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Stories of coffee costing more than your car are common in conversations about Scandinavia. But while vacationing here will never be as cheap as a Bulgarian backpacking jaunt, there are ways to keep your costs down – even in Oslo. Norway-based travel blogger Andy Higgs has several budget-stretching tips for visitors to the capital: an Oslo Pass for attractions (transit included); the Park Inn for good-value digs; and Restaurant Schroder for well-priced traditional dining.
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But his main advice is to leave. “Pass through Oslo in a day or two and get into the countryside to experience the real Norway. Alesund is beautiful and less touristy than Bergen, while Trondheim [his hometown] is a wonderfully laid-back city easily reachable via budget airlines.” And since Roros also makes his must-do list – “it’s a fabulously preserved old mining town and UNESCO heritage site” – you’ll also need a way to get around without breaking the bank. “Trains can be an excellent deal here. See the NSB website for monthly Minipris ticket deals from just 249 krone [about $40].” It’s not his only tip for saving while still seeing as much as possible. Act fast this year (or plan for 2016) and you can buy a summer-only two-week-long Explore Norway air pass from domestic airline Wilderoe, priced between around $440 and $630. “You get unlimited travel in or between three zones that cover the entire country. It’s a bargain, really, and incredible value if you use it well.” In Denmark, Aarhus-based Miriam Risager suggests a different way to explore without blowing your budget. “You can get around really cheaply by taking the bus here – the train is more than double the expense,” she says, adding that you can peruse fares and routes at and r?dbillet.dk. Buses aren’t required for exploring the compact capital, though. “You can see a lot in Copenhagen without ever opening your wallet. Free sights include churches, Amalienborg castle, Freetown Christiania and the waterfront Nyhavn area,” Risager says. She also recommends exploring further afield. “My favourite destination in Denmark is North Jutland. If you stay clear of Skagen – which is quite expensive – you’ll find budget-friendly places like Rubjerg Knude, the sand buried church, Tornby beach and Rabjerg Mile – they’re all free.” Wherever you head, she also has some general cost-cutting travel tips. “Buy food in supermarkets like Aldi, Netto and Fakta; hire bikes for city sightseeing; and consider renting a summerhouse off-season. There’s really no reason why you can’t do a trip to Scandinavia on a budget.” Sweden’s Lola Akinmade Akerstrom – editor of the Slow Travel Stockholm online guide – agrees. Her resource-packed site recently added a handy list of 50 free things to do in the capital, from gratis tours to lesser-known museums. But sleepover costs, she admits, can shrink your savings – unless you choose wisely. “I suggest any of the Scandic Hotels. They include a wonderful breakfast and have free gyms and WiFi,” she says, adding quirky floating “botels” such as Red Boat Malaren and the MS Rygerfjord to her valued-added Stockholm suggestions. She also recommends escaping the capital. Her site’s long-weekend trip ideas include historic Gotland island as well as some out-of-country boat excursions. “Weekend cruises to Baltic countries like Estonia and Latvia are popular here. You leave on Friday, return on Sunday morning and have a full Saturday in-country. Tickets for these are cheaper than a fancy dinner in Stockholm.” For Higgs, though, the bottom line is that cost should only be part of the mix when planning a Scandinavian sojourn. “My best advice is to visit only if you can travel without constantly worrying about prices. No trip is fun if you feel you can’t afford anything – sometimes it’s better to save a little longer and come when you can really enjoy it.” OUR READERS WRITE
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