I’ve now lived in Norway for over nine years and it is still my favorite country to travel around and to write about.
A lot of my blog posts here are inspired by questions people have asked me about planning their Norway trips, as I get a lot of the same questions over and over. But I also see so many people making the same mistakes while planning their Norway vacation, and oh wow how I wish I could stop those mistakes before they happen.
So today I’m going to try! Here are the top things you should avoid doing while traveling in Norway:
Norway Travel Guides! If you want more in depth Norway advice, I’ve gathered all my best tips for planning an incredible trip through both Southern and Northern Norway in two 95-page ebooks that cover everything you’ll need to know to plan a Norway trip that you will love.
Budgeting too little (or too much?) for your Norway trip
Okay, most people have heard by now that Norway is an expensive country, but the prices can still come as a shock when you get here.
It seems that the two things people most often under budget for are food and gas.
You might find that you end up visiting more supermarkets than restaurants in Norway, so it could be a good idea to look for accommodation with a kitchen – and then you can make some of these budget Norwegian meals! Booking.com has lots of cabins and apartments that usually come with a kitchen.
And if you’re renting a car in Norway (which I think you should, if you can) remember that on top of the rental price you’ll also be paying a lot for gas, unless you rent an electric car (which is becoming more common here). You can check the current gas prices in Norway here.
Though on the flip side, I think a lot of people put off visiting Norway because they think it will be way more expensive than it actually has to be.
These days the Norwegian kroner is incredibly weak against the US dollar and euro, so right now your entire Norway trip will essentially be 20% off. This is the cheapest Norway has been to visitors in decades, so it’s a great time to plan a trip to Norway!
Booking accommodation + tours too late
Accommodation in Norway can book out really quickly, especially if you’re visiting during the high season. You’ll likely be visiting some small towns and villages, which often only have one or two hotel options. Even Norway’s biggest cities aren’t that big, so accommodation is limited.
If you’re headed to the fjords in the summer or northern Norway in the winter, then you should really try to book your accommodation at least six months in advance, or as soon as you make your trip plans. This way you’ll have the best chance to get the cheapest/nicest hotels. Prices often shoot up last minute, so you’ll definitely get a better deal booking earlier.
And if you book on Booking.com, you can often cancel for free if you change your plans later on!
I’ve written up accommodation guides to some of the areas I know best in Norway, including my top choices ranging from budget to luxury accommodation, all of which you can find here. I’ve also shared the most incredible hotels in all of Norway here, and Norway’s best northern lights accommodation here.
And the same goes for booking tours in Norway! Many tours can only accommodate small groups, which means that once they’re booked they’re completely full.
You can book tours in Norway on Manawa, GetYourGuide, or Viator. They all offer excellent and reliable service, but my personal favorite is Manawa as the tours tend to be a tiny bit cheaper through them and I love supporting a smaller company.
Get 10% off your Manawa tour with the code MANAWA (code valid until October 31)
Trying to cover too much of Norway
Norway is a tiny country of just 5.5 million people, so it can be easy to think that all the distances in Norway will also be tiny. Oh how I wish that were the case, but actually, Norway is huge! It extends over 1,000 miles and is the longest country in all of Europe.
Even looking at a map can be deceptive, as small distances can end up taking surprisingly long to cover when you’re navigating winding mountain roads with low speed limits and catching ferries across fjords. So if you’re planning to spend a few days in Oslo, then hop over to Bergen for a bit, and then drive up to Tromsø to catch the northern lights, you might want to consult Google Maps first.
If you need some inspiration, you can find my top 30 Norway itineraries here, and read my guide for where to visit in Norway if you can only visit one place.
Forgetting one way car rental fees
Probably the single greatest, or at least most expensive, obstacle in planning a Norway road trip is the one way car rental fee. Of course it would be great to pick up a car in Bergen and they drive up through the fjords and drop off your car in Ålesund, or even farther north.
But before you get your heart set on that itinerary, make sure to check how much extra you’ll have to pay to drop off your rental car in different cities. One way rental rates vary a lot but they’re generally quite high, and some car rental companies won’t let you drop off your car in a different location. You can compare car rental prices in Norway and book your rental here.
I’ve written more about planning a road trip in Norway here.
Not accounting for winter road closures
I still make this mistake all the time. I’ll plan a road trip along the prettiest routes and then realize later that, oh wait, May is still winter in Norway and that scenic mountain road will be closed.
Some roads in Norway are closed for winter as late as May or even June and as early as October. You can see which roads are closed at the moment on the map here.
And if you’re new to Norway, you can find my guide to driving in Norway here, including tips for driving on Norway’s icy winter roads.
