🏔️ Ultimate Guide to Travelling & Living in Norway (2025 Edition)

Discover how to travel and live in Norway like a local. Discover fjords, hidden villages, scenic routes, and expert tips for expat life in this updated 2025 Norway travel guide.

Introduction

If there’s one place that constantly feels like stepping inside a living postcard, it’s Norway.
Everywhere you look, there’s a view you can’t quite believe is real — waterfalls pouring off cliffs, snow-capped peaks touching the clouds, and fjords so still they mirror the sky.

When I first moved to Norway, I thought it would just be another country to explore for a while. But it quickly became home — a place where I found peace, adventure, and a slower way of living. Little did I know that I was building my family here. After I moved to Norway, I petitioned my husband, and now we have two kids.

In this Ultimate Guide to Travelling & Living in Norway (2025), I’ll share everything I’ve learned:
how to explore Norway even without a car, how much it really costs to live here, where to find hidden fjord villages, and how to embrace Norwegian culture like a local.

Whether you’re planning a week-long trip, a family adventure, or even a move abroad — this guide is packed with personal insight, local secrets, and practical tips you won’t find on typical travel blogs.

Why Norway Belongs on Your Bucket List

There’s a reason Norway keeps ranking among the world’s happiest and most beautiful countries.

It’s a land of dramatic contrasts — long summer days under the midnight sun and magical winter nights glowing with northern lights. But beyond the scenery, what makes Norway truly special is how peaceful it feels.

Oslo Opera house — Oslo Opera, This is a personal photo I took during the summer.

What Makes Norway Unique

Nature that never disappoints. From the famous Geirangerfjord to the less-visited Hardangerfjord, every corner feels like a nature documentary.
Safe, family-friendly environment. You can hike, camp, or explore freely with kids — Norwegians love the outdoors, and safety is part of daily life.

Clean, fresh air and sustainable living. Norwegians protect their environment fiercely, and it shows.
Simple pleasures and “kos.” You’ll often hear the word kos (coziness). It’s about slowing down, lighting a candle, enjoying coffee by the window, and just… being content.

Phrases that you will often hear with “kos” are:

kos deg, kos dere, fredagskos, lørdagskos, and many more.

💡 Quick Tip: Norwegians live by friluftsliv — “open-air life.” It’s not a hobby, it’s a mindset. Even in the coldest months, you’ll see families walking, skiing, or having picnics outside.

Since Norwegians love the outdoors, you will hear the phrase “Ut på tur, aldri sur”, which means “Out on a trip, never grumpy”; you can also translate this as “Always happy when out and about” or “Out for a walk, never in a bad mood.”

Getting Around: How to Travel Norway Without a Car

One of the biggest surprises for me was how easy it is to travel around Norway without renting a car.
Public transport here is world-class, scenic, and reliable.

🚆 Scenic Train Routes You Can’t Miss

Bergen Line (Oslo to Bergen):
This 7-hour ride crosses snowy mountain plateaus and ends at the fjord city of Bergen. It’s breathtaking year-round.
Flåm Railway:
Often called one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, this steep route takes you from the mountain station of Myrdal down to the fjord village of Flåm.

Rauma Line (Dombås to Åndalsnes):
Known as the “Alpine Route,” this line winds through valleys and passes the famous Trollveggen (Troll Wall).

💡 Pro Tip: Buy your train tickets early on Vy.no for cheaper fares.

Ferries and Fjord Cruises

Ferries are part of everyday life here — and they double as sightseeing adventures.

Norled and Fjord1 operate scenic ferry routes through fjords and islands.
The Bergen–Stavanger ferry is perfect if you’re connecting coastal towns.
Express boats like Norled’s Bergen–Sognefjord line are ideal for travelers without cars.

Oslo itself uses ferries for public transport, for example, from Aker Brygge to Nesodtangen and vice versa.

Local Transport

Cities like Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim have excellent bus and tram networks. You can plan trips easily on ruter.no, which combines all buses, trains, and ferries nationwide.

💡 Related read: [How to Travel Norway Fjords Without a Car (7-Day Budget Itinerary)]

💰 Cost of Living in Norway (2025 Edition)

Let’s talk about money — because Norway’s beauty comes with a price tag.
The good news? Once you understand where to spend and where to save, Norway becomes surprisingly manageable.

💵 Average Daily Travel Budget

Type	NOK/day	EUR/day	USD/day
Budget traveler	800–1,000	€70–€90	$75–$100
Mid-range	1,300–1,800	€120–€160	$130–$180
Family trip	2,200+	€200–€250	$220–$270

The exchange rate varies, and it changes frequently; it is essential to check your currency calculator before your trip to have an idea of the exact exchange rates on the day of your visit. The table above is just an estimation.

Money-saving tips:

Buy groceries at Rema 1000, Kiwi, these are big grocery chains, instead of buying at small stores that are a bit more expensive than the bigger grocery stores.
Refill water bottles (tap water is clean everywhere).
Use Airbnb or hyttetur (cabin stays) instead of hotels.

