buying train tickets at station ticket machines ?

Greetings,
Has anyone with a US issued credit card (or any card that does NOT have chip/pin technology) been able to use it to purchase a ticket from one of the train station ticket machines?

I'm concerned whether this will work, as I have a very short (10 minute) connection at Trondheim station (going to Vaernes/Airport station), and I don't think I will have enough time to wait at a ticket counter if the machine won't allow the purchase.

thanks!

Hey,

NSB is Norway's national train company. Contact their customer service department trough facebook.com/nsb.no and I am sure they will be able to answer your question.

Regards Herlov

Thanks for the reply. I try to avoid using Facebook, however I tried to contact them but their facebook page is not in English, and I can't figure out how to contact them.

There is a feedback form on their website, which I've used to send the question:
https://www.nsb.no/feedback/

However I was really hoping to hear a success story from someone who has tried this, rather than a claim by NSB that it does (or does not) work.

I've bought lots of train tickets in Norway with my foreign card, but it's got a PIN number

however, I don't recall needing my PIN to do so.

in Trondheim I've always taken the airport bus which I don't think required a PIN.

Thanks for your reply. I hadn't considered taking the airport bus, but after looking at the schedule that might be a good backup if I miss the train. Assuming that we're both referring to http://www.flybussen.no/index.asp?lang=ENG is it obvious where the bus stops near the central station?

The airport bus leaves from the bus terminal which is right next to the train station. It's more frequent than the train. They do not require a PIN for the credit card. I think the train ticket machine also accepts cash, and if you can't buy at the machine you can always buy from the conductor, but that costs 20kr extra.

Also, you may be able to buy your train ticket all the way to Værnes instead of buying a separate one in Trondheim. That would most likely be cheaper too. Of course, if you miss the connection and take the bus instead, the cost of that extra leg would be wasted.

NSB replied to my query:
It should be OK to purchase your tickets at the ticket machine even with a card without a chip. If you get in a hurry, the ticket could be purchased on board. However, be aware that all tickets sold on board our trains will cost NOK 20 more.
(The tickets might be purchased in advance at any of our railway stations as well)

Right, and as I mentioned: instead of buying a train ticket to Trondheim from wherever you're traveling from, you may be able to buy a single ticket from there to Værnes.

I'm disappointed to report, that what NSB claimed turned out not to be true. Two days ago I attempted to purchase a ticket from Trondheim to Vaernes from the ticket machine inside the Trondheim station, and it refused to complete the sale unless I entered a PIN (which most US issued credit cards do not have, mine included). I ended up making the purchase from the conductor on board the train, which did include the 20NOK surcharge (as bjornmu noted).

Hi, I'm having trouble getting a pin from Bank of America for my credit card. They are going to send it to me, but it will take 5-7 days. I'm flying to Trondheim this Sat. I have another credit card which is an Amex card. Do I need a pin to buy the flybus ticket or pay for the hotel bill with my credit card?