Dreaming of a trip to Norway but worried about how expensive it is? I hear you! I put off going to Norway for years because I was so worried about how much of an expensive country it is.
Norway’s reputation as one of the world’s most expensive countries is enough to make anyone reconsider a trip there. But with stunning fjords, the Northern Lights, and incredible hiking trails, it’s a bucket list destination for many.
Well, I have good news. It is entirely possible to visit Norway on a budget, and I’m here to show you how.
In this post, I’ll break down the cost of a trip to Norway and share travel tips on how to save money while you’re there. From staying in hostels to avoiding expensive tours and making the most of Norway’s beautiful outdoors, there are plenty of ways to keep the costs down.
That said—travelling on a budget in Norway is still going to be more expensive than backpacking Southeast Asia or South America. But, with a bit of planning, it’s absolutely possible to experience this breathtaking country without breaking the bank.
But first, a little disclaimer… I tend to avoid writing these types of posts as they’re so tricky to get right. We all travel in different ways and have different standards. While some people might be happy to stay in a hostel dorm room, others might prefer a bit of a luxury.
How expensive a country feels also depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re travelling from places like Switzerland or certain U.S. cities, you might not find Norway all that pricey.
However, if you’re used to backpacking in Southeast Asia or visiting more budget-friendly destinations, Norwegian prices might come as a shock. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how you travel and what prices you’re used to.
Wherever you’re coming from, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your trip to Norway… without emptying your bank.

How much does a trip to Norway cost in 2025?
The cost of a trip to Norway will vary depending on how you choose to travel. Staying in luxury hotels and eating at fancy restaurants will be more expensive than staying in hostels and cooking your own food.
Here’s a rough idea of what I spent on my budget trips to Tromso and Oslo:
- Accommodation: $85 in Tromso / $60 in Oslo per day (winter trips in dorm rooms)
- Transportation costs: $100 in Tromso (including transport between Tromso and Skjervoy) / $40 in Oslo
- Tours: $150-250 per tour in Tromso / Oslo pass for $84
- Coffee: $4
- Food costs: $25/$30 eating at mid-range restaurants (I avoided fancy restaurants)
Tromso
My one-week trip to Tromso (excluding flights and travel insurance) cost me almost $1100. This included several nights in dorm rooms, tours, food and transport (I did an additional week of whale watching in Tromso, which I’ve kept separate from this).
This works out at an average cost of $157 per day… one of the most expensive trips I’ve ever been on. This is based on staying in dorm rooms, eating at cheaper restaurants, buying coffee, travelling in the high season and doing several tours throughout the week.
Oslo
I visited Oslo in the winter, the cheapest time to visit (the opposite of Tromso).
In total, my four-night trip cost me $540 (excluding flights). This is based on four nights in a dorm room, a couple of meals out, daily coffee, the Oslo pass, and transport to and from the airport (the Oslo pass covered everything else).
I didn’t do any tours as the Oslo Pass included everything I wanted to see.
You could easily do the same trip as me for less, and likewise, you could do it for a lot more. Not everyone wants to buy a $4 coffee every day, and some people will want to try some posher restaurants.
Below, you’ll find some tips on how to save money in Norway.

