norway travel disruption

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Travel news, update: travel disruption in norway eases as rail services return to normal.

Travel across Norway is returning to normal after more than a week of heavy disruption. Major roads have reopened and train travel has mostly returned to normal.

Most major roads in Norway have reopened following flooding and landslides last week. Extreme weather cut off east and west Norway from each other, and all major roads between Oslo and Trondheim were closed for a period. 

The E16 Ringerike between Nes and Buttingsrud reopened on Sunday. The E16 is open the entire route between Hønefoss and Bergen. The E6 between Oslo and Trondheim is open. Heavy vehicles have been asked to drive the Østerdalen route. 

Norwegian National Road 4 reopened on Saturday. National Highway 15 from Otta to Strynefjellet has reopened, making journeys between east and west Norway possible. 

Several various diversions are in operation on Norway’s major roads. Anyone planning their journey should check for diversions on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s website. 

Due to the collapse of Randklev Birdge traffic on the Dovre line will be disrupted for the foreseeable future. 

The collapse of Randklev Bridge means that trains cannot get to Dombås via the Dovre railway. Dombås station is the starting point of the Rauma railway. The Dovre line between Hunderfossen and Dombås is closed for traffic with no forecasted open date.

Sj Nord runs train traffic connecting central and southeastern Norway. Until September 1st, the 5:54 am departure between Trondheim S and Dombås has been cancelled, with no alternative transport from Trondheim to Dombås arranged.

There will, however, be a bus for train replacement between Dombås and Lillehammer. From Lillehammer to Oslo S, a train will be in operation. The 08:17 am, 1:38 pm and 3:23 pm departures will have a bus for train replacement between Trondheim and Lillehammer. From Lillehammer, a train will run to Oslo.

The 10:18 am departure will instead leave at 9:22 am and use the Røros line to get to Oslo. The train will have no premium seats and no café cart. The night train will be cancelled with no alternative transportation.

From Oslo S to Trondheim, the 8:02 am, 2:02 pm and 4:02 pm departures will be serviced by a train to Lillehammer and then a bus to Trondheim. The 1:02 pm departure will use the Røros line to get to Trondheim. The evening departures are cancelled with no alternative transport.

The remaining weekends throughout August will be marked by changes to the schedule. More information can be found on the website of SJ Nord .

The Rauma and Røros line are open. The Røros line will have additional Trondheim/ Oslo services in operation. 

Trains on the Nordland line, Saltenpendelen line, Trønder line and Meråker line are all fully operational. 

Delays are expected on the Gardermoen line due to fewer tracks being in operation at Eidsvoll. This may affect the RE10, RE11 and R12 trains. 

The Bergen line has reopened for normal traffic. 

The Gjøvik line between Oslo and Gjøvik is closed due to planned works and will reopen on August 21st. 

Member comments

Reader question: what will ees mean for foreigners living in europe.

The EU's new Entry & Exit System (EES) of enhanced passport controls is due to come into force later this year, but among many questions that remain is the situation for non-EU nationals who live in the EU or Schengen zone.

Currently scheduled to start in autumn 2024 (unless it’s delayed again, which is not unlikely) the EU’s new Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check at external EU borders, including a facial scan and fingerprinting.

You can find a full explanation of the new system HERE .

Travellers crossing an external EU or Schengen border for the first time will be required to complete EES ‘pre-registration’ formalities including that facial scan and fingerprinting.

There are, however, several groups exempt from EES and one of them is non-EU nationals who have a residency permit or long-stay visa for an EU country.

So if you’re a foreigner living in the EU or Schengen zone, here’s what you need to know.

One of the stated aims of EES is to tighten up enforcement of over-staying – IE, people who stay longer than 90 days in every 180 without a visa, or those who overstay the limits of their visa.

Obviously these limits do not apply to non-EU nationals who are resident in the EU or Schengen zone, which is why this group is exempt from EES checks. They will instead be required to show their passport and residency permit/visa when crossing a border, just as they do now.

In its explanations of how EES will work, the European Commission is clear – exempt groups include non-EU residents of the Bloc.

A Commission spokesman told The Local: “Non-EU citizens residing in the EU are not in the scope of the EES and will not be subject to pre-enrollment of data in the EES via self-service systems. The use of automation remains under the responsibility of the Member States and its availability in border crossing points is not mandatory.

“When crossing the borders, holders of EU residence permits should be able to present to the border authorities their valid travel documents and residence permits.”

How this will work

How this will work on the ground, however, is a lot less clear.

Most ports/airports/terminals have two passport queues – EU and non-EU. It remains unclear whether the non-EU queue will have a separate section for those who are exempt from EES.

It does seem clear that exempt groups will not be able to use the automated passport scanners – since those cannot scan additional documents like residency permits – but should instead use manned passport booths. However it is not clear whether these will be available at all airports/ports/terminals or how non-EU residents of the EU will be directed to those services.

There’s also the issue that individual border guards are not always clear on the processes and rules for non-EU residents of the EU – even under the current system it’s relatively commonly for EU residents to have their passports incorrectly stamped or be given incorrect information about passport stamping by border guards.

Brits in particular will remember the immediate post-Brexit period when the processes as described by the EU and national authorities frequently did not match what was happening on the ground.

The Local will continue to try and get answers on these questions. 

READ ALSO What will EES mean for dual nationals

What if I live in the EU but I don’t have a visa/residency permit?

For most non-EU citizens, having either a visa or a residency permit is obligatory in order to be legally resident.

