Here are 5 reasons Americans should travel to Norway:
- Everyone in Norway speaks English and most people are as fluent as a native speaker. Most signs are in Norwegian and English making it very easy to get around. Norwegian people are friendly, helpful and pleasant without being overbearing.
- You don’t have to worry about currency changes because credit cards are used everywhere. The Norwegian Kroner is about 10 to 1 of the American dollar. So, if something costs 100 Kr, you can quickly translate that to $10. We used a credit card the whole time and never touched Norwegian currency. You do want to make sure you have a mastercard or visa and that it has the tap capacity. Also, before you leave America, contact your credit card company to let them know you are traveling to Norway.
- The public transportation system is fantastic. In Oslo, you buy bus and tram tickets in the 7-Elevens that are everywhere. Each ticket is good for 60 minutes from the time you scan it on the bus or tram allowing you to make transfers. Tickets cost about $4 a trip. Likewise, Bergen also has a robust and easy to use system. Inter country plane tickets are very inexpensive in Norway, only $50 a person. Flight times are often less than an hour. Moreover, with short security lines, and smaller but well equipped airports you can arrive about 45 minutes before departure time. Flying between Norwegian cities is very easy.
- Even if you have a short time, you can truly enjoy the country in a week. You will want to come back and experience Norway in both Winter and Summer because it is gorgeous in every season. Regardless of the time of the year, Norway in a Nutshell is the best way to get a quick overview of the scenic beauty that Norway offers. Read my blog on Norway in a Nutshell in Winter, it will give you confidence for an easy and beautiful trip with only six hours of daylight.
- Norway is a beautiful country with some of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. There are great museums and outdoor activities for every season. You will never be bored with both great indoor and outdoor things to do!
I’ve always been a bit apprehensive of traveling to any Scandinavian country. I was under the impression that Norway would be expensive and the people would be aloof. I could not have been more wrong! You can travel to Norway on a budget with prices in line with what we pay for food and accommodations in America. Norway was easy to navigate and everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful. Start looking for a good airline deal and prioritize a trip to Norway!
