Scenic Train Rides
Norway’s gorgeous countryside can be viewed from the comfort of a luxurious train ride. Hop on a journey from Oslo or the Dovre Railway (from Oslo to Trondheim) or the world’s steepest railway lines; Flåm Railway.
Norway is a sovereign state in Europe. It is the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas outside the Middle East. Norway is a vibrant country with a population of 5 million people. It is the chance for magnificent sightseeing. Popular attractions include the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Vannkanten Waterworld in Bergen and Preikestolen in Stavanger.
Cheap flights to Norway are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to explore this enchanting Scandinavian paradise. Oslo is the home of Oslo Airport (OSL), which is located 40 minutes from the city centre. Oslo Airport is easily accessible and serves a number of airlines – including British Airways, Swiss Air, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways. Popular connecting flights depart from Cape Town and Johannesburg, and the flight duration is approximately 13 hours and 45 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
|---|
Norway’s gorgeous countryside can be viewed from the comfort of a luxurious train ride. Hop on a journey from Oslo or the Dovre Railway (from Oslo to Trondheim) or the world’s steepest railway lines; Flåm Railway.
Bear witness to amazing natural sightings with the first being the Midnight Sun, during the summer months. The spectacular Aurora Borealis is the real showstopper with its incredible light show in the night sky.
A sure way to get your adrenaline pumping in Norway is by skiing. Take advantage of the Norwegian landscapes and venture across velvet, snow-capped slopes. There are several ski resorts to choose from including in the cities of Bergen and Geilo .
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Currency | Norwegian Krone |
|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 0.66 (NOK) |
| Language | Norwegian / Nynorsk / Bokmål |
| Hub Airport | Oslo Airport (OSL) |
| Airline | Scandinavian Airlines |
| Time Zone | GMT +2 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type F |
Norway’s cities can be traversed in winter (December to February) as you make your way through the northern part of the country where you can experience the ethereal display of northern lights. There is also the thrilling opportunity to go skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling. Spring (March to May) sees the descension of winter’s snow as it begins to melt and create beautiful natural waterfalls. Norway’s fjords are a must-see and spring is the prime time to encounter the vast majestic beauty of nature that lies within the fjords. Summer (June to August) is pleasantly warm with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius. Enjoy incredible summer festivals such as the Norwegian Wood Festival in Oslo and the Viking Festival in Karmøy.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall level (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | -7°C | -7°C | -3°C | -1°C | 7°C | 11°C | 13°C | 12°C | 7°C | 4°C | -1°C | -5°C |
| High °C | 1°C | 2°C | 6°C | 9°C | 16°C | 20°C | 22°C | 20°C | 16°C | 10°C | 4°C | -1°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 50 | 40 | 60 | 50 | 80 | 70 | 90 | 70 | 90 | 70 | 70 | 50 |
A trek to this Scandinavian Peninsula, officially known as the Kingdom of Norway, is sure to ignite the most harmonious feelings. Norway is the ideal destination to explore the very best that nature has to offer. Journey amongst sensational fjords, breath-taking glaciers and gorgeous coastal islands.
Explore the beautiful city of Bergen (the west coast’s largest port), offering beautiful views of natural scenery. Take a rejuvenating trip up Bergen’s Seven Mountains. This cultural attraction utopia offers incredible activities and events, including cycling along Rallervagen and Bergenfest (music festival).
Oslo, Norway’s capital city offers magnificent scenery with its cityscape largely comprised of parks and open spaces. Wandering through the city on foot makes for an incredible way to take in the beautiful sights. Popular attractions include the National Theatre, Akershus Fortress and Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Stavanger is one of Norway’s oldest communities, dating back to the 12th century. Otherworldly natural wonders overwhelm your senses throughout your journey in Stavanger. Prekestol (“Preacher’s Pulpit”) has spectacular views - this one-of-a-kind attraction can be reached by road and ferry. Once you’ve had your dose of natural wonders, take a trip to the Market Square for some shopping and bathe in the Norwegian culture.
Compare several airlines and book your cheap flights to Norway online at Travelstart.
South African passport holders require a Schengen Visa to travel to Norway.
Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.
Submit your visa applications at the Norway Visa Application Centre in Brooklyn, Pretoria or in Cape Town.
VFS Application Centres in South Africa:
Pretoria:
2nd Floor - Lobby 1, Brooklyn Forum, Veale Street, Opposite Brooklyn Mall, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Cape Town:
47 Strand Street, 5th Floor Office 504, Cape Town
Travellers should be up-to-date on routine vaccinations before travelling to Norway. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your yearly flu shot. You should also consider getting vaccines against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rabies as there is the risk of contracting these diseases in Norway.
Norway’s cities are extremely safe for tourists to visit, however, you should remain cautious as with every major city around the world.
General Safety Guide for Norway:
• Harsh environmental conditions can be fatal – practice thorough safety measures when hiking or on the sea.
• Beware of polar bears in Svalbard – never go out alone.
• Avoid areas around Gronland, Toyen, Kuba or Karl Johan street in Oslo.
• Make sure that you use reputable taxis around nightclubs.
• Be cautious of pickpocketing in Oslo and Bergen.
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Oslo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | R 90 | R 100 | R 258 |
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught) | R 22 | R 25 | R 121 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R 19 | R 20 | R 59 |
| Taxi 1km (normal tariff) | R 10 | R 12 | R 20 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | R 38 | R 38 | R 167 |
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