Denmark, Sweden & Norway
Know Before You Go
For an epic trip with zero stress and infinite holy s#!t moments, get familiar with the information below. Seeing the world should be fun, not stressful, which is why we’ve written this guide for you and are available 24/7 so all you have to do is travel. Now, it’s time to do a happy dance and make this trip ULTIMATE.
For the most up to date entry requirements for this tour, please visit this page.
Complete Your Checklist
Before heading to the airport, complete the tasks below and check them off in your Online Account Checklist. If you have any questions, give us a call at 617-619-1411. We’re available 24/7 to make sure you have the Best. Trip. Ever.
Travel Documents
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for 6 months after the tour return date.
- Visa: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of 90 days or less.
- Travel Insurance: While travel insurance is not required, we strongly encourage all travelers to obtain coverage before departure. Check out cost-effective Travel Protection, designed to meet the needs of EF travelers, here.
Tour Preparation
- Talk with your doctor: It is highly recommended that you talk with your doctor about your travel plans. If you are taking any medications, be certain to bring enough to last throughout your trip.
- Traveling with allergies? Let your Trip Consultant and Tour Director know of any dietary restrictions/allergies and we will do what we can to accommodate for any included meals.
- Request a roommate: Double-check with us and your Tour Director that they have your rooming status on file. We will assign a roommate for you if you do not submit a specific request.
- Get an international data plan: We recommend getting an international data plan for your mobile device so you can stay connected while on the road. Please talk with your phone provider for your best options.
- Wi-Fi will be in most hotels, restaurants, and bars, though it may be slower than in the U.S.
- Wi-Fi is not available on the bus.
- Get the EF Ultimate Break app: Your trip's group will be able to connect on the app before you meet IRL. Don't miss out! Meet other travelers, get updates from your Tour Director, see flights and accommodations, and more. If you're having trouble, give us a call at 617-619-1411.
Flight Preparation
Check your online account 30 days prior to departure for your flight itinerary and confirmation number. Using your 6-digit reservation code, you can reserve your seat (this is typically available 30 days to 24 hours before departure) and check in to your flight 24 hours prior to departure. If you prefer to check in at the airport, that’s okay, too. Regardless, plan to arrive 2.5 – 3 hours before departure.
All flight information is online (e-ticket) via your account and the airline’s website. You will not receive a physical paper ticket from us.
- If your flight is canceled or delayed: Don’t worry! We design the first day of tour as an arrival day in case of flight delays or cancelations. Work with the airline to get rebooked on the next available flight, then let your Tour Director know your new arrival time.
- If you sleep in and miss your flight: You should still talk to the airline and see if they can get you on the next available option. Tears may help in this case.
Arriving in Copenhagen
Your Tour Director will communicate through the EF Ultimate Break app, WhatsApp, or email about where to meet them at the airport. This is an important reason to make sure you have the EF Ultimate Break app!
If you have booked your own flight arrangements or have extended your travels before the tour dates, you will need to make your own way to the first hotel. Accommodation details will be available in your online account 30 days prior to departure.
Getting from A to B
You’re traveling through Europe, and since teleportation hasn’t been invented yet, it takes time to get to each destination. Transfers between cities are via train or flight and can take up to 6 hours. It’s a good idea to download a few movies or shows to watch sans wi-fi/cellular data, bring a great book with you to read, or listen to music to pass the time.
When sightseeing, be prepared to walk between 4-8 miles per day!
Staying Healthy While Traveling
Fact: Travel is exhilarating. And FOMO is real. So, we understand why you don’t want to miss a second of the action. But there’s a difference between maximizing your time and spreading yourself too thin. Here are some tips to stay healthy and happy on tour:
- Sleep: Flying across the globe, changing time zones, and being constantly on the move can take a toll on your body. Make sure you get the rest your body needs. If that means missing a night out for some well-earned rest, or having a little afternoon siesta, so be it. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Stay hydrated: It’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially after spending all day in the sun!
- Be Prepared: The most prepared travelers will bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
- Take time for yourself: Group travel is an amazing experience, and there’s nothing quite like exploring a foreign country with a group of like-minded people. That said, it’s okay to take time for yourself to relax and reflect on your experience. Here are a few mindfulness apps you can take with you on the road:
- Insight Timer: Meditation apps are very in right now. This one is especially amazing because there are 80,000 free daily meditations to help with sleep, anxiety, and stress.