However, there is one exception: UK citizens who were legally resident in the EU prior to the end of the Brexit transition period and who live in one of the “declaratory” countries where getting a post-Brexit residency card was optional, rather than compulsory. Declaratory countries include Germany and Italy.

Although it is legal for people in this situation to live in those countries without a residency permit, authorities already advise people to get one in order to avoid confusion/hassle/delays at the border. Although EES does not change any rules relating to residency or travel, it seems likely that it will be more hassle to travel without a residency card than it is now.

Our advice? Things are going to be chaotic enough, getting a residency permit seems likely to save you a considerable amount of hassle.

Although residents of the EU do not need to complete EES formalities, they will be affected if the new system causes long queues or delays at the border.

Several countries have expressed worries about this, with the UK-France border a particular cause for concern.

READ ALSO Travellers could face ’14 hours queues’ at UK-France border

Where does it apply?

EES is about external EU/Schengen borders, so does not apply if you are travelling within the Schengen zone – eg taking the train from France to Germany or flying from Spain to Sweden.

Ireland and Cyprus, despite being in the EU, are not in the Schengen zone so will not be using EES, they will continue to stamp passports manually.

Norway, Switzerland and Iceland – countries that are in the Schengen zone but not in the EU – will be using EES.

The full list of countries using EES is: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Therefore a journey between any of the countries listed above will not be covered by EES.

However a journey in or out of any of those countries from a country not listed above will be covered by EES.

You can find our full Q&A on EES HERE .

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Update April 12, 2024

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Norway Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 26, 2023, norway - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. 

Exercise normal precautions in Norway.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Norway.  

If you decide to travel to Norway:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive travel alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Norway.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Travel Advisory Levels

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Norway travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: April 22, 2024 07:19 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, norway - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in Norway

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Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs, particularly during the tourism season, from May to September.

Thieves work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings.

They are especially active in crowded areas, such as:

• airports, train stations and public transportation facilities, including Oslo’s Central (railway) Station
• hotel lobbies
• restaurants, patios and outdoor cafés
• tourist attractions

Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Violent crime

Violent crime is uncommon, but gang-related violence may occur in certain areas.

While tourists are not specifically targeted, you could find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, particularly after dark.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. When using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention if other people are handling your cards
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements
• never save your debit or credit card’s details in unknown laptops or electronic devices

Overseas fraud

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant during:

• religious holidays
• public celebrations
• major political events, such as elections

Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks.

The Government of Norway maintains a public alert system on terrorism. Local authorities publish threat level changes online and through local media.

Threat assessment - Norwegian Police Security Service (in Norwegian)

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur from time to time. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Adventure and Arctic tourism

Adventure tourism may lead to serious safety concerns if not well-organized. Weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.

In winter, heavy snowfall can make it difficult to reach certain areas. Roads may become impassable. There is also a risk of avalanches, some of which can be fatal.

If you undertake adventure tourism, such as trekking, glacier climbing or skiing, especially in the Arctic regions and remote areas of Norway:

• never do so alone
• obtain detailed information on each activity before setting out
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• don’t venture off marked trails
• ensure that you’re properly equipped
• carry a cellphone or a GPS that can generate your position in case of emergency
• ensure that you’re well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary

Svalbard archipelago

The presence of polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago may put your safety at high risk.

Do not venture outside of the settlements without a guide and proper equipment.

Useful links

• Need to know about Norwegian outdoors - Norwegian Trekking Association
• Safety first - Visit Norway
• Weather warnings - Norwegian Meteorological Institute
• Avalanches warnings - Norwegian Avalanche Warning Service
• Safety in Svalbard - Visit Svalbard

Cruise ship travel

Unpredictable weather in Norway may disrupt cruise ship travel and lead to rough seas, cancellation, delays and itinerary changes without notice. Rescue operations may also be very limited in remote areas, particularly in Nordic regions and Svalbard.

If you decide to take a cruise in Norway:

• choose a well-established and reputable cruise company
• ensure that your travel insurance covers cruise ship travel and includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation

Advice for Cruise Travellers

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are good.

Some roads may be narrow, hazardous and impassable in winter, particularly in northern areas.

Road accidents involving wildlife are common.

Be particularly vigilant if driving at night.

Public transportation

Public transportation services are efficient and reliable.

Trains and buses

Norway has an extensive railway network that connects main cities. Oslo also has a metro.

Most cities have good public bus systems. Long-distance bus lines are also available.

Taxis are widely available but may be expensive.

Use only officially marked taxis, particularly in Oslo.

There are daily ferry connections with Denmark, Sweden and Germany.

Getting around Norway - Visit Norway

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Norwegian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

• Schengen area

Norway is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Temporary border controls

The Norwegian government has reintroduced internal border controls at certain ports of entry.

You may need to pass through immigration controls when entering Norway, even if arriving from another Schengen area country.

Vehicles with Russian license plates

Since October 2023, Norway has enforced an entry ban on vehicles registered in Russia with nine or fewer seats. This restriction is currently in place at the border and mirrors existing European Union sanctions against the Russian Federation.

Vehicles registered in Russia carrying Russian license plates will be refused entry into Norway.

Norway is tightening its restrictive measures against Russia  – Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

While Svalbard is a Norwegian territory, it’s not part of the Schengen area.

You must have a valid passport to enter Svalbard and meet Schengen area entry regulations when returning to Norway’s mainland.

Entry and residence  - Governor of Svalbard

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period Business visa: not required Work visa: required Student visa: not required for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk  during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.

