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Norway
If you love the outdoors, adventure and are keen to experience being around a nation that lives a sustainable lifestyle, then Norway should be on your list! As the third country in the world with the most islands (50,000 islands to be exact), it’s full of breathtaking fjords and magical landscapes. This is also one of the places in the world where you’ll get the chance to see the Northern Lights and integrate with the kind locals and Scandinavian culture.
Quick Tips
Local language: Norwegian
Hello: Hallo (pretty easy!)
Goodbye: Ha det
Please: Vær så snill (pronounced as var soh snil) One thing to note, in Norway the word ‘please’ isn’t really used. They use their tone of voice and attitude to convey the message
Thank you: Takk
Local Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Visa Requirements
Local language: Norwegian
Hello: Hallo (pretty easy!)
Goodbye: Ha det
Please: Vær så snill (pronounced as var soh snil) One thing to note, in Norway the word ‘please’ isn’t really used. They use their tone of voice and attitude to convey the message
Thank you: Takk
Local Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
🌿 Eco Friendliness
EPI ranking (based on the Environmental Performance Index) : 14/180
Norway is ranked one of the most sustainable countries in the world. Their electricity production is 97% renewable and the government aims to reduce emission of greenhouse gases by 30% in 2020. Norway is full of opportunities for sustainable travel, from small local villages and businesses to plenty of outdoor activities, the country is making massive achievements to reach the top eco rankings. Here are some important actions Norway has been taking:
Recycling – With one of the most varied recycling systems in the world, locals are encouraged to separate all their items with colour coordinated bags and recycling bins are widely used throughout the country. They also have a reward system they’ve called the ‘pant’ system, where you pay a few NOK extra for a certain goods at the supermarket and once you return it to one of their machines, you get the money back to use in the supermarket or donate to charity.
Reducing single use plastic – Plastic bags are no longer a thing in Norway, with all of them replaced with recycled plastic or paper. Manufacturers must also use approved labels, glue and bottle tops to help improve the recycling process.
Electric cars and aeroplanes – Norway is big on electric cars and plans to stop sales of diesel and gasoline vehicles by 2025. Similarly, they are working to create a hybrid fuel electric plane model by 2020 which would be a massive game changer for us travellers!
Investing in the future – Norway has invested in a US$ 13 million seed bank where over a million seeds are preserved and used in case of a global crisis, which could include anything from a nuclear war, natural disaster or climate change.
Plogging – This is specific to Norway and we think is genius! This is when the locals go for walks in a local forest with the aim of picking up any litter they can find.
Culture – A sustainable way of living seems to be embedded in the Norwegian culture, let’s hope the rest of the world can follow!
Safety Rating – 9/10
Norway is also one of the safest countries in the world due to the high standards of living. It has one of the lowest unemployment rates and due to the rich economy, it makes the whole country very productive. All the locals we had spoken to were actually very pleased with their government, who spends a great amount on having advanced education and excellent healthcare system.
Best time to go
June to August – This is when the summer solstice occurs and you’ll be able to experience the midnight sun which is perfect for hiking and cycling. Don’t let the sun fool you though! The heat isn’t guaranteed so make sure to pack extra layers for the evening.
May and September – These shoulder months are when there are less tourists, cheaper accommodation and you’ll be able to find comfortable weather for walking around the cities and hiking.
October to March – This is the best time to catch the Northern Lights, during the winter season when the days are at their shortest.
Female Friendliness
It is without a doubt that Norway has been our top 3 safest countries for female travellers. We did not experience any form of harassment or uneasiness during our visit, and walking in the quietest of roads felt completely safe. All the locals were extremely friendly, helpful and genuine people.
Things to See and Do in Norway
Ride the world’s steepest railway line, the Flåm railway
Visit UNESCO world heritage sites Bryggen and Nærøyfjord
Experience the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
Surf in the Arctic Circle (yes, it is colddd!)
Go whale watching
Stay in a Norwegian ‘hytte’ (cabin)
Indulge in waffles
Learn about the indigenous Sami culture of the Arctic
“The Professional Hobo”
“Never Ending Footsteps”
Typical Costs When Travelling
Accommodation
Budget – £4-£12 a night
Mid range – £17-£30 a night
Food (per meal)
Budget – £7-£15
Mid range- £20 to £45
Local Transportation
£10-£30
Suggested daily budget
Budget- £35-£55
Mid range- £60-£80
Money Saving Tips
Norway, or the Scandinavian countries in general are known to be very expensive. Don’t let this put you off though, there are ways to do it on a budget!
1
The best things is Norway are free!
There are so many beautiful hikes and outdoor activities you can do, you’ll only need money for transport and food for the whole day
2
Shop Local
Buy supermarket’s own branded food. This usually tends to be cheaper and the quality is just as good
3
You’re allowed to camp anywhere
Which means that if you really want to do Norway on a budget, forget booking any accommodation and set your tent up wherever you please! The rules are just that you need to be 150 metres away from the nearest property to respect their space.
4
Book transport in advance
You’ll be able to save up to 50% on the bus or train
What to Pack
The Norwegians have a saying that “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing” and nothing puts them off going for a long hike! The weather in Norway varies massively and with global warming on the rise, it’s more unpredictable than ever. The trick is to pack layers, so you have the option for when it warms up, but you also bring a spare jumper for when it starts to get chilly.
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