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How to get Wifi in Norway : A Guide for Tourists
17 June 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
Whether you’re heading to Oslo for a city break or the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll need a good internet connection to enjoy Norway’s stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture!
Whether it’s for reserving dinner, getting directions, or quickly looking up some Norwegian expressions or words, travelers need to stay connected.
There are plenty of different options for travel internet connections, from fast and reliable pocket WiFi to risky public WiFI connections. Public WiFi is often available in hotels, restaurants, and other public places, but it’s important to note that the quality and security of these connections can vary.
Here’s what you need to know about the different connection types, how much they cost, and how to stay connected from Rossøya to Lindesnes Fyr!
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Norway
Every trip to Norway is different. Travelers spending a weekend in Oslo will have a different connection requirement than those on the Flam Railway or hiking up Trolltunga (Troll’s Tongue).
Similarly, a roaming package might work for one phone, but do you want to get individual roaming packages and internet connections for the whole family?
Let’s see what your options are.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi is a dedicated device that connects to a mobile data connection and creates a WiFi connection for several devices.
As the name suggests, pocket WiFi is like having a WiFi connection in your pocket. You rent a small router and take it with you, ensuring that you and all your devices can stay connected with fast and reliable Internet, no matter where you are in Norway.
These devices typically have better antennae for connecting to the network, so they outperform smartphones, especially in remote and rural areas like Preikestolen, Sognefjord, or along the Atlantic Road.
Pros
The key advantages of pocket WiFi are its connection speed and quality. As mentioned, these devices are better at connecting to the Internet than smartphones.
Pocket WiFi also boasts a connection for multiple devices at once. While you can tether devices to your smartphone, this uses more battery and rarely provides a good connection. Many pocket WiFi devices offer connections for 10 devices, and premium pocket WiFi devices are suitable for dozens of connections.
For travelers visiting neighboring countries or other places before or after their trip to Norway, you can also rent pocket WiFi for all of Europe.
Cons
The main downside to a pocket WiFi device is that it’s an extra device. It’s one more thing to take with you wherever you go, but as you could have guessed, the device is typically tiny, about the size of a smartphone.
Cost
Pocket WiFi costs vary depending on the provider you choose.
TravelWiFi offers 1GB for €6.95 per day. The 5GB and 10GB plans are €7.95 and €10.95 respectively.
MIOWiFi offers a 4G connection for up to 5 WiFi devices for €8 a day.
Rentconnect’s limited 4G Pocket WiFi connection costs $6.99 a day.
The cost of pocket WiFi rental from Hippocketwifi for 1GB per day across Europe is between €4.90 and €7.90, depending on the length of the rental. Unlimited connections cost between €6.90 and €9.90 per day. This is the best value for money.
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3.95€
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SIM Cards
Another way to get an internet connection in Norway is by buying a travel SIM card for tourists. The leading providers in Norway for travel SIM cards are Telenor, Telia, MyCall, Chilimobil, and Lyca Mobile.
You can buy these travel SIM cards from network stores and convenience stores, such as Narvesen, 7-Eleven, Deli de Luca, Mix, and various electronic retailers in the country.
You take the SIM card and insert it into your smartphone’s SIM card slot. Before buying a travel SIM, ensure that your smartphone isn’t locked to a specific network (some domestic providers do this). Once inserted, you’ll need to follow the instructions provided by the SIM card provider to activate the service and set up your internet connection.
Pros
Travel SIM cards are widely available in many places in Norway, making it easy for you to stay connected. They are relatively cheap and usually quite easy to set up; simply insert the SIM, turn on your phone, and you’re connected!
Cons
The downside of SIM cards is that they only work for one device (though you can tether other devices). The connection will not be as fast or as stable as a renting a pocket WiFi device in Norway for rural areas.
If your smartphone only has one SIM card slot, which is quite common, you must also put your other SIM card somewhere safe while using your travel SIM.
Lastly, you won’t be able to use your regular phone number while using a different SIM card. Your everyday phone number is linked to your domestic SIM card, so people won’t be able to call or message you at that number. However, they can still contact you via web-based apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Messenger.
Cost
The prepaid SIM Telenor Kontant costs 199 NOK and comes with 50 NOK of credit.
The Telia Mobil Kontant card costs 99 NOK at Telia stores but is cheaper in other retailers. It’s cheaper to top up this card with data packages, which range from 269 NOK for 3GB to 649 NOK for 50GB. Data-only packages cost between 119 NOK for 1GB and 319 NOK for 10GB.
