Tap water is safe to drink straight away – 9 things to know before traveling to Norway

▲Bergen, Norway. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

In recent years, more and more people have been traveling to Northern Europe or North America to see the Northern Lights. Some choose to visit Tromsø in Norway to see the aurora, and along the way, they also travel to cities such as Oslo and Bergen. What should you pay attention to when traveling in Norway?

1. You need to bring your own toothpaste, toothbrush, slippers, and personal hygiene products, as Nordic hotels generally do not provide them. However, most hotels in Norway do supply bath products.

2. The power sockets are two-pin round types. Remember to bring an adapter and a voltage converter. The voltage is 220–240 volts. If you have many electronic devices, you might consider purchasing a multi-port USB socket.


▲Two-round-pin socket.

3. Bottled water is more expensive than soft drinks, but tap water is safe to drink. However, the hot water from the tap is not drinkable. If you need hot water, most rooms are equipped with a kettle.

4. Oslo is the most expensive city in the world, with prices about four times higher than those in Taiwan.


▲Tap water in Norway is safe to drink. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

5. 1 Norwegian Krone is approximately 3.7 New Taiwan Dollars. Most shops accept card payments. Taiwan does not allow direct exchange of Norwegian Krone, so you can first exchange for US Dollars or Euros and then change to Krone at the Norwegian airport. Additionally, most Taiwanese bank debit cards can be used to withdraw cash at Norwegian ATMs, but remember to apply for international withdrawal services with your bank in advance.

6. Regarding time difference, Norway is 7 hours behind Taiwan. In summer, due to daylight saving time, it is 6 hours behind.

7. Big cities have 7-Eleven stores, but the selection is not as extensive as in Taiwan, and prices are also higher.

8. Drinks and water in the hotel fridge, as well as the alcohol on the table, are all chargeable.

9. Like most cold-climate countries, Norway keeps indoor spaces heated during winter. The best clothing strategy is layering.