NORWAY has a reputation for being one of the most expensive places to go on a holiday.
But due to changes in the economy, oil prices and rising inflation in the UK, a trip to Norway really won’t set you back as much as you think – in comparison to the UK that is.
There are plenty of affordable cities in Norway[/caption]
Camping in Norway means that you can potentially enjoy a trip with free accommodation[/caption]
Back in the 1960s, Norway was one of the most expensive countries both to visit and live in because of the booming economy.
The discovery of oil off the coast of Norway changed everything and resulted in more cash for the country, which resulted in better salaries.
Even people in a low-paying job earn a fairly high wage compared to those in other countries. But this also resulted in higher prices for restaurants, bars and shops – hence why Norway is a fairly expensive place to visit.
But since then, a lot has changed resulting in prices of goods between the UK and Norway balancing out.
Currently the exchange rate between 1 NOK (Norwegian krone) equates to 0.071 GBP.
However, Norway is still fairly pricey compared to some other European holidays, so here are a few tips if you want to save on your next trip.
Oslo, the capital of Norway, is one of the most expensive cities in the world so be prepared to spend a little more if you go there.
If you’re looking to experience Norway on a budget then consider other cities like Bergen, Stavanger, Ålesund, and Kristiansand.
Bergen is a great place to explore surrounding mountains and fjords, including Sognefjord – nicknamed the King of the Fjords.
In Stavanger, you’ll find a charming Old Town with quiet streets and around 250 wooden houses.
Lots of beautiful places in Norway are completely free to see[/caption]
Ålesund is famous for its fresh seafood with restaurants on every corner. Make sure to have a look at the menu one customer reported on TripAdvisor having 56 pieces of sushi for 700NOK (£50) at Zuuma.
In Kristiansand you can either wander around the city for free or hop on the sightseeing “city train” that takes you through the streets for €15 (£12.48).
A pint of beer in Norway typically costs between 80 and 100 kroner, which is around £6.01 to £7.34.
In Stavanger there’s a charming Old Town with 250 wooden houses[/caption]
As of September 2024, the average price of a pint in London is £6.75 – so it’s pretty much the same.
In terms of what to do, Norway is also a great place to explore the outdoors – a lot of which you can do for nothing.
The Norwegians call it ‘friluftsliv’, which effectively means ‘enjoying the outdoors’.
It lets locals and tourists alike hike, swim and camp almost anywhere in the country for free.
Another term to know is ‘Allemannsretten’ which translates as ‘right to roam’, and it means that you can camp in the country for free which saves a lot when it comes to accommodation.
Sognefjord is the biggest fjord in Norway[/caption]
There are a few rules, for example, you can stay for two days in one place if you’re wild camping, but you have to make sure you’re 150 metres away from houses and farms.
There are a few rules, for example, you can stay for two days in one place if you’re wild camping, but you have to make sure you’re 150 metres away from houses and farms.
To pitch up at a campsite to use running water and electricity, the lowest price of an overnight stay can cost as little as €13 (£10.82) in the low season.
Bergen has multi-coloured houses and is a great place to explore[/caption]
According to Skyscanner, you can get cheap one-way flights to Norway from as little as £15 with returns from £40.
In 2024, a new direct service began operating between London Heathrow and Tromsø, Norway.
The twice-weekly service operates every Thursday and Sunday until March 27, 2025 with return tickets on sale from £153 per person.
Sun Travel went on a trip to the village of Skjervøy where you can see orcas and get flights from £23.
And we went on a week-long cruise around Norway to see the world’s most beautiful waterfalls.
12 top tips for an afforable trip to Norway
Here are the top tips for having a cheap holiday according to VisitNorway…
- Book as early as possible to avoid high ticket prices
- Travel out of season to keep the cost down
- Try one of the thousand campsites in Norway
- Go hiking, explore mountains, fjords and outdoor activities for free
- Practice the art of ‘Friluftsliv’ (enjoying the great outdoors)
- Explore the nationals parks for free
- Go on a cycling holiday – it’s very easy to rent bikes in Norway
- Buy local food and cook your own meals with self-catering
- Try local specialities and delicacies that tend to be cheaper
- Take a reusable water bottle for free water fill-ups
- Walk around the cities rather than take a taxi
- Stay longer and the cost of your holiday will be much lower
You can camp anywhere for up to two days in Norway for free[/caption]
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