2 Weeks in Norway

What You Should Know Before Going On A Norway Tour

What Is the Weather Like in Norway?

In a country that shares a latitude with Greenland, Siberia and Alaska, travelers can rightly expect some cool temperatures. Thanks to the northern Gulf Stream, Norway is fairly mild, all things considered. Yet the weather in Norway depends on which region of the country you’re visiting - there are five (count them!) different climate zones in this one country, so pack layers and expect the unexpected.

Generally speaking, northern Norway - which reaches beyond the Arctic Circle - offers midnight sun during the warm summer months (as high as mid-80 degrees Fahrenheit) and long, cold winters (as low as -40 degrees F). On the coast, expect rainy weather and strong winds, though this area generally has no ice as compared to the interior.

Those traveling on a southern Norway tour experience a nice, warm summer from June through August, with high in the 70s F. Winter brings snowstorm after snowstorm and runs November through April. If you’re touring eastern Norway, the summer weather is around for a shorter period of time, typically late June through early August. If you’re hoping to swim in the sea in Norway, this is the place, with water temperatures reaching the high 60s F.

Central Norway tours take advantage of summer weather from late June through early August and temperatures in the 80s F. Again, over the winter, the interior experiences more snowfall while the coastal areas are marked by rainfall and wind.

And finally, in western Norway or Fjord Norway, guided tours to view the region’s spectacular natural beauty are most popular June through August when the days are long and sunny and the temperatures are in the high 70s F. You won’t find ice in most of the fjords due to the warm Gulf Stream, but it can be quite rainy in Fjord Norway between November and April.

Is Norway Expensive?

As with most things, the expense of a guided Norway tour depends on several factors - the level of luxury and style of travel you prefer, how long you’d like to travel throughout Norway, whether you’ll dine at world-class restaurants or pick up food from farmers’ markets, whether you’ll use local, public transportation or depend on a car and driver, etc.

How expensive one finds Norway travel also depends on where that person is traveling from - what is very pricey to someone from and what one’s typical expectations are.

A few points to consider before deciding for yourself whether Norway guided travel is expensive:

• Fly into the larger cities, like Oslo, rather than small, regional airports.
• Car rental can be expensive, so seek out Norway guided trips that include transportation between destinations.
• Bus travel is much more reasonable than taxi fare.
• Dining in Norway is cheaper in less touristy areas, so ask your Norway guide for recommendations for off-the-beaten-path restaurants, markets and cafes.
• Book as far in advance as you can to avoid last-minute premiums.
• Consider traveling in the low season or winter in Norway - the upside is that this is the best time to view the Northern Lights!

What Countries Are Near Norway?

Norway is an excellent jumping-off point for a Scandinavia tour since it borders Sweden to the east, as well as Finland, Russia and Denmark. The remainder of the border is the extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea, making Norway a top cruise destination.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Norway?

What do you want to do on your Norway vacation? If you are hoping to spend long summer days hiking along majestic fjords to captivating waterfalls, then Norway’s midnight sun will give you more than enough hours each day to accomplish your outdoor adventures. Aim for June through August for trekking, biking and cruising.

Need to see Norway’s Northern Lights? Visit in the winter months, generally September to March - with the best Aurora Borealis sightings between December and February. Consider a Norway tour during the shoulder seasons of May or September, when you’ll get fair temperatures, battle fewer crowds and get a taste of the season is just wrapping up and the one that is getting underway.