Not booking trains in advance
If you’re planning on taking trains in Norway, please, please book them as far in advance as you can! You can usually book tickets up to three months in advance, and should take advantage of that. Trains here can be really expensive, but if you book your tickets in advance you can buy the low price tickets, which can cost only around 250 – 400 NOK for the entire route.
This might still seem expensive if you’re only covering a short distance, but if you can get a low price ticket for a long route you could end up paying something like 300 NOK for a 19-hour train journey (the standard price would be about 1500 kroner).
And if you’re traveling to two places on the same day, you can usually still book the journeys on the same Minipris ticket. So if I plan on taking the train to Oslo in the morning, spending 5 hours in Oslo, and then getting the train to the airport, I’ll just change the times when booking the ticket (click on “show details” on the search results) so that I have 4 hours in Oslo.
Relying on buses to get around
You can usually find public buses even in really remote areas of Norway, but often those buses will only run once or twice a day. So if you’re planning on using buses to get around, be sure to check the schedules beforehand to make sure that you won’t spend all day waiting at a bus stop.
Again, this is a reason why I really recommend renting a car if you’ll be traveling in rural areas.
Buying food at convenience stores or gas stations
You might have heard horror stories of people spending $10 for a bottle of water and a chocolate bar in Norway, and it’s true, that’s probably how much they will cost you at a convenience store or gas station in Norway.
But I promise you can find those same exact snacks at a supermarket for a fraction of the price! And as for that bottle of water, Norwegian tap water tastes like elvish elixir, so bring a reusable bottle with you and fill up at the tap instead.
You can find more about how to eat cheaply in Norway in my guide to eating on a budget in Norway.
Visiting Oslo to see the fjords
This can be really confusing because Oslo technically is on a fjord, but it’s not the sort of fjord you’re visiting Norway to see. If you want to see those stunning mountain drops, head to the west coast instead!
In fact, a lot of people fly into Oslo and then immediately get a train or another flight across the country to Bergen, spending most of their time exploring Norway’s super scenic west coast.
Check here for where to stay in Bergen and here for a weekend guide.
Skipping Northern Norway
For some reason most people head to Bergen or even Oslo for their first trip to Norway. And while I do live in Bergen and love it, I also think Northern Norway is much more spectacular. It hurts my heart a little bit when people take a once in a lifetime trip to Norway and just do Norway in a Nutshell from Oslo to Bergen. This loop is so crowded with tourists, and you’re certainly not going to see the best of Norway here.
The mountains in the north are more dramatic, the summers are less crowded (and stunning under the Midnight Sun that never sets!) and of course in the winter you can see the northern lights.
So stop sleeping on Northern Norway!
Forgetting about the lack of daylight up north
Okay I know I just said that you need to head north, but there are certain daylight issues to keep in mind if you head to Northern Norway.
Most people are aware that you can’t see the northern lights in the summer, as the sun never sets up north, but sometimes people forget that the opposite applies to the winter – the sun will never rise.
It won’t be pitch black all day (unless you’re visiting Svalbard in December). Polar night in Northern Norway sort of looks like just after sunset for most of the day – but you will have limited hours of light (and no sunlight) in the north in the winter, which you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your activities. If you’ll be traveling around Tromsø in December you’ll have about four hours of daylight a day.
This is plenty of time to do some sightseeing and fun outdoor activities like visiting reindeer and dog sledding. But if you’re planning a longer road trip during the day, you’ll be driving mostly in the dark.
Trying to spot the Northern Lights in southern Norway
If you want to have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights, head north of the Arctic Circle. Yes, a lot of destinations in southern Norway will advertise photos of the Northern Lights, but seeing them in the south really isn’t the norm.
If you really want to see the northern lights, I recommend flying into Tromsø. I used to live in Tromsø, and I’ve shared a guide for seeing the northern lights in Tromsø here, and a more general guide for seeing the northern lights in Norway here.
Have you been to Norway yet? Do you have any advice to add?
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Megan says
Basically we should use this post as a pinned post in the group because these are asked like daily there 😛 Great post as always <3
Silvia says
Haha yeah I was thinking I can just keep adding to this post as questions come up!
Angela says
I actually just left a question on your Instagram that you answered in this post. Just want to thank you for all the hard work you do. Norway is a wonderful place to visit.
Leean says
Any suggestions for what to wear in October. Thank you.
Silvia says
It depends where you’ll be visiting! In the mountains it can already be snowy in October, while sometimes along the coast it’s still fairly mild. Layers are always a good call (including wool) and a waterproof jacket or coat.
Nynke says
I’ve been to Norway a bunch of times and was still surprised (a little) to read that some mountain roads don’t open until June!
My extra advice: book accommodation for the high season early. I tried to find something affordable near the Sognefjord in July once, but I was far too late trying to book in April…
Silvia says
Oooh that’s a really good one, I should add it to the list!
