Introduction: My approach to traveling on a budget

In my twenties, I was addicted to travel. Most of my paychecks went toward backpacking adventures that had me on the road for weeks, sometimes months at a time. These travels taught me to be a frugal traveler, intent on maximizing every dollar and cent so that I could keep the adventure going for as long as possible. Nowadays, I value comfort a little more than I used to (my days sleeping in hostels are over). Nevertheless, I try to be smart and strategic about how I spend my money and keep myself on-budget.

There is no getting around it: compared to other European countries, traveling to Norway is on the more expensive side. But, travelling here does not need to cost a fortune. In this guide I have compiled my best tips to save money on accommodation, food and transportation.

How Expensive Is Norway Really? (Comparing Oslo to Europe & the US)

My answer is… not as expensive as you think!

Let’s compare Oslo (Norway), Lisbon (Portugal), and Seattle (US).

A pint of beer:

• Lisbon: $3.49 (3 €)
• Oslo: $11.77 (120NOK)
• Seattle: $8

A three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant (no drinks):

• Lisbon: $58.13 (50 €)
• Oslo: $128.09 (1300 NOK)
• Seattle: $120

A combo meal at McDonald’s:

• Lisbon: $11.19 (9.63 €)
• Oslo: $14.78 (150 NOK)
• Seattle: $15

A cappuccino:

• Lisbon: $2.56 (2.21 €)
• Oslo: $5.05 (51.28 NOK)
• Seattle: $6.29

When I consult Numbeo to compare what the real cost of living is between these three cities, I see that yes, Oslo is a more expensive city to visit than another European capital, Lisbon. Oslo and Seattle meanwhile have relatively similar prices, and in some cases, Seattle is more expensive!

Sometimes, I wonder if travelers are too quickly discouraged from traveling to Norway because they assume it is too expensive. My point here is that a holiday in Norway may not be as out of reach as you first think. Use my money-saving tips and you might be surprised at how budget-friendly a trip to Norway can be.

Save Money on Accommodation in Norway

When travelers ask me for budget-friendly hotels, I usually point them in the direction of:

• Citybox
  • Locations in Oslo, Bergen, Kristiansand. Scandinavian minimalist design meets budget-friendly rates. Self-service check-in, no-frills rooms (no TV or minibar), but excellent central locations. No hotel breakfast.
• Smart Hotel Oslo
  • Compact, modern rooms in central Oslo. Smart choices = lower rates without sacrificing comfort. Hotel breakfast for a fee.
• Comfort Hotel Xpress
  • Self-service check-in, modern design, environmentally focused. Food available for purchase from their “Comfort Deli” and “Barception.”

Alternative Accommodation Options

For those looking to save by avoiding hotels, there are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives.

• Airbnb/VRBO:
  • Staying in a vacation rental is a great option if you’d like to stay somewhere for more than a single or two nights. It is great for families and groups who are happy to stay together, and with a kitchen included, you can save even more money by buying groceries and making your own food. Bonus! Curious amenities (what’s this squeegee doing in the bathroom?) are opportunities to live like a local (and squeegee the floor after you’ve taken your shower!)./li>
• Hostels and Pensions:
  • Hostels and family-run pensions (pensjonat) can be found throughout Norway with inexpensive rates. Hostels are a great way to meet a lot of fellow travellers, but stay at a pension if you’re keen on a little bit more privacy and comfort, and if supporting small, local businesses aligns with your values.
• Couchsurfing:
  • This is likely (but not exclusively!) best suited to the younger readers of this blog, but Couchsurfing is a way to stay for free and maybe even make friends with a local. Norway is a safe country, but do your due diligence: read user reviews and keep yourself safe.
• Home exchange services:
  • This option requires a little more logistics and pre-planning, but swapping homes with a local is a great way to find comfortable accommodations for free. Ideal for families.

Staying outside of a hotel will often lead you off the beaten path, and often invite you into a more authentic experience of living like a local.

