logo
Everything you need to know about travel in Norway for Easter 2025

Everything you need to know about travel in Norway for Easter 2025

Local Norway11-04-2025
Travel by road
Kids break up for the Easter break, Påskeferie, once school ends on Friday, April 11th. However, according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the roads aren't expected to be too busy on Friday.
Friday 11th is expected to be similar to a normal Friday. The reason is that Easter is quite late this year, and it's been a poor year for snow in many mountainous areas. Therefore, many are expected to spend their Easter holidays close to the coast or in the lowlands,
The worst traffic when travelling by road is expected on the Wednesday before Maundy Thursday. Maundy Thursday is a public holiday in Norway, meaning workers will then be off until the Tuesday after Easter Sunday.
Those who will be heading to the roads on Wednesday are advised to avoid travelling around midday or the early afternoon.
The public has also been asked to pay attention to the weather and road conditions before travelling. Those who will be driving over Easter can use the
Vegvessen.no
service to plan their journey.
Air travel
More than 1.6 million people are expected to travel via Norwegian airports over the Easter break. Friday, April 11th, will be the busiest day at Norwegian airports. This is according to the airport operator Avinor.
Nearly one million trips will be domestic as many travel around the country to visit friends and family.
Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger will see more than 141,000 travellers on Friday, so arriving at the airport in good time is recommended.
This year is expected to be particularly busy for air travel.
'Even before the Easter outing had started, we saw numbers that beat last year's Easter by a good margin,' Thorgeir Landevaag, executive director for airports in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger, said in
a press release
.
Advertisement
Landevaag asked passengers travelling with hand luggage only to prepare extra well for security checks to minimise queues.
Strikes have disrupted flights to Greece and Italy in recent days. However, it isn't clear if industrial action will continue over Easter.
Travellers to the UK will need to be aware that operation workers at Gatwick Airport will strike over the Easter weekend.
Rail travel
Network rail operator Bane Nor
typically uses Easter to carry out works on tracks
, meaning that some rail travel will be disrupted.
Bane Nor will work on the Spikkestadbanen and Hovedbanen lines from April 12th until April 27th. Furthermore, the Bergen Line between Hønefoss and Geilo will be closed from the afternoon of April 17th until the morning of Easter Sunday.
Advertisement
Work will also be carried out in Drammen in preparation for the new station opening in August.
What else do I need to know?
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are all public holidays. This means you can expect large supermarkets to be closed, as well as things like banks.
It will also be impossible to purchase alcohol on these days unless sitting in at a bar or restaurant.
If you really get stuck, there will be convenience stores open, although don't expect much in the
way of a
selection if you have ambitious dinner plans.
Museums and other attractions will also close.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

REVEALED: The best 'coolcation' spots in Norway... according to the locals
REVEALED: The best 'coolcation' spots in Norway... according to the locals

