You've Got Wanderlust: Norway on a Budget: A Combined List

While planning my own trip to Norway (that is quickly approaching), I was having a really difficult time finding all of the information I really wanted in order to be able to make informed decisions about where to stay, what to do, what to bring, where to go, how to get around, etc. etc.

Because of that, I decided to make a post with all of the info I found (and took the time to dissect) for the rest of you out there who just want all of the info. so you can make your comparisons and complete your plans without too much reading and research. So here's what I've processed thus far (there is way more and I'll edit eventually with the rest when I have more time).

A Combined List of Best Tips for Traveling Norway

Get a city tourism card to get activity and transportation for “free” (aka included)

Oslo pass can be purchased at tourist info centers, hotels, and major attractions

If you buy many souvenirs at once in a single location they will give a discount if you ask (some Oslo Central Station shops do this, for example)

Money:

Utilize cash in local currency

Banks are closed on weekends

Credit cards are accepted in many places, but not all

Grocery stores often do not accept credit cards

Activities:

Winter Sports:

skiing/snowboarding/xcountry skiing/dogsledding/king crab fishing

Norwegian Trekking Association has maps for routes and rent cabins and lodges for cheap: http://english.turistforeningen.no/index.php?fo_id=3615

Alesund:

Rebuilt after 1904 fire in contemp./art nouveau architecture style unique in Norway

Atlantic Sea Park

Great views from Fjellstua

Kirkenes:

Dog-sledding:

$320/5 hr northern lights dogsled, $230/2 hr dogsled trip http://kirkenessnowhotel.com/aktiviteter/husky-turer?pid=11

Ice hotel

Pasvik Valley

St. Georg’s Chapel

Skoltefossen Waterfall

King CrabSafari

Stavanger:

Gamle Stavanger – old city

Historic harbor

Day trips in summertime to Preikestolen and Kjaerag Mountain/Bolder

To Oslo via train (~9 hours)

Trondheim:

Ringve Music Museum and Botanical Garden (lunch at the tea house)

“Capital of the Vikings-Nidaros”

Nidaros Cathedral

Trondelag Folk Museum

Bakklandet neighborhood by old wharf

Short boat trip to Munkholmen

20 minute tram from St. Olav’s Gate to scenic forest and panoramic views

Oslo (is on a fjord):

Harbor tours

Island

Museums

Vigeland Sculpture Park – world’s largest collection by single artist

Royal Palace, changing of the guards (afternoon)

Norwegian Folk Museum/Viking Ship Museum across fjord in Bygdoy Peninsula, Church from 1200AD, outdoor

Holmenkollen ski jump

Munch Museum (home of famous theft of Munch paintings)

To Alesund by plane can find at ~$50

Tromso:

City in the north, one of best places in the world for northern lights

National Parks:

Jostedalsbreen National Park (largest glacier in Europe)

North Cape:

Northernmost tip of Europe

6 national parks

Bergen:

2^nd largest Norwegian city

Old warf “Bryggen” is a UNESCO world Heritage Site

Floyen Mtn top has great views via the Floybanen Funicular Cable Cars

Fish market is a must-see, open daily, walk to museums

1 hr “mini train” takes you on tour through city center (Maria Church, Rosenkrantz Tower, King Hakon’s Hall plus panoramic view from Fjellveien Road)

to Stavanger via express ferry (~4 hours)

Trondheim:

Young, party vibe for meeting people, clubs, restaurants, bars, etc.