- What’s Up: If you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed, What’s Up can help you manage these feelings with interactive games, forums, and a thought tracking diary.
- Talkspace: No need to make appointments or commute to a therapist’s office. Talkspace gives you 24/7 access to real, licensed therapists. You can talk, text, or video chat with them right from your phone.
Safety While Abroad
With a global presence of more than 46,000 people in over 115 countries and regions, we’re fully committed to your safety. From your first flight all the way through to your farewell dinner, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Tour Director or your Trip Consultant if you need a helping hand. Keep these extra tips in mind so you can #travelsmart:
- Keep your bag/purse in front of you and your phone zipped inside when you’re not using it. Leave your laptop at home, store valuables at the hotel in locked luggage or the safe deposit box. Refrain from carrying large sums of money or wearing valuable jewelry.
- Use the buddy system. Stay in groups and watch out for each other, especially at night—no one gets left behind!
- Be smart about alcohol consumption. Watch your drinks and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know. Don’t leave the bar alone with someone you just met.
- Before you go out, grab a business card at your hotel so that you always have the address handy for getting back later.
- At the end of a night out, use trusted transportation like a licensed taxi and always have cash on hand.
- Save our 24/7 number in your phone: +1–617–619–1411.
For weight and size restrictions please refer to your airline’s website. Flight information will be available 30 days prior to departure in your online account. Below you'll find some critical packing information and suggestions.
- The most important piece of advice we can give you: Pack light! Your international airline ticket does include a checked bag, but years of customer feedback tells us a carry-on is the way to go. You may need to carry your suitcase where buses and elevators cannot, so make sure you are comfortable carrying everything you bring yourself.
- You've probably heard the hacks about rolling clothes and using packing cubes a million times, but there's a reason for that! It really does help.
- If you choose to pack all of your toiletries, don't bring your regular-sized bottles from home. Offload some of that into travel-sized containers.
- Choose your luggage wisely. We recommend a roller carry-on bag and a backpack as your personal item.
- Choose shoes carefully as well. They're some of the bulkiest items you can pack, so we recommend a good pair of walking shoes and a pair of climate-appropriate shoes (boots or sandals depending on the destination and time of year).
- Make a packing list of must-haves and stick to it. If you have a little extra space in your bags once all your must-haves are packed, then consider adding in a few nice extras.
- Unfortunately, luggage can get lost. It’s a painful situation no matter what, but here are tips to ease some of the hassle:
- DO NOT put important medications in a checked bag. If your luggage is lost, this could become a dangerous issue.
- Even if you put most of your clothes in a checked bag, put a couple outfits in your carry-on along with your toiletries.
- If you are forced to check you carry-on at the gate, be sure to remove essentials and valuables before handing it over.
- Carefully review TSA restrictions when packing. There are a number of items not allowed in your carry-on and liquids have certain restrictions.
- Check out the local weather; we haven't figured out how to control the weather yet so best to be prepared and plan accordingly.
- Expect it to be even colder on the fjord cruise than wandering the cities and plan to dress warm that day.
- Don't forget: Outlets overseas can differ from the US, so be sure to pack the right power adapters/converters!
We at EF will help facilitate any testing requirements while on tour, however it is the travelers responsibility to pay for these tests and it is our recommendation that you budget roughly 150 USD total. Please note that non-boosted travelers may be required to do additional testing to enter places such as restaurants, and/or major attractions.
Budgeting
We recommend budgeting $80-$100 per day for meals, gratuities, shopping, and free time activities. Remember that you know your spending habits best and not everyone’s spending habits are the same. These recommendations are based on a traveler who says yes to any and all activities while on tour.
Managing Money
While traveling through Scandinavia, you'll use the following currencies:
- Denmark: Danish krone (DKK)
- Sweden: Swedish krona (SEK)
- Norway: Norwegian krone (NOK or kr)
The rates at ATMs are usually the best, and you can find machines everywhere - especially with the help of your Tour Director. However, there are many places in Scandinavia that don't accept cash at all.
Please make sure to talk with your bank and credit card companies to let them know where and when you are traveling, and to go over any international transaction fees. If you have a credit card that offers zero international transaction fees, bring that to save some money for purchases abroad.
