Planning a trip to the beautiful country of Norway to explore the stunning fjords, majestic mountains and lush forests? You’ll need to know all about currency in Norway and local exchange rates when heading off on your vacation of a lifetime.
Are you wondering, ‘what’s the currency in Norway?’. Well, you can learn all about the Norwegian currency and exchange rates between the Euro and USD in this handy blog post. Let’s go ahead and get prepared for your upcoming vacation – exciting!
What’s the Currency in Norway?
Norway’s currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK), not the Euro. The krone dates back to 1875 and was historically known as the ‘Norwegian crown’ in English. You may also see this written as kroner, which is the plural of krone.
While Norway is a close partner with the EU (European Union), the country is not actually an EU member state. Norway is, however, part of the EEA, which is the European Economic Area.
The EEA is an international free trade agreement that allows the freedom of movement of goods, services, people and capital between member countries. This means Norway has close ties to its European neighbors, despite not sharing the same currency.
Can I Use the Euro in Norway?
Despite strong ties to other EU countries, Norway is not part of the eurozone. It's the currency union that includes 20 member states of the European Union. Eurozone's countries use the Euro as their official country.
While you can’t use the Euro in Norway, you can exchange Euros for Norwegian kroner at a rate of 1 Euro to 11.80 Norwegian kroner at the time of writing (May 2023). You’ll get 1 Norwegian krone for 0.085 Euros.
We recommend checking out up-to-date Euro to Norwegian krone exchange rates for the most recent NOK currency guide at the time of your vacation here.
How Much is $1 USD in Norwegian Krona and Can I Use US Dollars in Norway?
US dollars are not accepted as a currency in Norway. However, you can exchange them for Norwegian krone at a rate of 1 USD for 10.96 Norwegian kroner or 1 Norwegian krone for 0.091 USD at the time of writing.
Find up-to-date USD to Norwegian krone exchange rates here.
Is the US Dollar Strong in Norway?
Luckily, the USD remains strong against the Norwegian krone. You should be able to expect a favorable exchange rate when purchasing NOK for your vacation. Exchange rates do vary according to many international factors, including the price of oil and changes in interest rates. So, it’s always best to check the exchange rate at the time of your vacation for the most accurate figures.
A significant factor that influences the value of NOK is trade done between Norway and both the EU and UK. This means that Norway’s economy is heavily impacted by changes in the economy of these countries.
Can I Pay By Credit or Debit Card in Norway?
Yes, you can pay by credit or debit card in most places in Norway, including hotels, shops and restaurants. While almost everywhere will accept card payments, we recommend always having some cash on you just in case. Particularly, when visiting more rural areas and small shops, or making a small purchase.
You’ll find cash machines in the cities and usually at least one place to withdraw cash in smaller rural communities, such as in a gas station, small shop or kiosk.
The most commonly accepted credit cards in Norway are Visa and Mastercard. It’s important to note that not all establishments will accept foreign credit cards, such as post offices, supermarkets and smaller shops. Debit cards are almost always accepted, though.
How Far Will Norwegian Money Go? – Average Prices in Norway
If you’re wondering how much a trip to Norway will cost, it can help to know a few basic prices for common goods and services. You can compare these prices in Norway to local prices in your home country for a better idea of how much you might be likely to spend on your Norwegian adventure.
While Norway has high salaries and high living standards, which comes along with a higher cost of living than you may be used to, it’s good to know what many of the most popular and beautiful places in Norway to visit as a tourist are actually free. This means you can enjoy an amazing vacation in Norway for much less than you may expect.
Here are some average prices in Norway in both Norwegian kroner (NOK) and US dollars ($), sourced on Numbeo at the time of writing, to give you an idea of what to expect:
- 330 ml bottle of water = 27 NOK or $2.51
- 500 ml domestic beer = 98 NOK or $8.98
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant = 200 NOK or $18.32
- Three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two = 994 NOK or $91
- 1 km taxi ride = 15 NOK or $1.37
What’s the Tipping Culture Like in Norway?
You might be wondering what Norwegians are like in terms of tipping – it’s a good question. Actually, it’s not usual to tip in most places in Norway, apart from in bars and restaurants. Here, locals usually give a tip when they enjoyed the food or drinks and found the service friendly.
We don’t have a set amount to tip, but we’d say tips average about 10% of the total bill, ranging anywhere from 5% to 15% of the total cost, depending on how you feel. There’s no pressure to tip at all in Norway, so it’s totally up to you.
Top Norway Money Travel Tips
Here are some top Norway money travel tips to help you prepare for your Norwegian vacation:
- You can carry a maximum of 25,000 Norwegian kroner (about $2287 USD) both into and out of Norway. If you bring more than this into Norway, you must declare it at Norwegian Customs on arrival.
- If you need to visit a Norwegian bank, be aware that banks may have shorter opening hours than you’re used to in your home country, particularly in the summer season.
- Money can be sent electronically to Norway via Western Union and Forex.
- If you can’t pay by chip and PIN, you may be asked to provide ID, so it’s good to always bring along your ID on day trips in Norway.
Get Your Norwegian Money Ready For an Incredible Norway Vacation!
So, there we have it! Now you know all about Norway’s currency and local exchange rates, you can get prepared for your once-in-a-lifetime trip to this stunning Nordic nation.
You’ll also need to consider where you’d like to stay and which rental vehicle you’d like to reserve for your time in Norway. We recommend traveling by campervan, as it’s the easiest, most affordable, flexible and enjoyable way to explore Norway to your heart’s content.
You can take your home with you on the road when you rent a campervan in Norway, allowing you to discover all the country’s hidden gems and spectacular, untouched natural landscapes from north to south.
We hope this Norway money guide serves you well for your upcoming trip and we can’t wait to welcome you to our beautiful country soon!
