GENERAL INFORMATION

Norway is a country like no other. Its stunning landscape has been developed over thousands of years - snow capped mountain descend into deep blue fjords and green forests stretch to its long, rugged coastline. Friendly, down-to-earth people, unique scenery, bright summer nights and delightful snowy winters make Norway a unique country.    Please visit the Norwegian Tourist Board for more information (www.visitnorway.com)

The Fjords:
Few places in the world offer such unique and magnificent scenery as the fjords in Western Norway. Many of the fjords are deep and narrow, with sheer mountain waterfalls cascading from great heights into the water.

The fjords were curved out in a succession of Ice Ages. When the ice retreated 10-12 000 years ago, plants soon established themselves, animals thrived and hunters followed.  The fjords are different in character, changing as they make their way in from the coast and end somewhere deeper inland, where they are usually much narrower. While there are long lush fields stretching down to the edge of the water in some places, in others the surrounding mountains plunge straight into the fjord.

Weather:
Compared to most other places at a similar latitude Norway has a very mild climate thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream flowing along its coast.

Please see the table for the average day-time temperatures in Centigrades for the some Norwegian cities (Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim, Bodø, Tromsø).

1971-2000 Source: DNMI (Climate Division)

Visa Requirements:
The general rule is that all foreign nationals require a visa to visit Norway. However, there are some exceptions to this requirement. Below is a list of those who do not require a visa.

• Schengen countries
  As part of the Schengen Agreement, there are no passport controls when travelling between countries which have signed up to the agreement. Citizens of these countries may therefore enter Norway freely, without having to apply for a visa. The same applies to foreign nationals who have a residence permit for one of the Schengen countries. The 15 member states are:
  Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

• Countries exempt from visa requirement
  A visa is not required for nationals of countries with which Norway has signed a visa waiver agreement. Nationals of countries with a visa waiver may stay in Norway for up to three months. The countries with which Norway has a visa waiver agreement are:

This information was correct at time of going to press.  However, please check the information is correct  before travelling by visiting www.norway.org, www.norway.org.uk and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration at www.udi.no

Currency:
Norwegian currency consists of "kroner" (NOK) and "øre"; 100 øre make up one krone. Travellers may bring currency into Norway up to the equivalent of NOK 25,000,- in Norwegian and/or foreign bills and coins.

If you want to bring a greater amount, the Customs Department must be notified by means of a form filled out and presented upon arrival and departure. Use the red customs control lanes. The required form is available at all arrival and departure points. There is no limit on the value of traveller's checks, etc. that may be imported.

Currency exchange banks are located at major international airports, as well as rail and ship terminals, usually located in the arrival halls.

All Norwegian banks and major post offices exchange foreign currency. There are more than 800 ATM's in Norway accepting CIRRUS cards, as well as 1,200 banks and post offices for cash advances. Use of credit cards is widespread in Norway, and all major credit cards are accepted in most stores in Norway (except petrol stations).  Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are the most common.  It is a good idea to check with your credit card company about the degree of acceptability and available services. Traveller's cheques are accepted, and these should be purchased before departing on your trip.

Air Travel:
There are about 50 airports and landing strips in Norway, making even the northernmost places easily accessible.  Please see your local travel agent for information on airlines that travel to Norway. Also, please see below.

Worldwide:

Scandinavian Airlines:
SAS offers daily direct flights from Heathrow to Oslo and Heathrow to Stavanger. Direct flights six days a week between Manchester and Oslo.  There is also a daily flight from Newcastle to Stavanger*, and a daily flight from Gatwick to Bergen*. From Scotland SAS offers four daily flights out of Aberdeen to Stavanger as well as a service from Aberdeen to Bergen*.

www.scandinavianairlines.com
*Flights out of Newcastle, Aberdeen and Gatwick are operated by partners Wideroe and Braathens. To book contact your local travel agent or SAS at:

British Airways:
British Airways operate daily flights between London Heathrow to Oslo. For bookings contact British Airways.
www.britishairways.com

British Midland Airways:
British Midland fly daily between London Heathrow – Oslo and Aberdeen – Oslo.
www.flybmi.com

Low-fare: 

Norwegian:
Norwegian airlines operates low cost flights direct from London Stansted to Oslo, Gardemoen, Bergen and Trondheim. In addition, the airline offers a widespread low cost domestic route network.
www.norwegian.no

Ryanair: 
Ryanair operate a service between London Stansted and Oslo (south) Torp airport approximately 130 km from Oslo. Ryanair also fly to Haugesund south of Bergen.
www.ryanair.com