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:
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:
2nd 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
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:
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
Clean
Free wifi, tea, coffee
Planes:
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
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).
Save the fee on sheets by bringing your own.
**I'll definitely check back in after my own trip and add my two cents from experience...but for now, we're depending on our fellow adventurers!**
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