Nynke says
Wow, you really did it, too! 😀
Lissa Reed says
I found that the NSB website and app will not, in many cases, accept an American credit card – there is some difficulty with security protocol as I understand it. One may have to chat with an NSB rep (so helpful!) to see if payment can be accepted another way (the website takes PayPal, the app does not, but many fares are app-only) or make a special stop at your intended train station of departure and try to buy your ticket in advance from a ticket machine. But keep the app on your phone! It’s great for checking schedules on the go.
Silvia says
That’s true – I should add that to the post! NSB doesn’t accept American, Canadian, or Australian credit cards. You can book Minipris tickets over the phone or through PayPal though. But yes, the app is super helpful as well!
Tosh Bene says
LOL I found that out the hard way when booking my overnight train to Bergen from Drammen back in 2014. I called them up and they were so helpful and it was quick and easy! This post is awesome. I remember being awestruck by the distances when I was there. That seven hour overnight train from Drammen to Bergen was insane lol then coming back that same day. I was a zombie LOL
Rachel says
Great post Silvia! I think we’ve worked out a few of these through experience, especially buying fuel on Sundays and the winter road closures, even in mid may, in the south. Also relying on road rest areas being open when in reality some are snowbound. Also, for those in motorhomes and camper vans, water isn’t always available at many rest areas (we discovered in the very north) as some supplies get turned off over winter. Distances really are vast, roads are slow and very twisty but damn they are spectacular!
same day taj mahal tour by train says
Wow! your photographs urge me to fall in love with this place. Thanks for sharing this post, this is really what I wanted to read.
Jorge Ramirez says
Just booked my tickets to bergen from oslo, only 249 nok. Amazing . thanks for the telling that
Kari says
Gas prices in norway are kinda easy though. They go from most expensive on monday morning to least expensive sunday evening(not before noon as you said above)
Love
A norwegian who actually used to work at a gas station;)
Susanne Villemo says
I just wanted to say this was a great post, very informative 😊 I live in Northern Norway and every advice is worth listening to!
About winterclosed roads.. Last year we were skiing in June in Sulis 😂😂
Camila @ Adventitious Violet says
Oh we actually made a few of these on our trip to Sweden recently! But we learn 🙂 We’ll be ready for Norway!
Ann says
Bring a raincoat if you’re spending a lot of time in the west. Not an umbrella, a raincoat. 🙂
And waterproof shoes!
Ella says
Great advice!
I got another one – Sunday is outdoor time i Norway, and stores are closed. It will be diffucult to find a place to buy food, and extra expensive. Avoid it!
Hege-Eileen says
Cheapest gas is monday mornings, around 10-11, before they set up the price. 2nd cheapest is usually sundays and thursday morning, around 10-11, before they set up the prices😊
Silvia says
Oooh interesting – where I live they actually sometimes put up the prices already Sunday evening. I guess it just depends how on top of things the staff are haha
Bonnie says
We are headed to Western Norway in May. Thanks for these tips.
Victoria @TheBritishBerliner says
Good thing you wrote this post Silvia ‘cos I was thinking of travelling to Norway at the end of March / April during Easter break!
Ha! Ha! It’s a good thing that my husband convinced me to change the dates to that of June or something, as I hadn’t even thought of the darkness or the winter road. Phew!
Great tips!
EVA says
Do you recommend taking the overnight train from Bergen to Oslo in July so that we have more time in Oslo, or should we take the first train out in the morning? My sister and I are flying out at 1:30pm on a Friday so should we overnight on Wednesday to have a full day in oslo or is better to be fully awake for the train leaving at like 7 or something like that on Thursday and then have less time in Oslo?
Silvia says
It really depends on if you’re more interested in having time in a city or seeing nice views. Personally, I really love train rides and enjoy spending a day on the train, but I hate sleeping on trains (I just never get a good sleep), so I would choose to take the train during the day. It is a beautiful journey! But if you think you’ll get bored staring out the window, maybe get the night train instead.
Katie says
I’ve taken the Bergen-Oslo train both overnight and during the day, and you’ll love the views during the day. It’s a gorgeous and renown train ride, and, in my opinion, a hard train to sleep on at night as well. Oslo is also quite a small city, and if you stay in the city center you can experience a lot of it, even with only a day or a day and a half. If you leave early enough on a Thursday morning, you could have almost 24 hours in Oslo.
Kathryn says
My top Norway tip is to bring your student ID if you’re a student. I always have my ISIC in my purse and I was surprised that I was able to get a student NSB ticket with it! Most countries are super tight with discount for foreign students but Norway are not!
Another tip I found in Trondheim is that sometimes it is cheaper to eat out at lunch as there may be lunch deals (such as all burgers being 125 NOK)!
