We have tried to include all the relevant information concerning travel to Norway and your stay in Norway; however the information provided is not fully detailed on all points and should be viewed as a guide not as a verbatim statement of the law.
Hotels
Hotel booking
Norwegian hotels can be classified by an independent Body in Norway who rate the hotel in stars from 1-5.
You can ask Tourist Information Offices or a booking agent to book your room, if you do not wish to look for a hotel by yourself.
It is advisable to make an advance booking for travel during the high tourist season i.e. beginning of July to the end of August.
When booking a hotel room in advance, you should receive a booking confirmation from the hotel. It is common in Norway that the hotels request a credit card number to reserve the room. They may also "freeze" an amount. You should be informed beforehand what amount will be frozen on your card.
Cancellation
You have no right to cancel your hotel booking. However, most hotels allow their guests to cancel their booking. A fee may be charged depending how close to the booking the cancellation is received. We suggest that you check the hotel's cancellation terms prior to booking your room.
If you made your booking with a travel agency, the agent has to give you a document describing the place you have booked. The type of accommodation, as well as all the information concerning the building, the insurance cover and the administrative and environmental health formalities, must be clearly set out.
Check-in and check-out
The hotel will inform you of their check-in and check-out times.
What if on arrival the hotel does not live up to expectations?
If the hotelkeeper supplied you with all the information (e.g. from a web site, brochures etc.) it is possible to ask for compensation (maybe for a reduction of the price to be paid, for example) on the basis of misleading advertising.
If you made your booking via the Internet, you are entitled to complain to the Web site which offered you the service.
If you booked through a travel agency, the responsibility of the agent entitles you to compensation, or to stay in a new place which corresponds to the type that you have booked.
I am a victim of a theft in the hotel or its surroundings, what can I do?
In case of theft, make a report to the management of the hotel, and ask for a certificate confirming the theft. Then, go to the nearest police station and lodge a complaint. Do not wait until you get back to your home country to do this! You can then lodge a claim to your travel insurance company.
Camping
Campsites
Norway has more than 1,000 camp sites classified with 1 - 5 stars depending on their standard and facilities.
Look for this sign at reception. This sign symbolizes that the site has been classified and approved.
Many camp sites have small cabins that can be booked in advance. Standards vary from small and simple to larger, well-equipped ones with a common room, separate bedrooms, kitchen, shower and toilet. Bedding is usually available for a small fee, and guests can either clean up before they leave or pay an extra fee to have the staff do it.
For more information on camping we suggest the Norwegian Camping Guide http://www.camping.no/index_eng.html
Camping in the wild
If you plan to sleep in a tent, caravan or mobile home you may do so anywhere in the countryside, forests or mountains, except in cultivated fields and lay-bys. You can stay for up to 48 hours (in the high mountains you can stay for as long as you wish), as long as your tent, caravan or mobile home is no closer than 150 m to the nearest house or cabin.
Fires must not be lit in woods or open ground between 15 April and 15 September. This includes the use of cooking equipment that uses petroleum (primus stoves etc.). However, fires may be lit on areas of bare rock.
You may not empty toilets or dispose of any other form of waste out in the countryside. Rest areas as well as places for emptying toilets are signposted.
Other accommodation
If you are interested in alternative accommodation i.e. mountain huts, fisherman's shacks, lighthouse, contact the tourist information offices.