Norway is one of the most spectacular countries in Europe. Here, peace, beautiful but harsh nature and unforgettable Scandinavian conditions perfectly combine. Fascinating sea-washed shores of fjords and mountain ranges, amazing archipelagos and dramatic highway bends make a long-lasting impression. It is simply necessary to see all of this and much more with your own eyes at least once during your lifetime. And “On Off Staffing group” will advise you on the key aspects that have to be considered before going to work and stay for a longer period in the Kingdom of Norway.

When is the best time to travel there?

Norway is beautiful all year round. However, when travelling to this country at any time of the year, it is wise to bring some warm clothes. People who have spent a certain period in Norway sincerely advise everyone to take care of a high-quality waterproof jacket, hat and gloves. The latter may be needed not only during harsh winters but also in late spring. It is useful to care for thermal clothing in advance or at least consider taking warm wool clothes when packing a suitcase. These clothes will be essential for cool Scandinavian nights when the temperature gets lower. It is important to take proper care of a vehicle as well for those who are planning to travel to this country by car. It is necessary to get high-quality winter tires for your vehicle! In summer, you can notice columns reaching up three or four meters on roadsides in Norway. They are kept up standing there for a good reason. Columns become vital when roads are covered with snow. Sometimes drivers only see the very tops of these columns and follow them to overcome challenging sections of the road. Extremely cold days occur even in summer, so those who decide to live in this country have to adapt themselves and prepare their vehicles to the rapidly changing weather conditions.

How to get there?

Vilnius is a little more than a thousand kilometres away from the capital of Norway, Oslo. Those taking a road trip have to drive almost 1,300 km. The great thing is that the mode of travel can be freely chosen. Many people without asking any questions choose a road trip because they often need their own vehicles to travel between their place of residence and place of work or to travel around a large country. Another option is to travel by plane. This is a great option for those who don’t have their own vehicle or intend to settle in larger cities of Norway. Many airlines currently offer direct flights that people may choose from. The most important thing is to patiently look for the best value for money offer. Well, there’s also a third option. We kindly recommend the services of professional carriers or a bus trip.

Travel by plane

It is easy to reach the largest cities of Norway from Lithuania travelling by plane. The flights are convenient and last a little longer than 3 hours. One may easily get to Stavanger, Bergen, Alesund, and Oslo by taking direct flights from Kaunas Airport. Tickets can be simply purchased using various online platforms, such as: www.skrendu.lt, www.wizzair.com, www.ryanair.com.

Travelling by bus or using the services of carriers

You can reach your destination in Norway quickly and safely by bus. You will be able to admire the beautiful landscape of the country on the way through the bus window. The “On Off Staffing group” team will gladly offer their assistance in choosing the reliable partners providing passenger transport services. With the help of which you will get bus tickets for a trip to Norway at an affordable price.

Travelling in your own vehicle

Those who decide to go to Norway by car should be aware that it is possible to travel to this Scandinavian country by vehicle, passing Poland, Germany and Denmark along the way. However, you will have a great distance to cover, and therefore even when travelling with someone else, drivers will have to grapple with the fatigue that inevitably occurs when driving prolonged distances. It is much more convenient to take a ferry to Norway. It is possible to board on the ferry in the ports of Klaipėda, Riga, Tallinn, Venspils or Kiel. The ticket price per vehicle including two persons is about EUR 140, and also you will have to pay extra for the cabin. By the way, it should be noted that ferry prices can vary significantly at different times of the day! Those who decide to travel by car should also consider a travel budget. Please be aware that fuel prices are higher in Norway than in Lithuania. The most popular types of fuel can cost up to EUR 2 per litre.