How to visit Norway on a budget: tips & tricks
Travel outside of the peak season
Avoiding the peak season can be a great way to save some money. Not only are flights likely to be cheaper, but the cost of accommodation can be much lower too.
The peak season varies around the country. In Tromso (Northern Norway), the peak season falls between October and March. The area turns into a winter wonderland with countless outdoor activities, and it’s an excellent place to see the Northern Lights.
This is a costly time to visit Tromso. I couldn’t believe how much the prices differ from the summer.
For the rest of the country, summer tends to be the busiest. May, June and July are particularly popular for outdoor lovers as they hit the epic hiking trails.
Here’s an example of how accommodation costs may differ depending on the seasons. I chose one budget and one mid-range accommodation for some of Norway’s top destinations and compared prices throughout the year.
Location/Season | Price in July | Price in January |
Tromso budget (dorm) | $65 | $97 |
Tromso mid-range (private) | $103 | $302 (!!!) |
Oslo budget (dorm) | $69 | $53 |
Oslo mid-range (private) | $201 | $195 |
Lofoten budget (dorm) | $49 | $41 |
Lofoten mid-range (private) | $282 | $172 |
Bergen budget (dorm) | $39 | $31 |
Bergen mid-range (private) | $214 | $113 |
As you can see, there is a significant price difference depending on the time of year. The shoulder seasons of autumn and spring also tend to offer lower prices.
Research accommodation and consider budget options
Choosing affordable accommodation is one of the easiest ways to save money in Norway. You can see from the section above that accommodation is expensive in Norway, but it is possible to find options that won’t completely break the bank.
The more I travel and the older I get, the more I enjoy having a private room to return to at the end of the day. But staying in hostels has likely saved me thousands over the years. And the reality is, I probably wouldn’t have been able to travel as much as I have without them.

In Norway, hostels are a popular choice for budget backpackers and visitors. I found the dorms to be clean, modern and tidy (although not the most social). Many of the hostels also have private rooms. This allows you to have some privacy while saving a bit of money.
Now, if you’re worried about staying in a hostel, I get it. The idea of sharing a room with strangers can be weird. However, they’re a fantastic way to travel on a budget and meet other travellers.
I’ve shared a few of my favourite hostels in Norway below.
For those who want to avoid hostels, I’ve also selected a few budget hotels with private rooms.
Tromso
$ Kyst Apartment | Lun Home
$$ Moxy Hotel | Comfort Hotel Xpress
Oslo
$ Bunks at Rhode | Hostel Oslofjord (this is a bit out of the main city)
$$ Comfort Express Central Station | Citybox
Bergen
$ City Hostel | Bergen Hostel Montana
$$ Citybox Bergen | Thon Hotel
I use Booking.com to find the best deals on accommodation all around the world. They even sometimes price match if you find the accommodation cheaper elsewhere.
Choose your tours carefully
One of the most expensive parts of my trip to Tromso was the cost of the tours and activities. They seemed significantly higher here than in other parts of the world, even Iceland.
For example, a RIB boat whale-watching tour in Tromso costs over $200. In Husavik, a similar tour costs about $140.
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for some of the tours and activities in Tromso:
- RIB boat whale watching: $200
- Snowshoeing tour: $130
- Small group Northern Lights tour: $200 for a premium tour
- Coach Northern Lights tour: $105
- Reindeer feeding and Sami Culture: $150
- Fjord Cruise: $100
- Snowmobile tour: $260
As you can see, the tours can quickly eat into your budget. In all honesty, if you plan to visit Tromso in winter, you’ll more than likely want to join one or two of these tours to make the trip worthwhile.
The good news is that not everywhere in Norway requires you to join tours. I didn’t do a single tour in Oslo. Instead, I bought an Oslo pass and made the most of the museums and free parks.
Before you visit Norway, think about what tours you want to do and consider the cost of these when planning your budget.

Make the most of free tours and activities
One of the best things to do in Norway is to go hiking, and the best part is that it’s entirely free! Well, once you figure out your transport.
Norwegians LOVE the outdoors and for very good reason. Norway has some of the best hiking in the world. With magnificent fjords and dramatic landscapes, hiking in Norway is a dream.
If you’re visiting Norway in the spring or summer, you can fill your itinerary with various hikes around the country. Even if long hikes aren’t your thing, there are plenty of short walks that are close to the main cities.
Many of Oslo’s cities have large parks to explore. For example, Oslo is home to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. It’s a beautiful spot, and you could easily spend a couple of hours walking around.
Norway is also home to several free attractions, here are a few of my favourites:
- Akershus Fortress in Oslo
- Oslo City Hall
- Ekebergparken Sculpture Park in Oslo (In winter, they have a free light show)
- The Arctic Cathedral in Tromso
- Walking up to Storsteinen in Tromso (you can take the cable car or walk for free)
- There are Botanic Gardens in both Tromso and Oslo with no entry fee
There are also free walking tours in Oslo.

