Packing to Norway – Are You Ready or Frustrated?
Decided to travel to Norway or maybe other Nordic Countries? Congratulation! You are going to have a great time in the Nordic Countries.
But still, you haven’t done the packing to Norway? Are you almost panicking? Then packing to Norway from a Norwegian expert is the right blog post for you.
I will give the necessary packing advice for traveling around Norway most conveniently. In a way that will keep you warm and comfortable when exploring Norway.
The picture above is of me in June (Summer in Norway) when we traveled in Northern Norway. Northern Norway, is colder than the rest of Norway due to the position of the Arctic Circle.
Packing to Norway From a Norwegian Expert
Not having the right clothes or shoes will not break the trip to Norway, but it can be less comfortable.
Let’s make it a pleasant trip, and let’s do the packing to Norway right for the first time packing. In this way: Enjoy the Norway vacation and not use energy to be cold in May because you have packed a warm jacket!
After growing up in Norway, I have picked up some tips on surviving Norway in all seasons.
Packing the Scandinavian Look in Norway
It is all about finding your comfort zone! The Scandinavian look is about being laid-back, relaxed, and with no fuss. Pack the things you like, and even better if you can use them in layers. I always have jeans, wool sweaters, silk tops, walk-able pistol shoes, and an oversized scarf. I hope that can get you started! Please, ask if you have any questions!!
The Blog Post About the Overall: Scandinavian Lock
Pack for All Four Seasons All Time of the Year!
It doesn’t matter if it is summer, sometimes it can still be snowing. And in autumn, you can still be lucky enough to be wearing shorts. The Norwegian weather is a disaster for packing. We love the weather! That’s what makes Norway fascinating!
1. Packing to Norway is Packing for All Seasons of the Year!
Packing to Norway is Packing for All Seasons of the Year! If you are going to travel around Norway, this is an actual sentence. The weather in Norway is constantly changing and is not very stable. Norway is not Florida. When packing for Norway, you must bring clothing for every season. Wool is the best way to be ready for Norway’s weather conditions.
As Norwegian says: There Is No Bad Weather, Only Bad Clothing!
Dalsnibba and Geiranger fjord – with tourists having layers – This picture is from August!
2. Packing to Norway means Wool and You can Fit in With the Locals
Norwegians love wearing wool, and it goes back to tip number 1. With wool, you are being prepared for the four seasons of Norway. Wool has fantastic quality and function.
In the winter and fall seasons, it keeps you warm, and in the summer and spring seasons, it protects you from absorbing sweat when being in action.
For example, when Hiking, The wool keeps you warm & dry. It ensures time for you to enjoy the view of Beautiful Norway at the top of the mountain.
Wool is very comfortable to wear when moving around and traveling; even when being on an airplane, my Wool t-shirt is a lifesaver. Use Wool and adapt to the Norwegian situation and style. Wool is maybe the most crucial layer of many layers when talking about clothing in Norway.
3. Packing to Norway is Packing for Layer clothing
It gives you the option regarding weather and clothing. During the day, you will switch from only wearing layer one to layer three, depending on the weather.
1. Layer: Closest to your skin, there will be wool.
2. Layer: Insulation will be a fleece jacket or my favorite puffy down jacket that can quickly go in my day-pack. This jacket is perfect for spring and summer in Norway and is an excellent jacket for the winter to put under the last layer.
3. Layer: Shell. The shell is to keep you dry and protect you from the wind. You need this jacket in Norway – Summer and Winter! It should be waterproof and breathable – Gore-Tex. Pack Waterproof pants if you plan to have Outdoor and hiking activity’s in Norway.
When having these three layers, you can quickly adjust body heat by removing or adding these off throughout the day. You are ready for Norwegian weather conditions.
Sporty underwear, a wool sweater, and a fleece jacket are signs of being a Norwegian.
