Norway on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Norway on a budget is possible with hostels, supermarket food and free nature, but it is never cheap. A realistic minimum is about NOK 1,450 per person per day: bed NOK 450, food NOK 450, sights NOK 250 and transport NOK 300.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | NOK450 | NOK900 | NOK1,800 |
| Food & drink | NOK450 | NOK800 | NOK1,500 |
| Sights & tickets | NOK250 | NOK500 | NOK900 |
| Local transport | NOK300 | NOK600 | NOK1,000 |
| Per person, per day | NOK1,450 | NOK2,800 | NOK5,200 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Norway day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking on the roof of the Oslo Opera House
- Akershus Fortress grounds
- Vigeland Park, open all year
- Bryggen's wooden Hanseatic wharf in Bergen (outside view and alleys)
- Hiking trails from the top of Mount Fløyen in Bergen
- Right to roam (allemannsretten): hiking and wild camping in nature
Cheap eats
- Pølse i lompe (hot dog in flatbread) from a kiosk: about NOK 40-60
- Supermarket picnic of bread, brunost cheese and fruit: about NOK 80-120
- Fish cakes (fiskekaker) from a fish shop: about NOK 30-50 each
- Kebab or pizza slice: about NOK 100-150
- Skillingsbolle (cinnamon bun) in Bergen: about NOK 40-60
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels in Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø, or campsite cabins in summer, at about NOK 700-1,200 for a double room; dorm beds cost less.
Getting around cheaply
Book Vy trains early for cheap Lowfare tickets, and use city ticket apps (Ruter, Skyss). From Oslo Airport, regional trains are cheaper than the Flytoget express. Long-distance buses are often cheaper than trains.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Opera House roof and Akershus Fortress (free)
- Lunch: supermarket picnic by the harbour (about NOK 100)
- Afternoon: Vigeland Park (free) and the MUNCH museum (about NOK 185)
- Evening: kebab or pizza in Grünerløkka (about NOK 150)
- Total: about NOK 1,450 including a hostel bed and a transport pass
More ways to save
- Travel in May or September for lower prices and fewer crowds.
- Bring a refillable bottle; tap water is excellent and free.
- Look for 'dagens rett' (dish of the day) lunch deals in cafes.
- Take local ferries rather than tourist cruises where possible.
- Use the Ruter 24-hour pass for Oslo ferries to Bygdøy.
- Camp with the right to roam in nature, following the rules.
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Common questions
How can I visit Norway on a budget?
Use hostels or cabins, supermarket food, early-booked Lowfare trains and free nature; budget about NOK 1,450 a day.
Can I camp anywhere in Norway?
Under the right to roam you may usually camp for a night or two in uncultivated land at least 150 metres from houses, following local rules.
Is alcohol expensive in Norway?
Very. A beer in a bar costs about NOK 110-130. Wine and spirits are sold only at Vinmonopolet stores.