Norway trip - currency etc.

[Nyarlathotep]

Hi Folks. I'm off to Norway in June. Due to timings of leave and ferry's, I'm taking a less than direct route:
Isle of Man - Liverpool; Hull - Rotterdam; Kiel - Gothenburg. Then a week mostly on the west coast of Norway and a return journey Kristiansand - Hirtshals, Rotterdam - Hull, Liverpool - Isle of Man.

I'm going to get some Euros (knowing that I can get more easily with my card) and a whole lot of Norwegian Krone. I will only be traveling through Denmark for one afternoon and one morning, and Sweden for a few hours. Should I be getting some local Krone for them, or can I get away with my card, or even change Euro/NOK?

Also, my route is far from fixed, but I plan on traveling no further north than Alesund in Norway. I'll be leaving Gothenburg in the morning and heading straight for Norway. I'm thinking of heading up the E6, past Oslo and towards Lillehammer, then towards Lom, Geiranger etc and south over the course of a week. I'm more interested in the big scenery than the towns/cities. Would I be better entering Norway by going further up through Sweden. Neither the E6 or the Swedish roads look particularly exciting, but I figure Sweden may be a bit quicker?

 

[Wapping]

You will be able to use your conventional UK credit and debit cards in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. If you want to avoid charges, get yourself a Post Office credit card or one of the simiar offerings from the Halifax or Saga. See several posts and threads on what bods think is best. Your debit and credit cards will also work in the local banks' ATM's.

None of the Scandinavian countries are in the euro, though some very large shops (in the larger cities) might accept euro denominated notes, just as some stores in London do. The exchange rate might not be that exciting though.

You will be able to exchange euro's (or just about any recognisable modern currency) into SEK, NOK or DEK in most large banks or at exchange outlets / hotels, just as you can in the UK. You will not be leaving civilisation behind, I promise.

Pick up some local currency as you go, is my tip... If only to make life easier. How many small shops or petrol stations on the Isle of Man will accept Norwegian or Swedish Krowns for payment? Norway's or Sweden's small shops and petrol stations are no different when it comes to accepting euros.... Or indeed any currency but their own.

 

[Grey Beard]

I don't normally bother with local currency, but wait until I arrive in the country and hit the local ATM with my Credit Card to get some local currency. Denmark, Sweden and Norway all take Credit or Debit Cards readily, though Germany is a PITA as regards Credit/Debit Cards, so you may want to get some Euro currency in Germany, or before, at an ATM. Some continental countries may not accept Credit Cards for purchases below €10 or so, so have some local currency. Scandinavian supermarkets & petrol stations all accept credit cards in my experience.

As Wapping says, there are some Credit Cards, which do not charge transaction fees for cash advances, provided you pre-load them prior to departure. I have an Irish Visa Credit Card, but you will need to find a card that suits you.

Think about the Norwegian Autopass (credit card prepayment of tolls) if you are in a car, but it is not necessary for bikes, as the toll cameras are front facing.

Grey Beard

 

[lr-80]

You won't need anything but a credit card, in most places they're happier with this than cash (that goes for even small family businesses).

If you're going to Ålesund, you ought to try out
*Trollveggen
*Geiranger
*if just a little further north: Atlanterhavsvegen (the Atlantic road)

Try typing these names in the following link to find the route: http://kart.gulesider.no/veibeskrivelse/

Some photos:
http://www.mountainphotographer.com/trollveggen/
http://www.dehistoriske.no/nasjonale-turistvegar/atlanterhavsvegen/

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Thanks for the replies. I'll certainly look into card options as my current debit card charges something like minimum £2 per foreign transaction - I don't think my credit card is much different so maybe a pre-loaded card is a good idea.
Ir-80 - thanks for the suggestions. Trollstigen and Geiranger are high on the list. I'm not 100% sure about the Atlantic Road at the moment - I think that one will depend on the weather and time available.

 

[r_atwal]

"None of the Scandinavian countries are in the euro "
I believe that is incorrect, aren't Finland in the euro.

 

[Wapping]

"None of the Scandinavian countries are in the euro "
I believe that is incorrect, aren't Finland in the euro.

Half right in your belief.

Finland is not Scandinavian.

It is (like the other three) Nordic, though..... And has embraced the euro.

He ain't going there anyway.

 

[ThorH]

If you send me your e-mail address, I will send you a route suggestion I have made. It is pretty much what you describe, exept reversed. Mail me at thoham60 gmail.com

 

[Nyarlathotep]

If you send me your e-mail address, I will send you a route suggestion I have made. It is pretty much what you describe, exept reversed. Mail me at thoham60 gmail.com

email sent, Many thanks