4. Packing to Norway is Packing Shoes for Activity & Weather
I never manage to pack less than three shoes when traveling around Norway. I must have a pair of comfortable yet chic sneakers for walking in the city. Then a couple of hiking mountain boots that are waterproof or water-resistant. The last one of the shoes is for going out in the town (If you have good-looking walking shoes, go for them and only go with two pairs of shoes). If you are not going to any nightclub, you are okay with cool sneakers.
Blister Plasters must be in your day-pack when doing hikes; you never know when you need a lifesaver. That will avoid pain and scarred feet.
Hiking Lauparen at West Coast of Norway with my hiking boots
5. Packing to Norway is Packing for Scarf, Hat, & Gloves
It sucks to be cold when you are hiking for 5 hours or sitting outside in the Norwegian Cafe and enjoying your coffee at 0 degrees. Norwegian’s love is sitting outside. They do it pretty much every day and every season, except when there is -20 minus. We like sitting out in the fresh air and maybe getting sun on our faces in March. Prepare for that experience!
6. Packing to Norway is Packing for Comfort & Practical Clothing
Norwegians are more about comfort and having functional wear before style and fashion. We do love it when they manage to combine practical garments with comfort and style in one.
Norwegians love wool clothing. We love it even more if it has a beautiful design—most of the time, we choose practicality and comfort over fashion. You will see more Norwegians with practical wear than fashion wear. Don’t be worried if you feel a bit sporty that is a part of the Norwegian style!
That’s me hiking in the mountains – March.
7. Packing to Norway is Packing for the Chance of Summer if Summer
Sometimes the Summer can be warm, 10-25 Celsius degrees (50-77 F). When that happens: Norwegians go crazy. We love it! You should pack one pair of skirts and shorts. Just for when there will be some sun love. If you want to be a crazy Viking, Take a bikini and meet 12 degrees (54 F) water in the fjords of Norway. Sometimes you find Norwegians going with shorts at 10 degrees because it’s summer and not because it’s warm.
If you need to check the weather, Pent.no compares Norway’s two most prominent weather channels, Storm and Yr.
Geiranger Fjord in August (Super lucky with the Weather) 25 degrees and Sun!
If you are traveling around in Norway, I would recommend getting a backpack with a day-pack. Because it’s more comfortable since there are places and city´s in Norway with a paving stone that is horrible with a suitcase.
When snowing, the suitcase is a pain in the ass. When you are traveling on a cruise, maybe the suitcase will work fine. If you are traveling by airplane and with Norwegian, they charge you almost 20 U.S to check in your luggage. If you go with hand luggage, you can save money for more fun things in Norway.
June in Norway at Lofoten in Sakris Island, and I could not have been any luckier with the weather! – Northern Norway
More About Norway:
Road Trip to Geiranger Fjord UNESCO World Heritage Site & Dalsnibba from Aalesund
Road Trip in Northern Norway with the Coast of Lofoten & Helgeland
Fishing on the West Coast of Fjord Norway with Eagle Safari
Hiking Lauparen in the Alps of Sunnmøre
7 Great things to Do in Oslo – One day & Almost Free
Need A Place to Stay in Norway?
7 Unique places to stay in the land of Vikings
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23 Comments
Hi Laura, yes, you can dress business casual for Oslo for dinners. Nice pants and blouses and an excellent wool sweater are always pleasant. Bring a warm coat, scarf, and comfortable shoes.
Hi Pauline. We are going to Oslo and other areas in January. I dont know how to dress to dine out in Oslo in January. Can you advise?
Laura
In Oslo, you can have more dressed up look, but still casual if you like. Pack a pair of niche pants and a great blouse, and you are ready to go 🙂 I’m glad you liked the rest of my packing list 🙂
As summer transitions into fall, the weather in Norway in September sees the mercury dipping with higher precipitation than usual. In the south, the average September temperature during the day is 15°C. Then 10°C at night or lower.
