AIR TRAVEL Considering it´s size, Norway is exceptionally well served by the domestic airlines. There are about fifty airports and airfields, making even the far north seem a quick jaunt away. For more detailed information, contact one of the tour operators. The four domestic operating airlines are SAS, SAS Braathens, Norwegian and Widerøe, each offering discounted flight passes. BUS / COACH TRAVEL Where the rail network stops, the bus goes further. You will find you can get to practically any little village you want to by bus. Usually it is not necessary to book in advance, but pay the driver on boarding. NOR-WAY Bussekspress guarantees a seat for all passengers. NOR-WAY BusPass is only on sale outside Norway through their agents. Contact Norwegian Tourist Board for details of their agents. FERRIES, BOATS and THE COASTAL VOYAGE Ferries and express boats / catamarans operate from early morning until late at night. There is no need to book and indeed you rarely can do so. The Norwegian Coastal Voyage (Hurtigruten) meaning the coastal express in Norwegian, sails up the coast of Norway all the way from Bergen, capital of the Fjord Country, right up beyond the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes. The ships are regular service vessels built to carry freight, mail and passengers along the 2,500 nautical miles of coastline. Calling at 34 ports en route, it takes eleven days if you do the entire return trip. If you do not wish to do the 11 day trip, Mini Coastal Voyages or half round trips are possible. You can bring your car along on the ships, which means that you can drive one way and go on the ship the other and you can Start or End your voyage in every port. RAIL TRAVEL NSB (Norwegian State Railways) has a well developed network connecting the main cities. Where the railroad ends, comfortable coaches take you further to Nordkapp, Kirkenes, etc. in the north or Kristiansund, Molde and Ålesund in the west. Most of the long distance routes are scenic routes. Specially spectacular routes to recommend are the Flåm Line (side line from the Bergen line) and Rauma Line from Dombås to Åndalsnes. Norwegian trains are very comfortable and provide good service, both on day and night services. There are also good, direct rail connections with the main cities in Sweden and Denmark. Fares compare favourably with those in Britain, and there are special rail passes available, valid for unlimited travel during a chosen number of days. These are Scanrail Pass, Norway Rail Pass and Freedom (Domino) - Pass - Norway. Discounts are given on several coaches, ferries, etc. to holders of the Scanrail Pass. Note that favourable prices are offered for Scandinavian connections by British Rail International. When in Norway, you can contact NSB directly on Phone 81 50 08 88 or the nearest railway station. MOTORING IN NORWAY The world´s most beautiful tourist road. From Steinkjer in the South to Bodø in the North the Kystriksveien road winds 650 km. through a varying and inviting landscape. Either you travel by car or maybe by bike, the Kystriksveien route has much to offer. Many of the experiences are to be found on the islands, and island hopping has become a popular activity for cyclists. CAR RENTAL GUIDE IN NORWAY The choice of carrental companies is as varied as the many facets of Norway. From the most famous names to the local firms. As most car hire companies in Norway are affiliated to one of the major international firms, you can simplify matters by contacting one of them in this country and booking in advance. Should you decide to hire a car once there, look for the word Bilutleie in the telephone directory. ROADS Road Information Centre, Vegmeldingssentralen is an information centre for The Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen). Its main function is to monitor and provide information about roads and road conditions. Information about distances and ferry timetables may also be available. Open 24 hours all year. Phone: (+ 47) 22 65 40 40. MOUNTAIN PASSES Those who plan to take a holiday by car over the mountains in the autumn, winter or spring would be well advised to check that the mountain pass is open. Some of the high mountain roads are closed for a period during the winter, the duration depending on the weather conditions. Listed below are the opening and closing times of the roads as a guide. There are however many mountain passes which are kept open all year round. For example road number E 134 Drammen - Bergen - Stavanger, across Haukelifjell mountain. (This road can be closed for short periods during bad weather). The same applies to the E6 Oslo - Trondheim, across Dovrefjell mountain. Rv 69   Skarsvåg - North Cape Rv 7     Hardangervidda open all year Rv 13   Vikafjellet open all year Rv 13   Gaularfjell Rv 27   Venabygdsfjellet open all year Rv 51   Valdresflye Rv 55   Sognefjellet Rv 63   Geiranger - Langevatn Rv 63   Trollstigen and Rv 98   Ifjordfjellet Rv 252  Tyin - Eidsbugarden Rv 258  Gml. Strynefjellsveg Rv 520  Breiborg - Røldal Rv 886  Jarfjordfjellet Source: Statens Vegvesen. THE MAIN ROADS The main roads are: (Rv.