Local Norway

time08-07-2025

  • Local Norway

REVEALED: The best 'coolcation' spots in Norway... according to the locals

According to a Reisebarometer survey from Innovation Norway and Opinion, 8 out of 10 Norwegians planned to spend at least part of their 2023 summer holiday in Norway, and over half intended to spend most or all of it in the country. While Norway is often associated with snow, grey skies and darkness, the country keeps setting new tourism records every summer. In 2024, Norway registered 16.7 million overnight stays between June and August — the highest number since records began. Northern Norway alone saw 2.3 million stays during that period, with 1.1 million international visitors — up 9 percent year-over-year. The numbers show that both Norwegians and international travellers increasingly choose Norway as a summer destination. While Southern Europe is more often than not the go-to destination to warm up after a long winter — with tan lines and Aperol Spritz the priority — the question remains: is it possible to have a hot summer holiday in Norway? 'One hundred percent,' says business development manager, Gunhild Fretheim, who lives in Oslo. 'Personally, I love the small towns in Italy and France, and the nature in Scotland and Northern England — but in summer, those places get both crowded and hot. Norway still has small gems waiting to be discovered, combined with cooler temperatures,' she says. 'The weather is never a given, though. In summer in Norway, you can experience all four seasons in a single day, and it's hard to plan, regardless of the destination. But when the weather cooperates, you can get the most pleasant summer days with comfortable temperatures between 24–30 degrees. Add a breeze and mountain views. It's hard to beat.' Advertisement Gunhild avoids tourist hotspots like Geiranger, the UNESCO-listed site on the West Coast (pictured below), and the big cities. In recent years, her hideaway has been a four-week summer job as a cow herder in the municipality of Tynset, located around 4 hours north of Oslo by car. Gerainger on the west coast of Norway. Photo by admiratio on Unsplash 'I basically get paid to live in the mountains and watch 18 cows all day, with no reception or electricity. "It might sound like someone's worst nightmare, but for me, it brings peace and offers a glimpse of Norwegian life from 100–150 years ago. In Tynset, you can go on scenic hikes and day trips to nearby mountains, eat a Tynsetsnurr (a local cinnamon bun), and visit farms to learn about traditional cheesemaking. But bring warm clothes — right now, Tynset has an average temperature of 15C. 'It's perfect for a coolcation!' Gunhild says. 'Norway is the ideal holiday for adventurous people who are open to going on a trip without having every detail planned. Be a little impulsive and see where the roads take you.' Lawyer Ole Kjølleberg, aged 52, from Oslo says his favourite destination is southern Norway, where average summer highs reach temperatures in the upper 20s. 'For foreigners, I think it's exotic — and can be less expensive than Southern Europe. It's the perfect place for hiking and fishing. You can even surf here — although you'll need a good wetsuit,' he says. Advertisement While some regions can be unpredictable weather-wise, Eastern and Southern Norway (Østlandet and Sørlandet) usually enjoy stable, warm periods in the summer, with several weeks of sunshine. Fevik, Grimstad and Arendal are a few of the places within a 3.5 hour drive south from Oslo. These areas often see daily highs between 20–30°C in July. Oslo often hits some of the country's highest temperatures and offers city escapes by the water, including the islands of Langøyene and Hovedøya as well as nearby Huk, and Hvervenbukta. Oslo-based Håvard Utheim, co-founder of Re-treats, which offers guests unique "hotel rooms" in the middle of Norwegian nature, says: 'Norway offers a unique summer experience — with the midnight sun, breathtaking landscapes, and fewer crowds than the Mediterranean. "Personally, I prefer staying in Norway during the summer and traveling abroad in autumn, winter, or spring to break up the colder months," he says. Advertisement But where to start? 'There are so many places,' Håvard says, listing a few of his favorites: 'In the west there's Møre og Romsdal, and Vestland, and in the north there's Helgeland — these areas are perfect if you're after dramatic fjords, stunning mountains, and iconic Norwegian coastal scenery. "On the north west coast Averøy, Hustadvika, Smøla, Rauma are some personal favourites. "And Oslofjord down to Kristiansand (see map below) is known for Norway's warmest summer temperatures, cozy coastal towns, beaches, and charming archipelagos.' In Norway, you can do almost anything: sea activities like swimming, kayaking, boating, or fishing; hiking countless trails; exploring islands and fjords; relaxing in picturesque villages; or enjoying local festivals. Biking, camping, or simply soaking up nature is also on the menu. Joachim Holwech, aged 32, from Oslo who is the co-founder of startup VISOID, is spending his summer camping in Norway — with Bergtattfestivalen on his itinerary. It's 'a small, hip festival popular among people in their 20s and 30s,' he says. Held in Luster, around a 6 hour ride west from Oslo, the location itself it's worth a visit. Bergtatt festival. Photo: Joachim Holwech His top pick for a summer destination? Up north, between Lofoten and Trondheim. 'It's not so touristy or crowded. You can do island hopping and go kayaking or hiking while you're there,' says Joachim, who believes Norway can compete with the most popular European destinations. 'It depends on your perspective and what you care about. If you like being outdoors and close to nature, that experience is definitely superior' he says.

