Major city · Norway
Tønsberg
Give Tønsberg one full day plus a night: Slottsfjellet tower and museum, the harbour, then a Viking site. Two nights if you want the islands.
Tønsberg is Norway's oldest town, on the Vestfoldbanen 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min from Oslo, and the country's biggest summer hangout for Oslo people. The sights are small and close: a castle hill with a tower and museum, a harbour full of boats, two Viking burial mounds and a Viking centre at Borre. It works as a one-night stop between Oslo and Sandefjord or Larvik, or as a two-night summer base with an island ferry.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NOK
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (warmest, boats and festivals); May and Sep for quiet sightseeing
- avoid Nov–Mar (short, grey days; many seasonal places shut)
- Airports
- TRF · OSL
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Norway ↗Norway is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Norway ↗Wine and spirits are sold only at the state Vinmonopolet shops; supermarkets sell beer, and not in the evenings or on Sundays.
- Norway ↗The right to roam (allemannsretten) lets you hike and camp on most uncultivated land, keeping a distance from homes and leaving no trace.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tønsberg112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tønsberg, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK, kr); the euro is not used.Norway-wide
- SIM or eSIMEEA roaming applies: EU and EEA SIMs work at home prices.Norway-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent; streams in the mountains are usually drinkable, but avoid water below farms and grazing.Norway-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Included; round up or add 5–10% for good service.Norway-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Norway-wide
- SafetyTønsberg is a low-risk town; the real issues are steep, wet paths on Slottsfjellet, dark water at the quay after drinking, and high bar bills.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree or card-paid (NOK 10–20 (≈ US$1–2)) in towns; trailheads often have pit toilets.Norway-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 113 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays out of season; small fjord-village hotels and cafés close October–April.Norway-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTRF Sandefjord Airport Torp (About 10 km (6.2 mi) from town; bus or taxi to Tønsberg, roughly 20–30 min).TRF Sandefjord Airport Torp (About 6.2 mi (10 km) from town; bus or taxi to Tønsberg, roughly 20–30 min).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: station to harbour about 10 min, harbour to Slottsfjellet about 15 min uphill.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffeekr 45–70
- Sit-down mealMain course, mid-range restaurantkr 250–400
- Street or quick mealLunch dish or sandwichkr 120–220
- BeerDraught beer, 0.5 l in a barkr 90–140
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi, 3.1 mi (5 km)kr 180–260
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus single ticketkr 40–60
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Slottsfjellsmuseet)kr 100 adults, kr 70 students and children 7–17, free under 6
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personNOK 400 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomNOK 1,700 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomNOK 3,200 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NOK 800 (≈ US$80) · Mid NOK 1,400 (≈ US$140) · High NOK 2,600 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TRF Sandefjord Airport Torp (About 10 km (6.2 mi) from town; bus or taxi to Tønsberg, roughly 20–30 min) · OSL Oslo Airport Gardermoen (Rail to Oslo, then the Vestfoldbanen to Tønsberg; about 2 h 30 min door to door)TRF Sandefjord Airport Torp (About 6.2 mi (10 km) from town; bus or taxi to Tønsberg, roughly 20–30 min) · OSL Oslo Airport Gardermoen (Rail to Oslo, then the Vestfoldbanen to Tønsberg; about 2 h 30 min door to door)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Feb (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Oct (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tønsberg: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: station to harbour about 10 min, harbour to Slottsfjellet about 15 min uphill. Buses cover the outer districts and Borre; taxis are reliable but expensive, as everywhere in Norway. Trains on the Vestfoldbanen link Tønsberg with Oslo, Sandefjord and Larvik.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Borre and Midgard Viking Centre
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or car north along the E18, about 15–20 min
Hall, grave mounds and Viking-age displays; pair it with the Oseberg mound at Slagendalen.
Østre Bolærne island
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Summer ferry from the town quay, about 50 min each way
Round trip kr 140 adults, kr 70 children; old coastal fort, swimming and a small café.
