Norway: travel and transport
How do you get to Norway?
The quickest way to get to Norway from Germany is by plane. The Norwegian airlines are SAS, Braathens and Widerøe.
Who with the car. entry has not been controlled since December 21, 2007. Norway, which is not a member of the EU, has nevertheless joined the Schengen Agreement. On December 21st, the border controls at the EU borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Malta also ceased. From this point onwards, a total of 24 countries will be cooperating in control-free border traffic.
Travel in the country
Air connections
There are airports and/or runways throughout Norway. The regions in the far north are also connected to the more densely populated south. The major airlines in Norway are SAS, Braathens and Widerøe.
Railway
Norway has a rail network of around 4,000 km in length. The route network stretches from Norway’s south coast up to Bodø on the Nordland coast. One of the world’s most famous railway lines is the main connection between Oslo and Bergen on the west coast, which leads over the high mountains.
Bus
There are numerous overland bus routes in Norway.
Streets
Of the approximately 91,000 km of roads, around 400 km are expressways that are comparable to our motorways. About 67,000 km of the road network are paved. Especially in the north, however, you can often expect unpaved gravel roads that are hardly or not at all passable with normal vehicles.
At 24.5 km, the Laerdals Tunnel is one of the longest road tunnels in the world. It connects Aurland with Laerdal on the route between Bergen and Oslo. It replaces the so-called snovegen (snow path) over the fjell (norwegian for mountains), which is often difficult or impossible to pass in winter, especially by trucks. The lighting of the tunnel was developed with the help of traffic psychologists. In addition, it is interrupted by three large halls, so that one gets the impression of driving not through one, but through four individual shorter tunnels. The three halls are illuminated in yellow and green near the ground and blue further up. The drive through this tunnel is therefore downright a pleasure and easy to cope with even for people with claustrophobia.
Rental car
There is a dense network of rental car companies in Norway, which are represented at all airports and in most cities. When renting a car or motorcycle – also in Norway – a few rules should be observed in order to avoid avoidable trouble and avoidable costs as far as possible: Compare the prices in Norway before you leave – e.g. on the Internet or through your local automobile clubs . It is also often advisable to book in your home country.
In addition to the national language, all agreements should at least also be in English – unless you speak and understand Norwegian. The total price, including all additional costs – such as taxes, fees and insurance – must be clearly visible. The liability sum should be at least € 1 million – preferably more.
A fully comprehensive insurance without excess should be taken out. Existing defects in the vehicle should be listed in writing in the contract – afterwards, in the event of a conflict, often no one remembers any verbal information or agreements. It should be noted in writing whether the car must be returned with a full tank. And of course it must be clarified where and at what time the car can or must be returned at the end.
Ferry
connections There are ferry connections to a number of countries, including Germany. But only from a few larger cities, such as Oslo.
Maximum speeds
The permissible speed in urban areas is 50 km/h, outside urban areas it is 80 km/h. The speed limit on motorways is signposted. Usually it is 90 km / h.
Special regulations
It is a requirement to always have the low beam switched on.
Blood
alcohol limit The alcohol limit in Norway is 0.5.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Norway is:
N |
Tourist office
Visitnorway.com
P.O. Box 448 Sentrum
0158 Oslo
Tel: 0047 – 22 00 25 00
Fax: 0047 – 22 00 25 01
Web: www.visitnorway.com
Norwegian Tourist Office in Germany
Caffamacherreihe 5
20355 Hamburg
Tel: 0180 – 500 15 48 (0.14 euros/min.)
Fax: 0049 – (0) 40 – 22 94 15 88
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.visitnorway.de
Norway: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
For a stay of up to three months in Norway, residents of the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria and Switzerland only need a valid identity card. A child ID is required for children up to 16 years of age. German nationals who want to stay in Norway for more than three months should enter with a passport and apply for a residence permit from the Norwegian police before the three months are up.
People who need a visa for Norway can do so at: Royal Norwegian Embassy Rauchstr. 1 10787 Berlin Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 50 50 50 or 50 50 56 10 Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 50 50 55 Email: [email protected] www.norwegen.org
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currencyA total of 25,000 kroner may be imported and exported. A customs declaration must be made for higher amounts.
- Foreign currenciesA total of an amount equivalent to 25,000 kroner may be imported and exported. A customs declaration must be made for higher amounts.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals that are protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
Tobacco and alcohol are heavily taxed in Norway. Only the following amounts are duty-free for people aged 20 and over:
2 liters of wine and 2 liters of beer (this also applies to persons over 18 years.)
