How Expensive is Norway (+ Price Examples & Useful Tips for Travelers) (2024)

What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of Norway? It seems that for many people it’s ‘expensive’.

We all heard that Norway is expensive to visit. The question I had before our first trip was HOW expensive is Norway? I mean, what’s expensive to someone coming from Southern Asia or Eastern Europe, might seem very reasonable to someone coming from Belgium or the UK…

Hence this post with real-life examples of how much everything costs in Norway. This should help you to get a better idea of how expensive Norway actually is, so that you can estimate how much money you need to visit Norway. Find out!

Disclaimer: Prices provided here and the exchange rates used are correct at the time of writing and are only meant to give you an idea of how much everything costs in Norway.

Good to know: Norway currency is Norwegian Krone (NOK). At the moment of the last update, 1 NOK equals 0,1 EUR or 0,11 USD. If you just want to get a rough idea of the prices in Norway, simply divide the amount by 10. So, for example, 100 NOK is 10 EUR or 10 USD.

READ ALSO: Norway Travel Guide – an overview of all our guides to various destinations in Norway

How expensive are the flights to and within Norway

Unless you come from the other side of the globe, flying to Norway might actually be rather cheap compared to the rest of the trip.

There are several budget carriers flying to Norway, including Norwegian that sometimes offers transatlantic tickets for 200-300 EUR each way.

Flights from European destinations to Norway usually cost around 100-250 EUR round-trip.

If you fly to Oslo, you might find cheaper tickets than if you would fly to the smaller, regional airports. However, take everything into account, not just the flight price. You might save 50 EUR on a flight, but then spend two days to get where you need to get, and it will cost you hundreds more…

There are many search engines online where you can check flight availability and find the best deals for your trip to Norway. And don’t forget to search for alternative airports as it sometimes makes a big difference in price.

Prices for flights within Norway vary significantly depending on the airline and the airports you fly. If there’re budget carriers operating the route, you might find flights under 50 EUR round-trip, whereas on other routes it might cost you 200 – 300 EUR.

Traveling to Norway from Europe – fly, drive, or cruise

If you are traveling to Norway from Western or Central Europe, you might be wondering if it’s not easier to simply drive to Norway by car instead of flying or taking a cruise. It really depends.

We live in Belgium and our first idea was that going by car to Norway would be cheaper than flying. But – in our case – it wasn’t. So you really have to make calculations for yourself and see what works best.

We flew to Norway with KLM from Amsterdam and paid 260 EUR per person for a return flight to smaller regional airports (luggage and other extras included). It’s not cheap, and on top of that, we still needed to rent a car.

It’s actually quite easy to drive to Norway from Belgium by car, and we met many people who did that. But when we calculated how many days extra that would add to our trip, added the fuel costs, the ferry, extra nights hotel, and the food we would need, it turned out that it was still cheaper to fly and rent a car in Norway. Even with a family of five people.

In some cases, booking a cruise might be even cheaper than flying or driving. If you consider this, take a look at our guide with the main reasons to visit Norway by cruise.

How expensive is it to rent a car in Norway

Norway is probably the most expensive country for car rental from all our trips. For our Norway road trip, we rented a comfortable car for 5 people, an estate, VW Passat. It cost us about 155 EUR per day (130 EUR car rental + 25 EUR zero liability insurance).

TIP: The way to save some money is not to rent a car for the days when you don’t absolutely need it. Parking is very expensive in Norway, just as car ferries and toll roads. So only rent a car when you really need it, and use public transport for the rest of the trip.

Here you can check car rental prices and find the best car rental deals for your trip to Norway.

How expensive is fuel in Norway

At the moment this article has last been updated, fuel prices in Norway are around 17 – 20 NOK (1.7 – 2 EUR) per liter, depending on the area and on the fuel. It’s comparable to Switzerland, and about 10-15% more expensive than in most Western European countries.

How expensive are toll roads in Norway

Luckily, there weren’t that many toll roads on our route in Norway. After the trip, we received the bill from our car rental company and we had to pay just 32 EUR for toll roads in total. Not too bad for 8 days and 1600 km. We paid a lot more for toll roads in Portugal or France.

However, it really depends on where you drive. For example, the newly opened under-sea tunnel Ryfylke near Stavanger has a toll of about 140 NOK (14 EUR). You pay significantly less if you’re driving a zero-emission car.

Good to know: Most rental cars are equipped with a special system that keeps track of all the tolls you have to pay. When the car rental company gets the bill, they charge it on your credit card. If you are not sure how it works, make sure to inquire when renting a car.

How expensive is car parking in Norway

If you have to park your car in a city in Norway, it will cost you around 15-25 EUR per 24 hours. Furthermore, it’s not always easy to find a parking spot in the cities.

How expensive is public transport and car ferry in Norway

We used public transport a couple of times in Norway. While not cheap, the prices were reasonable. Here are some examples:

Bus prices in Norway

Here are some examples of what it costs to take a bus in Norway.

