the fjords, and flights to the north. Oslo and Bergen themselves work on foot, tram and bus.
What is a good Norway itinerary for 7 days?
Three nights in Oslo, then the train to Bergen for four. The train takes about seven hours, and a fjord day from Bergen fits easily.