Everyday Practicalities

Time Zone

The time zone in Oslo is GMT +1 hour. Norway practices Daylight Savings Time (DST) during the summer and the offset during the DST is GMT +2. 

Compare Oslo time to other cities around the world.

Banks & Post Offices

Banks are generally open between 8.30 and 15.00 on weekdays, closed on Saturdays and Sundays. One must have a Norwegian ID (personnummer) in order to open an account.

The two largest banks in Norway that have extensive web sites in English are DnBNOR and Nordea. Both offer English sites for online banking, which is very prevalent in Norway.
 
Skandiabank offers strictly internet banking without handling charges.

ATM machines can be found in all central locations: in shopping centers, on main streets in smaller and larger towns, in larger gas stations, and at all airports.

Checks, Credit Cards & Debit Cards

Checks are no longer in use in Norway. It is possible to cash a personal check with an American Express card at their main offices in larger cities.

Credit cards  (primarily Visa, Mastercard, Diners Card, Amex) are commonly used in Norway

Debit cards—direct debit from a Norwegian bank account—are most commonly used in grocery stores and for everyday shopping. Many of these stores will not accept an international credit card for payment. 

TIP! It is possible to take out extra cash when paying with a debit card in most grocery stores and gas stations.




Public Transportation

The national transportation web site offers a trip planner on the left side of their homepage. To view the trip planner in English, click on the British flag, or to view it in German, click on the German flag.

Shopping

Shopping malls and larger shopping centers are generally open from 9.00 or 10.00 to 20.00 on weekdays and from 9.00 to 18.00 on Saturdays.

Stores in general are open from 9.00 or 10.00 to 17.00 on weekdays and from 9.00 to 15.00 on Saturday. Most towns have late hours on Thursday when stores are open until 19.00.

A number of green grocers—who sell fruit and vegetables—and some grocery stores near larger towns are open on Sundays.

TIP!  In an emergency on a Sunday or after opening hours, a basic selection of grocery items is available at larger gas stations.

Energy: Electricity & Gas

Electrical current in Norway is 220 V/50 Hz. Round, European-style two-pin plugs are used. Appliances designed to operate on 110/120 volts need a voltage converter and a plug adapter.

The price one pays for electricity is two fold: one for connecting to the local network and the second for the electricity provider, which can be the same company that owns the network or any other provider throughout the country. In recent years the price of electricity has increased significantly.

The use of gas is limited to cooking on some specialized stoves and for gas grills.  Gas heating does not exist in Norway.