City essentials: toilets, water, luggage and opening hours
The small things that make a city day easier: toilets, drinking water, luggage storage, plugs, Sunday opening hours and where to buy what you forgot.
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Where can I refill my water bottle in Oslo and at Oslo Airport?
At Oslo Airport you can refill your bottle at signposted water stations, including two just after security, and in Oslo itself tap water is safe to drink.
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Are there toilets on trains, ferries and along hiking routes in Norway?
Night trains, long-distance trains and ferries in Norway have toilets on board, while on popular hikes such as Preikestolen the toilets are at the car park.
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Where can I store luggage in Bergen?
In Bergen you can leave luggage in self-service lockers at the railway station and the bus station next to it, or at Bergen Tourist Information by the Fish Market.
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Are shops open on 1 May and 17 May in Norway?
Most shops in Norway are closed on 1 May and 17 May, because the closing rules for Sundays and public holidays also apply on these two days.
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Where are the public toilets in central Oslo?
In central Oslo there are toilets at Oslo Central Station and Oslo Bus Terminal, and a City of Oslo map shows the public toilets around the city.
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How does the bottle deposit (pant) work in Norway?
Pant is a NOK 2 or NOK 3 deposit on plastic bottles and cans, which you get back by returning the empties to a machine in most grocery shops.
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Where is the toilet at Oslo Central Station, and does it cost money?
The toilets at Oslo Central Station are in the station hall, and they are staffed and cost NOK 20, which you can pay by card or cash.
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Is the tap water in Oslo hard, and does it contain chlorine or fluoride?
Oslo's tap water is soft and is disinfected with UV light instead of chlorine, and no fluoride is added to drinking water anywhere in Norway.
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Are shops open on Sundays in Norway?
Most shops in Norway must close on Sundays by law, but small grocery shops, petrol stations and shops in approved tourist areas may stay open.
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What voltage does Norway use, and do I need a converter for US devices?
Norway's mains supply runs at 230 V and 50 Hz, so a US device needs a voltage converter only if its label does not include 230 V.
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What is open in Oslo on a Sunday?
On Sundays most shops in Oslo are closed by law, but small grocery shops, petrol stations, restaurants, cafés and most museums can stay open.
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Where can you rent a venue for a party in Oslo?
In Oslo you can rent rooms for parties at restaurants, bars, hotels and event venues, and residents can book some municipal premises through the city's booking portal.
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Is Oslo Central Station open at night?
No, Oslo Central Station closes at night: the station and its waiting areas are open every day from 03:45 to 01:30.
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What are normal shop opening hours in Norway?
Norwegian shops are open Monday to Saturday and mostly closed on Sundays, and big shopping centres such as Oslo City are open 10:00–22:00 on weekdays.
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Is there luggage storage at Oslo Airport?
Oslo Airport has 194 electronic luggage lockers on level 1 of car park P10, next to the terminal, and they are available around the clock.
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Where can I store luggage in Oslo?
In central Oslo you can leave luggage in lockers at Oslo Central Station and Oslo Bus Terminal, and Oslo Airport has lockers open around the clock.