Buy Norwegian krone online

Using debit and credit cards for payments is accepted all across Norway.

Remember to pay in local currency if you do use your card. Paying in GBP can potentially cost you more depending on the exchange rate. Having some Norwegian kroner on hand for smaller purchases is also a good idea. This way, you’ll be prepared for situations where you can’t pay by card.

Norway has a reputation for being one of the most expensive countries in the world.

For instance, a basic meal in a restaurant can cost:

• NOK200 in Oslo
• NOK200 in Stavanger
• NOK190 in Bergen
• NOK185 in Drøbak
• NOK150 in Arendal

Major cities in Norway tend to be pricier than smaller towns. If you’re visiting bigger cities like Oslo and Bergen, you may need to bring more kroner with you.

Some shops close to the Swedish border may let you pay in Swedish krona, but the Norwegian krone is the preferred currency.

Unlike its neighbour Finland, Norway isn’t a member of the European Union. If you’re travelling into Norway with euros (EUR), you’ll need to exchange them for Norwegian kroner.

You can use our currency converter to exchange your GBP into NOK.

If you’re heading to Norway for a holiday you won’t need a visa. UK citizens can stay in Norway for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. If you want to stay a little longer or earn some money, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate visa or work permit. You should always research the most up to date visa guidelines before planning a trip.

Other passport holders should check the entry requirements with your country’s embassy.

Tipping in Norway is entirely up to you. Most service workers consider tips a nice bonus but won’t be offended if you decide not to leave one.

If you want to leave a tip, the most common way is to round up the bill to the nearest 10 or 100 krone. If the lunch costs NOK86, rounding up to NOK100 leaves a nice tip.

The staff will usually pool all tips at the end of the month and evenly divide them among everyone that works there.

Norway has two official languages: Norwegian and Sámi.

Norwegian is the most widely spoken language, stemming from the Viking language of Old Norse. If you can speak other Nordic languages like Swedish or Danish, chances are you’ll understand bits of Norwegian too.

You’ll also hear these recognised national languages:

• Kven
• Romani
• Scandoromani

If you can’t speak any of Norway’s languages, don’t worry about being lost in translation. Nearly 90% of Norwegians can understand English, so you’ll always be able to find someone who can help.

Norway welcomes over 500,000 British nationals annually, and most visits are safe and incident-free.

If you’re arriving in Norway by ferry, there are border controls in place for ferries arriving from Swedish, Danish, and German ports. Make sure you know Norway’s entry requirements before setting off.

You can also visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the latest government travel advice for Norway.

There’s plenty to do in Norway all year round.

The summer season (June to August) is ideal if you’re looking to explore the Norwegian fjords. With warmer weather, you can travel down Norway’s waterways without needing to wrap up.

Norway’s ski season starts in November and lasts until April. Regular snow flurries make November to January the best time to ski, though March is also popular due to the longer days and milder weather.

If you’re heading to Norway to see the northern lights, visit Svalbard between October and April. Just remember that Norway’s weather can be cold and unpredictable, particularly the further north you travel.