Cost of travel in Norway: One week budget breakdown

Are you wondering how much one week in Norway costs? While undeniably beautiful, Norway is notorious for being one of the most expensive countries in the world. So is it even possible to plan a budget-friendly trip to Norway?

My readers often ask me: “How much money should I budget for 7 days in Norway?“. And I never know what to answer, because we probably have very different ideas of what a budget is.

What you end up spending during a week in Norway will, of course, depend on what kind of traveler you are and what you need to be comfortable. I can, however, give you an idea of how much I spent on an awesome 7-day road trip from Oslo to Lofoten.

Let’s dive into a breakdown of what 7 days of travel in Norway can cost.

How much does it cost to travel in Norway?

I was traveling with my friend but all the prices are per person and in Norwegian Kroner. We went on this trip in September and started out from our home in Larvik, a city 2 hours south of Oslo.

As of July 2024 1 USD = 10.6 NOK. The Norwegian Krone is currently weak against the Dollar and Euro, so this is a good time to experience Norway.

Accommodation budget

Total 3497 kr. / $366 for 7 nights – Average 500 kr. per night per person.

Bring a tent and accommodation will be totally free! Plus you’ll get even closer to our gorgeous nature. Norway’s “freedom to roam law” (allemannsretten) gives you the right to hike and camp on uncultivated land as long as you leave no trace. Your tent just has to be at least 150 meters from the landowner’s house or cabin.

If you want to camp in the same place for more than 2 days, you have to get permission from the landowner. This does, however, not apply when you camp in the mountains and remote areas.‍

If you want to be a little more comfortable, like having access to an indoor toilet and showers, then pitching your tent at a campsite might be your best option. You’ll have to pay a fee, but it will still be cheaper than a hotel room. And if you don’t have a tent then a lot of campgrounds have small cabins you can stay in.

Hotels are definitely not cheap but they aren’t as expensive as you might think. Nice hotels in Norway are about how much you would expect to pay for a nice hotel in a lot of places in Western Europe. They average around $150 a night.

During this trip, we mixed it up between hotels and campsite cabins. If we were to travel in Norway for a longer period of time we would definitely bring a tent.

Food & drinks budget

Total 1967 kr. / $206 for 7 days – Average 281 kr. per night per person.

As I mentioned earlier, dining out in Norway can be very expensive. So to save money I always try to buy ingredients from a grocery store and make our own food at least once a day. Generic store brands like “First Price” and “REMA 1000” are cheaper than name brands but often just as good.

We also used the free Too Good To Go app once to save on food. It allows you to purchase unsold food from restaurants and grocery stores at the end of the day, to prevent it from being thrown away. For only 49 kr. we got 10 chicken wings, one portion of lasagne, bread and assorted pastries. It’s not always the healthiest food but definitely cheap.

In Norway we also have these things called “rasteplass”, rest stops, often in scenic locations, where there are restrooms, tables, and grills to use. So buy some inexpensive charcoal at the store and bring it with you in your car. Upcoming rest stops are marked with blue and white signs with a tree and a table.

And remember to bring reusable water bottles as you can refill them everywhere, even from streams and lakes. Tapwater in Norway is just as good as bottled water so there’s no reason to waste money or plastic.

Transport & activities budget

Total 1770 kr. / $180 for 7 days – Average 253 kr. per night per person.

Norway is an incredibly beautiful country, so I bet there are many places on your Norway bucket list. But remember that some of the best things to do in Norway are free!

Okay, you could, of course, spend a lot of money on a fjord cruise or guided tour and it would definitely be worth it. A fun fact about Norway is that we have over 1100 fjords, so definitely enjoy and explore them.

But you can also go hiking from almost any city and see the most breathtaking views, waterfalls, mountains and beaches. All for free. So we only bought two tickets this time, one museum and the skylift in Loen which we just had to try.

Remember to book tickets for activities online in advance if possible, things often get booked in Norway, especially during the summer season.

Travel Norway by train

Norway is home to the famous Flåm railway, which is known as the most beautiful train ride in the world. And I couldn’t agree more. The train runs for 20 kilometers between Flåm and Myrdal, a roundtrip that takes around two hours to complete.