Morten says
The petroleum companies has changed their policies now regarding gas prices. Which Day wil have the lowest price is now impossible to predict.
Dr Ashish says
Lovely write up….am planning to visit Norway in OCT …I am not too much into visiting Oslo ….but am definitely planning to visit the Raw nature ofNorway,also would like to take a 6-7 days cruise along the western coast ….pls suggest how to go about the trip
NatureLover says
Welcome to Norway!!
Please keep in mind that raw nature in Norway in October is in fact … raw. If you plan on hiking in mountain areas you should bring clothes for any kind og weather, and enough food/snacks to survive several more hours than planned. You could have lovely sunny weather in one moment and the next moment (literally) there might be foggy, windy, wet or perhaps even snow. What’s not to love about it 🙂
I remember meeting a group of americans on my way back down from Galdhøpiggen (highest mountain), they were poorly dressed and did only carry a bottle of water. They started their hike way to late. We had everything from sunny t-shirt weather to wet snow and wind on our trip the same day, and there was no way these people would make it to the top. They pointed to a small peak and asked «is that Galdhøpiggen?» They didn’t even know that the hike they started was a 7hour minimum hike. I told them that the peak had a great view, and i recommended that they went there to enjoy the view and go back down since the were poorly equipped and didn’t have a clue of directions. «When do the mountains close?» they asked me. These mountains have been here since forever, nature is always open. At least in Norway. There are no rangers or guides along the route. Your safety is your responsibilty. This is what makes hiking in Norway absolutely amazing 🙂 If you avoid the top 5 hiking trails you will probably have an entire mountain to yourself ❤️
Thea says
I live in Norway and some of the biggest mistakes tourists do here, that we hear about again and again, is not having the right shoes and clothing for their trip. Every year rescue workers have to help tourists down from mountains or hiking trails because they are freezing or can’t walk down themselves. People go hiking up to Prekestolen wearing heals or loafers.
Many underestimate the level of skill or ability needed to reach some of Norway’s natural tourist attractions. There aren’t always roads leading there.
Leif says
For me Its something i see everyday, i living in Lofoten Island close to Kvalvika , There people from al The world going to 🙂 very good Sylvia 🙂
Kat says
Hi there. So, as a Norwegian I feel a need to add something to your list! Karmøy, is a island in between Stavanger and Bergen. This place have the most beautiful beaches in the country. Feel free to google it: «Åkra sanden» Amazing to be there during the summer. Just like being on a beach in Spain, only colder lol
nadina says
Buses can also be quite unreliable and train delays are frequent. and don’t forget “buss for tog”, what a nightmare that is.
Mona says
I’m from Norway, and this is all good and true. But I have met a lot of turrists that are going to trolltunga, witch takes 6 hours up, and 6 hours down. Then comes these clueless turrists in their high heels, and miniskirts… they are not preperad! A lot of these people have to be rescued down from there.
Ps! You should mention the TV show on national geographic called “ice road rescue Norway” then people will see exactly how bad the mountains in Norway can be. I work with these people on the show
Pauline says
Silvia what a great post! I have already pinned it to my Norwegian Pinterest board! Another big forgetting is money for the ferries, they are not cheap either in Norway, often forgotten when having a road trip in Norway. In 2017 we went to Lofoten and did the Coast of Helgeland up to Lofoten, I think we had nine ferries, we were four adults and one care, money flyes! haha. This is an important post to read!
Angela Black says
How important is it to book accommodations in advance when traveling in September? I am planning Oslo-Bergen and the fjordlands in between, and would prefer the flexibility of not booking in advance if that’s an option, so that I may make adjustments to my plans according to the weather. Thanks!
Silvia says
Hm you might be okay in September. I would monitor the accommodation you’re interested in and if you see things starting to book up then book it.
julmiawunkl says
I have been living here for 3 years and I agree with all of this! 🙂
Stine Linge Jensrud says
I’m from Norway and I would recommend to not try and hackle (trying to get items for lower prices). I see a lot of (Asian) tourists trying to do this, and it’s most likely not going to work. All the prices in the stores are set prices and you will be (sometimes) considered rude by doing this.
Jacqui says
Hi Silvia! Thank you so much for all these tips!! My partner and I have been trying to plan for our trip to Norway in March, and have been checking for the Minipris tickets for Tuesday 17th March 2020 from Bodø to Oslo, and today was the first day they released for that date, but the tickets are already 1500+NOK per person!!!! D: do you know if they might get cheaper if we keep checking? Or do they not get cheaper at all?
Silvia says
Tickets never get cheaper, only more expensive. But I just checked and I’m seeing tickets from Bodø to Oslo for 349 kroner, so I think you must be searching wrong. Are you looking on vy.no?