Instead of 2 liters of wine and
1 liter of spirits to 60% (higher proof alcohol is completely prohibited.)
200 cigarettes (This also applies to persons aged 18 years)
With the vehicle (car/boat) 200 liters of petrol are allowed.
It is allowed to import food intended for personal use into Norway. This does not apply to meat (except 5 kg of canned food), dairy products, eggs, fruit and vegetables.
Entry with pets
For the owners of dogs and other animals, when traveling abroad, the question arises whether they can even take their animals with them to the chosen travel destination, and if that is possible, then of course the question of the respective applicable conditions arises. Here with us you will find all the important information on this topic, seriously researched at the embassies or the Foreign Office. The regulations apply to entry from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and numerous other countries:
Dogs must be at least seven months old upon entry.
Cats must be at least 16 months old upon entry.
For pets in general, when entering Norway, the owners must have a veterinary certificate signed by a general practitioner. This veterinary certificate consists of a health certificate and a vaccination certificate. In addition to this health certificate, the respective animal must be clearly identifiable. This can be guaranteed either by a tattoo or by a microchip. The respective identification number must be listed in all documents carried.
The health certificate must not be older than ten days upon arrival and must be signed by a veterinarian. This certificate must state that the animal does not have any contagious diseases and that tapeworm treatment has been carried out. All animals must be vaccinated against rabies upon entry. Dogs must also be vaccinated against distemper and leptospirosis. In addition, there are the following special provisions for entering Norway with animals:
The animals must not have been in a country outside the EU in the last six months. Some dog breeds are not allowed to be introduced into Norway under any circumstances. These include Pit Bull Terriers, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasiliero or crosses with these. Only the Bengal cat may not be introduced into the cats under any circumstances.
Pets in the airplane
When transporting pets in airplanes there is the possibility that the animal flies together with an accompanying person (owner) or without such a person.
Animal transport with an accompanying person (owner)
In this case, proceed as follows: At the airport, the animal is locked in a transport crate previously obtained by the owner. It must be ensured that the container is large enough that the animal can stand in it and turn around, and it must also be ensured that no liquids can run out (urine). This is done using suitable absorbent material, in the simplest case using a sufficient amount of newspaper. There should also be a water bowl and, depending on the length of the flight, enough food. The transport container is handed over to the staff at the check-in counter. The transport fee depends on the weight of the animal. It is essential to ensure that there is space for the animal for the flight booked, as the number of animals that can be transported
The animal is located in the machine in an air-conditioned area between the passenger deck and the cargo area. As a rule, no member of the crew takes care of the animal during the flight, not even to give water or food. However, experience has shown that the stress of checking in and the take-off phase is so stressful for most animals that they sleep for most of the flight. The administration of sedatives before check-in is not only not recommended, as their effects cannot be foreseen under these conditions, but is even prohibited for reasons of security (smuggling). Many airlines also exclude a number of dogs (attack dogs) from transport.
Animal transport without an accompanying person
In this case, a specialist company must be commissioned with the transport, which then takes care of everything else. However, it should be ensured that the animal is picked up at the arrival airport by someone who is familiar to the dog. And of course all import regulations for pets for the country have to be explored beforehand and strictly adhered to.
Note
It has proven to be very helpful if you have accustomed the animal to such a transport container at home a few weeks before the intended flight.
Norway: Travel Medicine and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Norway, the following infectious diseases, which also occur in Central Europe, are to be expected:
- Lyme disease, due to tick bites
- Early summer meningoencephalitis due to tick bites
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio
- tetanus
Vaccination recommendations
When traveling to Norway, the following usual in Germany vaccinations recommended:
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
- Early summer meningo encephalitis (TBE), but only for high-risk travelers, i.e. people who can be bitten by ticks due to long stays in the forest
- Hepatitis A and B, a vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
- Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.
Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the country.
Hazards and current warning notices
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
Current warning
notices : www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Norway: currency, shopping and exchange rate
The national currency of Norway is the Norwegian Krone (NOK) = 100 Øre.
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 50
- 100
- 200
- 500
- 1,000 crowns
The following coins are in circulation:
- 50 Øre
- 1 crowns
- 5 crowns
- 10 crowns
- 20 crowns
Conversion rate
You can find a currency converter here: www3.forium.de
Bank opening hours
- Monday: 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday: 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday: closed
Shop
Prices vary greatly from shop to shop. A difference of up to 50% is possible.
