1 Book in Advance

This is the no 1 golden rule of Norway. Not exactly my travel style, but believe me when I say it is crucial – either book (way) in advance or accept that your Norwegian trip will push you into financial ruin. The longer you can plan in advance, the better, I would say 1 month before at least if you’re traveling in peak season. There aren’t so many options in Norway and not only do they simply sell out (and of course, the cheaper ones do first), but the remaining ones will also raise their price.

2 Stay in Hostels, wherever you can

Norway has a range of hostels in bigger cities, and most of them are pretty high quality, like almost any accommodation in the Nordics. The problem with hostels is that they are simply not available for most of your itinerary outside of cities. Some of the best hostels are:

– Anker Hostel, Oslo: A large, central, budget-friendly option with easy access to public transport.
– K7 Hotel, Oslo: A smaller hostel plus hotel, with a lovely cafe downstairs. It is very central, about 5 min walk from the train station.
– Bergen Hostel Montana, Bergen: Offers breathtaking views and a cozy atmosphere.
– Tromsø Activities Hostel, Tromsø: Great for those looking to explore the Arctic Circle without breaking the bank.

3 Wild camp

Norway is a camper’s paradise, and the country’s “Right to Roam” law allows you to camp almost anywhere in the countryside for free, as long as you follow certain guidelines. Of course wild camping isn’t for everyone. Even if it is for you, it’s probably smart to combine wild camping with campsites for a bit more comfort. Campsites are the cheapest (paid) option, with a tent night costing between 15-45 €.

4 Stay in rooms or cabins at a camping

I consider this the second best tip. The best cheap accommodation in Norway is often a room or a cabin (“hytter”) in a camping. I was very (positively) surprised by the quality of all the campsites we have stayed at. They were clean, convenient, well-equipped and always in unbelievable scenic settings. Prices were between 40-120€. The best campsites I’ve stayed at:

– Lofoten Beach Camp, Ramberg: Absolutely stunning! The best camping I’ve ever stayed at. It’s beautiful and new, with a ton of amenities (like surf classes). The location is also unbelievable, right at the white sand beach of Ramberg.
– Gudvangen camping, Gudvangen: walking distance from the ferry station. Cabins are basic but it’s a perfect place to spend the night after arriving late with the ferry. Start the next day with a hike and take the direct bus to Voss (or back to Flåm).
– Flåm Camping and Cabins, Flåm: It is very popular (and basically the only budget option in the area), so book very early! There are dorms as well as rooms and cabins.
– Andalsnes Camping & Motell, Åndalsnes: A beautiful setting next to the river. Some of the rooms have en suite bathrooms. It is far from the station and the center, but doable without a car.

5 Try Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms are often your best bet when prices surge. Renting an entire apartment is very expensive, but a room only can be a good solution. I’ve booked rooms in many Airbnbs in Norway and always found clean spaces, friendly hosts and good amenities. It’s also a great way to talk to locals, which otherwise would be pretty hard to do as a tourist (plus in my opinion Norwegians are pretty shy). This is also one of the destinations where it really counts if you can have your own kitchen to prepare a meal, especially if you’re tired of those store sandwiches and wraps!

6 Consider Couchsurfing

I am personally not a fan of couchsurfing, simply because I find the idea very uncomfortable to sleep on a stranger’s sofa, but if there is one region I would consider this it would definitely be the Nordics, and especially Norway.

7 Night trains

Night trains are a smart way to trick the system (provided that you are going somewhere, and preferably somewhere far, of course…). Usually they are pretty expensive, but if you buy an Interrail or Eurail pass for Norway then it’s much cheaper, and you could end up saving money compared to a hotel (this is how I spent 2 full days in Bergen with only one hotel night). Most overnight trains have double sleeping cabins which you can book for two or alone – the price is the same either way because you have to reserve the entire cabin, so it’s worth to go with a friend. A sleeper cabin with Interrail costs about 100€ for the night. There are sadly no showers on the train or at the station (in Bergen and Oslo you can shower in partner hotels near the station for a fee of around 25€. This sometimes contains breakfast, sometimes only a shower and is insultingly expensive in my opinion). There are lockers in all train stations where you can board a night train. The best website to book a sleeper cabin (or a seat reservation once you have Interrail) is Entur.

