Norway is expensive. There is no way around this. The country consistently ranks among the 5 most expensive countries in the world, with a cost of living index that places Oslo above London, Paris, and New York. For travellers arriving from most of Europe or North America, prices in restaurants and accommodation will cause initial sticker shock.
However, the premise that Norway is unaffordably expensive is often overstated. With deliberate planning, a comfortable Norway trip is achievable. Here is a realistic breakdown.
Daily Budgets (per person)
Budget: NOK 600–900 / €55–85 per day
Hostel dorm beds, cooking your own meals from supermarkets (Rema 1000 and RIMI are the cheapest), using public transport, free hiking and nature. This is achievable but requires discipline and largely excludes restaurants.
Mid-range: NOK 1,200–2,000 / €110–185 per day
Budget hotel or Airbnb, one restaurant meal per day, public transport and a few paid attractions. This is a practical target for most independent travellers.
Comfortable: NOK 2,500–4,000 / €235–375 per day
3-star hotels, regular restaurant dining, guided experiences. This reflects Norway without significant compromise.
Key Costs Breakdown
Accommodation
- Hostel dorm: NOK 350–500 (€32–46)
- Budget hotel double room: NOK 900–1,400 (€83–130)
- Mid-range hotel double: NOK 1,500–2,500 (€138–232)
- Airbnb: Variable, often comparable to mid-range hotels in cities
Food and Drink
- Supermarket lunch: NOK 80–150 (€7–14)
- Bakery lunch (sandwich + coffee): NOK 120–180 (€11–17)
- Casual restaurant dinner (main + water): NOK 250–400 (€23–37)
- Mid-range restaurant dinner with beer: NOK 450–700 (€42–65)
- Beer at a bar (0.4L): NOK 85–120 (€8–11)
- Coffee (flat white): NOK 55–75 (€5–7)
Transport
- Oslo single metro/bus fare: NOK 40 (€3.70); day pass NOK 130 (€12)
- Oslo–Bergen train (advance): NOK 299–499 (€28–46)
- Fjord ferry (Flåm–Gudvangen): NOK 200–350 (€18–32)
- Petrol: roughly NOK 18–22/litre (€1.65–2.05) — car trips add up quickly
Free Things to Do in Norway
Norway's greatest attractions are largely free: hiking the mountains, swimming in fjords, walking the cities, watching the Northern Lights, and driving the scenic routes. The Allemannsretten (everyman's right) concept — enshrined in Norwegian law — allows anyone to camp anywhere in nature for up to 2 nights, fish in the sea, and access all uncultivated land for free. This makes Norway dramatically cheaper for outdoor-focused travellers.
Ways to Save Money
- Cook your own food. Norwegian supermarkets stock high-quality produce. One supermarket meal a day saves NOK 250–400 vs restaurants.
- Book trains early. NSB/Vy train tickets can be as low as NOK 199 on advance purchase, vs NOK 800+ full price on popular routes.
- Use Oslo Pass. The 24/48/72-hour Oslo Pass covers all public transport and entry to 30+ museums. Worth it if you plan to use transport and visit several attractions.
- Stay in smaller towns. Accommodation in Bergen is significantly cheaper than similar quality in Oslo.
- Avoid bottled water. Norwegian tap water is exceptionally clean — carry a reusable bottle everywhere.