Stay somewhere with a kitchen
I found eating out to be VERY expensive in Norway. I’m sure many people will say it’s not much worse than some cities in the United States or other European countries, but I personally found it higher. Even some of the fast food places took me by surprise.
A main course meal at a typical restaurant will cost you about $30-$40. There are some budget-friendly places, but prices were often higher than I wanted to pay. If you want a meal at a fancy restaurant, you could pay around $70/$80.
My favourite part of food in Norway was the bakeries! They were SO GOOD. You can buy a couple of pastries for $5 – the perfect breakfast or lunch.
But for the most part, I bought food from the supermarket and cooked in the hostel kitchen. Food is a huge part of travel for me, and while Norway does have some great food, I wouldn’t say you’d majorly miss out by cooking your own meals. Plus, cooking is one of the best ways to save money.
Groceries in Norway aren’t the cheapest, but they’re not horrific either. If you’re used to paying US grocery prices, I’m sure you won’t find Norway much different. Fruit and vegetables are definitely on the pricier side, but that’s to be expected.
Some of my favourite meals to cook when I’m away are:
- Pasta with pesto or tomato sauce
- Tacos or fajitas
- Pre-made pasta like Raviolli with a sauce
- Omelettes
- Jacket potatoes
Cooking your own food is an excellent way to save money in Norway. Most places in Norway have an Extra, a large supermarket chain.

Buy your own alcohol
I was initially going to title this section ‘avoid alcohol’, but let’s be honest, most of us want a drink when we’re on holiday.
However, alcohol in Norway is VERY, VERY expensive. Like… really expensive. The country has some strict laws around alcohol consumption, and high prices are one of the ways they control consumption.
A pint of beer or glass of wine in a restaurant can easily set you back $15, and that would be a cheap option. My friend and I wanted to share a bottle of wine when we went out for a meal, but we couldn’t find one for less than $60 (at a low-cost restaurant).
If you are keen to drink alcohol in Norway, the best thing to do is buy your drink from the supermarket or liquor store.
Supermarkets in Norway are only allowed to sell alcohol that has up to 4.7% alcohol. For the most part, you can only find beers in supermarkets. A six-pack of local beer will set you back around $15, and international beers will be a bit higher.
To buy wine or spirits, you’ll need to find a Vinmonopolet – the only place in Norway where you can purchase alcohol above 4.7% (aside from licensed bars).
The cheapest bottles of wine are around $15, and bottles of spirits start at about $40.
If you do plan to buy your own alcohol, make sure to go when the stores can legally sell it. You can only purchase alcohol from stores before 8pm on a weekday and 6pm on a Saturday. It’s illegal to sell alcohol on Sundays in Norway, so you’ll need to go to a bar to get a drink then.

Drink the free tap water
Norway has some of the cleanest tap water in the world. Utilising this free water is a great way to keep your everyday costs low. There’s no need to buy expensive water bottles every single day.
Check your credit card fees
I’m always shocked by the number of people I meet paying excessive amounts to use their credit cards abroad.
Many people don’t seem to know that using a credit or debit card abroad can be very expensive, and the exchange rate is often poor.
Norway is generally a card-first country. I never needed to use any cash while I was in the country. I actually struggled to use what I had as so many places preferred card payments.
If you’re paying for everything in Norway with a credit card with additional transaction fees, it will increase your trip’s overall cost.
Thankfully, there are a variety of debit and credit cards designed to pay for things abroad. These have little to no fees and free cash withdrawals. And some even have benefits when you spend abroad.
Here are a few of my favourite travel debit cards for those from the UK:
- Starling (debit card)
- Monzo (debit card)
- First Direct (debit card)
- Revolut (debit card)
- Chase (debit card)
The Halifax Clarity Card is an excellent option for those who want a credit card instead of a debit card.
For non-Brits reading this, it’s worth searching online to find a suitable card for you.
Another tip is to ensure you are paying in local currency (Norwegian Krone). Sometimes, a card machine will give you the option to pay in your currency with a conversion rate or pay in local currency. It’s nearly always cheaper to pay with the local currency (especially when you have a card designed to use abroad). Don’t get caught out by this.