Protect yourself from tick bites . The vaccine is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Health care is excellent. Services are available throughout the country. However, access to emergency medical assistance may be very limited in Arctic and remote regions.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Norway are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Norway to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Norway authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect prison sentences, heavy fines and deportation.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Norway.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Norway, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Norway.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Norway, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Norwegian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Norway to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

You can drive in Norway with your Canadian driver’s licence for up to 3 months.

You should carry an international driving permit.

You must keep headlights on at all times.

Drinking and driving

Penalties for drinking and driving are severe.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02%. Roadside checks for alcohol are frequent, and submission to a breathalyzer test is mandatory.

Congestion charges and low-emission zones

Certain cities, including Oslo, have put in place toll charges and low-emission zones to reduce traffic and air pollution.

Make sure you are aware of the regulation in effect.

• Driving in Norway - European Commission
• Norwegian traffic rules - The Norwegian Public Roads Administration
• International Driving Permit

The currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone (NOK).

If you are carrying NOK 25,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave Norway. This includes sums in:

• money orders
• traveller’s cheques
• any other convertible assets

Norway is prone to severe weather. The climate can be unpredictable at any time of year.

Monitor weather reports closely.

Weather forecasts and warnings - Norwegian Meteorological Institute

Flooding and landslides

Heavy rains, particularly in spring and summer, can cause severe flooding and landslides. Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged.

• Exercise caution, particularly in areas around major rivers and coastline
• Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• Follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Forest fires may occur, particularly during the summer months.

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation
• follow the advice of local authorities

There is a risk of avalanches in mountainous regions, especially following heavy snowfalls. Some of them can be fatal.

• Monitor the latest warnings
• Download and consult the Varsom app

Avalanches warnings - Norwegian Avalanche Warning Service (Varsom)

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 112
• medical assistance: 113
• firefighters: 110

Consular assistance

Please call before visiting the consulate.

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Norway, in Oslo, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

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Travel disruptions in Europe

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It's important to know if there are disruptions or planned works on the tracks and stations that may affect your travel plans. Some railway companies offer dedicated pages with updates and detailed maps. Below you can find the details, per country. A few railway companies only offer this information in their own language. We've also included those links, as you may want to use a browser translation plugin to read the updates.

We do our best to keep the information on this page accurate and up-to-date. However, we cannot influence train disruptions or strikes, and there are occasions when a trade union cancels a planned strike action at the last minute without our knowledge.

Ongoing strikes & disruptions

The British national locomotive driver's union ASLEF has announced a nationwide rail strike from 6–11 May that may impact rail services across the UK. As different train operators are striking on different dates, please have a look at the strike announcement on the National Rail Website for detailed information. 

In addition, the train operators will have an overtime ban from 6–11 May that may result in changes to train schedules. We recommend checking the National Rail timetable shortly before departing for your planned rail journey for up-to-date train times. 

Delay compensation: Eurail travelers with an activated day for any of the affected dates can request compensation here .

Long-term strikes & disruptions

BDZ, the Bulgarian national railway company, has announced that construction works at Sofia Central will start from 7 May 2024 and are expected to last for 15 months until August 2025, impacting the flow of traffic through the station. You can expect the following changes in traffic movement at Sofia Central:

• For trains leaving/arriving at Sofia Sever, the BDZ have arranged special replacement trains which will do the transfer from Sofia Sever to Sofia Central. These trains will depart/arrive on platform 6, track 13.
• All trains coming from Northern Bulgaria will stop at Sofia Sever(North).
• Trams 1, 3, 7, and 27 will change their routes to accommodate traffic, with trams 27 and 3 continuing to Sofia Sever as their last stop.
• Bus line 413 will also continue to Sofia Sever.

For more details about the construction works and the impact on Bulgarian public transport systems, please read the  BDZ announcement  (only in Bulgarian). The  BDZ timetable  is also expected to be updated by the end of April 2024, so please plan your rail journey accordingly.

The national railway carrier of Norway, VY, has announced that the rail route between Narvik in Norway and Abisko in Sweden is disrupted due to a previous derailment in Vassijaure in Sweden since December 2023.

The Swedish Transport Administration's latest forecast is that the track will not open for passenger traffic between Björnfjell – Björkliden at least until June. For details about replacement buses on the full route between Narvik – Björnfjell – Björkliden – Abisko and further, please read the  VY disruption announcement .

We recommend checking  our timetable  to plan your train journeys accordingly. 

Trenitalia, the Italian national rail carrier, has announced that traffic is suspended between Benevento and Ariano Irpino in Italy from 12 March due to a technical problem to the line caused by a landslide. High-speed and Intercity trains may experience route restrictions, cancellations, and bus substitutions on the affected routes with significant delays. 

The main routes affected are:

• Milan – Lecce
• Rome – Bari
• Naples – Bari 

For the details on the routes disrupted and the bus substitutions offered, please read the Trentitalia traffic announcement  (only in Italian). The carrier also recommends rescheduling your trip accordingly, if needed. Please check Trenitalia's timetable for up-to-date train times before departing for your planned journey. 

The technicians are working on the site to allow the regular resumption of circulation and traffic is forecasted to be restored in 30 days or as soon as safety conditions are guaranteed.

The French national railways has announced that rail traffic between Modane and St-Michel-Valloire will be disrupted for the time being due to a landslide that was reported in the French Alps on 27th August. This would impact train journeys on the route between Paris – Turin – Milan for the next several months. Read more about it on the  SNCF website .