Fjords:

Multi-day trips ~$130/day

Day trips ~$50-80/day

From /between many cities including Oslo and Bergen: http://www.norwaynutshell.com/en/explore-the-fjords/

Geirangerfjord – considered to be the most beautiful in the world

Naeroyfjord

Transportation:

Train from airport to city center ~$28

Travel by bus or train and BOOK AHEAD OF TIME to save 50% off tickets

Use Oslo 24 hour public transit/museum pass in cities (Oslo, Bergen)

Taxis are VERY expensive. Take the public transport or walk whenever possible

Cars:

Rent cars only if you’re going to be outside of the city

Gas is very cheap

Trains:

Between cities $37-72

Book early for best fares

Good for scenery

“explore Norway” passes for discounts

Norwegian State Railway has minipris (lowest price) tickets as low as $34 in advance for ANY length of travel: https://www.nsb.no/en/

Eurail Norway Pass for longer trips if you miss the minipris tickets:

http://www.raileurope.com/rail-tickets-passes/eurail-norway-pass/index.html

Oslo to Bergen voted in top 20 railways in the world (~7 hours)

Some have a sleeper option to save a night of hotel fees

Express Buses:

Between cities and national parks $10-$100

Book early and online for best prices: http://www.nor-way.no/?lang=en_GB

Clean

Free wifi, tea, coffee

Planes:

“explore Norway” passes for discounted unlimited flying by zones: http://www.wideroe.no/en/tickets/explore-norway-ticket

Ferries/Express boats:

WAY less costly than cruises

Follow same routes as cruises

http://www.visitnorway.com/us/Getting-here-and-around/Ferries-and-ships/

Catamaran Ferry Bergen-Stavanger-Sogn can be found inexpensive

Food/Drinks:

Bring supplies from home

Take food ‘to go’ instead of staying to eat to avoid heavy taxes

Late night supermarkets are available in big train stations

Most restaurants will give you more vegetables for free if you ask

Schwarma and pizza are cheapest eats ~$10

Fishing is free in Norway!

Small Asian restaurants are less expensive food option (Gronland area and Torgatta street connecting city center and lower Gronerlokka in Oslo)

Stay somewhere with a kitchen to be able to cook

The hostel next to oslo central station has good cheap traditional food

Drinks:

Tap water tastes great and is safe

“Forget about any beer or alcohol if you want to keep your costs down”

“Avoid beer.”

If you’re going to drink, pregame and don’t bring money out to avoid temptation

Bring alcohol from home (it’s well worth the extra bag/overweight fee)

Wine can be cheap from Norway Liquor Distributor “Vinmonopolet”

Liquor stores close at 6pm

Alcoholic drinks ~$7

Buying your own food:

~$70/week

Remi 1000, Kiwi and Rimi are the cheapest supermarkets

Fresh veg. and Chick Fillets are more expensive items, substitute minced chicken

Avoid eating out, buy your own food

Supermarkets are located in basements of department stores

Late night supermarkets are available in big train stations

For breakfast:

Bring a thermos and pay a small fee to fill it at hostels/hotels

“Matpakke” =lunch sack=take food with you for small fee from hotel breakfast buffet

For lunch:

buy the daily regular (Dagens rett) or sandwich (smørrebrød) at small shop

Local grill or convenience store hot dogs/sausages $4-6

For dinner:

cafeterias/fast food = $10-15

local restaurants by ~6pm = $25+

restaurants after 6pm considered fine dining = $$$

Lodging:

Get something with a kitchen to be able to cook on your own

Hotels:

Generally expensive and business-oriented

Have discounts on weekends to fill spaces (end up slightly more expensive than a cheap hotel but for more comfort and big breakfast)

Ask at tourist info about ½ price last minute hotels

Thon budget hotel in the city get bus from airport has buffet breakfast and coffee all day

Cottages/Holiday Houses:

Many Norwegians rent out their houses for very cheap

Best selection: http://booking.visitnorway.com/en/accommodation/start?refcur=USD#cottages-and-holidayhouses

Also, www.AirBnb.com seems to have a good variety of prices and options!

for a private room:

look for signs that say: Værelse, Rom, Rum, Hus Rum,Rom til leie, or ask at the local tourist office (which may charge you a room-finding fee)

Hostels:

Are SUPER clean

offer buffet breakfast

various sleeping arrangement options including doubles/family rooms

Dorms $37-55/night

Private rooms ~$90/night

Hotels ~$120/night for double

There is a hostel next to oslo central station that has cheap traditional Norwegian food

Bergen Hostels:

Cochs

Campgrounds:

cheaper and practical and sometimes have huts (hytter).