Shop opening times
There is no uniform shop closing law in Norway. Retailers are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Large shops and supermarkets usually have the following shop opening hours:
- Monday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday: closed
Cheap or country-specific goods and souvenirs
The most famous product from Norway is the Norwegian sweater with the typical pattern. The Sami knives made in northern Norway are another useful souvenir.
Norway: embassies, consulates
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Norway embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Norway in Germany
“Each for himself and yet together”. That is the motto of the five Nordic embassies that have combined their messages in this ensemble of buildings. In addition to the embassy of Norway, this also includes the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. A wide “copper band” consisting of individual slats connects all five embassy buildings around the outside. The ensemle is bordered by Rauchstraße – the official address – as well as Klingenhöferstraße and Stülerstraße.
The Felleshus (community center) is used by all five embassies, where concerts, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions or conferences take place – there is also a canteen that is accessible to all visitors.
What is striking about the building is that it stretches – comparable to the hull of a ship – from the center of the property to the center of the plaza. Something very special is a 15 m high and 120 ton heavy granite block, which was specially shipped from Norway to Germany and erected with the help of special cranes. The architectural office “SNØHETTA ARKITEKTUR OG LANDSKAP AS” from Oslo was responsible for the planning and construction of the embassy.
You can reach the five embassies with the bus lines 100, 106, 187 and the night bus N 26, whose stop is on Klingelhöferstraße directly in front of the embassies, and with the bus line 200, whose stop is at the beginning of Stülerstraße.
Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway
Rauchstrasse 1
10787 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 50 50 50
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 50 50 55
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.norwegen.org
Consulate General of the Kingdom of Norway
Caffamacherreihe 5
20355 Hamburg
Tel: 0049 – (0) 40-32 50 91 60
Fax: 0049 – (0) 40-32 50 91 633
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Norway
E.ON-Platz 1
40479 Düsseldorf
Tel: 0049 – (0) 211 – 4579449
Fax: 0049 – (0) 211 – 4579501
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Norway
Braunstraße 7
04347 Leipzig
Tel: 0049 – (0) 341 – 4432060
Fax: 0049 – (0) 341 – 4432009
E-Mail: [email protected]
You can find other honorary consulates in: Bremen, Frankfurt, Hanover, Kiel, Lübeck and Munich.
The building was designed by Norway’s most famous architectural firm, Snøhetta from Oslo. The most striking feature is a large granite block from the Idd area in southeastern Norway, which was cut out with a diamond band saw, shipped to Germany and placed in its place with special cranes. The granite block is 15 meters high and weighs 120 tons.
The location in the rear center of the property determines the shape of the house, the choice of materials and the expression of the materials. The concept is based on five main elements: a simple plan solution with offices parallel to the outer facade, a monolith as a closure to the plaza, a facade cladding made of glass in various designs, a warm, natural color inside, offset green roofs in the rear part of the building.
The facade cladding consists of transparent glass and frosted glass. The green cast of the material is reminiscent of the color of the glaciers and gives a cool impression. The slats that are inclined to the facade are also made of this glass. They shield the interior from direct sunlight.
The atrium between the offset roof areas is delimited by the copper strip, the glass lamellar strip and the facade and offers an interesting interplay of surfaces, reflections and shadows and delightful views of the street and the neighboring embassies.
In contrast to the cool exterior of the house, the interior gives an expression of warmth. This is achieved through the coloring of the walls and the use of wood for the wall cladding and furniture, especially in the evenings when the building is lit from within.