= Riksvei) E-6 Swedish border Oslo Hamar Trondheim Narvik Alta Karasjok Utsjok Tana bru Kirkenes E-75 Utsjok Tana bru Vardø E-18 Swedish border Oslo Drammen Kristiansand Stavanger E-16 Sandvika Hønefoss Fagernes Revsnes Gudvangen Voss Bergen E-39 Kristiansand Stavanger Bergen Ålesund Trondheim Rv. 3 Kolomoen Ulsberg connects with E-6 Rv. 17 Between Steinkjer and Bodø. E-136 Ålesund Dombås connects with E-6 E-14 Swedish border Stjørdal connects with E-6 E-134 Drammen Haugesund E-8 Finnish border Nordkjosbotn Tromsø E-12 Swedish border Mo i Rana connects with E-6 FIND YOUR LANE Rememberto drive in the right-hand lane in Norway! AUTOGAS Gas tanks can be refilled from the following stations applicable to cars and motor homes) - Oslo: Statoil, Bogstad Camping, Ankervn. 177; Esso Servicesenter, Ryen, Enebakkvn. 139; Statoil Service Bryn, N. Hansens vei 15; Shell, Hovinvn. 45; Statoil Service Fornebu, Oslo Airport. Lillehammer: Shell Service. Drammen: Shell, B. Kjeldsbergs v. 257; Statoil Gulskogen, Prof. Smiths alle 26. Porsgrunn: Jernbanegt Stasjon, Jernbanegt 9. Ulefoss: Esso. Larvik: Esso Servicesenter, Elvevn. 21. Arendal: Arendal Energiverk, Myrenevn. 35. Stavanger: Statoil Service Bjergsted, Løkkevn. 115-117; Shell Servicesenter, Marierovn. 35. Bergen: Esso Servicesenter, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnsonsgt. 5. Trondheim: Esso Moholt Bilservice, Brøsetvn. 188. Sigerfjord (Nordland): Esso Servicesenter. NATIONAL TOURIST ROUTES Running along fjords, coasts, mountains and waterfalls where time stands still and the past and present seamlessly intersect, these routes embrace Norway and its beautiful countryside, offering domestic and foreign tourists world-class scenery and vistas. These are the National tourist routes, memorable drives through a kaleidoscope of contrasts in scenery, culture and climate. These tourist routes invite you to take a break from the stress and annoyances of everyday life and take life at a slower pace. SANITARY FACILITIES A list of Sanitary stations for motorhomes tourists around Norway. BREAKDOWN AND PICK-UP The law dictates that you carry a red warning triangle to leave behind your car in case of a breakdown. The AA and RAC are affiliated to the AIT (Alliance Internationale de Tourisme), so their members get help in Norway from the NAF (Norges Automobilforbund) with journey planning as well as backup in case of breakdown or accident. More comprehensive repairs can be carried out, against payment, at NAF - contracted garages. NAF patrols Norway´s main roads and mountain passes from 19th June to 16th August. They have emergency phones along the mountain passes. The address of NAF is as follows: NAF Headquarters Storgt. 2. N-0155 Oslo Tel: 22 34 14 00 - Fax: 22 33 13 73 24 hour Emergency Service (for members of AIT clubs) Tel: 22 34 16 00 - Fax: 22 42 88 30 Contact the two main offices below to find your nearest emergency pick up service. These offices cover all of Norway and provide a 24 hour service. Note: the 800 number is freephone within Norway: Viking Redningstjeneste Tel: 80 03 29 00 / 22 08 60 00 Falken Redningskorps Tel: 80 03 38 80 / 22 95 00 00 CARAVAN AND MOTOR HOME RENTAL This comes under the heading (Campingvogner utleie) in the telephone directory. Here are a few addresses: The South coast: Gumpens Auto Utleie A/S Setesdalsvn. 90, N-4617 Kristiansand S Tel: 38 02 95 90 - Fax: 38 02 95 94 Motor homes only. Oslo and Oslo area: Touring Cars Konowsgt. 67, N-0196 Oslo Tel: 22 19 18 19 - Fax:22 19 58 48 Motor homes only. Romerike Caravan Morenevn. N-2020 Skedsmokorset Oslo Tel: 63 87 69 57 - Fax: 63 87 47 80 Caravans only. Norway Booking Hvamstubben 17, N-2013 Skjetten. Tel: 63 84 30 84 - Fax: 63 84 30 88 Caravan and Motor home rental. Eastern area: Norsk Bobilutleie Postboks 87, N-2901 Fagernes. Tel: 61 36 01 99 - Fax: 61 36 12 37 Bookable through Hertz reservation offices in all countries. Motor homes only. Fjord area: Hinna Karosseri A/S Boganesvn. 52. 4030 Hinna/Stavanger Tel: 51 88 34 09 - Fax: 51 88 3413 Caravans only. DOCUMENTATION, LICENSING AND INSURANCE A valid UK or Republic of Ireland full driving licence is valid in Norway. You will also need your registration documents. Third party insurance is compulsory and green cards are highly recommended. For regularly updated information, the AA runs a very good fact line for just a small charge on 0836 401877. PETROL PRICES The petrol price will varies regionally. Unleaded (95 octane) about NOK 11.13 Unleaded (98 octane) NOK 11.44 Diesel oil about NOK 11.00 Leaded petrol is not available in Norway but lead replacement gasoline is widely available. You are well advised not to leave tanking up until the last minute, as opening hours vary greatly. Not