Yes, we are cheapies, when it’s about our travels. To be able to travel as world nomads without breaking the bank, needs either to narrow down our travels to the cheapest travel destinations or otherwise to do some intense research, how to travel the most expensive places of the world on a tight budget. Learn how to travel Norway on a budget!
Norway on a budget – Is that possible?
Yes, it is! Keep in mind though, that it depends more on what you want to see in this rather large country and what amount of time you can spend than about money.
Stegastein viewpoint of Aurlandfjorden
If you want to find yourself enjoying the
UNESCO heritage sites in the
Norwegian Fjords with a brief visit to
Bergen’s old Hanseatic wharf and buildings, get on the
historic train of Flåm and don’t want to miss out on the gorgeous northern towns like
Trondheim or even more exciting, head for
dogs sledding in Tromsø while having the once of a lifetime experience to see the
arctic light, all this within your yearly holiday of less than a months time, you are in trouble. No ways to do it all!
Checkout the website of the
Norwegian Tourist information.
Hanseatic commercial buildings, Bryggen, UNESCO heritage site in Bergen
Relax, you can always return for another visit in the next year.
How To Travel Norway On A Budget
If you live in Europe and own a car or even a camper van (and you’ve enough time at your hand) – and you need to travel Norway on a budget – consider to drive to Norway. Wild camping is allowed almost everywhere and what better way than to explore the remote places which are not accessible by public transport other than by car?
Flåm, Norway
Affordable car or camper hire in Norway
Norway was the first place we experienced which had run out of rental cars when we arrived at the airport. The demand is often higher than the offer which makes for expensive prices.
Norway on a budget is a challenge, now doubt! Check out the distances you want to negotiate and keep in mind that at the west coast the streets are winded up and down the steep slopes of the fjords. You don’t want to miss out on taking in the scenery and drive till you are exhausted.
Little town along Sognefjord
We made the experience during our extensive travels around the world and after many car hires that we often got better deals from small local dealers for a whole month or more. Try to negotiate a price well in advance if possible and if it has to be, with limited kilometers. We rented a car in Lillehammer with
Rent a Wreck. Cheaper than it would have been in Oslo and very good service. (They even returned by post our wallet to France which we’d forgotten in the car!)
Maihaugen Open-Air Museum, Lillehammer
Unfortunately the prices of
camper hires were well over our budget.
In our opinion the best way to travel Norway! But maybe you can find a deal in off-season. Good luck!
Public Transport in Norway
Depending on the distances you want to travel within Norway, check if it’s cheaper to take public transport (or even fly) and rent a car locally. Public transport is expensive but can be worthwhile for comfort, scenery and if you’re traveling alone.
Public Transport on Sognefjord
One important rule: Book your
public transport in advance!
You can book by internet and apps or in tourist offices, depending where you go. Even ferries, express boats, buses and trams can be booked in advance usually with discounts.
Express Boat from Flåm to Bergen (ca. five hours)
Affordable Accommodation In Norway
House Sitting Or House Swap
We wouldn’t get around the world like we did the last five years if we wouldn’t house sit. House Sitting comes with caring for somebody else house, garden and pets, usually when the owner is on holiday. In a previous post House Sitting and House Swap – Explore a country from a citizens perspective, I wrote about house sitting and how you can get such assignments.
Arriving in the outskirts of Bergen by boat
A rental car is needed anyway, as often the places are remote and the use of the owner’s car isn’t included in the house sit agreement in most of the cases.
Islands turning from Sognefjord into Atlantic
Camping and huts in Norway
Don’t consider to camp in Norway with your tent if it’s not only for a couple of days! Even in July, August you’ll get your fair share of rain and it can get uncomfortably cold at night.
Our hut and rental car at Vindedalen Camping
You need to take your own bedding – yes, also your pillow and blanket – but it’s around 50 € a night for two to four people and often in beautiful, wild places.
Remote house on a cliff at Sognefjord – How is it possible to get there?!
If you are on the way with a camper van,
don’t even bother to park on a camping, provided you don’t need the comfort of a toilet and shower. There are safe and beautiful viewpoints to park off for the night all over the place.
View from our house sit at Follebu near Lillehammer
Let us know about your travels in Norway
We spend about a month in Norway and saw only a fraction of the country during this time, predominantly Lillehammer, Sognefjorden and Bergen by car and one of the most beautiful boat and train rides. Please let us know your experiences and tips which we’ll be happy to add to these tips.
For more information about Norway and rental cars:
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