You can also take the train for longer distances, like from Oslo to Bergen or Oslo to Trondheim. I recommend planning and booking all train journeys in Norway through the Vy app. You can often save money by booking your tickets at least a few days in advance.

It is easy to travel by train all over Norway, but if you’re planning on going from the south to the north to see the Northern Lights, I recommend checking the price for domestic flights. Especially if you’re limited on time.

Rental cars

Since we live in Norway we used our own car on this trip so you have to add car rental on top of the total I list below. You can rent a decent car for around 4000 kr. a week. I highly recommend renting a car to get the most out of our beautiful country. Pro tip: I always rent through Discover Cars, a comparison site that covers 10,000 destinations worldwide.

You’re going to stop everywhere to just marvel at the views and take hundreds of photos, trust me! No matter how many times I go on road trips in Norway I’m still amazed by the incredible scenery.

I have not included toll road charges in the total either because I can’t remember exactly how much it was. I’m guessing somewhere around 400kr, we pay it once a month.

Most rental cars in Norway have an Autopass which means toll is automatically collected when you pass a toll station. Some car rentals have toll included in the price and some will charge your credit card after you return the car.

🚗 Check price and availability here >> Rent a car in Norway through DiscoverCars

Shopping budget

Total 118 kr. / $12

I rarely go shopping when traveling in Norway as I try to spend money on experiences rather than things. This time I only got a toothbrush and some hairspray because I forgot mine as usual.

And then I bought a postcard in Geiranger as a souvenir. I collect postcards and always get at least one whenever I travel.

Total cost of travel in Norway

In total, I spent 7247 kr. / $759 on 7 days and 7 nights in Norway.

This was half of a 2-week trip but our way back home was much less interesting and we spent almost exactly the same so I didn’t want to bore you with too many details.

With a rental car, the total cost of travel in Norway for one week would be around 9247 kr. per person.

Daily Norway budget breakdown

Day 1

Accommodation: Rondane Høyfjellshotell 450 kr. per person in a small double room

Food: Too Good To Go 25 kr. per person (bought the day before, we got enough food for 2 meals for 2 people) – 0.5l Pepsi Max 27 kr. – Dinner with a soft drink at the hotel 349 kr.

Transport: Gas 320 kr. per person

Shopping: Toothbrush 29 kr. – Hairspray 69 kr.

Daily cost: 1217 kr.

Day 2

Accommodation: Nesset Fjordcamping 400kr per person in basic double room

Food:  Breakfast included in the hotel price – For lunch we had the obligatory road trip cheese and bacon sausage from a gas station 49 kr. (trust me, it’s delicious) – Chicken salad and a diet coke for dinner in Geiranger 195kr.

Activities: Loen Skylift 440 kr.

Shopping: A postcard 20 kr.

Daily cost: 1104 kr.

Day 3

Accommodation: Gjerdset Turistsenter 400 kr. per person in a cabin with private bathroom.

Food: Bread, cheese, fruit and juice from the grocery store for breakfast and lunch 90 kr. – Dinner 139 kr. per person for a large pizza and soft drink.

Transport: Eidsdal-Linge ferry 87 kr.

Daily cost: 716 kr.

Day 4

Accommodation: Quality Hotel Skifer in Oppdal 545 kr. per person in a double room

Food: Smoothies and fruit from a grocery store for breakfast 37 kr. – Take out fried chicken in sweet and sour sauce from a Chinese restaurant 234 kr. – Pepsi Max and energy bar from a grocery store 60 kr.

Transport: Gas 360 kr. per person

Daily cost: 1236 kr.

Day 5

Accommodation: Scandic Stiklestad 775 kr. per person in a double room.

Food: Buffet breakfast included in the hotel price – Tomato and mozzarella sandwich and juice for lunch at a bakery 95kr. – Sushi buffet at Sabrura for dinner 199 kr.

Transport: Parking in Trondheim 60 kr.

Daily cost: 1129 kr.