Consider buying a Vy Plusskort travel pass if taking multiple train rides.

🏠 Cost of Living for Expats (Monthly Averages)

Expense	Cost (in EUR)	Notes
Rent (1-bedroom, city center)	€1,200–1,800	Varies by city
Groceries	€350–€500	Affordable if you cook at home
Transport pass	€90	Unlimited monthly
Utilities + Internet	€150–€200	Efficient but costly in winter
Eating out	€20–€35 per meal	Tip: Look for lunch deals

💡 More details: [Cost of Living as an Expat in Norway (2025 Breakdown)]

🌄 Hidden Villages and Offbeat Adventures

Once you’ve seen Oslo, Bergen, and the major fjords, go deeper. The real magic of Norway is in its small towns and hidden fjord villages — places that feel untouched by time.

🏞️ My Favorite Hidden Spots

Undredal: Only 100 people live here, but it produces Norway’s best goat cheese and offers picture-perfect fjord views.
Fjærland: A “book town” by the fjord — dozens of tiny bookshops hidden in barns.
Røldal: Great for hiking in summer and skiing in winter.

Reine (Lofoten Islands): Dramatic scenery with red fishermen’s cabins (rorbuer) by turquoise waters.

💡 Discover next: [Hidden Fjord Villages in Norway That Aren’t on Cruise Ship Routes]

🎒 Why Visit the Offbeat?

Because Norway rewards the slow traveler. The further you go from the big cruise routes, the more authentic your experience becomes — cheaper, quieter, and infinitely more peaceful.

🎒 Packing for Norway’s Ever-Changing Weather

If there’s one universal truth about Norway, it’s this:
The weather changes faster than you can check your forecast.

🧳 Essential Packing List

All Year:

Waterproof jacket

Layers (merino wool works best)
Hiking shoes or boots
Portable power bank (you’ll take a LOT of photos)

Summer (June–August):

Breathable shirts, a light jacket, and comfortable walking/hiking shoes.
Sunglasses — daylight can last past 11 PM!

Autumn (September–November):

Warm sweaters, rain pants, sturdy boots
A thermos for coffee on hikes

Winter (December–March):

Thermal underwear, snow boots, gloves, beanie
Hand warmers & spikes for icy sidewalks

Spring (April–May):

Mix of warm and light clothing — temperatures shift quickly

💡 Check out: [Packing List for Norway: From Summer Fjords to Winter Auroras]

🏡 Living in Norway: Everyday Life & Expat Tips

If you plan to live here — even for a few months — get ready for a life that values balance and nature over noise and speed.

Norwegian Culture Snapshot

Work-life balance is sacred. People leave work on time. Family and nature come first.
Privacy matters. Norwegians are friendly but not overly social at first. Respecting personal space is key.

Equality is real. From CEOs to baristas, everyone is treated with respect.
Trust in society. You’ll often see babies sleeping outside cafes in prams. That’s how safe it feels here. Believe it or not, you will see strollers parked outside the kindergarten, and toddlers are taking their naps in there!

💬 Integration Tips

Learn simple Norwegian phrases — locals appreciate it.

Join a hiking club (Turistforeningen) or local event — great for meeting people.
Don’t rush friendships — they grow slowly but last long.
Accept invitations to dugnad (volunteer community work) — it’s part of belonging.

💡 Also read: [How to Integrate Locally in Norway: Expat Mistakes to Avoid]

🧭 Sample Itineraries for Every Traveler

Whether you’re here for a week, a month, or a season — here’s how to make the most of your time:

🌅 7-Day Norway Fjord Adventure (No Car)

Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
Day 2: Take the Bergen Line to Myrdal → Flåm Railway to Flåm
Day 3: Fjord cruise to Gudvangen → bus to Voss
Day 4: Train to Bergen, explore Bryggen Wharf
Day 5: Day trip to Hardangerfjord
Day 6: Explore Bergen markets & Mount Fløyen
Day 7: Return to Oslo

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Nature Trip

Oslo → Geilo → Bergen → Aurlandsfjord
Stay in cabins with small kitchens — saves money and feels cozy

🌌 Solo Aurora Chase (Winter)

Tromsø → Alta → Lofoten Islands

Best travel months: November to March
Bring a tripod — auroras are best captured in long exposure photos

💡 Coming soon: [7-Day Norway Fjord Itinerary Without a Car]

Videos

If you are planning to visit Oslo, watch this video

Places to visit in Oslo

👉Subscribe to my I am Living Abroad Youtube Channel for more travel video inspirations, or follow my Facebook page and see places we have been traveling for your family travel inspiration and other travel guides.

💬 Final Thoughts

Norway is not just a destination — it’s a way of life.
It’s waking up to the sound of waterfalls, hiking until sunset, and realizing that the best things here aren’t loud — they’re quiet moments of connection with nature.

Whether you’re planning to travel, move, or simply dream about fjords from afar, I hope this guide helps you plan with confidence and excitement.

From one traveler and mom living abroad to another — take it slow, embrace the unknown, and let Norway surprise you

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