Sustainability in Fredrikstad and Hvaler

Travel greener – take public transport, support local businesses, and respect nature and residents. This way, your trip becomes part of a more sustainable future. Discover the archipelago, history, and culture while helping protect the region for generations to come.

Travel by train, bus, or bike

Choose the train, bus or bike instead of cars to reduce emissions.

Train
Travel quickly and easily from Oslo to Fredrikstad by VY train. Fredrikstad Station is centrally located with short distances to the Old Town and city center.

Bus
Østfold Public Transport offers good bus connections in Fredrikstad and between Fredrikstad, Hvaler, and Sarpsborg. You’ll find schedules on Entur or in the Entur app.

Express bus VY6 also runs from Oslo to Skjærhalden via Fredrikstad.

Take the city ferry!

Fredrikstad has one of Norway’s most unique transport systems – a free electric ferry that connects the city. Use the ferry to explore the Old Town, city center, Værste, and Isegran in an eco-friendly way.

Choose eco-certified businesses

Several hotels and restaurants in Fredrikstad and Hvaler are eco-certified. By choosing them, you support businesses that take responsibility for the environment and encourage others to follow their lead.

Eat and shop locally

Support local cafés, restaurants, and shops.

Choose seasonal and locally sourced food.
Buy souvenirs and products from small-scale producers instead of mass-produced goods.

Discover local flavors

Many restaurants use local ingredients. For example, Restaurant Slippen serves fresh seafood, including Hvaler oysters, and its bakery Bakfickan uses organic flour from Holli Mølle in Spydeberg.

Bondelagsbua in Skjærhalden is run by local farmers and offers Norwegian food and drink, often straight from nearby farms.

Nøisom is a local brewery and soft drink maker in Fredrikstad. Their specialties include local sodas like Gamlebyens Hagebrus, Christmas sodas, orange soda, and a variety of tonics and beers – many of which are served in local restaurants and cafés.

Guldkorn – local food and drink network
Guldkorn is a regional initiative supporting food and drink producers in Østfold. They create spaces for innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange with the goal of making Østfold Norway’s leading food region.

By choosing local dining and products, you support sustainable development while enjoying authentic local flavors.

Stay a little longer – explore more and travel better

The longer you stay, the more sustainable your visit becomes. Short trips with lots of travel have a bigger footprint, while longer stays give you time to explore at a slower pace and make use of local services.

Fredrikstad and Hvaler have plenty to offer. With a longer visit, you can:

• Discover more of the region – Hvaler has over 800 islands and skerries, ideal for island hopping, paddling, and hiking. Fredrikstad features the Old Town, Scandinavia’s best-preserved fortress town, and maritime heritage at Isegran. The ancient trail Oldtidsruta offers prehistoric cultural sites from the Bronze Age.
• Join cultural events – Enjoy concerts, theater, comedy shows, and art exhibitions all year. From major festivals to intimate galleries, there’s always something happening.
• Support local businesses – Stay at local guesthouses, eat locally sourced food, and try activities like cycling tours, boat trips, or guided experiences.
• Use Fredrikstad and Hvaler as a base to explore Østfold – Take day trips to Fredriksten Fortress in Halden, historic sites in Sarpsborg, art and culture in Moss, or cruise the Halden Canal.

Staying longer gives you richer experiences while helping reduce transport-related emissions and supporting the local economy.

Respect nature

Fredrikstad and Hvaler are home to some of Norway’s most beautiful coastal landscapes, with fragile ecosystems on land and at sea. To help preserve this natural heritage:

• Stick to marked trails when exploring the archipelago and Ytre Hvaler National Park – this helps protect vegetation and reduce erosion.
• Always take your trash with you – even if it’s not yours. Use designated bins where available. Plastic waste is harmful to wildlife.
• Respect fire and camping rules – from April 15 to September 15, open fires are generally banned in forests and open land. Use marked fire pits or camping stoves. Camping in uncultivated land is allowed for up to two nights but check local rules in protected areas.
• Do not disturb wildlife – The Hvaler region is home to seabirds, seals, and other sensitive species. Keep your distance and avoid landing on bird reserves during nesting season.

By following these simple guidelines, you help protect the coast and wildlife for today’s visitors and future generations.

Learn more about respecting nature in Fredrikstad and Hvaler.

Be respectful toward the local community

Tourism is an important part of the local economy. For it to be a positive experience for both residents and visitors, respect is key:

• Park only in designated areas – during summer, traffic increases and illegal parking can block emergency access or inconvenience residents. Follow signage and use public parking.
• Keep noise levels down – especially in residential areas, at campsites, or nature reserves. The archipelago offers peaceful nature, and quiet is part of the charm.
• Follow the Right to Roam responsibly – enjoy nature without leaving a trace. Clean up after yourself, be considerate of others, and respect private property.