1. Traveling around the country is best done by car or bus. The main attractions, although located near the settlements, most often do not have convenient access roads (or they are toll-free). Locals are reluctant to interfere with natural landscapes.
2. Nightclubs and discos have a clear gradation of the age of visitors, the range of alcoholic beverages offered, and opening hours. They may, therefore, ask for your passport.
3. Smoking is prohibited in all forms of public transportation and on board airplanes, as well as in most public buildings and offices. In hotels, bars, and restaurants, smoking is prohibited in all common areas, and one-third of the tables are mandatorily allocated to non-smokers. Hotels have the same policy. Up to 50% of hotel rooms are non-smoking only, and this should be taken into account when choosing a hotel. Cigarettes are only sold to those over 18 years of age and are very expensive.
4. Wine and strong alcoholic beverages are sold in special stores operating on a special schedule. In many rural communes, the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited (beer is not one of them); these restrictions were imposed not by the state, but by the communes themselves. It is forbidden to sell hard liquor on Sundays and holidays, as well as before 1 p.m. and after midnight on weekdays. Wine and beer may be sold daily. Tin cans of beer and soft drinks must be returned to the stores. The buyer is refunded from 1 to 5 NOK per can. The same is done with glassware. A bottle or can thrown out on the street will result in a heavy fine.
5. The Public Domain Act allows free movement around the country and being in nature in any accessible place, but in protected areas, the right of access to all areas is restricted.
6. In rural areas and settlements, use paths and special paths; you must not disturb animal and plant life. Some areas close their land to access at certain times of the year. A tent should not be pitched closer than 150 meters from residential structures. But many farmers provide their homes for overnight stays by arrangement.
7. Between April 15 and September 15, no campfires may be built outside of designated and equipped areas. All waste from parking or overnight stays must be collected and disposed of in designated containers, otherwise there will be a heavy fine.
8. Fishing in inland waters is subject to a fee from 10 to 25 USD and requires a license, which costs about 8 USD. Persons under 16 years old can fish for free with hand gear (rod, spinning) from January 1 to August 20. Fishing in the sea and fjords is free of charge. Sometimes special fishing huts with all amenities are built right on the shore of water bodies. For winter fishing there are special mobile wagon huts, which can be taken directly to the ice of the reservoir and caught through a special hole in the floor.
9. Tipping is included in the bill of restaurants and hotels, but you can leave 5-10 NOK to reward waiters, porters, and doormen. When paying for cabs, it is customary to round up or leave 5-10 NOK.
10. The voltage in the network is 220 V, 50-60 Hz. The sockets are standard European sockets.
11. For tourist trips, it is advantageous to buy the Oslo Card:
- 1-day card: 150 NOK
- 2-day card: about 200 NOK
- 3-day card: 250 NOK
For children between 4 and 15 years old, it is half the price. The Oslo Card provides the following benefits:
- Free admission to most of the city's museums
- Unlimited travel on all forms of public transportation (excluding some ferries)
- 50% discount on excursions by bus or boat
- Discounts in many restaurants, stores, and car rentals
The card is sold in tour bureaus, Narvesen newsstands, and most hotels. Students and people over 60, who according to Norwegian rules pay half the cost of museum tickets, are better off buying a regular pass and paying separately for museum tickets.