From 10th January, TGV trains will operate between Paris to Milan with a replacement bus from St Jean de Maurienne to Oulx after which passengers can continue their journey to Milan by train. The travel schedule including the replacement bus service with a slightly longer travel time will be updated on the  Eurail Timetable  and can also be found on the  SNCF timetable . Your reservations will be valid for the whole route, including the replacement bus service. For more information, see this  SNCF document .

If you're planning to travel on the impacted route before 10th January, we recommend using an alternative route via Zurich. Please note that the route from Paris – Zurich – Milan is currently facing a delay due to the closure of the Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland (check post below for more information). Please make sure to check the  SBB timetable  shortly before departure of your planned journeys for up-to-date information.

The Swiss National Railways has announced that a freight train derailment on 10th August in the Gotthard Base Tunnel located on the route between Zurich to Milan has caused severe track damage. SBB expects that the tunnel will only be available for passenger train travel from September 2024. 

As a result, the direct international Eurocity train will now take the scenic route across the mountains instead of the tunnel, resulting in 1 hour longer travel times. For this reason, SBB recommends catching a 1-hour earlier train from Zurich/Basel so as to not miss any further connecting trains:

• Eurocity Zurich/Basel – Milan

For all other international and domestic connections, there are direct trains every 30 minutes from Zurich to Lugano taking the scenic route instead of the tunnel. In Lugano or Chiasso, one can change trains for destinations such as Como and Milan. In addition, many local Trenord trains run from Lugano and Chiasso into Italy without requiring any seat reservations.

If you happened to miss your connecting train because of this disruption, please get a new seat reservation arranged locally at a train station in Lugano, Chiasso, or Italy.

Check the  SBB timetable  for the most up-to-date traffic information. The Eurail timetable is up to date, but does not have real-time traffic information for last minute updates.

Due to Storm Hans on the 23rd of August, the main railway line between Oslo and Trondheim is still closed. In short, a bridge collapsed between Lillehammer and Dombås; therefore, normal traffic will not resume for the foreseeable future.

Some trains have been rerouted, affecting multiple railway lines, and replacement buses are servicing other routes. 

Check out the temporary timetable that will be in place until the 9th of December. For detailed information, please check  SJ Norge  and  Entur's website .

Please know that our timetable is up-to-date with static train times, but we advise you to check SJ Norge or Entur for real-time information.

More information per country

Every country's national railway carrier maintains its own train disruptions page. Down below you will find an overview of all this information per country including the respective hyperlinks. Be aware that a number of these pages are only available in the country’s native language.

You can check the ongoing and planned works on the Austrian railway network via this page . Additionally, you can consult this map to see the current situation on the tracks. 

This page  contains information on all the ongoing track disruptions and  engineering works  in Belgium. 

Bosnia-Herzegovina

You can follow updates of the Bosnian railway network ZFBH via  this page .

Warning - disrupted international connections:

It is possible to travel between Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia with a seasonal train connecting Sarajevo and Ploče. This train runs only in the summer and during weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). 

Trains to Zagreb and other parts of Croatia are suspended until further notice.

International trains between Bosnia Herzegovina and Serbia are suspended until further notice. It is possible to travel to/from Bosnia Herzegovina to Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia by international bus. The tickets for such bus journeys are not covered by the Pass. 

You can check live updates on the Bulgarian rail network BDZ on this page .

International connections from Bulgaria to Greece and Serbia are suspended until further notice.

The Sofia - Istanbul connection has resumed circulation on the 25th of April, 2022. 

There are different international buses connecting Bulgaria to neighbouring countries. Please notice these buses are not included in the Pass. 

You can find the details of all planned and ongoing railway works by Croatia's national railway company HZ on  this page .

It is possible to travel between Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina with a seasonal train connecting Ploče and Sarajevo. This train runs only during weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) between July 1st and September 11th.

Trains from Zagreb and other parts of Croatia to Bosnia Herzegovina are suspended until further notice.

Unfortunately, international trains connecting Croatia to Bosnia and Serbia are suspended until further notice. The available international buses serving these routes are not covered by the Pass. 

Czech Republic

You can find details about both domestic and international disruptions affecting the Czech rail network on  this page . Unfortunately, this information is only available in Czech; we recommend contacting the Czech railways for more details if you're planning to travel on any of the affected routes.  

You can find details about both domestic and international disruptions on  this page . Unfortunately, this information is only available in Danish.

You can check live updates on train times and replacement buses of the Estonian railway network (Elron) via  this page .

When travelling between Estonia and Latvia by rail, it is necessary to change trains at the Valga border station. It is advised to check the timetables of both the Estonian and the Latvian Railways.

You can check the latest updates on the Finnish rail network via this page of their website.

You can find details about both domestic and international disruptions on  this page on the SNCF website . This information is only available in French.

The extensive German rail network is under constant maintenance and expansion. The German national railway company, Deutsche Bahn (DB), dedicates an entire section of their website to delays, track works and passenger rights. Unfortunately, this information is only available in German – for the maintenance/engineering works, you can check this page , while their online timetables have real-time updates on train delays/cancellations.

Great Britain

The National Rail website contains up to date information shared by the British railway companies. On this page you can see updates about current and future/planned disruptions and traffic status in general.

For the latest updates on  Eurostar trains and services, you can check  this page .

You can follow updates on domestic railway lines of the Greek rail network by TrainOSE via  this page .

Warning – disrupted international connections:

International train connections from Greece to Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Turkey are suspended until further notice.

You can still use a Global pass or a Greek Islands Pass to travel between Greece and Italy. More information can be found here . 

Another option is to travel by international buses. The tickets for such bus journeys are not covered by the Pass. 