Getting Around Norway Without Breaking the Bank

Norway’s public transport is a real point of pride. Many cities have reliable bus, tram, metro and even ferries which offer great coverage even out into city suburbs. This means that you can avoid renting cars or taking taxis, if you want to save that money. The biggest cities in Norway have their own transit system, and a corresponding app from which you can buy tickets on your smartphone.

Public Transport in Major Cities

Download the following apps for the cities you are visiting:

• • Oslo: Ruter
  • Bergen: Skyss

Trondheim: ATB

• Tromsø: Svipper

 

Don’t have a smartphone? You can purchase public transport tickets from kiosks like Narvesen, which are then validated just prior to boarding or upon boarding.

Money-saving strategy: Compare the price of single tickets vs. 24-hour/7-day tickets. If you think you’ll be doing a lot of riding, buying longer period tickets might save you some money over the course of your visit.

If in Oslo: consider getting the Oslo Pass, which covers unlimited travel on public transport (Ruter bus, tram, metro and ferry) and entry to over 30 museums and attractions in Oslo. The pass is valid for 48 hrs and can also be used traveling to and from Oslo Airport.

Longer-Distance Travel on a Budget

• Train travel: Taking the train from one city to another can be a travel highlight in and of itself. Norway has several scenic train rides to choose from:
  • the Dovre Line (linking Oslo and Trondheim) crosses the Dovrefjell mountain plateau and Gudbrandsdalen valley.
  • the Bergen Line (linking Oslo and Bergen) crosses the Hardangervidda.This is a high altitude journey through majestic mountain landscapes.
  • the Rauma Line (linking Åndalsnes and Dombås) is one of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys, a winding route through fjord landscapes and features beautiful views the Romsdalen Valley, with the highlight being the experience of Trollveggen rock face.

Train tickets can be bought on Vy, which I encourage you to buy in advance for the lowest rates (aim to buy at least 3 months in advance).

• Ferry travel: If you are more inclined to journeying by water, there are some classic cruise voyages available fromHurtigruten and Havila. Popular itineraries include:
  • Oslo to Tromsø to see the northern lights, or
  • Bergen to Svalbard to experience the High Arctic.

While these all-inclusive voyages are memorable (and comfortable!) travel experiences, they aren’t necessarily budget-friendly. However, both Hurtigruten and Havila allow travellers to book “port-to-port” journeys to cover smaller segments of the coastline. That way, you can still get a taste of the cruise experience with a shorter ride at a lower cost.

• Bus travel: Many local transit services will drive fairly far out into the regions around their cities. Should you need to travel even further out into the regions, you will find that Norway has a well-developed network of express buses and coaches. NOR-WAY Bus Express is a good option. If getting around the Lofoten islands you can use the Reis Nordland bus provider

Get Around on Foot or Bike 

• Walking: Not only are Norway’s cities very walkable, sightseeing on foot is a no-cost way to experience some hidden gems that otherwise would have passed you by in a car.
  • In Oslo: Start at new and trendy district Nydalen and walk the paths along the Aker River, taking you through city parks, past waterfalls and leading you to the Oslo waterfront. Break at Vulkan Food Hall for a coffee or some food.
  • In Trondheim: walk the Midtbyrunden (City Loop) which runs along the Trondheim fjord, canal and Nidelven river.
  • In Bergen: Walk along the waterfront from Bryggen to Nordnes Peninsula. Ride the funicular up Mount Fløien and walk back down again, taking in the views over Bergen city and the water. (Walk up and down the mountain if you’d like to get your pulse up and earn that seafood feast down at Bryggen!
  • Similarly, in Tromsø: take the Sherpa stairs up Storsteinnen Mountain and enjoy the views over the island of Tromsø and the Arctic landscape surrounding it. For those with lower mobility or who simply would like a more restful experience, take the cable car up and down Storsteinnen Mountain.