Sandefjord
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Vestfoldbanen train, about 15–20 min
Whaling museum and a longer waterfront; easy half day.
Larvik
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Vestfoldbanen train, about 30 min
Maritime museums and a beach at Stavern in summer.
Horten
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Bus or car along the E18, about 30 min
Marine museum and the Borre area nearby.
Door to door: About 2 h
Vestfoldbanen train, 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min
A full city, not a day trip from here; sleep in Oslo instead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Harbour and Nedre Langgate
Hotels, restaurants and bars on the quay; loudest on summer weekends.
Storgaten and the cathedral
Central, 5–10 min walk to the harbour and the castle hill; quieter at night.
Below Slottsfjellet
Hostel and budget beds, 5 min from the railway station.
Ollebukta and the north shore
Waterfront hotels with parking; 20–30 min walk or a short bus ride to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- kr 700–1,100 excl. bed
- Mid
- kr 1,100–1,800 excl. bed
- High
- kr 1,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × NOK 1,700 | NOK 1,700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NOK 1,400 | NOK 2,800 |
| Vestfoldbanen Oslo–Tønsberg, one way2 × NOK 350 | NOK 700 |
| Day bus pass in the Tønsberg area2 × NOK 120 | NOK 240 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NOK 250 | NOK 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NOK 594 |
| Trip total≈ NOK 3,267 per person per day, bed included | NOK 6,534≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in kroner; travel to Tønsberg excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | kr 45–70 |
| Lunch dish or sandwich | kr 120–220 |
| Main course, mid-range restaurant | kr 250–400 |
| Draught beer, 0.5 l in a bar | kr 90–140 |
| Museum entry (Slottsfjellsmuseet) | kr 100 adults, kr 70 students and children 7–17, free under 6 |
| Castle Rock Tower entry | kr 20 adults, kr 10 children |
| Local bus single ticket | kr 40–60 |
| Taxi, 5 km | kr 180–260 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Norway is card-first: keep a card or phone wallet, cash is rarely needed.
- Alcohol is sold in shops only until 18:00 on weekdays, 15:00 on Saturdays, and not on Sundays; bars and restaurants are unaffected.Alcohol is sold in shops only until 6:00 PM on weekdays, 3:00 PM on Saturdays, and not on Sundays; bars and restaurants are unaffected.
- Summer weekends on the quay are busy and bar prices are high: check the menu before ordering.
- The castle hill paths are steep and can be slippery after rain; the tower and farm area are not step-free.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 113
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
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TønsbergTønsberg
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Til denne adressen, takkTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance113
- Fire110
Embassy
No embassies in Tønsberg; most are in Oslo. US citizens: US Embassy Oslo. UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand: embassies in Oslo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Oslo → Tønsberg, Vestfoldbanen: about kr 300–450, 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min
- Torp airport → Tønsberg: bus or taxi, about 20–30 min
- Summer ferry to Østre Bolærne: kr 140 return adults, kr 70 children, 50 min each way
Say or show
- Hei — Hello (hay)
- Takk — Thank you (takk)
- Hvor mye koster det? — How much is it? (vohr MUEH kos-ter deh)
- Kan jeg betale med kort? — Can I pay by card? (kan yai beh-TAH-leh meh kort)
- Hvor er toalettet? — Where is the toilet? (vohr air toh-ah-LET-teh)
- En øl, takk — One beer, please (en url, takk)
English is spoken almost everywhere; tipping is included, round up or add 5–10% for good table service.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tønsberg. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug (warmest, boats and festivals); May and Sep for quiet sightseeing · avoid Nov–Mar (short, grey days; many seasonal places shut) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for TRF and OSL: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station and Storgaten, harbour and Nedre Langgate, Slottsfjellet, Haugar and the cathedral.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Slottsfjellsmuseet, Slottsfjelltårnet, Midgard Viking Centre, Haugar Art Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Summer ferry and festival fixtures so island and festival days can go green.