all petrol stations accept payment by credit cards, so make sure to bring cash just in case. MAPS The starting point, of course, is a good map. The Scandinavia Connection - can provide you with our own Road Map of Norway for approximately £ 4 plus p&p. Other maps to recommend are Cappelens Road and Tourist Maps (they also publish hiking and survey maps of Norway). Terrac is another name to look out for: they produce both national and regional maps. If you have any difficulty in obtaining any of these, contact the map specialist, Stanfords. TUNNELS - UNDERPASSES The Public Roads Authority publishes a map "Heavy Vehicles on National Roads in Norway". This provides information on the tunnels where the height is lower than 4.5 metres, underpasses marked with heights, vehicle lengths and widths, toll roads, ferry quays, bridges, axle loads, etc., as well as special maps of some towns. The map is available in English. SAFETY REGULATIONS Drink - drive regulations are very strict in Norway with frequent controls. The permitted alcohol limit is 0.2 per thousand, and if you exceed this, you face an extremely severe penalty. Some medicines are to be avoided if you intend to drive. These are marked with a red triangle. DRIVING LIGHTS It is obligatory to drive with dipped headlights on, during the daytime, even on the brightest summer day. This rule applies to all vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds. We recommend you carry spare bulbs. Do not forget that right hand drive cars will require black adhesive triangles, often supplied by the ferry company you travel with, or clip-on beam deflectors, so as not to dazzle oncoming drivers. DRIVING WITH CARAVAN / MOTOR HOMES It is prohibited to drive a motor vehicle on the terrain. You may park by the roadside as long as you are not in the way of other vehicles. You must also ensure that parking is not opposing local restrictions or signposts. In a few cities you will find parking lots especially for motor homes. It is not permitted to empty toilets or dispose of other refuse outdoors. Information is available from the Norwegian Road Information Centre. The law requires you to use caravan mirrors, which should be folded down or removed when the caravan is not in use. New rules and regulations came into effect from 1 July 1997 with regard to the use of caravan mirrors. Check these before your departure. Towing caravans up to 2.55 metres wide are permissible in Norway and the max. Iength for car and caravan together is 18.75 metres. For a motor home the max. Iength is 12.4 metres (for motor homes registered after 17 September 1997, the max is 12 metres) and width 2.50 metres. TV aerials should, of course, not extend from the sides of the caravan whilst in motion. The address for the Norwegian Caravan Club is: Norsk Caravan Club Solheimveien 18, N-1473 Skårer Tel: 67 97 49 20 - Fax: 67 90 13 13 Seat belts and helmets Use of safety belts is obligatory in back seats, if fitted, as well as in front seats. It is also obligatory to use child safety equipment. Failure to do so may result in a fine of NOK 500. As you would expect, motor cycle and moped drivers and their passengers must wear helmets. SPEED LIMITS On Norwegian motorways and some other main roads, maximum speed is 100 km/hr. On these stretches, which are clearly signposted, cars towing trailers or caravans, as well as coaches, are not permitted to travel faster than 80 km/hr. Generally, however, the top speed outside built up areas is 80 km/hr. Caravans and trailers without brakes and weighing over 300 kg must not exceed 60 km/hr. Within built up areas, the limit is 50 km/hr. In residential areas, usually you may not drive faster than 30 km/hr. Please note that frequent speed controls are in operation both manual and automatic. Also be aware that ramps and speed control humps are not always signposted ! TYRES According to the Norwegian road traffic regulations, vehicles should not be used unless they have sufficient road grip in relation to the road surface, if necessary by use of winter tyres with or without studs, chains or similar. Studs can only be used on winter tyres, and vehicles under 3,500 kg must have studded tyres on all wheels. Winter tyres are specially marked tyres with a pattern tread of at least 3 mm. Vehicles with a permitted total weight of 3,500 kg or more, must, if expected to drive on public roads which are ice- or snow-covered, carry chains which are adjusted for the vehicle´s wheels, and fitted so that there is always contact between the chains and the road surface. Studded tyres or chains may not be used in the period between the first Monday after Easter and 31st October inclusive, unless weather conditions make it necessary. In North Norway, in the counties of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, the dates are 1.5 to 15.10 inclusive. Studded tyres, chains and ski cases for car racks are available for hire.