Norway Trip Tips

5 comments

1. If you want to see the northern lights, the chances to see them are much better further north, but that is still no guarantee. Driving up north with no experience on snow is maybe not the safest, though the places you mentioned should be fairly snowless at that time. There has been a couple of times this year that the northern lights were visible in the south.

2. If you wanna see the northern lights then maybe consider a flight to either Svalbard or Lofoten, both are quite scenic on their own, and have way higher chance of seeing northern lights(which are maybe a once per year thing in Bergen/Oslo/Odda, at least that seems to be the frequency in Trondheim).

   For Bergen I would recommend Fløibanen, which is a steep tram(?) To a nearby mountain/hill with great view.

   In Oslo I can recommend bar Himkok(only for you and wife, if you drink), they make their own liquor from scratch, while still not charging crazy rates(136 nok a cocktail last time I went), best bar I’ve been to.

3. If northern lights are a priority, you should head north.

   My dad is Indian, and when we have Indian family visiting here in Oslo during fall/winter/early spring, they often head to Tromsø for a few days to try to see the northern lights. There is a chance you might see them here in the southern parts of Norway, but it’s **way** more likely much further north. Lofoten is an option, but chances are even better in Tromsø and Alta. If you do go there, I would say that paying for a northern lights excursion is probably worth it: It’s not a tourist trap, they know where to go and when to go there. Flights from Oslo to Tromsø are frequent and reliable.

   In Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen and Odda, I highly doubt there will be any need for typical winter shoes in the end of October. Temperatures might dip into freezing, but snow and ice on the ground isn’t that likely. There is little of that along the coastal areas in the south (particularly the west coast), and in Stavanger and Bergen there is very little snow and ice even in the middle of winter. Snow in October in Oslo certainly isn’t unheard of, but it will usually melt away fairly quickly. But bring warm clothes: I still remember the guy at the gate at my uncle’s house in Delhi wearing a huge coat and a woolen hat while I was strolling by in short sleeves and shorts.

   I would personally suggest you prioritze Bergen and heading north over Stavanger. Flåmsbana is very popular: You would take the train from Oslo towards Bergen, get off at Myrdal station and take Flåmsbana to Flåm. You can then head towards Bergen, and you could take a direct flight to Tromsø after a couple of days in Bergen. End of October is a pretty bad time when it comes to rain and wind, but that shouldn’t take much away from the experience. But I understand this kind of route may conflict with your plans for Stavanger and Odda.

4. The prime hikes around Odda, like trolltunga, are not recommended in late October, since it is too dark and cold. (Not recommended=we will think you are stupid to try, and be very annoyed when we have to send trained emergency personnel to save you). Prekestolen in Stavanger should be accessible.

   Have you ever driven on ice? Because that is a risk when you cross the mountains now. To get from Oslo to Bergen or Trondheim you have to cross mountains. You can drive the coastal route (e18-e39) (not e134 as google says!) to Stavanger, but it takes 7 hours. I would recommend train or plane between the larger cities, and then when you see the weather you can rent a car for shorter drives.

   To have decent chance of seeing northern lights this time of year, you have to go north. Tromsø, Alta, or even further north where it is dark almost 24 hours a day. The only realistic option here is a plane.

   Snowshoes are not a thing. We go skiing.

5. If you need any particular equipment, there are [providers](https://www.bua.no/) who you can borrow from for free, as long as you sign the requested papers.