To pay for buses in Norway, use contactless bank cards (tap-to-pay) or dedicated transport apps like Ruter (Oslo) or Skyss (Bergen), as cash is often not accepted on board; tickets are best bought in advance via apps or machines for better prices, though some local buses allow card payment onboard, especially for shorter rides.
Yes, contactless payments are very common and widely accepted in Norway. You could tap to pay in supermarkets, taxis, public transport and many other places. The contactless limit in Norway is 500 NOK, after which you'll be asked to enter your PIN.
Debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and many places also accept payment by phone, like Google Pay and Apple Pay. But it is still a good idea to have a bit of cash on you for small purchases. Foreign currency is rarely accepted, so you need Norwegian currency to get by.
You can purchase your ticket on the Ruter app on your mobile phone or a physical travel card from a kiosk. Remember to buy your ticket before boarding. You cannot purchase tickets here on the Ruter website. Download the Ruter app or buy a physical ticket at a sales outlet.
Credit/debit cards are accepted on all regional and district buses. Unfortunately, we don't accept card payments on our city buses in Tromsø and Harstad. All express boats except MS Skaaskjær (Route 5 Sommarøy - Tussøy - Sandneshamn) accept credit/debit cards.
How to use Public Transportation in Oslo (a guide)
How do tourists get around Norway?
The most popular ways to get around in Norway are by rental car, train or cruise. With a custom tour arranged by Nordic Visitor it's possible to experience all of those modes of travel in one trip! Check out our suggestions below for the best ways to explore Norway according to the country's most popular attractions.
Cash is no longer king in Norway, as almost all establishments accept credit/debit cards, making even more sense to bring a prepaid card on your travels. Most international banks and money outlets now charge a fee for using ATM machines, as do most card providers.
You don't need to show your ticket to the driver when boarding city buses in Tromsø, but you must do so on all other buses in Troms. Don't scan the QR code when boarding the bus. The driver and inspector can ask to see a valid ticket at any time during the journey.
Can you get by with only English in Oslo? Yes, to a certain extent. Most Norwegians have a reasonable level of English, and Oslo is also a quite international city with many foreigners also speaking English and their own mother tongues.
Should I exchange money before I travel to Norway?
Norway's currency is the Krone (NOK). Most businesses do not accept U.S. currency, and it is best to exchange money before you leave for your trip if possible. While currency exchange services are provided on board the ship, it is advisable to check the exchange rates before your trip.
Norway is largely cashless. You can pay with a credit or debit card almost anywhere—from the fanciest of restaurants to the smallest of kiosks. Even street vendors and taxi drivers are usually equipped to take card payments.
The daily expenses of a Norwegian traveller are around NOK 1 200 per day. The average tourist spends 261 norwegian krones per day on food and 204 norwegian kronesper day on local transport. Hotel accommodation can be very expensive. A night in a hotel is estimated at NOK Norwegian krones.
"Øre" is no longer in circulation and have existed only electronically since 2012. Debit or credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and is the normal method of paying in Norway. Bills and coins are less and less used here, but it is still a good idea to have some cash on you.
Sweden, Denmark and Norway all use their own version of the 'krona'. These are Swedish krona (SEK), Danish krone (DKK) and Norwegian krone (NOK). The currency accepted in both Finland and Estonia is the euro (EUR).
In the Norwegian version of politeness, it's more important not to bother other people, including at the dining table. And engaging in meaningless chat with people we don't know definitely comes under the definition of bothering them.
Norwegians use body language sparingly. Avoid talking with your hands. Physical contact is rare and best avoided. The American OK sign, with thumb and index finger forming a circle, can be read as an obscene gesture in Norway. The thumbs-up gesture is positive as it signals approval.
How you dress is up to you. There is an informal atmosphere, and there is no need to dress up for dinner. However, some like to do so, especially when eating in the Hildring Fine Dining restaurant.
Norway's 23/5 rule is a pathway to university admission for adults (aged 23+) without standard qualifications, requiring them to have 5 years of combined education/work experience and pass specific core subjects (Norwegian, English, Math, Science, History, Social Studies) to gain general university admissions certification. This rule provides a "second chance" for vocational students or those who didn't complete general upper secondary education, allowing them to qualify for higher education by demonstrating maturity and foundational subject knowledge.
English is not an official language in Norway, but you might think it is based on how many people speak it. Travelling to the major cities of Norway, you'll find that most people speak English fluently. In fact, 90% of Norwegians can say that they speak English.
Hop on and off again as many times as you want in 24 hours at any of the twelve different stops. The tour will take you to Old Stavanger, Stavanger Cathedral, the Museum of Archaeology and much more. The Hop On buses have pre-recorded audio guides in four languages: English, German, Italian, and Spanish.
