The breathtaking fjords of the southwest are Norway's most dramatic scenic features, but there are many other reasons to visit this sparsely populated land on the northern fringe of Europe. The North Cape's midnight sun is rightly famous - here, far above the Arctic Circle, lies the spectacularly situated town of Tromsø, where the sun never rises in winter, nor sets in midsummer.

Each of Norway's four major cities offers distinct appeal - Oslo is present-day capital and financial centre, Bergen is a picturesque former Hanseatic trading port and ‘gateway' to Fjordland, Stavanger is focal point of the Norwegian oil industry, and Trondheim is a long-established centre of Christian pilgrimage, and more recently, technical research.

In the sparsely populated wilderness that lies between the main urban centres are such delights as Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest glacier. There are opportunities to indulge in outdoor activities including skiing, fishing and rock-climbing. Even the less energetic can simply marvel at the awesome beauty of much of the Norwegian countryside, with its countless steep-sided valleys, high mountain lakes and unbelievable views.

Norway is foremost a land for those who love nature. However, it also offers a rich cultural experience, as would be expected of such varied history, from the Vikings of the eighth and ninth centuries, to later luminaries such as artist Edvard Munch, author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and composer Edvard Grieg, whose centenary Norway celebrated during 2007.

The nation, one of the world's richest on a per capita basis since the discovery of oil in the late 1960s, has been independent since 1905, when it devolved from Swedish rule, and remains outside the European Union. Norway has developed an important role in international politics over recent decades, and is rated as the world's most peaceful nation by the Global Peace Index.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Some EU nationals may be required to present a valid passport in addition to a national ID card; they should contact the embassy to check.

Passport Note

On 25 March 2001 Norway became a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Money

Currency

Norwegian Krone (NOK; symbol Kr) = 100 øre. Notes are in denominations of Kr1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of Kr20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 øre.

Currency Exchange

Available at banks and bureaux de change.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

All major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widely available.

Traveller's Cheques

Accepted in banks, hotels, some shops and by airlines.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 0900-1600, Fri 0900-1700 and Sat 0900-1200.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

Other Risks

Vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis is sometimes recommended.

Health Care

Standards of health care are high, but there are charges for visits to both doctors and dentists. Chemist shops are called Apotek. In an emergency, you can get treatment from the nearest public hospital. Hospital in-patient treatment, including necessary medication, is free of charge, but insurance is recommended.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

Major operators of incoming flights include Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) (website: www.norwegian.no), SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK) (website: www.flysas.com) and a subsidiary of SAS Widerøes Flyveselskap (WF) (website: www.wideroe.no). Numerous other national carriers serve Oslo.

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Oslo is 2 hours 15 minutes, to Bergen is 2 hours 10 minutes, to Trondheim is 2 hours 15 minutes, and to Stavanger is 2 hours. From New York to Oslo is 10 hours 45 minutes (including stopover).

Main Airports

Oslo International Airport (OSL) (Gardermoen) (website: www.osl.no) is 47km (30 miles) north of Oslo. To/from the airport: The high-speed airport express trains Flytoget leave to/from Oslo's central station (journey time - 20 minutes). Buses serving the airport include the SL buses and Bussekspress which stop in front of the terminal building (journey time - 45 minutes). A bus station for regional services is located within walking distance of the terminal. There is a taxi rank at the terminal building. Travellers are advised to order a taxi from the airport reception and ask for a fixed price. In addition to regular taxis, there are ‘airport taxis', cheaper taxis which must be ordered in advance by groups of up to three people, and wheelchair taxis. Facilities: Duty-free shopping, banks/bureaux de change, restaurants and cafes, car hire and information kiosks.

Bergen (BGO) (Flesland) (website: www.avinor.no) 19km (12 miles) south of the city (journey time - 25 minutes). To/from the airport: Bus services (Flybussen) leave for the city regularly. Return is from various points in the city centre. Taxi services are available to the city, with a surcharge after 2200 (journey time - 25 minutes). Facilities: Left luggage, lockers, banks, bureaux de change, post office, duty-free shops, bar, cafes, shops, tourist information, nursery and car hire.