8 The usual tricks (that don’t work!)

Travel Off-Peak: You can somewhat consider visiting Norway during the off-peak seasons (spring and autumn), but it won’t help you much. Norway is always expensive. The big difference is that outside of peak season you have better chances to book the cheaper accommodations before everyone else does.

Opt for Less Touristy Areas: Staying outside of the main tourist hubs like Oslo, Bergen, and Tromsø also won’t really help you. Norway is about nature, and rural accommodation is often more expensive than a city one (plus there are likely no hostels around).

+1 Public huts and cabins (for hikers)

In Norway, public huts and cabins are a well-established and integral part of the country’s outdoor culture. “Friluftsliv”, the Norwegian concept of outdoor life and nature appreciation, is deeply ingrained in the use of these huts and cabins. They provide a means for people to experience nature sustainably and responsibly. The Norwegian Trekking Association (Den Norske Turistforening or DNT) manages around 550 cabins across Norway. Huts are strategically placed along popular hiking routes, in national parks, and in remote wilderness areas and are designed to be within a day’s hike of one another (so they are perfect to plan multi-day treks). In addition to DNT huts, there are many cabins managed by local municipalities, private organizations, and even individuals.

DNT huts range from fully staffed lodges to self-service and no-service cabins:
– Staffed Lodges (Betjente Hytter): Offer meals, private rooms, and additional amenities. These are often located in more accessible areas.
– Self-Service Cabins (Selvbetjente Hytter): Equipped with a kitchen, food supplies, and dormitory-style accommodations. Hikers need to prepare their own meals.
– No-Service Cabins (Ubetjente Hytter): Basic shelters with no food supplies. Hikers must bring all their own provisions.

While some DNT huts are open to everyone, for most you need to become a DNT member, which also provides various benefits, such as reduced accommodation rates and access (or keys) to locked self-service and no-service huts. Some huts, especially the staffed ones, require reservations in advance, particularly during peak season. For others, you need to obtain a key from the association before arriving (see here how to do it). Accommodation fees vary depending on the type of hut and membership status. Staffed lodges are more expensive compared to self-service or no-service huts. See a detailed description of the whole hut system and its etiquette here.

How to get there and around

By car

You can drive into Norway from Sweden, Finland, or Russia. The road network is well-developed and offers scenic routes. Renting a car or a van is a popular option for exploring Norway, especially in the Lofoten islands. Norway has strict traffic regulations, and the terrain can be challenging with narrow roads and fjord crossings. Winter driving requires special preparation, especially in the far north, and I would really only recommend it if you are a very very good driver (imagine driving at night in a snowstorm on a road that’s basically a block of ice, with extra bright headlights on for the reindeer…). Many Norwegian roads have tolls. Electronic toll collection (AutoPASS) is common, and rental cars often come equipped with toll tags.

By plane

Most international travelers arrive in Norway by air. Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) is the main international gateway, but there are also international airports in Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, and other cities. Due to the large distances, Norway has a dense network of domestic airports, making air travel a convenient option for covering large distances quickly. Airlines like SAS, Norwegian, and Widerøe operate frequent flights between major cities and remote locations. Consider checking Norwegian’s route map when trip planning.

By train

There are train services from Stockholm and Gothenburg to Oslo, operated by SJ (Swedish Railways). You can also travel by train from Copenhagen to Oslo, with a ferry connection between Copenhagen and Oslo operated by DFDS Seaways. Domestic train services are operated by several companies, primarily Vy, Flytoget, SJ Norge and Go-Ahead Nordic. The best website to book train tickets in Norway is Entur.

By ferry

Ferries operate between Copenhagen, Frederikshavn, and Hirtshals in Denmark to several Norwegian ports including Oslo, Kristiansand, and Larvik. Also between Kiel, Germany, and Oslo. You can also take your car on ferries from Denmark or Germany. Within the country, the coastline and fjords are well-served by ferries. Apart from the famous(ly expensive) Hurtigruten coastal ferry (mostly for tourists), most places are served by local ferries that are just as scenic. Consider booking these instead to save money (some are even free if you don’t have a car!)

Tip | Norway is not part of the EU, but part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa is required for travelers from certain countries.