• Biking: All cities have some form of classic bike rental available. If only looking to take a few shorter rides, a more cost-effective alternative to committing to a full bike rental is to use the “city bikes” offered in some cities. City bikes, parked in bike stations all over town, are unlocked and paid for via app, and can be returned to any bike station when you are finished riding. Available in Oslo, Bergenand Trondheim.

Eating Well on a Norwegian Budget

It comes as no surprise that the most budget friendly option for eating in Norway, or anywhere for that matter, is to avoid eating out at restaurants. If you are staying at a holiday rental, you will likely have access to a kitchen. Buying food at grocery stores and preparing meals from the comfort of your rental is a no-brainer.

Know Which Grocery Stores to Shop At, Which to Avoid

Norway’s grocery stores ranked from cheapest to most expensive:

1. Kiwi
2. Extra
3. Rema 1000
4. Europris
5. Coop Mega
6. Meny
7. Jacobs

Special mention: Joker and Bunnpris tend to be on the pricier side, but they’re open Sundays when other stores are closed. Worth knowing if you need supplies on a Sunday!

Quick Meals from Grocery Stores

Even if you’re staying at a hotel without a kitchen, grocery stores are still your budget-friendly ally thanks to theirmat i farten (food on the go) sections, where food is priced at a fraction of the cost for the same at a restaurant or café.

• For cold options: look for salad bars, ready-prepared salads, pokébowls and sandwiches in coolers near the produce departments.
• For warm food: many grocery stores have a counter for warm food (think, omelettes, roast chicken, fish cakes and lasagna) at the deli section.
• For pastry: The bread section usually has a decent selection of pastries, my go-to is the skolebrød – a sunny looking sweet bun filled with custard, and topped with icing and dried coconut.

On a beautiful day, I’d say you couldn’t do better than picking up some salads, maybe a couple karbonader (meat patties), some drinks, and then heading to a park for a picnic. You won’t be alone, Norwegians love picnicking outdoors as a lovely way to be social, enjoy nature, all while keeping food costs down. Some picnic site suggestions:

• Oslo: Vigeland Park, the Palace Park, or along the Akerselva River
• Bergen: Nygårdsparken or the grass at Nordnes Peninsula
• Trondheim: Kristiansten Fort (with city views)
• Tromsø: The waterfront near Polaria

Other Budget-Friendly Norwegian Food Experiences

• The Narvesen hot dog: Narvesen is a chain of convenience stores, and you will find this all over Norway and almost always at hubs for public travel (train stations, metro stations, ferry terminals). And here you will find Norway’s beloved hot dog ($3-$6). Get it in a bun, or get a pølse i lømpe (hot dog on a potato flatbread). Toppings include your familiar mustard and ketchup, but if you want to enjoy it the way I do, get it topped with rekesalat (shrimp salad).
• Norwegian vafler (waffles): A classic symbol of Norwegian hospitality, these heart-shaped waffles are soft, lightly sweet and meant to be topped with brown cheese, sour cream and strawberry jam. One waffle ($3-$8) makes for a very filling snack. Find them at bakeries and cafés, community events, and on the catering car on the train.
• Kvikk lunsj and an orange: the prize for many Norwegians exerting themselves on a hike or a ski is a break with an orange and a Kvikklunsj (Norway’s favourite chocolate bar, similar to a KitKat). The sugar infusion with family, friends, and a view is an extremely authentic cultural food experience. Price per bar of Kvikklunsj: $2.

Conclusion

Having a tight budget is no obstacle to enjoying a holiday in Norway. If one makes smart choices when it comes to accommodation, transportation and food, I promise you can have the trip of your life and enjoy many authentic cultural experiences along this. In this guide I’ve listed some of my best tips to help you make the most of your dollars and euros and kroner.

As always, get in touch if you’d like me to help you plan your trip to Norway.

Visiting Oslo? Don’t visit Oslo without knowing these 11 tips!

Happy travels!  Ha det bra!