UKC

rjukan norway 2011

I’m just planning a trip to Rjukan Norway in Feb 2011. Looking for any tips on travel, accommodation hint's and tips?

In reply to Glen Staniforth: watchout for rioters with axes. dangerous business

In reply to naffan: abit silly comment dont u think considering the troubles going on

In reply to Glen Staniforth:
Main tip would be not to change anything when you go back in time, you don't know what consequences it could have in the future!!



Sorry...

In reply to Glen Staniforth: check which week the ice festival is on. Depending if you want to be there when its on (busier but climbing workshops etc) or youd rather it was a bit quieter.

In reply to a crap climber: good spot!

In reply to Glen Staniforth:
Go to the swimming pool. They have a timer on the slide so you can have competitions. Genius.

In reply to Glen Staniforth: There was a thread on here a while back about funding a trip to Rjukan by driving out with a van full of beer, I dont know if anybody has tried it though.

In reply to Glen Staniforth: A few tips:

1. Look for flights with Norwegian.com (I fly from Edinburgh but they fly from other UK airports) to Oslo Gardermoen, great baggage allowance (20Kg with an additional 20Kg for a very small extra charge)and a lot nicer than Ryanair who fly to Oslo Sandefjord (which is like flying to London Oxford) and the airport is tiny. Overall Norwegian work out a lot cheaper than Ryanair - this February I paid £110 return compared to a total of £170 that Ryanair would charge to fly from Prestwick and the latter flight allowed less baggage. Ryan air also fly to Oslo Rygga but that is quite a way to the East of Oslo thus making a longer drive to Rjukan. Allow 3.5 hours for the dive to rjukan, it isn't that far (150Km) but norwegian roads are not always good and you will have (hopefully) snow and ice on the road.

2. I stay at Rjukan Gjestegard Hostel in the centre of town, about £30 per night including an as much as you can eat breakfast (and they provide poly bags so you can make up your lunch from the breakfast table (typical scandinavian breakfast - meat, bread, cheese, fish, eggs salad, cereal, jam etc etc)

3. Food prices in the local supermarket are OK

4. Beer and wine is extortionately expensive and most has to be bought from the state controlled off licence.

5. Take your duty free booze allowance with you, as you are travelling outside the EU you can take a litre of spirits and it usually costs a few bob more than a 750ml bottle which is the allowance in the EU.

6. Shop around for hire car prices, they are expensive but I saved £100 for a car equivalent to that hired by some of my friends.

Hope these points help.

In reply to The Outlaw Josey Wales: Next year the festival is the last weekend of Feb.

In reply to Trevor Langhorne: Just managed to get BA flights from Heathrow to Oslo for £48 each way all in. 23kgs of baggage.

In reply to smuffy:

That's a good deal and slightly less than Norwegian, my £110 included two hold bags each of up to 20Kg, for one bag it would have been £94. Wish I wasgoing again this winter but having an injury enforced lay off until March (ish) due to shoulder op.

In reply to Trevor Langhorne: Great very helpfull thank you. G

In reply to Glen Staniforth: I took a Ryanair flight from Liverpool last year, £100 return flight including the extra for a 20kg bag. We stayed in the Climb Inn, which was more expensive than some other places but the meals were excellent and you can gear up on the doorstep and walk to the vemork bridge area in 5 mins and the upper valley in 10 - 15 mins. I'd definately stay again, you don't have to worry about cooking and you can fill flasks and make a packed dinner at breakfast.

Hire cars are expensive, think ours cost £330 for 8 days so if you can go as a 4 it would work out better.

If you're thinking of self catering then it might be worth staying at the ski centre end of the valley, as you will see the sun then! Rjukan town doesn't see direct sun until Apr sometime.

Don't bother drinking out there it costs a fortune. If you forget any gear there are a couple of outdoor shops in the town centre, if you keep receipts you can claim back tax at the airport (I didn't do this but got told about it).

I'm going again this year around Feb time too.

Col.

In reply to Glen Staniforth: Try climbing at least one route in the upper gorge it could possibly the most amazing atmospheric place I have ever climbed in. The burger van opposite the main hotel is great but expensive. On a friday there is a crazy Karaoke on at that hotel, no-one gets there before midnight, all the local go, it is v expensive but you will def be invited back to party at someones place after, where drinks will be free

In reply to deepstar:

Might be fun, if they stop you at the border.. as you're only allowed to bring 2 liters per person. For the rest, you'll need to pay (hefty) taxes.