Finally, Pass holders are entitled to a discount when traveling with some of our benefits partners on alternative ferry routes.  

Some of the Hungarian rail network, both international and domestic, is or will be affected by minor works on the tracks, which may cause some trains to run on modified schedules. The Hungarian railways share the details on this page  (only in Hungarian).

Because of construction works, direct international trains between Budapest and Belgrade are currently suspended until further notice. The alternative route is via Szeged, Subotica, and Novi Sad. Find timetables for trains in Serbia  here  and trains from Hungary to Subotica in our online timetable.

Tips for using the timetable of Srbijavoz , the national railway company of Serbia:

• Belgrade is spelled as Beograd
• Search for journeys from Novi Sad to Beograd and from Subotica to Novi Sad separately on the timetable

The Irish railway company (Irish Rail) shares updates about their planned engineering works and affected schedules on this page of their website . 

While detailed information is only available in Italian, you can still check if your travel plans may be affected by planned works: on  this page  you can find an overview per railway line and per region and on  this page , you can search for disruptions using either start and end dates and/or the region in which you will be traveling. 

You can follow updates by the Latvian railways via  this page . 

When traveling between Latvia and Estonia by rail, it is necessary to change trains at the Valga border station. It is advised to check the timetables of both the Latvian and Estonian Railways.

• Latvia – Germany: Liepaja - Travemunde ( Stena line , up to 30% discount)
• Latvia – Sweden: Riga - Stockholm ( Tallink Silja Oy Ferries , 20-50% discount)  

Pass holders are entitled to a discount on Lux Express buses, one of our benefit partners . 

You can check the timetables and updates of the Lithuanian railway company LTG on this page . 

You can check international timetables and updates of the Montenegrin railways ŽPCG on this page .

Netherlands

The Dutch railway company (NS) shares up-to-date information about current disruptions and planned engineering and maintenance work  on their lines via their website. 

North Macedonia

All international traffic to and from North Macedonia is suspended until further notice. Unfortunately, no alternative options offer discounts to pass holders at the moment. 

To see up-to-date information regarding current and planned work on the Norwegian railways, check this page of the official website of the Norwegian rail network owner (Bane NOR).

The Polish railway company (PKP Intercity) shares up-to-date information about current and planned disruptions on this page of their website. 

Comboios de Portugal (CP), the Portuguese national railway company, shares information on traffic changes and other news regarding train travel in Portugal through this page of their website.

Train traffic between Portugal and Spain is currently limited to the following options: 

• Porto - Vigo (two departures daily)
• Lisboa - Badajoz (which requires a change of trains in Entroncamento)

You can check timetables and updates by the Serbian railway company ŽS on this page . 

International connections between Serbia and the above countries are currently suspended until further notice. There are international buses connecting Serbia to these neighbouring countries (unfortunately, not covered or discounted for Pass holders). 

Tips for using the  timetable of Srbijavoz , the national railway company of Serbia:

You can see updates about current train delays or cancellations in Slovenia  via the official website of the SZ (in Slovenian only).

RENFE, the Spanish national railway company, dedicates this page (unfortunately not available in English) of their website to notices about disruptions and planned works. 

Warning - limited international connections:

Train traffic between Spain and Portugal is currently limited to the following options: 

• Vigo - Porto (two departures daily)
• Badajoz - Lisboa (which requires a change of trains in Entroncamento)

There are several instances of track maintenance and engineering works planned by the Swedish national railways (SJ). On  this page  of their website you can find detailed information about current and upcoming track works.

Switzerland

SBB, the Swiss national railway company, shares all the latest updates on operations, disruptions, and delays affecting their rail network on this page of their website.

You can check the disruption updates by the Turkish railways (TCDD) via this page .

Warning - potential disruptions due to the February 2023 earthquakes

Due to the devastating impact of the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, we advise you to travel with caution if you intend to use your Eurail Pass to travel to central or southern Turkey on TCDD’s rail network for the foreseeable future. 

General information

In Turkey, the central-southern part of the country was the worst hit. It is believed that a total of 1275 km of railway lines were seriously affected by the earthquake in the Kahramanmaraş region of central Turkey, including damage to 446 bridges, 6161 culverts, and 175 tunnels. 

The railway track was twisted and damaged, particularly on the Toprakkale - Narlı, Narlı - Malatya, and Narlı - Gaziantep sections of the network, while ten substations providing electric power for rail lines are out of action. In addition, there are reports that part of the 25.5km Gaziray suburban commuter railway had collapsed.

The Istanbul - Sofia night train runs daily in both directions. During summer season, a daily night train also connects Istanbul with Bucharest.

International connections between Turkey and Greece are currently suspended until further notice.

There are international buses connecting Turkey to Greece. Unfortunately, these buses are not covered or discounted for Pass holders. 

Change of currency

You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.

Europe's ongoing strike-related travel disruptions

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Before you travel

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Technical Glitch Shuts Down Part of Norway's Airspace

A technical failure in Norway caused the temporary closure of airspace over the southern part of the country, leading to significant delays at Oslo's airport, one of Scandinavia's busiest aviation hubs. The incident disrupted air traffic for over three hours, affecting flights across Europe.

Sanctioned Russian Ship Connected to North Korean Arms Transfers Docked in China

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Technical Glitch at Oslo Control Center

Avinor, the state-owned company that operates most of Norway's civilian airports, announced that a technical error at the Oslo control center was the cause of the airspace closure. This failure led to a significant restriction in air traffic over southern Norway.