Toll roads and ferries in Norway

One will have to pay more not only for the fuel but also settling the tolls for roads and ferries. Prices for local ferry tickets reaching EUR 100 might seem shocking at first, but it is well worth the payment. Ferries may significantly shorten your journey by allowing you to avoid hundreds of kilometres of mountain roads. Toll roads also pay off as they help you reach your destination much faster and more conveniently. Indeed, without any doubt, they are almost always not as scenic as diversionary routes. Drivers should strive to exercise greater discipline and obey average speed limits in Norway. In this country, even using roads located outside the city, you will probably have to drive at an average speed not exceeding the speed of 70 km/h. If more people are travelling together, each additional car may slow down the journey by 5-10 km/h. For example, when travelling a distance of 500 km in three cars, it is advisable to schedule 10 hours or more. After all, every stop to rest, eat or just use the toilet results in a longer travel time needed to reach a destination. By the way, mountain roads are not suitable for fast driving, so all factors should be considered. Experience has shown that it is better to leave more time for travelling and arrive a little bit earlier instead of rushing and worrying if you manage to get there in time.

There are many toll roads in Norway. The toll road fees when entering the city ranges from NOK 15 to NOK 30. There are certain areas where it is possible to pay the set fee immediately, while in other areas there are installed automatic toll collection machines – AutoPASS.

After passing a toll station called Bomstasjon, the picture of the vehicle is taken and the bill is sent to the car registration address within 6 months. If the bill is not paid within the requisite time limit, there is a risk of NOK 300 penalty charges for late payment. Tolls can also be paid at petrol stations close to toll stations.
If a driver passes an automatic toll station called Automatisk bomstasjon, AutoPASS users are automatically charged the appropriate fee from the account of their choice. AutoPASS users pre-pay a selected amount, for instance, NOK 300, to the Norwegian toll road operator. The money will be deducted from your account each time you pass an automatic toll collection station. When the account is exhausted, a recommendation to top it up will be sent.

More information: www.autopass.no.

A little bit more information about Norwegian roads...

The roads in Norway are great. Interestingly, you can also see unusual three-lane highways there. Vehicles travelling in one direction go a few kilometres in two lanes, and then they go in one lane. Due to road expansion, any traffic jams easily break out, making the journey short and enjoyable. Road signs should be carefully observed while driving. Norway enforces very strict laws and significant penalties are imposed for exceeding the recommended speed limit. If you exceed the speed limit by just a few kilometres, you may have to pay a fine of more than a few hundred euros!

It is also important to remember that it is not unusual to see reindeer grazing herds in the north of the country. It is not unusual to see them crossing the driveway. So keeping a close eye on the surrounding environment is especially important. Indeed, in case these majestic animals block the road, there will be an opportunity to admire them and take some pictures of them.

Norway is a large country, so you will inevitably have to spend a lot of time in the car while travelling. However, this should not be a hassle, as the entire infrastructure is well-suited for travelling by motor vehicles in these countries: tidy stopping points with free and clean public toilets and outdoor tables for lunch or dinner can be found every few kilometres. Snacks and main meals at gas stations are quite expensive, so it would be helpful to stock up in advance or look around in the small supermarkets within the towns.

Where to stay?

The “On Off Staffing group” team always offers and recommends a place to live, if possible. However, most people who decide to live in Norway have to look for housing on their own. This is not particularly difficult as many offers regarding the properties for rent can be found on the most popular ad website in Norway www.finn.no. There you may find apartments, small cottages, and even terraced houses or houses offered by landlords. All you have to do is specify the region, city or exact location. By the way, various offers can also be found in similar groups on the social network Facebook. Lithuanians offer rooms for rent there too.

What to take from home?

Foodstuffs;
Medicines used and essential medicinal products;
Leisure equipment (e.g. fishing rod, books, board games);
Reflectors for clothing used when walking in the dark;
Personal hygiene products;
Comfortable work shoes;
Rainy season clothing;
Clothing that is comfortable to wear under work clothes;
Bed linen;
Woolen socks;
Kitchen utensils (pots, pans, etc.);
High-quality winter tires.

Travel planning for going to Norway