Mike_Buckley

Do grocery stores and petrol stations typically accept credit cards in Lofoten, Norway, including the smaller communities?

Do the smaller communities have ATMs?

Malamea

Don´t worry. Grocery stores and petrol stations accept credit cards. Some smaller shops may only accept Norwegian debit cards, but most accept credit cards. Smaller communities may not have ATMs, but you generally don´t need a lot of cash. I live in Norway and I almost never carry cash, just cards

Malamea

All small towns have ATMs, but there may be some communities that don´t since Norwegians usually withdraw money using their debit card when they shop. Most grocery stores allow you to withdraw money when you shop - as long as they have money in the till.

Mike_Buckley

Thank you, Malamea!

Two follow-up questions:

Our American credit cards do not have the chips (only the magnetic strip) that apparently so many European ATMs require. Will we be able to use our American credit cards at ATMs in Lofoten? Will people at the store cash registers be able to manually type the credit card number in lieu of the chip?

DebitNM

Do not use credit cards to get cash at ATM'S - these would be cash advances/ loans with extra fees, interest starting immediately. Use ATM/ DEBIT cards which don't need chip but do need 4 digit PIN. Many merchants can still swipe card but you may not be able to get gas at unmanned stations or at "some" train station ticket machines.

janisj

>>credit cards do not have the chips (only the magnetic strip) that apparently so many European ATMs require. Will we be able to use our American credit cards at ATMs in Lofoten?<<

NO! Use your ATM/debit card in the ATMs. Never ever a credit card to get cash - unless it is an absolute emergency.

(The chip issue doesn't apply to your debit cards)

Mike_Buckley

Thank you to DebitNM and janisj! Your responses clarify everything.