Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
Stores
are generally open Monday
to Friday from 9am to 5pm (many stay open on Thurs until 6 or 7pm) and
Saturday 9am to 1 or 2pm. Sunday closings are observed.
Dentists
For emergency dental services, ask your hotel or host for the
nearest dentist. Most Norwegian dentists speak English.
Doctors
If you become ill or injured while in Norway, your hotel can refer
you to a local doctor, nearly all of whom speak English. If you don't stay
at a hotel, call
&
113,
the national 24-hour emergency medical number.
Drugstores
Drugstores, called
apotek,
are open during normal business
hours.
Electricity
Norway uses 220 volts, 30-50 cycles, AC, and standard Conti-
nental two-pin plugs. Transformers and adapters will be needed with
Canadian and American equipment. Always inquire at your hotel before
plugging in any electrical equipment.
Embassies & Consulates
In case you lose your passport or have some
other emergency, contact your embassy in Oslo. The embassy of the
United States
is at Drammensveien 18, N-0244 Oslo (
&
22-44-85-50
);
United Kingdom,
Thomas Heftyes Gate 8, N-0244 Oslo (
&
23-13-27-00
);
and
Canada,
Wergelandsveien 7, N-0244 Oslo (
&
22-99-53-00
). The
Irish
Embassy
is at Haakon VII's gate 1, N-0161 Oslo (
&
22-01-72-00
). The
Aus-
tralian Embassy
is closed in Oslo; contact the embassy in Denmark at
Dampfaergevej 26, Second Floor, Copenhagen DK-2100 (
&
45-7026-
3686
). The
New Zealand Embassy
is also closed in Oslo; contact the
New
Zealand Consulate,
Billingstadsletta 19B, P.O. Box 113, Billingstad N-1376
(
&
66-77-53-30
). There is a British consulate in Bergen at Carl Konows-
gate 34 (
&
55-94-47-05
).
Emergencies
Throughout Norway, call
&
112
for the
police,
&
110
to
report a
fire,
or
&
113
to request an
ambulance.
Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Most hotels provide these services. There are
coin-operated launderettes and dry cleaners in most Norwegian cities.
Liquor Laws
Most restaurants, pubs, and bars in Norway are licensed to
serve liquor, wine, and beer. The drinking age is 18 for beer and wine and
20 for liquor.
Mail
Airmail letters or postcards to the United States and Canada cost
10NOK ($1.40) for up to 20 grams (
7
⁄
10
oz.). Airmail letters take 7 to 10 days
to reach North America. The principal post office in Norway is the Oslo Cen-
tral Post Office, at Dronningensgate 15, N-0101 Oslo. Mailboxes are vibrant
red and are embossed with the trumpet symbol of the postal service.
They're found on walls, at chest level, throughout cities and towns. Stamps
can be bought at the post office, at magazine kiosks, or at some stores.
Only the post office can weigh, evaluate, and inform you of the
options for delivery time and regulations for sending parcels. Shipments
to places outside Norway require a declaration on a printed form stating
the contents and value of the package.
Maps
Many tourist offices supply free maps of their district. You can also
contact the Norwegian Automobile Club, Storgata 2, N-0155 Oslo 1
(
&
22-34-14-00
), which offers free or inexpensive road maps. Most visi-
tors find it quicker and more convenient to buy a detailed road map; this