Day 6

Accommodation: Vestvatn Arctic Cabins 525 kr. per person in a private cabin

Food: Buffet breakfast included in the hotel price – Gas station sausage with soft drink again for lunch 65 kr. (it’s a big thing in Norway) – Pasta for dinner made in the cabin, ingredients 75 kr. per person.

Transport: Gas 280 kr. per person

Daily cost: 945 kr.

Day 7

Accommodation: Skårungen Hotel, Cabins & Camping 402 kr. per person in a double room

Food: Smoothies and fruit from a grocery store for breakfast 40 kr. – Takeout spring rolls for lunch 65 kr. – Póke Bowl and soft drink for dinner at Du Verden in Lofoten 223 kr.

Activities: Lofotr Viking Museum 170 kr.

Daily cost: 900 kr.

Tips for keeping travel costs low in Norway

1. Like with any other destination, you should travel during the off-peak season to find lower prices on accommodations and activities. June and September are my favorite months to travel in Norway.
2. Consider staying at campgrounds instead of hotels. You can often rent a cabin for half the price of a hotel. Or even better, bring a tent.
3. Take advantage of the extensive network of public transportation to save on rental car costs. You can easily travel most of the country by train, though you won’t have as much freedom to go off the beaten path. Download the Vy app to plan your rides. All major cities have their own apps for public transportation, where you can buy, 24-hour, 7-day, and 1-month passes.
4. Opt for self-catering accommodations to prepare your own meals and save on dining expenses. Buy food from generic brands such as First Price, Eldorado and REMA 100.
5. Take advantage of the incredible nature in Norway and go for low-cost activities such as hiking, visiting public parks, and our beautiful Norwegian beaches.
6. Purchase a city pass or attraction pass to save on entrance fees to popular tourist sites. Most large cities have them, and some museums work together so always ask for combination tickets.
7. Bring reusable water bottles to refill from tap water, which is safe to drink in Norway.
8. Take advantage of free walking tours to learn about the city and its history without spending money on guided tours.
9. Look for discount cards or coupons for restaurants, attractions, and transportation. And use apps like Too Good To Go.

FAQs about travel in Norway

What is the best time to visit Norway?

The best time to travel in Norway is during the shoulder season of May/June and September. That’s when the weather is mostly sunny but with fewer crowds.

For those interested in witnessing the stunning Northern Lights, the best time to visit is during the winter months, from late September to late March.

Summer, particularly from June to August, is ideal for exploring the fjords, enjoying outdoor activities, and experiencing the midnight sun in the northern regions. Just keep in mind that this is also the high season when it gets crazily crowded in popular tourist destinations such as Geiranger and the Lofoten Islands.

How much does it cost to travel to Norway?

Norway is known to be relatively expensive for tourists compared to many other destinations. The cost of accommodation, dining, and transportation can be higher than in most other countries.

As mentioned above, I spent just over 9000 kr. during one week traveling from Oslo to Lofoten. But if you follow the tips above, you can keep the travel costs down even more. I splurged on some hotels, so I could have saved more if I only stayed at campsites.

And if you come from the US, UK or EU, you should take advantage of the current weak Norwegian Krone and get that trip booked.

Norway is so worth it. It truly is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and traveling here is definitely an unforgettable experience.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Norway?

Yes, credit cards are widely accepted in Norway. Most businesses, including restaurants, hotels, shops, and tourist attractions, readily accept major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express. It is common for Norwegians to use cards for everyday transactions, and contactless payment methods are also prevalent.

However, it’s advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases, as well as for transactions in more remote areas. Like if you want to buy waffles during a hike or something to drink from a kiosk at the beach.

How easy is it to travel around Norway without speaking Norwegian?

It’s relatively easy to travel around Norway without speaking Norwegian, as many Norwegians are fluent in English. Signs, menus, and transportation information are often available in English as well.

In larger cities and popular tourist destinations, you’ll find that most people working in the tourism industry speak English. However, in more remote or rural areas, you may encounter fewer English speakers among the older generation.

If you take the time to learn a few words and phrases in Norwegian, people really appreciate the effort. It’s a great icebreaker!

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