Don't miss...

Flåmsbana

You are here Planning your trip Travel Guide Travel on a budget

Travel on a budget

It is possible to travel on a budget in Fjord Norway! Below you will find tips on how to make your holiday more affordable - without missing out on great experiences!

Train

Train tickets can be bought at Vy for up till 90 days in advance. Every month "mini price" tickets from 199-599 kr on all departures. These tickets cannot be changed or refunded, but if you plan well in advance this makes it cheaper to get around. There are also specific prices for children, students and seniors.

Travel with your own car

Travelling with your own car can be worth while. You are free to go where you like and stop whenever you like, and there are numerous places to stop for a picnic along the road. Tables and benches are often available, making it possible to sit down and eat. Check out our tour suggestions.

Car rental

It is possible to find cheap car rental. Check out for instance Rent-a-wreck, that offers cheap used car rental.

Bus

Express buses are a nice and cheap alternative to car, and in Norway the bus routes are rather well developed.
Nor-Way - Skyss - Nettbuss - Kringom

Hotels

Several of the hotel chains offer bonus cards. After a while you can obtain free accomodation, and some cards can also give you discounts on train tickets or car rental. If you are travelling outside the high season, it is worth while to call the hotel directly and try to bargain.

Norwegian Trekking Association

Bring your own tent, or if you want a bit of luxury, stay at one of the Norwegian Trekking Association's (DNT) lodges. The trekking association is a membership association with more than 470 cabins situated all over the country. The cabins make it possible to go trekking from cabin to cabin for several weeks. The sizes of the cabins vary from very small with only a few beds to large fully catered cabins with close to 200 beds. The DNT cabins are owned and run by the DNT's members' associations. If you are a member in DNT you get a discount when staying at one of the cabins. The prices vary from cabin to cabin, if you stay in a single room or in a dorm and if it is a staffed lodge or not.

Bed & Breakfast

You can find a Bed & Breakfast or a room for rent, in private houses all over the country. Simple, nice and inexpensive. Check out B&B Norway or contact the tourist information where you are going. The prices might vary quite a bit, but you should count on paying from 400 kr for a night in a double room with breakfast.

Cabin camping or tent

Many of the campsites in Fjord Norway are situated in beautiful suroundings. You do not need your own camping car to stay there. Rent a cabin or bring your own tent. You can find a list over all the campsites in Norway here.

During the low season, Camping Cheque is recommended. Camping Cheques can be used in over 600 campsites all over Europe and the camp sites all charge the same price for the accommodation. The campsites have either three, four or five stars and the camping cheques can give you up to 60% discount.

The freedom to roam

The freedom to roam, or "Allemannsretten" in Norwegian, is the freedom to access or pass through uncultivated land at all times of year, provided that consideration and due care is shown. Any person can also access and pass through cultivated land when the ground is frozen or snow-covered, but not in the period from the 30th of April till the 14th of October. Thus, anyone can camp on uncultivated land, if the tent is pitched more than 150 metres from a house or cabin, and if the place is left in the condition it was upon arrival. One can stay for a maximum of two days without the owner's permission. Un cultivated land, the owner's permission is needed in order to camp or picnic.

This right is quite uncommon in the rest of Europe, a part from Sweden and partly Scotland. The freedom to roam is based upon the respect of nature and the environment, the owners of the land and other users.

Hiking

The Fjord Norway region is perfect for hiking. Bring your tent and food and pitch your tent for free, or stay at one of the Norwegian Trekking Association's cabins. The self-serviced cabins are the cheapest. In the cities it is also easy to go hiking. From the city centre in Bergen it is easy to get up to Fløien or the other mountains surrounding the city, and in Ålesund you can walk up to Aksla for an amazing view.

Biking

Go biking in Fjord Norway! A holiday on your bike with your own tent is a environmental friendly and affordable way of exploring the region. If you rent a cabin or pitch a tent on a campsite, you have a basecamp from where you can explore the surroundings.

Fishing

Fishing in the sea from the shore is free in Norway. Bring your fishing rod along and enjoy the taste of fresh fish you have caught yourself for dinner!

Nature attractions

Fjord Norway is full of nature attractions that are free and relatively easy to access. In addition to fantastic fjords and waterfalls, 11 of the 20 biggest glaciers in the country are found in the region.

Architecture

Go on a city walk in Ålesund and enjoy the Art Noveau architecture! In Bergen you find Hansa buildings on Bryggen, and the stave churches are well worth a visit.

Bergen Card

If you are staying in Bergen, consider purchasing the Bergen Card, that gives you free entry or discounted admission to museums, attractions, events or sightseeing tours. You can also travel for free on buses and the Bergen light railway, and you get discounts on restaurants and parking.

Fjord Pass© - Norway's most extensive discount card.

With the Fjord Pass® you get up to 25% discount on over 200 activities all over Norway! You can also get 20% discount on rental cars from Avis. Read more and get your Fjord Pass® here.