Oslo on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Oslo on a budget is possible but tight at about NOK 1,250 per person per day, using hostels, supermarkets and free sights. The many free attractions and the Oslo Pass help; eating out and drinking are what break budgets.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | NOK600 | NOK1,100 | NOK2,500 |
| Food & drink | NOK400 | NOK750 | NOK1,500 |
| Sights & tickets | NOK200 | NOK500 | NOK900 |
| Local transport | NOK50 | NOK120 | NOK300 |
| Per person, per day | NOK1,250 | NOK2,470 | NOK5,200 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Oslo day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk on the marble roof of the Oslo Opera House
- See more than 200 sculptures in Vigeland Park, open 24 hours
- Explore the grounds of Akershus Fortress
- Walk the modern waterfront of Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen
- Stroll along the Akerselva river through Grünerløkka
- Swim at Huk or Paradisbukta beaches on Bygdøy in summer
Cheap eats
- Pølse (hot dog) from a kiosk, about NOK 40-70
- Kebab or falafel in Grønland, about NOK 100-150
- Fish cakes or a shrimp sandwich from a market stall, about NOK 100-150
- Cinnamon bun (kanelbolle) and coffee, about NOK 80-100
- Food-hall dish at Mathallen, about NOK 150-250
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and simple hotels near Oslo S and in Grønland, at about NOK 1,100-1,700 for a double; dorm beds start around NOK 350-500.
Getting around cheaply
A Ruter ticket covers metro, trams, buses and city ferries, including Bygdøy and the islands. From Oslo Airport Gardermoen, regular Vy trains are cheaper than the Flytoget express and take a similar time. Walking covers most of the centre.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Opera House roof and Akershus Fortress, free
- Lunch: supermarket picnic by the harbour, about NOK 120
- Afternoon: Vigeland Park and Frogner, free, with a day ticket, about NOK 130
- Evening: kebab in Grønland, about NOK 130
- Total: about NOK 1,250 per person including a shared room
More ways to save
- Choose hotels with breakfast included; Norwegian breakfasts are big enough to skip lunch.
- Fill your water bottle from the tap; bottled water is expensive.
- Visit museums on the days you use the Oslo Pass, and do free sights on others.
- Take the ferry to Hovedøya or Gressholmen for a cheap island trip.
- Look for 'happy hour' deals before 19:00 in some bars.
- Bring warm and rain gear from home rather than buying it in Norway.
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Common questions
Can you visit Oslo on a budget?
Yes, but it is tight: about NOK 1,250 a day with hostels, supermarket food and free sights.
What are the best free things to do in Oslo?
The Opera House roof, Vigeland Park, Akershus Fortress and the Aker Brygge waterfront.
What is the cheapest way from Oslo Airport to the city?
The regular Vy train, cheaper than the Flytoget express and only a little slower.