Architects: SNØHETTA ARKITEKTUR OG LANDSKAP AS, Oslo Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Berlin,
German representations in Norway
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Oslo
Oscarsgate 45
0244 Oslo
Tel: 0047 – 23 27 54 00
Fax: 0047 – 22 44 76 72
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.oslo.diplo.de
Consulates
Honorary Consulate in Bergen
Damsgårdsveien 135
5162 Laksevåg
Tel: 0047 – 55 31 53 80
Fax: 0047 – 55 21 08 06
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Bodø
Sjøgata 21
8006 Bodø
Tel: 0047 – 75 52 88 55
Fax: 0047 – 75 52 84 85
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Kirkenes
Dr. Wesselsgate 9
9915 Kirkenes
Tel: 0047 – 78 99 50 80
Fax: 0047 – 78 99 50 57
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Kristiansand
Vigeveien 50
4604 Kristiansand
Tel: 0047 – 90 51 87 32
Fax: 0047 – 38 14 38 01
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Stavanger
Travbaneveien 1
4022 Stavanger
Tel: 0047 – 51 95 85 50
Fax: 0047 – 51 95 85 86
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Svolvaer
Advokatgården, Richard Withs gate 7
8301 Svolvaer
Tel: 0047 – 76 07 34 00
Fax: 0047 – 76 07 35 00
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Tromsø
Sjøgate 2
9008 Tromsø
Tel: 0047 – 77 61 78 00
Fax: 0047 – 77 61 78 01
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Trondheim
Sivert Thonstadsveien 7
7072 Heimdal
Tel: 0047 – 41 41 83 68
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate in Ålesund
Einarvikgata 8
6002 Ålesund
Tel: 0047 – 70 10 09 70
Fax: 0047 – 70 13 78 04
Email: [email protected]
Austrian representations in Norway
Austrian Embassy in Oslo
Thomas Heftyes Gate 19 – 21
0244 Oslo
Tel: 0047 – 22 54 02-00
Fax: 0047 – 22 55 43 61
E-Mail: [email protected]
Consulates
Austrian Honorary Consulate
Aspeg. 1
6007 Alesund
Tel: 0047 – 70 12 21 35
Fax: 0047 – 70 12 89 44
E-Mail: [email protected]
Austrian Honorary Consulate
Edvard Griegsvei 3B
5059 Bergen
Tel: 0047 – 55 33 61 40
Fax: 0047 – 55 32 66 39
E-Mail: [email protected]
Austrian Honorary Consulate
Svanedamsveien 56
4621 Kristiansand
Tel: 0047 – 38 00 05 55
Fax: 0047 – 38 00 05 51
E-Mail: [email protected]
Austrian Honorary Consulate
Breiflatveien 18
4017 Stavanger
Tel: 0047 – 51 90 88 30
Fax: 0047 – 51 90 81 01
Email: [email protected]
Austrian Honorary Consulate
Cora Sandelsgate 2
9008 Tromsö
Tel: 0047 – 77 68 26 63
Fax: 0047 – 77 63 41 50
E-Mail: [email protected]
Austrian Honorary Consulate
Granasveien 13
7048 Trondheim
Tel: 0047 – 922 68 037
E-Mail: [email protected]
Representations of Norway in Austria
Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Vienna
Reisnerstrasse 55-57
1030 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 715 66 92
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 712 65 52
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.norwegen.or.at
Consulates
Honorary Consulate General of the Kingdom of Norway
Dr. Karl-Lueger-Ring 6
1010 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 534 68 223
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 534 68 260
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Norway
Amundsengasse 9a
8010 Graz
Tel: 0043 – (0) 316 – 32 50 73 – 0
Fax: 0043 – (0) 316 – 32 50 733
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Norway
Kaiserstraße 33
6900 Bregenz
Tel: 0043 – (0) 5574 – 4906 – 6000
Fax: 0043 – (0) 5574 – 4906 – 6005
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Norway
Langer Weg 11
6020 Innsbruck
Tel: 0043 – (0) 505 – 333 – 1001
Fax: 0043 – (0) 505 – 333 – 1011
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Norway
Giselakai 37
5020 Salzburg
Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 88 74 88
Fax: 0043 – (0) 662 – 88 74 88 44
E-Mail: [email protected]
Swiss representations in Norway
Swiss Embassy in Oslo
Bygdoy Allé 78
0244 Oslo
Tel: 0047 – 22 54 23 90
Fax: 0047 – 22 44 63 50
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/oslo
Die The Swiss embassy in Norway is still responsible for Iceland.
Representations of Norway in Switzerland
Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Bern
Bubenbergplatz 10
3001 Bern
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 310 55 55
Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 310 55 50
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.amb-norwegen.ch
Consulates
Consulate General of the Kingdom of Norway
Rue Jargonnant 2
1211 Geneva 6
Tel: 0041 – (0) 22/736 16 12
Fax: 0041 – (0) 22/707 18 11
Email: [email protected]
Consulate of the Kingdom of Norway
Via Franzoni 1
6601 Locarno
Tel: 0041 – (0) 91/756 04 30
Fax: 0041 – (0) 91/756 04 99
Email: [email protected]
Consulate General of the Kingdom of Norway
Utoquai 37, c/o Gloor & Sieger
8024 Zurich
Tel: 0041 – (0) 44/254 61 39
Fax: 0041 – (0) 44/254 61 71
Email: [email protected]