Trondheim (TRD) (Værnes) (website: www.avinor.no) is around 25km (16 miles) from the city centre (journey time - 30 minutes). To/from the airport: bus services (Flybussen) and less frequent trains run regularly, taxis and pre-booked airport taxis are also available. Facilities: bureau de change, restaurant, duty free shopping, bar and car hire.

Departure Tax

Approximately US$20.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Bergen (website: www.bergenhavn.no), Oslo (website: www.ohv.oslo.no), Kristiansand (website: www.kristiansandhavn.no) and Stavanger (website: www.stavanger-havn.no).

The only direct sea route from the UK, operated by DFDS Seaways (tel: 0871 522 9955; website: www.dfds.co.uk), connects Newcastle with Bergen (journey time - 25 hours 30 minutes) via Stavanger and Haugesund. Services to Bergen via Haugesund and Egersund from Hanstholm in Denmark are operated by Fjord Line (tel: 8153 3500; website: www.fjordline.co.uk). Smyril Line (tel: 5559 6520; website: www.smyril-line.no) operates services from Bergen to Iceland via Orkney, the Shetlands and the Faroe Islands in the summer, while Color Line (tel: 8100 0811; website: www.colorline.com) connects Kiel with Oslo, Hirtshals with Kristiansand and Bergen, and Fredrikshavn with Oslo. Stena Line (tel: 02010; website: www.stenaline.no) operates services from Fredrikshavn to Oslo.

Getting There by Rail

Connections from the UK involve ferry crossings via Dover/Ostend (via Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Sweden) or Harwich/Hook of Holland, or from Newcastle to Bergen via Stavanger. NSB (Norwegian State Railways) (tel: 8150 0888 (dial '4' for an English-speaking operator); website: www.nsb.no) operates international services from Oslo to Stockholm, from Oslo via Malmö and Copenhagen to Hamburg and Berlin, between Trondheim and Östersund, and from Narvik to Stockholm (tel: 8150 0888 (dial '4' for an English-speaking operator); website: www.nsb.no).

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Eurailpass: offers unlimited first-class train travel in 17 European countries. Tickets are valid for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more people travelling together. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26 and offers unlimited second-class train travel. The Eurailpass Flexi allows either 10 or 15 travel days within a two-month period. The Eurail Selectpass is valid in three, four or five bordering countries and allows five, six, eight or 10 travel days (or 15 for five countries) in a two-month period. Available online via The Eurail Group (website: www.eurail.com).

ScanRail pass: allows unlimited travel within Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Valid for five, eight or 10 days in two months or 21 consecutive days. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 08708 371 371, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk/railpasses/scanrail.htm).

Getting There by Road

The only direct international road connections routes are from Sweden or Finland and Russia in the far north. Eurolines (tel: 0870 580 8080, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from other European countries to Norway. Passes: A 15- or 30-day pass is available.

Climate

Coastal areas have a moderate climate owing to the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift. Inland temperatures are more extreme with warm summers and often very cold winters (November to March). In general, the lowlands of the south and the inland mountains experience colder winters than the coastal areas. Rain is distributed throughout the year with frequent inland snowfalls during the winter. The northern part of the country inside the Arctic Circle has continuous daylight in midsummer, and twilight all day during winter.

Required Clothing

European according to the season. Light- to medium-weights are worn in summer. Warmer clothing, gloves and hats are necessary during the winter. Waterproofing is advisable throughout the year.

Contacts

Royal Norwegian Embassy in the UK

25 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QD, UK
Tel: (020) 7591 5500 or  09065 540 725 (24-hour visa appointments service).
Website: www.norway.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (general enquiries); 0900-1000 and 1400-1500 (answers phonecalls); 1000-1200 (consular section).

Innovation Norway in the UK

5th floor, Charles House, 5 Lower Regent Street, London SW1 4LR, UK
Tel: (020) 7839 6255.
Website: www.visitnorway.com

Royal Norwegian Embassy in the USA

2720 34th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 333 6000.
Website: www.norway.org