How to travel responsibly in Norway
Most international visitors fly to Norway, and that flight carries a real carbon cost; there's no way around it. This guide is about everything you can control once you land. And in Norway, that turns out to be a lot! And it's one of the few countries where the lower-impact choice is usually a better experience too.
5 min readPublished: Aug 4, 2026By: The Fjord Tours team
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Choose your transport wisely
How you get around matters more than anything else on this list. The good news is that in Norway, the greener option is usually the more beautiful one.
Take the train where you can. Norway's rail journeys are among the most scenic in the world, and they produce far fewer emissions than flying or driving. The Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen is a good example.
Use ferries and buses for the rest. Many fjord routes now run on electric or hybrid ferries — quiet, cleaner, and one of the nicest ways to see the water. Buses reach smaller places trains can't get to.
Can you travel in Norway without a rental car?
Yes, you can visit Norway without renting a car, though it takes some planning. Public transport between the fjords, mountains, and small villages doesn't always connect neatly, so check the timetables before you go or let someone else handle it. This is the idea behind Norway in a Nutshell®: trains, electric and hybrid ferries, and buses combined into one booking, so you can explore the country without a car and without the puzzle of piecing it together yourself.
If you do need a car, choose an electric one. Norway has one of the best charging networks in Europe, with more than 9000 fast-charging points, so an electric rental is easy to use here.
Stay in certified accommodation
Where you sleep makes a difference, too. Look for a place with a trusted environmental label, rather than one that simply calls itself "green." In Norway, the two main ones to look for are:
- Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) is Norway's most common certification for businesses.
- Green Key is an international label for hotels and other places to stay.
These labels mean the business is checked against clear rules on energy, waste, and local sourcing. Learn what these certifications mean.
Choosing a locally owned place helps too, since more of your money stays in the community. And if you can't find a certified place, there's a simple alternative: stay longer in one spot instead of moving every night. Fewer transfers mean a lower footprint and usually a more relaxed trip.
Eat and spend locally
Your money is part of your impact. Try to spend it where it helps local people.
- Eat local, seasonal food. Norwegian specialties like fresh seafood, brown cheese, and berries in late summer travel a short distance and taste better for it. They also have a lower footprint than food flown in from far away.
- Choose local restaurants and small shops over big chains where you can.
- Book activities with local guides and operators. This keeps jobs and income in the area.
Our tip: Ask your hosts for their favorite local places. They typically know the best ones!
Respect the natural environment
Norway has a tradition called allemannsretten, or "the right to roam." It lets everyone walk, hike, and camp in the open countryside. But this freedom comes with responsibilities.
The main rule is simple: leave nature the way you found it.
Other rules regarding the right to roam include:
- Take all your trash with you
- Keep your distance from homes and farms.
- If you camp in the wild, stay at least 150 meters from the nearest house, and stay no more than two nights in one place.
- Open fires are not allowed between 15 April and 15 September.
- Stick to marked trails in fragile places, such as mountain plateaus and the coast, where plants grow slowly and are easily harmed.
- Never feed wild animals
- Keep a safe distance from wild animals, at least 200 meters.
Before your trip, read Visit Norway's visitor guidelines; they explain the local rules in clear, simple language.
Travel in quieter seasons
Norway’s most famous places can get very crowded in high summer, from June to August. If possible, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons, which are the quieter months on either side of summer, such as May or September.
Some places feel the pressure more than others. Lofoten and the Geirangerfjord are good examples, since their classic Norwegian scenery, which makes them so special, is also what makes them crowded in summer.
If you do visit in the peak season, there are still things you can do to minimize your impact:
- Stay longer in one place instead of rushing through.
- Go out early in the morning or later in the evening.
- Skip the most photographed spots and explore quieter ones nearby.
Read our full guide on when to visit Norway.
Your responsible travel checklist
Keep these simple steps in mind:
- Travel mainly by train, bus, and ferry.
- Choose an electric car if you need to drive.
- Stay in certified accommodation, or stay longer in one place.
- Eat local, seasonal food.
- Book local guides and operators.
- Leave nature as you found it.
- Travel in the quieter seasons when you can.
Read more about responsible travel
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Norwegian ecotourism certifications explained: What they mean and what they don’t
Norway takes certifications seriously. Certifications are real tools here, not empty marketing claims. They set a clear standard, check it regularly, and hold businesses to their word.
Not all certifications are the same, because some cover an entire destination, while others cover only a single business or specific experience you take part in. Once you can tell them apart, you can make a real choice, rather than just recognizing the logo. Here are the labels you'll come across in Norway and what each one means.
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Responsible activities in Norway: What to do and what to look for
Anyone visiting Norway wants to experience it the right way and use activities that are unique to the country. Below are some of the classic experiences, along with our tips on how to do them in a way that respects the landscape and the people who live here.
Norway’s certified sustainable destinations: Where to go and why it matters
Norway was one of the first countries in the world to build a national standard for sustainable tourism, launched back in 2013.
Today, nearly 50 destinations across the country hold the Sustainable Destination label, from Arctic Tromsø to the small fjord villages of the west. The idea behind it is simple: a good place to live is a good place to visit.
Norwegian ecotourism certifications explained: What they mean and what they don’t
Norway takes certifications seriously. Certifications are real tools here, not empty marketing claims. They set a clear standard, check it regularly, and hold businesses to their word.
Not all certifications are the same, because some cover an entire destination, while others cover only a single business or specific experience you take part in. Once you can tell them apart, you can make a real choice, rather than just recognizing the logo. Here are the labels you'll come across in Norway and what each one means.
Why Norway is one of the world's most sustainable countries
Norway generates over 90% of its electricity from renewables, leads Europe in EV adoption, and has transformed its cities. Here’s the full story.