Consider an Oslo Pass
The Oslo Pass can be a great way to save money in Oslo. The digital card gives you entry to most museums and attractions and also includes transport on their city centre buses and trams.
You can choose your pass to be valid for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours.
So, is the Oslo Pass worth it? Well, it depends. Oslo is filled with interesting museums and galleries included in the pass. The Oslo Pass will likely save you money if you want to visit as many of these as possible.
If you’re not too worried about the museums and want to focus on other things in Oslo, then no, it probably won’t save you money.

Make use of public transportation
Norway has fantastic public transportation. Yes, it’s pricier than most other European destinations, but it’s still cheaper than using taxis, joining tours or hiring a car.
For example, the public bus from Tromso Airport to the city costs about $4. The designated airport shuttle bus costs $11, and a taxi costs around $40.
Down in Oslo, the airport express train costs around $22, compared to $13 for the public train (which only takes a few minutes longer).
You can save considerable money on transport costs by utilising the fantastic local transportation in Norway. Vy is an excellent app for planning your transport. You can also book train tickets through the app.
It’s worth checking if the area you are staying in offers transport passes. This usually involves paying an upfront fee for unlimited transport. If you plan to use lots of the trains and buses, it might save you money.


Will a road trip in Norway save you money?
It’s my absolute dream to go on a road trip through Norway! I already have my dream route planned out, but the reality is – it’s expensive.
If you plan to hire a car and stay in hotels, it will likely be a lot more money. Not only do you need to pay for the vehicle, but you’ll also need to add in the cost of fuel.
However, if you plan to hire a car (or even a campervan) and camp, it is possible to save some money.
Norway has some of the most relaxed camping laws in the world. Their “Right to Roam” law, or “Allemannsretten”, gives anyone the freedom to camp in Norway’s spectacular nature. It means you can camp anywhere, anytime, provided you’re at least 150 metres away from a house (and for a maximum of two nights). This is great for anyone travelling on a very tight budget.
Similar rules apply to campervans, and there are free campsites all over the country. You can find out more about the laws regarding wild camping here.
So, can hiring a campervan or car save you money? In theory, yes. But there are a lot of factors to consider like the cost of the vehicle, how many people will be sharing the cost, how much petrol you’ll use, if you’ll stay in campsites with facilities…
However, there’s a good chance of saving some money if you’re happy to wild camp and rough it.

Summary: Is Norway expensive to visit?
Yes, Norway is a very expensive place to visit. But ultimately, the cost of your trip and how expensive you find it will depend on your travel style and where you’re coming from.
In reality, many costs don’t differ hugely from New York City or European cities like Zurich. If you live in a major city, you’ll probably find Norway’s costs normal.
There are also plenty of ways to keep the costs down. Travelling outside of peak seasons, staying in hostels and cooking your own meals are just some ways to visit Norway without breaking the bank. And don’t forget Norway’s stunning outdoor offerings: hiking, free attractions and wild camping all allow you to experience the country without spending a fortune.
With a bit of planning, it’s possible to enjoy the beauty and adventure of Norway on a budget.
Ready to plan your trip to Norway? Here are some more of my guides:
👉 A Norway winter travel guide
👉 How to spend 24 hours in Oslo
👉 What to see in Oslo during winter
👉 A review of my snowshoeing tour in Oslo
👉 A guide to whale watching in Norway
👉 Skjervoy travel guide
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