Norway is quite an expensive destination for by-the-book travelling, BUT backpackers are challenging the age-old norms of travelling by successfully travelling through Norway on a shoestring budget.
Is It Viable to Stay in a Budget Hotel in Norway?
Your biggest concern while travelling through Norway will be searching for a roof over your head at night in a tight budget. Since sleeping outdoors is out of question for a good 10 months of the year. While summer temperatures stay around 8 to 16-degree Celsius, the winter can be quite harsh, with temperatures easily dropping to around -24-degree Celsius in some parts.
Spending a single night in a budget hotel will cost you somewhere between $80 and $110 in small towns, but for a backpacker that is a strict no!
So how much does it cost to book a hotel room for a night in Norway? A quick research on the internet reveals that with discount coupons and off-season travelling you can expect to limit your spending to around $100 and $175 per night depending on which city you choose.
Now these rates are quite bearable if you are planning a weekend trip to Oslo, but for an average backpacker they are still out of reach.
Is CouchSurfing Possible in Norway?
CouchSurfing is quickly catching up in Norway with the local people quickly opening up to the concept. At the time of this article, CouchSurfing has over 15,000 hosts listed in or near Oslo, 4,000 hosts in Trondheim and 700 hosts in Ålesund.
CouchSurfing, as we see, is quite possible in Norway. However, with its growing popularity, it is getting increasingly difficult to find a host if you have a ‘new’ profile. References play a massive role in generating trust among the backpackers and their hosts. Hence, if you are new to the whole idea, it is always better to start early and increase your chances of finding a host while backpacking through Norway.
There are ways to increase your chances of finding a host. Some of them are listed below.
- Head to couchsurfers’ meetups and attend community meetings to grow your network. Ask people to leave you a reference, and if you sign up using Facebook, do not shy away from asking your friends for their reference too.
- Add value to your social media profiles and do not shy away from oversharing with reason. Add lots of relevant photos, take the time out to write a detailed bio listing yourself and your personality the best you can. The goal here is to portray yourself as a trustworthy guest.
- Get your CouchSurfing ID verified. This works wonders as it offers a mark of authenticity to your home address, registered phone number and the other personal details that your have entered in your profile. The process costs around $26 a year and if you think about it as a financial investment, the results are promising, as a verified profile is more likely to draw the attention of a potential host.
- Get listed as a guest AND HOST while signing up. This shows people that you are open to the idea of CouchSurfing and are entirely committed to it.
Is Camping Allowed in Norway?
Pitching your own tent is possible during the summer months as long as you stay away from the city center and private gardens. Camping on State-owned gardens is both legal and free in Norway. However, if you plan on camping for the night, plan ahead and pack in sufficient warm clothes, as the nights are chilly even during summer.
How to Keep Your Food and Liquor Bills in Check?
Food prices have skyrocketed with every gallon of oil pulled out of the sea (Norway’s economy depends on its crude oil export industry). Cooking your own food is the best way to keep your daily expenses in check.
Norway is a place where an average 18-year-old waitress makes $20 an hour. The math is simple! Dinner at an average restaurant would set you back by around $40 – $100 depending on what you eat and drink.
Buying alcohol at Norwegian pubs is insanely expensive, with a six-pack of local beer costing between $20 and $30. We suggest you drink at home and do not buy anything at the club, where the price for a single pint is $12 – $15.
Liquor prices should not even be discussed here as they are outrageously high. Have plenty to drink at the hostel before heading out for the night. Also, a kebab in Norway costs around $15 on your way back from the club, but is absolutely worth the money when you are drunk!
Backpacker’s guide to Norway
Norway has an excellent network of public transportation and an average bus ride here will cost you anywhere between $3 and $5 depending on which city you are in. If you are staying in a single place for a while, buying the weekend pass will save you a considerable sum. Travelling to another city is not cheap, but buying your tickets in advance is the key here.
Hitchhiking is also possible in Norway, although the idea is not as developed here as the north and south American countries, as people are often reluctant to allow you in their vehicles. With that being said, there are people who will help out travelers, especially the truck/lorry drivers who are generally glad to have some company on their usually monotonous journey. If you are hitchhiking during winter, do not forget to pack your biggest jacket.
You can stay in Oslo for two days, and then in Bergen, for two more days. The main draw, however, are the Fjords and the mountains. For those who want to escape into remote but gorgeous areas, then head to Lofoten Islands. You can also take a boat from Bodø to Lofoten and have a fabuluos time exploring the stunning landscapes.
Backpacking in Norway – Best time to go
The summer months, between May and June are an ideal time to go, because it doesn’t rain much and the natural scenery is at its optimum beauty.
Best Trekking places in Norway
You can opt for places like Skålatårnet, which is relatively quieter and has a little cabin atop the mountain, the gorgeous looking Hardangervidda, where you may also meet a reindeer and the steep climbs of Fanaråken. The other favorites and the more popular and crowded places are Lofoten, Rondslottet, Preikestolen and Besseggen.
Summary
The main concern while travelling through Norway is accommodation. Booking in advance is highly recommended as it helps to keep the overall costs down. Plan your trip well in advance and look for willing locals to host you. Get recommendations from your fellow backpackers and friends on the social media. Norway is full of fantastic people, traditions, culture, history and nature and the time spent is well worth the experience!
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