Norway   

Citizens of the European Union (EU) Schengen area countries, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland can enter Norway with a valid national identity card. Citizens of other EU countries, Andorra, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia , Turkey and Vatican City need a valid passport but not a visa. Other nationals should consult the Norwegian embassy or consulate in their country of residence for details of any visa requirements.

Police: 112
Fire brigade: 110
Ambulance: 113

Central European Time (GMT plus one hour). Clocks are put forward one hour from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.

Check with your motor vehicle insurance company regarding any documents you will need and whether additional motor insurance is required. You can drive in Norway with your own driving licence; an International Driving Permit is not compulsory. A red warning triangle must be displayed in the event of an accident or breakdown. You should also carry spare bulbs for front and rear lights.

Always carry your full valid driving licence, vehicle registration documents, and insurance documents with you in the car. Traffic in Norway drives on the right. Seat belts must be worn in the front, and in the back if they are fitted. Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in front. In general, all cars must be fitted with chains or studded tyres in winter conditions. Driving with dipped headlights on is compulsory at all times, even during the daytime and in clear weather.The maximum level of alcohol permitted in the bloodstream when driving is 50 mg per 100 ml (5 g/l).

Roads vary in quality, especially in northern Norway. Tolls are levied on several roads, such as the motorway from Oslo to Kristiansand, and on major roads to Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim.

Speed limits are 90 kilometres (55 miles) per hour on motorways; 80 kilometres (49 miles) per hour on other roads outside built-up areas; 30 kilometres (18 miles) per hour in residential areas; and 50 kilometres (31 miles) per hour in other built-up areas.

Extra care is needed when driving on winding mountain roads, and on some routes in northern Norway. During the winter check that the roads you are planning to use are open (especially mountain passes). For information on road conditions, dial +47 22 65 40 40.

The Norges Automobile Forbund (NAF) patrols mountain roads during the summer. They can be telephoned 24 hours a day, tel: +47 22 34 16 00 for advice or assistance; emergency telephones are located along roads and motorways. To find the nearest emergency pick-up service, call Viking Redningstjeneste on +47 80 03 29 00 or Falken Redningskorps on +47 80 03 00 50 (both are 24-hour freephone numbers).

The electrical current in Norway is 220 volts AC. Round, two-pin plugs are used. An adapter is necessary for UK and Irish appliances.

The official monetary unit is the Norwegian krone (Nkr). There are 100 øre in a krone. Notes are issued in denominations of 1,000Nkr, 500, 100, and 50. Coins are in denominations of 10Nkr, 5, and 1, and 50 and 10øre.

Travellers cheques are the safest way to carry money. MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, and Visa are widely accepted. However, not all shops and restaurants take credit cards, so it is advisable to check. Main post offices will cash travellers cheques. Banks charge a commission varying from 10 to 30Nkr, so it is worth comparing rates before changing large sums of money. Some banks, including Den Norske Creditkassen and ABC bank, give cash advances on credit cards. Cash withdrawals, using a Visa card, can be made from ATMs throughout the country. Banks are open Monday to Friday 08.15 to 15.00 (15.30 in winter; 17.00 on Thursday). Bureaux de change can be found at airports, railway stations, tourist offices, hotels, and campsites.

A service charge is usually included in restaurant bills, but you may add an additional tip at your own discretion. Hotel porters should be tipped 20Nkr. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but are happy to receive a few kroner.

1 January: New Year's Day
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
1 May: May Day
Ascension Day
17 May: National Day
Whit Monday
25 and 26 December: Christmas

All public buildings are accessible to people with disabilities. Norwegian State Railways provide special carriages, wheelchair access, lifts, and toilet facilities. Motor vehicles with hand controls can be hired from Euro Booking Service AS, Rådhusgt. 17, 0158 Oslo, tel: +47 22 33 38 43, fax: +47 22 33 38 44. Color Line, which operates ferries from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Denmark to Bergen and Stavanger, has two cabins adapted for travellers with disabilities. Norwegian Coastal Voyages, which provides ferry services along the west coast of Norway, has cabins and lifts adapted for wheelchair-users. Contact the Norges Handikapforbund (Norwegian Association for the Disabled), Folke Bernadottes vei 2, 0862 Oslo, tel: +47 22 95 28 60, fax: +47 22 95 21 51, for information on accessible hotels and campsites and other facilities for travellers with disabilities.

Oslo has both bus and tram services. Tickets have to be pre-purchased from information offices (trafikanten) and cancelled on the bus. A flat-fare system operates, which allows free transfers within one hour. The Oslo Card, which is valid on the whole transport network for one day, two days, or three days, also entitles you to discounts at museums. Oslo's metro system (the T-Bane) is mainly used as a commuter line. You can save money by buying a 24-hour travel pass or an Oslo card.

Numerous express boats and ferries ply the west-coast fjords. Most take cars. A number of ferries traverse Norway's lakes and inland waterways, such as Lake Mjøsa near Oslo and the Telemark Canal. The Hurtigrute is an express boat that stops at around 30 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes; for further information tel: +47 73 51 51 20 (Trondheim), +47 76 94 40 90 (Narvik), or +47 77 68 60 88 (Tromsø).

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