Travel tips · Tromsø · Norway
Tromsø 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
Photo: The Municipality of Tromsø from Tromsø, Norway, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Tromsø is a university and fishing city with a strong Arctic identity, a large student population and a reputation for lively nightlife. It lies in the Sami homeland, Sápmi, and Northern Sami culture is visible in place names, in the city's Sami Week each February and at reindeer camps around the region. Locals spend as much time outdoors as possible, skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
Key facts
- Language
- Norwegian and Northern Sami
- Currency
- NOK
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is clean and excellent to drink.
- Emergency
- 112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire
Things to know
- Respect Sami culture: ask before photographing people in traditional dress (gákti), and do not wear it as a costume.
- Do not approach or feed reindeer you meet on roads; they belong to herders.
- When chasing the aurora by car, never stop on the road or in passing places; park only in proper parking areas.
- Take your shoes off when entering homes and some guesthouses.
- Keep noise down in residential areas at night, including during the bright summer nights.
- Book Northern lights tours ahead: Popular small-group tours fill up in the peak months of December to March; book a few days ahead.
- Book Dog sledding ahead: Book well ahead for December to March, when trips sell out.
- Book Whale-watching trips ahead: Book early for December; the season is short and boats fill.
- Visit in September, October, April or early summer for much lower hotel prices than December to March.
Tipping
Service is included in Norwegian prices and tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good service is appreciated, and some travellers tip tour guides who go the extra mile.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hei | Hello (Norwegian) |
| Takk | Thank you (Norwegian) |
| Bures | Hello (Northern Sami) |
| Giitu | Thank you (Northern Sami) |
| Nordlys | Northern lights |
What to wear
In winter, wear thermal base layers, a warm mid-layer, a windproof outer layer, a hat, gloves and insulated waterproof boots; many tour operators lend thermal suits. Ice grips for shoes help on icy pavements.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is clean and excellent to drink.
- Emergency number
- 112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in the city and along the main roads, though it can be patchy in remote valleys; card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere.
- Time zone
- Europe/Oslo
Tromsø is generally low-risk for visitors. The main hazards are winter conditions: icy pavements, extreme wind chill on tours, and snowy roads with reindeer and short daylight for drivers. Avalanche risk applies on mountain slopes in winter and spring, so hike or ski off-piste only with a guide, and never stop on the road to watch the aurora.
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 Tromsø?
Service is included in Norwegian prices and tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good service is appreciated, and some travellers tip tour guides who go the extra mile.
+Can you drink the tap water in Tromsø?
Tap water is clean and excellent to drink.
+What plugs are used in Tromsø?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Tromsø?
Norwegian and Northern Sami.