Following the disruption, air traffic was gradually restored, but Avinor indicated that delays would persist throughout the day. Priority was given to long-haul flights to minimize the impact on international travel.

"It will be a long time before we are fully back to normal," Avinor spokesperson Katrin Fuglesang Framholt told the Norwegian news outlet NTB .

Impact on European Air Traffic

The airspace closure in Norway comes at a time when European air traffic is already experiencing disruptions.

A planned strike by French air traffic control workers has contributed to delays and cancellations across much of Europe. This follows a recent incident at Chisinau airport in Moldova, where a bomb threat led to the evacuation of passengers and staff from the airport building.

Portugal's Strategic U-Turn on Ukraine Under New Prime Minister

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Departures On Norway’s Bergen Line Railway May Be Cut

Train operator Vy has announced plans to cut the number of daily departures on Norway's world-famous Oslo to Bergen railway.

It's certainly the most famous railway trip in Norway, and one of the most famous in all of Europe. Popular with tourists, the Bergen line (Bergensbanen) also plays an important role for locals travelling between Norway's two biggest cities.

But now train operator Vy wants to cut the number of daily departures on the Bergen line railway from six to just four. Environmental campaigners and regular users of the line are among those unhappy.

One of the most famous railway lines in Europe

The Bergen line railway is a critical part of Norway's transport infrastructure. A popular way for people who prefer not to fly to travel between Oslo and Bergen , the railway has also become a major tourist attraction in recent years.

Often named as one of the world's most beautiful rail journeys, the Bergen line soars high over the Hardangervidda mountain plateau as it travels between Norway's two biggest cities.

The route competes with one of Europe's busiest air routes. There are about 18 flights per day between Oslo and Bergen.

While train passenger numbers are relatively low outside of the high tourist season, tourists do use the route year-round.

Two daily departures could be cut

Despite the route's fame, Vy now wants to cut the number of daily departures from six to four. Their justification is that travel habits of train passengers changed during the pandemic, and the passenger base is no longer the same.

“We envision that we will gradually increase to the level we had before the pandemic, but the foundation is not there yet,” said Åge-Christoffer Lundeby, Vy communications manager, to NRK .

Vy increased the number of departures when they took over the route in 2019 following Norway's comprehensive railway reform.

Less trains will see more people fly

Fewer train departures to choose from will likely result in more people choosing to fly. That's the verdict of environmental campaigners, who are calling for investments, not cuts, in Norwegian trains.

Holger Schlaupitz of Friends of the Earth Norway said making cuts to train travel in Norway is the opposite of what we need: “Now there is a need to cut air traffic to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

According to Schlaupitz, both Oslo and Bergen airports have many travellers despite the travel disruption of recent years. During 2021, just under 2 million people traveled by plane between the two cities.

Schlaupitz said this is a sign that there is a need for more train departures, not fewer: “It is actually time for Vy to invest, and try to get those passengers who may be on their way back to the plane, onto the train.”

Vy's Lundeby said it is more environmentally friendly to run a few departures with more passengers.

Final decision yet to be made

However, Vy may not get their way. The number of departures will be negotiated between Vy and the Norwegian Railway Directorate later this year.

That being said, the Norwegian Railway Directorate seem likely to agree with Vy, based on a comment from its communications director to NRK. The final decision should be made by September.

About David Nikel

Originally from the UK, David now lives in Trondheim and was the original founder of Life in Norway back in 2011. He now works as a professional writer on all things Scandinavia.

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1 thought on “Departures On Norway’s Bergen Line Railway May Be Cut”

That is a scandalous decision to make. Passengers use railways because the service runs and it’s affordable. If you don’t run trains, people won’t use them. Fewer trains means a less-flexible timetable and people need to be able to know they have a regular service. The Norwegian Government should not allow this reduction to take place based on a profit-driven service. The UK is far from perfect with its railway system but standards and levels of service are set out as minimums before private companies are allowed to take over a franchise operation. The Norwegian government should insist on a minimum of six departures per day – possibly even more if it can work on the single line.

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What Norway’s Home Guard can teach us about preparing for emergencies

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Elisabeth Braw

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The writer is adviser to Gallos Technologies, and author of ‘Goodbye Globalization’

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Norway has become one of the largest sources of oil and gas for both Britain and the EU. The fortunate circumstance that one of Europe’s own countries has enough energy to export to others is clouded by the fact that Russia is energetically scouting out Norway’s energy installations. But Norway has a solution to this troubling development too, and it’s one that other countries can learn from: involving locals in the protection of crucial energy infrastructure.

When Nord Stream 1 and 2 were blown up in September 2022, it was bad news not just for the pipelines’ owners but for European energy security too. Who sabotaged the two Nord Stream pipelines remains a mystery; Sweden and Denmark recently concluded their investigations without naming a perpetrator.

That may be because a nation state was most likely involved. Either way, the sabotage’s sophistication means that other crucial energy installations could be next. That puts Norway — and Europe — in jeopardy. Last year, the country accounted for 13.7 per cent of EU oil imports and 30.3 per cent of its gas imports, which gave it the top slot. The UK, too, imported more oil and gas from Norway than from almost anywhere else.

Norway reacted to Nord Stream by quickly calling up some 4,000 Home Guard members in the Bergen area, where the country’s energy production is concentrated. The Home Guard’s members are ordinary citizens who protect the homeland when the government needs them. Most of the 4,000 were assigned one-week turns protecting the energy installations. That happy medium between disruption and efficiency was crucial: imagine Home Guard members doing two months or one day each.

