Paying by American Express in Norway?

Think of Amex in Norway as a secondary option. It will work at larger hotels and some restaurants but not for buses, ferries, or small eateries. ATMs across the country don’t support it. Budget NOK 600-1,000 daily for meals, activities, and transport - nearly all of which is easier with Visa/Mastercard. Carry a backup card and some cash for smaller places. Amex can stay in your wallet for emergencies, but it won’t give you a smooth travel experience in Norway.

Norway was frustrating with Amex. I assumed such a modern country would accept it everywhere, but smaller shops and public transport turned me down repeatedly. Even in Bergen, several cafés refused it. ATMs also rejected my card. I had to depend on Visa the whole time. For a trip costing over NOK 1,200 daily, Amex was almost useless. If you’re traveling Norway, don’t think Amex alone will cover your expenses. It’s fine for hotels but terrible for everyday spending.

I used Amex in Oslo for a hotel stay and a nice dinner by the harbor, no problems there. But when I tried using it at supermarkets like Rema 1000 or when buying metro tickets, it didn’t work. ATMs also didn’t connect. My Mastercard debit worked perfectly across the country, even up north in Tromsø. Norway isn’t cheap - expect NOK 700-1,000 daily for food and sightseeing - and Amex won’t always be accepted. Bring it along, but don’t rely on it for daily use.

Norway accepts cards almost everywhere, but American Express isn’t as common as Visa or Mastercard. Hotels, larger restaurants in Oslo, and some chain stores may take Amex, but smaller cafés, grocery stores, and transport often don’t. ATMs mostly support Visa/Mastercard. If you’re budgeting NOK 200-300 for a dinner or NOK 40 for a bus ride, expect to use another card. Amex works for upscale purchases, but daily Norwegian travel is smoother with Visa or Mastercard. Always carry a backup to avoid issues.