Are you daydreaming about a trip to Norway? Or have you already booked one of our luxury Norway tours and are counting down the days to departure? If this will be your first time visiting Norway, we’ve got some good news for you; exploring this gem of a country is as easy as it is exciting — but it always helps to come prepared!
Seemingly everything in Norway is designed to help make locals’ and visitors’ lives easier (well, almost everything!). And when you travel with a specialist in luxury Scandinavia tour packages, you will have an even greater sense of comfort and confidence.
But as with travel to any destination you’re unfamiliar with, you can never do too much pre-arrival planning! With that in mind, let’s get started on our picks for five things to know before you go to Norway.
If you have any questions about your own Norway adventure with Discover Scandinavia Tours at any point, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our US-based team!
Choose the Season for Your Norway Tour Carefully
Visitors to Norway can have very different travel experiences depending on their travel season. Winter provides the opportunity for many fun snow activities, such as snowmobiling, sledding, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Winter is also the best time to view the breathtaking Northern Lights. If viewing the Aurora Borealis is a must for you, read our Practical Guide for Northern Lights Tours.
If you decide to travel in the winter, remember that there is very little daylight from November to January. It’s essentially the opposite in Summer when the sun barely sets, especially around the solstice.
Summer and fall are great times to make the most of the outdoors in daylight hours. Hiking, boating, and fjord cruises are just some of the incredible activities you can enjoy. If you want to travel during the less crowded months, try Spring.
If you want to continue reading on this topic, read our blog Best Times to Travel to Scandinavia when you’re finished here.
The Weather in Norway is Unpredictable
If you’ve read our five things to know before you go to Iceland, you may already know that the weather in the Nordic region is unpredictable — and Norway is another perfect example! The key here is to be prepared for any weather and to not fully trust the forecast. Even if the skies look clear and blue, it’s best to have a rain jacket or umbrella on hand for unexpected precipitation.
You can prepare for temperature fluctuations by packing and wearing layers; this makes adjusting to the conditions throughout the day easier.
Norway is Larger Than You Think
Don’t underestimate the amount of time you need to spend in Norway. Even though only five million people live there, Norway is a large country with an area of almost 149,000 square miles. It would take 38 hours of non-stop driving to travel from the southern city of Kristiansand to Nordkapp in the north.
And since Norway is such a long country, the differences between each region are significant, from the arctic landscapes in the north to the south coast beaches and fjords in the west. Are you especially looking forward to visiting the majestic Fjords? We think you’ll love reading our guide to the Norwegian Fjords for travelers.
Our Scenic Norway Luxe and Stories of Norway tours seamlessly take you from east to west while exploring the southern half of the country. For a taste of the north, our Norway Luxe Winter itinerary travels up to Tromso and Kirkenes, and maybe you’ll even experience the spectacular Northern Lights.
Despite its size, it is relatively easy to get around in Norway, with many different types of transportation easily accessible. With Discover Scandinavia Tours, you’ll travel by car, train, boat, and plane to see all that Norway offers.
Don’t Skip the Norway in a Nutshell Tour
Most of our Norway tours include either the Norway in a Nutshell ® tour or an alternate version, the Sognefjord in a Nutshell ®. Our partners at Fjord Tours have meticulously crafted these experiences so that travelers in Norway can enjoy the best of what the country offers with a quintessential Fjord experience.
Learn more about the …in a Nutshell tours of the Norwegian Fjords offered by Fjord Tours.
You May Have to Store Your Bag in Norway’s Museums
When visiting one of Norway’s many museums, be prepared to put any bag larger than a small purse in a storage locker.
Most museums provide a secure storage option for those who need it. Be sure that anything you need while exploring the museums can fit in your pockets.
Book Your Norway Vacation Package with the Experts
We hope these five things to know before you go to Norway have inspired and informed you in equal measure! Are you ready to start planning your Norwegian escape? Our team of Scandinavia specialists is here to help!
Browse our range of luxury Norway tours and discover more about our fun and fascinating itineraries. If you want to see more of the Nordic region, check out our luxury Scandinavian multi-country tours too.
We are US-based and happy to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us for all the answers you need.