What temperature will we see in norway the first week or so in september
Hi Pauline, Thanks for sharing recommendations! We are visiting Norway end of August and early September (2 weeks). I am wondering if you have suggestions for what to pack for Oslo night life.? We are going to a jazz concert while in Oslo early September. I will follow your hiking-packing ideas for rest of trip. 🙂
Vian
Fantastic tips and great photos! My husband and I are off on a cruise to Stavenger. Olden, Alesund and Haugesund from 6th to 13th May and was really lost re packing. We both have showerproof / windproof jackets we purchased for a trip to Iceland that was cancelled so plan to use these. Also have fleece lined walking trousers and walking boots. Fingers crossed this is suitable!
Yes, Carolyn, bring some nice wool pieces on your trip, you will not regret it 🙂
May can be warm, but it can also be cold.
Hope you have a great trip 🙂
Pauline – thank you so much for the good advice! I have friends getting married in Stockholm in May so we decided to make a larger trip and visit Norway, Denmark and Finland too! I knit and am looking forward wearing all my handmade wool sweaters and socks when I visit – in NJ, USA, late May is usually too warm for wool knits – so excited I will get to wear my favorites for longer this year!
You will not need a vinter coat at this time. Bring a windproof jacket and some good wool and flece to have under this jacket and you should be fine 🙂 I’m hoping for a good spring this year 🙂
Hi Pauline we are going on a Norwegian Fjords cruise April 22-May 2. The ships stops in Bergen, Alesund, Molde, Haugesund, Kristiansund and Oslo. Of course I’m planning on layers, but am wondering if we will need a heavier winter coat for Bergen, Alesund and Molde at this time of year, or just a fleece and a shell? Thank you for your advice!
Hi, you will have a great time in Norway. Any shoes that has gore Tex or waterproof system will do the work. Most importantly is that they feel good on your feet, because you will be working around everywhere.
Hello 🙂 I am a California girl in my 20s and randomly booked a flight to Bergen on October 29th for a week. What are your favorite waterproof walking shoes to wear? This is also my first solo trip ever!
I’m glad you got some great tips for your travels to Norway. Hope you have a great trip!! 🙂
Great tipps. Thank you! Last minute for us!
We are going to Norway next week with two children (2+5).
Just updated our packing list. 😉
Robert, that is lovely!! Congratulations!! Thank you for still making me believe in love! I wish you and your wife the best trip in Norway and thank you for liking the blog post. Safe Travels and enjoy my country.
Thank you!
That is going to be a fantastic stay! If you are planning to save money on food, fishing is a good option! And it is most of the time free if you are not fishing in a salmon river where the landlords want to charge you the fishing fee. One of the cheapest grocery stores is Kiwi!! In Norway you can bring your food when hiking and have scenic lunch for free 🙂 It is all about being creative. In July/August you will have the season for the local berries, eat them for breakfast with yogurt. Most of all don’t buy more than you can eat, by this not throwing food away. Maybe not the most genius advice, but that was what I came up with.
Thanks Pauline. Very Helpful. We are coming to Norway in June for 3 months. I have never fished before… I would like to try when I am there to help save some money on food shopping. Any tips on this please ?
This is a great tips, Thanks for sharing such an useful Information
Pauline, my name is Robert from North Carolina US and I loved your post. My wife and I will be traveling to Norway in October of 2020 for our 30th anniversary. We are flying into Oslo for a day and then flying to kirkines for a couple days for a South bound trip down the coast on hurtingrutin to Bergen for a couple more days then hopefully take the train back to Oslo. We are so excited, can’t wait.
I’m glad to hear that it was useful information! Yes, we are all about our wool clothing here. I hope you have an amazing time in Norway. May is beautiful in Norway!
Thank you for posting this! I am traveling to Norway in May. I was guessing lots of wool, long socks, jeans, hiking pants, boots. I am hoping to only bring a carry on and a bag. It’s quite the expense to check a bag from Seattle to Oslo.