Tipping
When it comes to tipping, there is no tip required for taxis and nearly all restaurant bills that you receive already include gratuity, so additional tipping is not necessary. As it is customary to tip for services provided, we recommend the following for this tour:
- Local Guides: $1-$2 at the end of each experience
- Tour Director: $6 per day given at the end of the trip
Even though locals in Scandinavia have excellent English, attempting the local language goes a long way when navigating a city and interacting with people. Practice these basic phrases in Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian to get started:
- Hello: Hej (Danish) / Hej (Swedish) / Hei (Norwegian)
- Goodbye: Hej hej (Danish) / Hej da (Swedish) / Hadet (Norwegian)
- Thank you: Tak (Danish) / Tack så mycket (Swedish) / Takk (Norwegian)
- Yes: Ja (Danish) / Ja (Swedish) / Ja (Norwegian)
- No: Naj (Danish) / Nej (Swedish) / Nei (Norwegian)
- Where is ___?: Hvor er…? (Danish) / Vart ligger…? (Swedish) / Hvor er…? (Norwegian)
You’re visiting three major cities of Scandinavia, two of which are capital cities of their country! Known for being some of the happiest cities in the world, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Norway will impress you with their colorful homes, cuisine, fjords, and more. Here are just a few expert tips to help you appreciate all that Scandinavia offers and truly live like a local:
- “Copenhagen”’s name loosely translates to “merchant’s harbor”, and you’ll see why - the canals of Copenhagen are a staple of the city, and part of its unique charm
- Scandinavia’s food scene, especially in Copenhagen, if something to write home about. So go ahead and try that hot dog, or pickled herring, or pickled herring on top of a hot dog…
- “Hygge”, pronounced hoo-gah, is a Danish practice and way of life in finding joy in everyday moments. Hygge is about celebrating coziness, warmth and family.
- Biking in Scandinavia is a way of life. If you have the chance, rent a bike and explore the streets by cycle! Just be sure to obey the local biking laws.
- Fun fact, Stockholm is spread across 14 islands with 57 bridges connecting the islands. Try to count them as you cross!
- Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are expensive countries. You’ll find the quality and way of life is beyond what you could imagine, but sometimes it comes at a price. Prepare your wallet for those 5 Krona coffees.
- Scandinavians are known for being nice and polite, but not necessarily outgoing. Don’t be put off if locals are a bit more reserved, just smile and greet with a friendly hej!
Loaded with Michelin-Star restaurants, Scandinavia is a foodie heaven. From food carts, to outdoor food markets, to gourmet restaurants and more, you’ll sample a variety of local dishes on your trip that will blow you away. Read on for more tips, tricks, and delicacies you must try.
- Smørrebrød: This is Denmark’s staple meal and is an open-face sandwich, usually rye bread, topped with fish or meat, vegetables, and sauce on top
- Rød pølse: Or, red sausage - this cheap treat is typically served on a hot dog bun with ketchup or mustard, and can be found everywhere!
- Shawarma or falafel: In the 1960s and 70s, Copenhagen had an influx of immigrants from Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and more. One of the results was delicious shawarma and falafel!
- Fiskefrikadeller: Even if you’re not a fish fan, you have to try this fish cake mix of white fish, onion, parsley lemon, salt, and pepper
- Salmon: Norway has the world’s best salmon. Enough said.
- Brown cheese: Made from the throwaway parts of cheese and melted into a sweet, salty, fudgy composition, this cheese in Norway isn’t actually cheese at all. Try it on your toast at breakfast!
- Pickled herring: Remember, you’re surrounded by the sea, so when in Rome, right? Try herring on top of bread, or with a salad and other toppins!
- Norwegian waffles: Try one as a snack while you’re cruising through Bergen’s fjords!
- Kjøttboller: Otherwise known as Swedish Meatballs are best served with gravy, mashed potato, and lingonberries.
- Raggmunk: Similar to a latke, the Swedish Raggmunk is best served savory (with sour cream), or sweet (with applesauce). Why not try both?
If you did not purchase EF Ultimate Break Optional Excursions before the trip began, you can log into your Online Account and do so on tour. You can also talk to your Tour Director on tour and they can help you get enrolled. If you’d like to plan something else during your free time, connect with your Tour Director before doing so; they sometimes arrange extra activities for the group during free time.
Prices for these optional excursions will increase on tour, so please check your online account for available add-ons.
We’re so glad you chose to travel with us and are now part of the EF Ultimate Break family! We'll look for your post-card in the mail, and your #thisisultimate tags on Instagram. Cheers to the Best. Trip. Ever.
Bon voyage!