Europe
Norway
Fjords, cliff-edge hikes and the midnight sun, if your budget can take the price of a beer.
Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world, but the scenery is free. Ride the train from Oslo to Bergen, hike to Preikestolen and Trolltunga, then head north to the jagged peaks and red fishing huts of the Lofoten Islands.
The right to roam lets you camp almost anywhere, and cheap Minipris train tickets and supermarket picnics keep costs down. Summer brings endless daylight; come between September and March for the northern lights.
Good to know
- Time zone
- GMT+1, GMT+2 in summer
- Plugs
- Types C and F, 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 112 police, 113 ambulance, 110 fire
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
- Tipping
- Not expected, as service is included, but rounding up in restaurants is appreciated.
- SIM cards
- Telia and Telenor prepaid SIMs with plenty of data cost around 200–300 kroner, and EU SIMs roam at no extra cost.
When to go to Norway
Best months to go: June to September. Pick a month to see what it’s like.
Bars show rainfall; numbers are the average daytime high. Amber marks the best months to go.
SeptemberBest time to go
Autumn colours, fewer people and the northern lights return in the north.
- Daytime high
- 16°C
- Rainfall
- 80 mm
- Crowds
- Busy
| Month | Daytime high | Rainfall | Crowds | Best time to go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C | 50 mm | Quiet | No |
| February | 1°C | 40 mm | Busy | No |
| March | 5°C | 45 mm | Busy | No |
| April | 10°C | 45 mm | Quiet | No |
| May | 16°C | 55 mm | Quiet | No |
| June | 20°C | 70 mm | Busy | Yes |
| July | 22°C | 80 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| August | 21°C | 90 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| September | 16°C | 80 mm | Busy | Yes |
| October | 10°C | 85 mm | Quiet | No |
| November | 4°C | 75 mm | Quiet | No |
| December | 1°C | 55 mm | Quiet | No |
What Norway costs
Work out a budget for your trip, then check what everyday things cost.
$1,470for 14 days, about $105 a day (kr 15,000 in total)
| Cost | Per day | For the trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | $45 | $630 | |
| Food and drink | $30 | $420 | |
| Getting around | $20 | $280 | |
| Things to do | $5 | $70 | |
| Everything else | $5 | $70 |
Per person, in US dollars. Flights and insurance not included.
What things cost
- Pølse i lompe from a kioskkr 45, about $4.41
- Pint of beer in an Oslo barkr 110, about $11
- Cup of coffeekr 45, about $4.41
- Kebabkr 150, about $15
- Hostel dorm bed in Oslokr 450, about $44
- Single bus or metro ticket in Oslokr 45, about $4.41
- Minipris train ticket, Oslo to Bergenkr 400, about $39
Routes through Norway
Where to go and how long to stay, for the time you’ve got.
14 nights, 5 stops
The fjords of the southwest by train, boat and bus, with the two most famous cliff hikes in the country.
Oslo
3 nights
The opera house roof, the Viking ship museum and a swim in the fjord.
Flåm
2 nights
Ride the Flåm Railway down from Myrdal and take the boat through the Nærøyfjord.
Bergen
3 nights
Bryggen’s wooden wharf, the fish market and a hike up Mount Ulriken.
Odda
3 nights
Allow a full day, and a spare one for weather, for the long hike to Trolltunga.
Stavanger
3 nights
Hike to Preikestolen, the flat-topped cliff above the Lysefjord.
Getting around
Train
$30–100 per leg
Vy runs the scenic lines from Oslo to Bergen, Trondheim and Bodø. Book early for cheap Minipris fares.
Bus
$20–60 per leg
Long-distance buses fill the gaps between the fjords and along the coast where there are no trains.
Ferry
$5–60 per crossing
Car ferries cross most fjords, the Bodø ferry reaches Lofoten, and the Hurtigruten coastal ships sail the whole coast.
Flight
$50–120 one way
Norwegian and Widerøe save days on the long trip north, especially to Tromsø.
Private car
$60–120 a day to hire
Handy for Lofoten and the fjords, but tolls, ferries and fuel add up fast.
What to eat and drink
Pølse i lompe
A hot dog wrapped in a soft potato flatbread. The cheapest hot meal in Norway.
kr 45, about $4.41
Vaffel med brunost
A heart-shaped waffle topped with sweet, caramel-flavoured brown cheese.
kr 50, about $4.90
Bergensk fiskesuppe
Creamy Bergen fish soup with vegetables, best at the harbour.
kr 190, about $19
Skillingsbolle
A big cinnamon bun from Bergen bakeries. Good with a coffee after a hike.
kr 45, about $4.41
Fårikål
Mutton and cabbage stewed with peppercorns. The national dish, eaten in autumn.
kr 250, about $25
Akevitt
A caraway-flavoured spirit, sipped with Christmas food and at celebrations.
kr 120, about $12
Say it like a local
A few words go a long way. Tap “Hear it” to listen, where your browser can.
Hello
Hei
Say it like: hi
Good morning
God morgen
Say it like: goo mor-n
Thank you
Takk
Say it like: tahk
Thank you very much
Tusen takk
Say it like: too-sen tahk
Excuse me
Unnskyld
Say it like: oon-shill
How much does it cost?
Hva koster det?
Say it like: vah kos-ter deh
Cheers!
Skål!
Say it like: skawl
Bye
Ha det
Say it like: hah-deh
Questions travellers ask
Can I camp anywhere?
Almost. The right to roam lets you pitch a tent for up to two nights on open land, at least 150 metres from houses. Campfires in or near woods are banned from 15 April to 15 September.
Why can’t I buy wine in the supermarket?
Supermarkets only sell beer, and only until 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on Saturdays, never on Sundays. Wine and spirits are sold at the state-run Vinmonopolet shops.
Do I need cash?
Hardly ever. Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, and some places no longer take cash at all.
How hard is the Trolltunga hike?
It is a long day: around 20–27 kilometres return, depending on where you park, and 8 to 12 hours of walking. Go between June and September, start early and turn back if the weather closes in.
How do I keep costs down?
Book Minipris train tickets early, shop at Rema 1000, Kiwi or Coop Extra, and cook in hostels. Camping and a good sleeping bag can cut your costs in half.