A1 to C2: What do the different levels of Norwegian mean for language learners?
A1 to C2: What do the different levels of Norwegian mean for language learners?

Local Norway

time04-07-2025

  • Local Norway

A1 to C2: What do the different levels of Norwegian mean for language learners?

English is commonly spoke by the majority of the Norwegian population, but to really integrate speaking Norwegian is essential. If you consider enrolling in a Norwegian class and it is your first time learning a foreign language, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ( CEFR ) has established different levels of proficiency to help track progress. READ ALSO: How to organise your language test for Norwegian citizenship or permanent residence Beginner If you are a newcomer to Norway you will probably linger at beginner A level for a while. But this is where you learn the basics, so it is very important to put all the effort to learn the grammar rules. At the A1 level, you'll be just starting out, using basic Norwegian phrases. You might be able to introduce yourself, ask simple questions, and understand basic instructions in Norwegian and name of objects of daily use. Moving up to A2, you'll be able to can handle simple, everyday situations and conversations. You'll be able to understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to subjects like shopping, family, work and local geography. Advertisement For the A2 Norwegian language test you might be requested to describe what you see on a picture the examiner shares, or answer a simple question such as 'talk about the weather'. You could be asked to discuss the topic with another student for around 2 to 3 minutes. Some practice tests on the listening, reading and writing parts can be found on the website of the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, HK-dir). Intermediate level Intermediate Norwegian language learners will be at level B. For B1 you'll be expected to deal with most situations on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. You'll be comfortable travelling within Norway and perhaps even be able to joke in the language. It is at this level you'll learn to talk about health and working life, which could be important when heading to the doctor. Advertisement Under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), B1 level refers to an intermediate level and users 'can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life'. For permanent residency and citizenship in Norway, language requirements can vary. Generally, you need to show proficiency at A2 or B1 level. READ ALSO: All you need to know about Norway's language tests foreign residents The exam Reaching B2 means you're becoming quite proficient, fluent and technical in Norwegian. If you are following a Norwegian course you will start learning about the environment, the Norwegian political system and the judiciary system, understanding the main ideas and reading complex texts. You'll be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible, and even enjoyable. Some work places might require this level of proficiency. With a B level of Norwegian you should be able to take a position and argue your choices. In the exam you are requested to speak about whether you agree or disagree about a statement, for example 'Do you think Norwegian police should not carry weapons?' You'll then be expected to make your arguments. You should be able to talk fluidly for around 5 minutes. You can find a free B1-B2 trial test here and more practice tests on the HK-dir's website . Advanced level Not many people decide to study Norwegian beyond B2 as with this level you can get around just fine. If you're aiming to study at a Norwegian university, you typically need to demonstrate proficiency at the B2 level, but some studies might require C1, level. But if you need full proficiency for your job and want to really master the language, you would attend a course to enter the C level. At C1, your Norwegian will be advanced. You'll be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. If you've reached C2 level, it means you've mastered Norwegian and understand virtually everything spoken or read. The Directorate's website has a full page dedicated to it.

Flights to and from Norway hit by French air traffic control strike
Flights to and from Norway hit by French air traffic control strike

Local Norway

time03-07-2025

  • Local Norway

Flights to and from Norway hit by French air traffic control strike

According to Avinor , Norway's airport operator, multiple flights have been cancelled due to the 24-hour walkout, which is expected to cause widespread disruptions across European airspace. The strike, according to reports from the Norwegian news bureau NTB, stems from ongoing demands for improved working conditions and dissatisfaction with management. While the strike is focused on France, it impacts all flights passing through French airspace, including those not scheduled to land in the country, potentially resulting in delays throughout the continent. The strike by two unions representing French air traffic controllers begins on Thursday, July 3rd and continues into Friday, July 4th, albeit with only one union involved on Friday. It's likely that knock-on disruption will continue over the weekend. For more information see: Hundreds of flights cancelled as French air traffic controllers strike

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store