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Norway is constantly ranked as one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the world. This has discouraged so many people from traveling to the country despite being one of the most gorgeous places on the planet.
However, touring Norway doesn’t have to be as expensive as most people perceive it to be. Several budgeting tips can help you experience this impressive country without breaking the bank. And the best part is you’ll still get to enjoy one of the best vacations of your life.
So in this review, I will share some key tips that can help you travel to and experience Norway while on a budget. Let’s get into it!
Travel During The Off Season
This is one of the most effective strategies for traveling on a budget. It works with virtually all destinations and not just Norway.
Traveling during the off-season helps you secure the accommodations you need at a much lower price. Most of the tourist sites are also cheaper during the off-season compared to high seasons.
Besides the financial benefits, traveling during the off-season also helps you avoid the crowd. That means you can get better hotels with ease. Additionally, you’ll be able to enjoy all the stunning sites in Norway without having to fight your way through a crowd of other tourists. This should give you an even better experience.
So, adjust your plans and go just before or right after the peak season.
Book In Advance
Another old trick in the book of traveling on a budget is making your reservations in advance. This strategy works like a charm since it allows you to secure the most affordable hotels, air tickets, and other amenities while they are still available.
If you don’t book in advance, your options will reduce significantly as the traveling d-day gets closer. Also, you will deny yourself the luxury of having to shop around for the best deals.
That’s because you’ll have to find the right flight, hotel, train, bus, etc., within a short period of time. This urgency will force you to settle for poor or the most expensive options. Avoid this by booking as early as possible.
Create A Budget – And Stick To It
As you probably know by now, Norway is expensive. So before setting off on your travel adventure, draw up a realistic budget based on your economic reality. Include all the basics such as food, accommodation, transportation, and activities, and add a little extra for the unexpected.
While on the road, stick to your budget. Simple and boring as that. That way you don’t have to rely on loans like forbrukslan pa dagen or kredittlans, often used by tourists in Norway when realizing their savings aren’t enough to make it through their stay.
Take Advantage Of The Hotel Breakfast
Some of Norway’s hotels provide a breakfast buffet with all kinds of dishes. From eggs and cheese to fresh fish and smoked meats. There’s plenty of options to go around.
You should definitely take full advantage of the buffet before starting your day’s activities. This should help you stay full for most of the day hence reducing the need to spend on snacks and even lunch.
Enroll Into A Hotel Loyalty Program
If you are considering taking an extensive trip where you’ll move between different hotels, consider joining a hotel loyalty program. These programs will help you save lots of cash. Not only that, but some of them will also reward you with loyalty points. You can redeem these points to save even more money during your trip.
There are many types of hotel loyalty schemes to choose from. You could, for instance, pick one for a specific hotel chain. This would mean you’ll have to stay within their network for the discounts and loyalty points. It’s a good option if the network has hotels in all the destinations you’ll be traveling to.
Consider Camping
Camping is another alternative if you want to avoid expensive hotels and hostels. It’s also a great option if you simply want to enjoy the scenic outdoors of Norway.
You should know that wild camping is free and legal in Norway. You just need to follow the set regulations.
If you want a spot on a camping site, book in advance.
Take Advantage Of Discount Cards
You can also save some money through discount cards. These cards come at a price, but they’ll give you major discounts when visiting certain sites. They can even waive some fees.
There are many discount cards in Norway, but you will have to find one that suits your needs. For instance, if you intend to use public transport and visit places like museums, get a card that’s specifically tailored for these areas.
Visit The Free Museums
Did you know that you can visit some of the museums in Norway without paying a single coin? Yes, some museums offer free entrance to all visitors. However, they have some regulations, with some extending the offer on specific days only.
For example, The City of Oslo Museum, also known as Bymuseet, offers free entrance every first Saturday of the month. Meanwhile, the staggering National Museum of Architecture (Arkitekturmuseet) is free to visit on Thursdays.
You are free to adjust your traveling schedule to enjoy these offers.
Explore The Nature
One of the things that make Norway a great tourist attraction is its stunning nature. The scenic nature will take your breath away, and you won’t even have to spend a single penny.
So plan your itinerary accordingly to explore the great outdoors. Prepare for activities like skiing, kayaking, cycling, climbing, and other outdoor activities.
Consider Traveling With Some Colleagues
Another easy way of cutting down your traveling costs is by traveling with a group of friends. This allows you to cost-share most of the expenses involved. You can even rent bigger and better accommodations that you would otherwise be unable to afford if you were to foot the entire bill by yourself.
Norway may be an expensive destination, but it’s not impossible to tour the country on a budget. We’ve given you ten practical tips on how exactly you can pull that off. So why don’t you get your plans in order for your next big Norwegian adventure?