Travel tips · Bergen · Norway
Bergen travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Bergen people are proud, sometimes cheerfully contrarian Norwegians with their own strong dialect and a long history as a trading city facing the sea rather than the capital. Life is outdoorsy whatever the weather, and on clear days locals head straight for the mountains.
Key facts
- Language
- Norwegian
- Currency
- NOK
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is clean and excellent to drink; refill bottles freely.
- Emergency
- 112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire
Things to know
- Norwegians value personal space and quiet in public; keep voices down on buses and in cafés.
- Take your shoes off when entering someone's home.
- Queue patiently and take a numbered ticket where shops and pharmacies use them.
- On mountain trails, greet people you pass and take all your litter home.
- Card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; some places no longer accept cash.
- Book Mostraumen fjord cruise ahead: Book ahead in summer, when cruise-ship passengers fill sailings.
- Walk up or down Fløyen instead of buying a return funicular ticket; the paths take about 45 minutes.
Tipping
Service is included in Norwegian prices and tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good restaurant service is appreciated but optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hei | Hello |
| Takk | Thank you |
| Unnskyld | Excuse me / sorry |
| Skål | Cheers |
| Ha det | Goodbye |
What to wear
Practical outdoor clothing is normal everywhere: a good waterproof jacket, layers and waterproof shoes are essential in any month.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is clean and excellent to drink; refill bottles freely.
- Emergency number
- 112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is excellent, including on the main mountain trails; card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, and many places are cashless.
- Time zone
- Europe/Oslo
Bergen is generally low-risk for visitors. Pickpocketing is uncommon but happens in summer crowds around Bryggen and the fish market. The main hazards are weather-related: slippery wet cobbles and steps, and fog and fast-changing conditions on the mountains, so carry layers and keep to marked trails.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Norway's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Bergen?
Service is included in Norwegian prices and tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good restaurant service is appreciated but optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Bergen?
Tap water is clean and excellent to drink; refill bottles freely.
+What plugs are used in Bergen?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Bergen?
Norwegian.