Norway’s experience matters, because the threats aren’t going away. Indeed, PST — the Norwegian Police Security Service, one of Norway’s intelligence agencies — warns in its 2024 report that in the past couple of years Norwegian energy installations have become a particular target of Russia. “We check who goes in and out at the installations, we keep surveillance of the area, we fly drones,” Lieutenant Colonel Christoffer Knutsen, who commands the Home Guard in the Bergen region, said. “Our tasks haven’t changed, but the intensity of the threats has.”

Because the Home Guard constantly trains its members, they knew how to operate drones and much else when called up to do so. “With its local knowledge and its network, planning and knowledge of objects, the Home Guard is well suited to contribute to securing infrastructure,” General Eirik Kristoffersen — Norway’s chief of defence, who has previously commanded the Home Guard and the army — told me. “The Home Guard has had this task for a long time, so it is only natural to use it when there is a need for guarding and security.” That task will be aided by the government’s plans to grow the Home Guard from about 40,000 to 45,000 members. 

Other countries can learn from Norway’s efforts. While few have Home Guards, all have residents who can be trained to keep an expert eye on nearby sensitive energy installations. “Emergency preparedness is not there and they, it is here and us,” two Norwegian politicians wrote in an op-ed this month. In liberal democracies, the government can’t be everywhere, all the time. At the same time, threats against crucial infrastructure and thus the functioning of modern economies are growing.

But locals know their surroundings better than anyone else. Imagine if residents of areas near energy installations in Britain, Germany or the US got the opportunity to volunteer as trained eyes. It would allow them to help keep their country safe without carrying a weapon or giving up their careers. It would be an activity far more meaningful than most pastimes, and it would come at minimal cost to the taxpayer. All you need to do is ask — and provide training. 

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International Edition

Top tech CFO says AI is no ‘blip or hype,’ it’s tech’s historic moment—and his numbers back that up

There’s a common narrative in the investment community that says the people who really made money during the gold rush weren’t the miners—but the entrepreneurs who sold miners the picks and shovels they needed to prospect. Investors who recount this tale often point to the story of California’s first millionaire, a businessman and newspaper publisher named​​ Samuel Brannan, who made the bulk of his fortune selling equipment and provisions to gold miners at a premium in the 1840s and ‘50s. Some will even bring up Levi Strauss , the German-born businessman who imported fine goods into San Francisco—including, of course, blue jeans. Strauss never spent a minute mining, but was certainly rewarded by the profits that came with the gold fever of his era. 

This ‘picks and shovels’ narrative undoubtedly has merit, and continues to inform investors’ decisions during modern day, more tech-focused ‘gold rushes’—but it’s also only part of the story. Although the first to profit from the gold rush were a few lucky miners and those who sold them provisions and equipment, the full impact of the boom of that era was widespread, and the profits were distributed globally. The gold rush helped finance the first transcontinental railroad, led to a “ green gold ” farming boom in California, accelerated industrialization, increased international trade, and spawned transportation and communication innovations .

The point is this: the true mark of a revolutionary discovery or innovation—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for investors and the global economy—is often its long-term network effects; positive secondary and tertiary impacts that come after the pick and shovel sellers have already made their money. This was true in the canal boom of the 18th century, and during the dot-com era of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. 

With this decade’s artificial-intelligence boom drawing comparisons with the gold rush, investors have been looking for evidence of these network effects for years as they try to separate hype from reality . Plenty of respectable studies and forecasts predict that AI can boost productivity, usher in an age of innovation, and even increase GDP over the long-term—but so far, only a few companies have really profited from the AI boom.

Tech giants like Nvidia and ASML that sell the picks and shovels of the AI revolution, the underlying technology that allows AI to operate, continue to outperform and seem on track to continue doing so. But on-the-ground evidence of AI’s supposed productivity-enhancing and economy-boosting impacts outside of these giants has been more subtle.

SAP SE could be one example of AI’s growing prominence, however. The Walldorff, Germany-based tech giant, which has roughly 108,000 employees and a market cap of $225 billion, is the world’s leading provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, essentially providing the back office engine for large businesses.

SAP’s ERP software, which is increasingly moving to the cloud, helps with supply chain management, accounting, human resources, expenses, and a number of other business operations. And as Ruane Cunniff LP, the investment advisor and distributor of Sequoia Fund, a major investor in SAP, explained in its annual letter to shareholders in January, “for multinational enterprises that make or move something in the physical world, SAP is just about the only game in town.”

Although SAP isn’t an AI company, and they aren’t selling picks and shovels that enable AI, they are benefiting from the rise of the technology, both indirectly and directly. In an interview with Fortune , SAP CFO’s Dominik Asam explained that the AI boom has helped drive growth at his company, and said he’s dedicated to using the technology to enhance productivity and cut costs in-house moving forward. 

When it comes to the questions over hype versus reality when it comes to AI, Asam is bullish too. “This is not like a blip or hype, but really one of the biggest, if not the biggest disruption in the technology industry,” he told Fortune.

An SAP case study: The incremental gains and potential pitfalls of AI

Cementing the cloud transition.

The first network benefit that can be seen at SAP which may provide evidence of the staying power of the AI boom is corporations’ transition to the cloud for ERP services. Asam said that AI has helped SAP transition many of its ERP customers from on-premises computing to cloud-based computing, which means considerable demand for the company’s cloud business. 

“AI is really converting the last skeptics we had from the journey from on-[premises] to cloud,” he told Fortune . “They understand we have to go to the cloud, they know that the on-prem model doesn’t work, given the velocity of innovation. They will be too slow, they will not be able to consume the most productive systems.”