MyCall Kontantkort costs 49 NOK online or 25 NOK in retailers. Their data-only packages are slightly cheaper than Telia Mobil, with 10GB costing 299 NOK.
eSIM
For more modern smartphones, the SIM card is replaced with an eSIM. Rather than having a removable SIM card, these phones have an integrated chipset that can be configured to act as different SIM cards.
This makes “changing” SIM cards much easier as you pay for an eSIM and follow the instructions to configure your eSIM-compatible phone.
The process usually involves scanning a QR code or entering a code provided by the eSIM operator, and then following the setup instructions on your phone. Once activated, your eSIM will be ready to use once you land in Norway.
Norway’s most common eSIM operators include Airalo, Ubigi, and Holafly.
Pros
The advantage of an eSIM is its simplicity. Once you’ve bought your eSIM, you can scan a QR code, follow the setup instructions, and have everything ready once you land in Norway, giving you peace of mind and a hassle-free experience.
Cons
Like SIM cards, eSIM cards still rely on your phone’s ability to connect to a network. They won’t offer connections as fast and stable as pocket WiFi.
An eSIM isn’t a very good option for connecting your other devices to the internet. Tethering the connection decreases your phone’s battery life and provides a slower connection.
You can only buy an eSIM card if you have an eSIM-compatible phone, so typically, only newer smartphones have this.
Cost
Airalo’s Lofotel eSIM costs $4.50 for 1GB over 7 days and $32 for 20GB over 30 days.
Ubigi offers 50GB for 30 days through the Telia network for $39.
Holafly offers unlimited data for $6 a day through their eSIM solution.
Data Roaming International Plan
International data roaming is the data service offered by your domestic network carrier. You can set this up before you go or contract data roaming when you land in Norway (not recommended).
Typically, this works through a partner network, which means the connection is usually slower and less reliable.
Pros
Data roaming is quite easy to set up. You just need to contact your mobile network carrier. This can usually be done by phone, text, or even through a network’s app or website.
Cons
Not only are the connections usually slower than what domestic users enjoy, but data roaming can also be costly and unreliable.
Cost
The cost of data roaming depends on your network carrier. For unplanned data roaming, some networks charge frankly disgusting rates, with some travelers returning home to a bill in the thousands.
Use Free WiFi
Without any other data connection, you can always check with local businesses and public spaces to see if there is a free public WiFI network available.
Simply open the WiFi options on your smartphone or WiFi-enabled device to connect.
Pros
The advantage of this is that this is the last port in a storm if you’re without an internet connection.
Similarly, an internet connection through public WiFi is free or at least the cost of some food or drink in a local business.
Cons
These network connections aren’t guaranteed to be quick or reliable. They’re also unavailable in rural areas or outside the public spaces or businesses offering them.
They’re also risky in terms of security. Unsecured networks can leave your sensitive data accessible to scammers. Some criminals even create fake networks to trick tourists into connecting to them.
Cost
These networks cost nothing, but specific requirements may exist before you can connect. In some cases, you may be asked to provide an email address for a mailing list.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your Norway Trip
So, how should you choose to connect to the Internet on your trip to Norway? Every trip and every group is different, but here’s what you should think about.
Usage
The type of internet use is also worth considering. Business users will not have the same requirements as those traveling to Norway for a vacation.
A 4G connection is good enough for most users (Norway turned off its 3G connections). Business users or those wanting to make video calls or send large files may prefer a 5G connection.
Data Limit
Don’t pay for data you won’t need. Check your phone’s settings to see how much mobile and WiFi data you normally use.
Remember, you may use a lot more data when traveling as your everyday usage will be different, especially if you’re constantly using maps, watching many videos, or using your devices differently than you’d typically.
Rental Duration
The cost of these connection types varies according to how long you need them. When comparing the different options, make sure you find the exact amount you’ll pay for the number of days you’ll use them.
Pocket WiFi tends to get cheaper the longer you rent it. However, with some SIM and eSIM cards having setup fees, it mightn’t be worth it for very short trips.
Connectivity
With places like the Lofoten Islands being a haven for hiking, the quality of your connection might be essential if you’re looking to head away from cities and areas with excellent coverage.
Pocket WiFi offers the fastest and stablest connections, which is useful away from urban areas.
