How to Navigate Norway - Planes, Trains, Boats, Buses

Norway home to just 4.7 million people, harbors of fishing boats, districts of old wooden buildings and picturesque. It is here that you can enjoy mountains, glaciers and fjords all joined together by a huge network of trails that are dotted with scenic huts that provide the traveler with some of Norway's cheapest lodging.

A lot of Norway lies above the Arctic Circle, which is home to the Midnight's Sun's constant light, the Polar Night's darkness or the phantom like swirling aurora borealis.

But it must be said that Norway is one of Europe's most expensive countries so be prepared to eat plenty of fish during your stay.

Norway has the lowest population density in Europe and the highest standards of living. The largest cities in Norway are Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger.

Sport in Norway

Norway does make the quite believable claim that they invented the sport of skiing. And why not? The word "ski" is after all a Norwegian word.

Other spectator sports include speed skating and soccer.

Artistic Norway

Norway can boast to have some famous artists such as Edvard Munch, the playwright Henrik Ibsen, the sculptor Gustav Vigeland, the classical composer Edvard Grieg and the landscape painter JC Dahl.

The stave Churches found in Norway are amongst some of the oldest wooden buildings on earth. These interesting buildings are distinguished by dragon-headed gables that resemble ornately carved prows of Viking ships.

There is a thriving music scene in Norway with many black metal bands. Notable artists include Noxagt and Royksopp and let's not forget that we have Norway to thank for a-ha.

Several outstanding movies have been produced in Norway including Pathfinder, Elling, Beautiful Country and the classic Ni Liv.

The Environment In Norway

Only 3% of Norway is arable. The coastline is deeply cut by fjords. The mountains are capped with some of Europe's largest glaciers and cover half of Norway's land mass.

The climate is typically rainy but surprisingly mild. The coastal ports remain ice-free all year thanks to the Gulf Stream.

Getting to Norway

The International Airports

Bergen, Flesland Airport - www.avinor.no

Hausgesun, Karmay Airport - www.avinor.no

Kristiansand, Kjevik Airport - www.avinor.no

Oslo, Gardermoen, Airport - www.osl.no

Sandefjord, Torp Airport - www.torp.no

Stavanger, Sola Airport - www.avinor.no

Tromse Airport - www.avinor.no

Trondheim, Vaernes Airport - www.avinor.no

Boat To and from Denmark

DFDS Seaways (www.dfdsseaways.com) - Overnight ferries between Copenhagen and Oslo

Color Line (www.colorline.com) - Ferried run between Hirtshalls, Kristiansand and Larvik daily.

Fjord Line (www.fjordline.com) - This company runs three weekly ferries from Hirtshals to Bergen via Stavanger.

Stena Line (www.stenaline.com) - Operates ferries between Friederikshaven and Oslo.

Boat to and from Sweden

DFDS has daily sailings between Copenhagen and Oslo via Helsingborg.

Color Line runs daily between Stromstad and Sandefjord.

Bus to and from Denmark

Safflebusssen (www.safflebussen.se) - runs from Copenhagen via Malmo (Sweden) to Oslo

Swebus Express (www.swebusexpress.se) - runs to and from Copenhagen

Bus to and from Sweden

Safflebussen - runs from Stockholm to Oslo via Karlstad and from Goteborg to Oslo

Bus to and From Finland

Eskelisen Lapin Linjat (www.eskelisen-lapinlinjat.com) - There are daily summer buses from Rovaniemi to Nordkapp and Tromso

Train to and from Sweden

Sveriges Jarnvag (www.sj.se) - There are daily trains from Stockholm to Oslo and other points. For discounts on your tickets book at least seven ahead of travel

Connex (www.connex.se) - runs between Narvik and Stockholm via Kiruna

Getting around Norway

Air - There are 50 airports listed on www.avinor.no and flying between destinations is certainly an option due to the vast distances involved in overland travel.

Bicycle - Norway really is not ideal for extensive touring on a bicycle simply because of its geography. But take a look at Sykkelguide series of booklets for maps and English text.

Boat - There is a great network of ferries and express boats that link Norway's islands, coastal towns and fjord districts.

Bus - The main bus carrier is Nor-Way Bussekspress and provides routes that connect every main town. There are local bus companies that operate within a single county and fares are based on the distance traveled.

Car and Motorcycle - If you choose to travel by road then the Road User Information Center (tel-175) will give you the lasted road conditions throughout Norway. There are major car rental companies located at the airports and in the city centers. Your rate will include insurance but should you have an accident then you will be liable for the first NKr5000 in damages.

Hitching - Not usual in Norway but legal and relatively safe but personally I would not recommend this route for travel.

Train - The train system in Norway may be limited but it is excellent. Most lines are operated by Norges Statsbaner (www.nsb.no) and frankly 'ordinary' class is so comfy it really isn't necessary to spend the extra to upgrade to 'Komfort' class.

Buy a Norway Pass from Eurail (www.eurail.com) and you will have unlimited train travel for 3-8 days within month in Norway. These can be bought before or after you arrive in Norway.

One last thing pack hip clothes, take your booze with you and student IDs bring big discounts on transport and attractions.

Source: Europe on a Shoestring - The Lonely Planet