The rapid pace of advancement in AI systems for ERP means companies need to be able to continually update their internal software, and that can’t be done on-site without serious costs, Asam said. In an interview with Fortune , UBS analyst Michael Briest backed up the idea that AI has been a “catalyst for the modernization” of many companies’ ERP software, benefitting SAP’s cloud ERP business. And SAP’s April 22 earnings report showed cloud revenue growth of 24% in the first quarter, and current cloud backlog (CCB) growth of 27%, the fastest on record. The CCB growth figure represents cloud revenue for the upcoming year for which clients have already signed contracts, and it is seen as a measure of underlying demand by analysts. 

New revenue opportunities

Although SAP isn’t a pure AI play, like many tech companies these days it’s added AI services to bolster revenues and keep customers from jumping to the competition. CEO Christian Klein announced SAP would invest $1.1 billion on its Business AI unit in January as a part of a business restructuring and offer more AI solutions for customers. 

The company now provides a range of AI products that can help with everything from the automation of tasks to tracking sales performance, customer insights, and more. SAP’s AI offerings will also help different lines of business—accounting and human resources, for example—better communicate to eliminate errors in operations like hiring, payroll, or employee retirements, according to Asam. “For instance, if an employee is leaving the company, you have to ensure that all access rights in the finance systems are automatically deleted, because otherwise you have a control failure and the auditor will come and say, ‘That guy could have manipulated the data,’” he explained, arguing AI will help prevent these issues. SAP even offers an “AI co-pilot” called Joule that will help sort through and explain data across its various applications. 

Asam argued that SAP’s customers—which, for reference, generate 87% of total global commerce —would need huge amounts of data in order to train AI models properly, and only a few key firms can provide that. But SAP has the consent of the “lion’s share” of its customers to use their data to train AI models, and that gives them a big opportunity to provide AI services in their software, according to the CFO. 

Still, SAP doesn’t yet break out its AI revenues into their own category, and its current AI offerings may not dramatically contribute to the top line in the near-term. UBS’ Briest argued that the Business AI unit is “a genuine opportunity,” but probably only for an “incremental” revenue increase in the near-term. 

“In my view today, this is more about pulling along the cloud migration. And of course, it helps customers decide to modernize. But is it a separate revenue item? We’ll see. I think more evidence is required,” he said.

Long-term, however, Asam is bullish about AI’s potential to lift SAP. “We are developing these [AI] processes as we speak. We have about 30 use cases now…another 100 will be developed for general market introduction throughout the end of this year. And overtime, we will ramp that,” he said. “So this will take some time until you will really see it inflect. But when it inflects, it can be very big.”

Productivity gains and margin expansion

SAP is also implementing AI internally in order to save costs and increase worker productivity, and those efforts were ramped up after its restructuring announcement. Asam said the ultimate goal is to use AI to help with “decoupling cost growth from growth in revenues” in coming years, becoming more productive without dramatically increasing employee headcount. “In some areas, we are replacing, frankly, human processing power with machine processing power, which is actually more scalable if you don’t have the kind of significant inflation increase every year,” he told Fortune .

Take the example of the travel and expense management service SAP Concur, where SAP has implemented an AI system that responds to expense requests. “That engine is basically replicating or replacing the work of what formerly has been done [by humans], where some people have been checking the travel and expense claims against the rules,” Asam explained. 

Employees currently make up 69% of SAP’s cost base, so a reduction in related costs due to AI could be beneficial. SAP’s CEO Christian Klein also highlighted multiple opportunities for using AI to save “triple digit millions” internally in the firm’s quarterly earnings call.

UBS’ Briest noted that AI’s ability to reduce labor costs could end up being important for the entire software industry as well. “When you look at the software industry, half the revenue pretty much walks out the door in salaries every night. That’s high relative to capital intensive industries as a percentage of revenue. And a lot of the talent is in these roles, sales, development, finance, and accounting, which will be transformed,” he said. 

For SAP, Briest argued that some of the labor cost reduction “will accrue to the bottom line because they have a very sticky product”—meaning customers are unlikely to transition to a competitor due to associated costs.

AI’s true impact on earnings is still to come

SAP’s recent performance and future plans provide evidence of AI’s ability to boost corporate revenues, reduce costs , and enhance productivity, but the true inflection point for the technology may still lie ahead. For SAP, UBS’ Briest warned that “competitors won’t stand still” as AI revenues rise. “There’s a wave of innovation, and startups will be attracted to your high profitability,” he said. “A lot of it will get competed away over time.”

But while that may not be great news for SAP, it is “probably good for the global economy,” Briest said. After all, more competition typically brings innovation, lower costs, and improved productivity.

Also, while there is already evidence of both direct and indirect positive impacts on SAP’s business, even Asam told Fortune that it will take more time for AI to boost earnings numbers in the way many eager investors are anticipating. Even when AI is driving hundreds of millions of dollars of savings or revenue growth, it would only amount to a tiny change to SAP’s bottom line, given the company’s size.

He expects AI’s impact, like many revolutions, won’t be felt too dramatically for some time—but then all at once. “Things are actually inflecting to something much bigger than what people ever thought,” he said.

Asam compared the rise of AI to the dot-com bubble, where investor enthusiasm for the internet drove some unprofitable tech stocks to insane heights before a crash, but ultimately the internet delivered the goods. “Today, that ecosystem is worth multiples of what people thought it would be worth back then. So I think this [AI] will follow a similar pattern,” Asam said. “This is why we at SAP are really fully betting on that.”

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