Fly in & Out of Different Cities!

If your looking to explore as much of Norway as you can, but only have a week or so to travel, the natives I talked to all suggest flying into the charming city of Bergen and flying out of Oslo.  This way you can explore the fjords before leaving Bergen and then rent a car to drive to the glaciers and hike through the amazing mountains & countryside all the way to Oslo.  Flying into one city and out from another won’t cost more, and in fact may save you money!

If you’re looking to hop from city to city by plane and see everything you possibly can in a short amount of time, you can purchase an Explore Norway Ticket for $500-$700.  This deal gives you unlimited flights to 35 destination for 2 weeks during the peak season between June 21st to August 27th!

Camping & Hiking

Camping in Norway is by far the cheapest way to explore.  Because of their love of nature, there are no fees to enter most national parks or to pitch a tent.  Camping is considered your right, not a privilege!  In addition, the Norwegian Trekking Association has 460 cabins (of different standards) dispersed all over the country, that if you become a member of the association for a nominal fee, you will be entitled to stay at any of these cabins for free or at discounted rate. If you don’t become a member, you can still stay at each cabin for the full rate- all rates are reasonable .  The rules and amenities provided in each cabin are provided on the site.  -The association also provides a ton of other info and perks for the nature enthusiast.

Sleep Cheap (or at Least Cheaper)!

In addition to the cabins, Visit Norway has a slew of suggestions and links for budget travelers.  From B&Bs, to hostels, to renting a room or apartment, to purchasing The Fjord Pass (which will give you serious discounts for many of the boutique and chain hotels across the country), this site is a fantastic resource to start your trip planning!

Note: All hotels and B&B’s in Norway serve breakfast which is included in the cost of the room!

Buy a City Pass & Save!

In both Bergen and Oslo, for about $40 (there are family rates too), you can purchase the Bergen Card or the Oslo Pass which allows you to park for free or at a discount, use public transportation for free, get into museums for free or at a discount, get discounts on fjord trips, at restaurants, plus a slew of other perks!  If your looking to explore, it will save you big!

Eat, Drink, & Don’t Go Shopping

Food

If you like fish, be prepared to have some superb salmon and other seafood.  Don’t forget to try whale and reindeer too!  Also, Norway has an amazing variety of delicious bread at every meal (including your free hotel breakfast), and the extra long summer days provide for fresh berries like you’ve never tasted!

If you’re on a budget, shop at local grocery stores and avoid restaurants in touristy areas along the city harbors!

The Expense of Alcohol!

Beware of Norway’s extraordinary tax on booze!  A beer will cost you about $10 a bottle and mixed drinks can be off the charts in bars.  However, at least by American standards, wine isn’t too bad.  The average bottle will cost you about $15-$25.  Although a little cheaper than a pub or bar, liquor stores are government run and have the same steep tax.

Avoid Shopping!

Because the krone is stronger than the dollar, avoid shopping for things you can get at home.  Buying one of the famous Norwegian sweaters is really not worth the crazy mark up in the end!  Creating a killer photo album will be your best souvenir.

I have to say a huge TAKK (Norwegian for thank you) to my amazing Norwegian hosts.  The trip exceeded my expectations in every way.  Not only did I fall in love with Norway, but I realized that despite its reputation for being pricey – it was also possible to take a frugal approach to this fabulous land.  A place rich in natural beauty and full of kind, gracious people is always Fab & Fru!

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