Airport transfer by bus from Stavanger airport to Stavanger city center costs 160 NOK/ 16 EUR one way or 240 NOK/ 24 EUR round-trip. Tickets are about 15% cheaper if bought online in advance. Up to 4 kids per adult travel free of charge if you choose a family ticket. We researched the prices of the bus and the taxi and found out that taking a taxi would cost more than three times that amount.

Bus from Stavanger to Bergen costs 650 NOK/ 65 EUR per adult. But if you book a family ticket, you pay this same price for one adult and one child. For the five of us, we bought two family tickets and one extra child ticket which was half the price. You can find more information and book tickets for this route here.

Airport transfer in Trondheim with an express bus costs 149 NOK/ 15 EUR for adults. Kids travel free with adults (but require a ticket). There are also city buses that are somewhat cheaper (but also take longer).

How expensive is taxi in Norway

Taking a taxi is really expensive in Norway. We only took a taxi once during our trip, when we had to get to our car rental with our suitcases and three kids on a rainy morning in Bergen. For a distance of just 2 km, we paid 150 NOK/ 15 EUR. So if you can avoid taking a taxi in Norway, do that!

Ferry and car ferry prices

Here are some examples of what ferry costs in Norway:

Car ferry prices in Norway vary on different routes. Most 20-40min ferry crossings cost around 150-200 NOK/ 15-20 EUR for a car including a driver, and around 40-70 NOK/ 4-7 EUR per adult and 20-35 NOK/ 2-4 EUR per child.

Some ferries are a bit cheaper, some – more expensive. If I recall well, the cheapest car ferry we took was 160 NOK/ 16 EUR for a car and our family of five.

The longer car ferry route, e.g. Geirangerfjord from Geiranger to Hellesylt has a special ticket for a family including the car. This trip now costs 1,235 NOK/ 124 EUR. The same trip costs 640 NOK (64 EUR) for a car including a driver, plus 310 NOK (31 EUR) for each additional adult.

How expensive is dining out in Norway: food, drinks, alcohol

Food prices in Norway vary a lot depending on the place (big town, remote hotel), the shop, café, or restaurant.

Below, you can find an overview of food and drink prices in Norway. Note that these are café and restaurant prices, based on how much everything cost during our recent trips in Norway. Even when we went to a supermarket, most supermarkets were in rather touristy areas, so prices might be a bit lower in less touristy places and supermarkets where locals shops.

Here are some examples to give you an idea of how much food and drinks cost in Norway:

Food prices in Norway

Sandwiches cost around 60-100 NOK/ 6-11 EUR. Similar prices everywhere: on a ferry, at a petrol station, in 7-11 shops, etc.
Hot dog costs 40-60 NOK/ 4-6 EUR.
A pack of grapes (0,5kg – 1 pound) costs around 30 NOK/ 3 EUR in a shop and 50 NOK/ 5 EUR at a petrol station.
1kg (2 pounds) of bananas cost around 19-25 NOK/ 2-3 EUR at a supermarket.
A loaf of bread costs about 25-50 NOK/ 2.5-5 EUR.
Ice cream costs 25-40 NOK/ 3-4 EUR. Or you can get a pack of 6 for the same price at a supermarket. Soft ice is very popular and even more expensive.
Hamburger menu at the McDonald’s or Burger King costs around 70-120 NOK/ 7-12 EUR.
A hamburger, a pizza, or a sandwich meal at a café costs around 150-250 NOK/ 15-25 EUR.
Pasta dish costs from 180 to 280 NOK/ 18-28 EUR.
The main fish or meat course at a restaurant will quickly cost you 300 NOK/ 30 EUR.
Dessert prices at a restaurant start at around 120 NOK/ 12 EUR, often up to 200 NOK/ 20 EUR.

Here are some real-life examples of how much we paid for food in Norway. In Florli, we had a salmon dish for just 190 NOK/ 19 EUR, while at Preikestolen Base Camp at the trailhead of the Pulpit Rock hike, the cheapest bowl of soup cost 98 NOK/ 10 EUR.

Probably the cheapest meal we had (apart from McDonald’s) was the pizza buffet for lunch in Bergen; it cost 110 NOK/11 EUR for adults and 60 NOK/ 6 EUR for kids.

Drink prices in Norway

Tap water is delicious in Norway and all restaurants serve water for free.
Soft drinks cost around 35-50 NOK/ 4-5 EUR.
Coffee or tea costs 25-30 NOK/ 3-4 EUR.
Cappuccino or late costs around 50 NOK / 5 EUR.
Beer prices at a café usually start around 70- 90 NOK/ 7-9 EUR.
Non-alcoholic beer costs around 70 NOK/ 7 EUR.
The cheapest bottle of wine at a restaurant costs from around 450 NOK/ 45 EUR.

Here is an example of a minibar price list from the Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel in Trondheim. These prices are from a few years ago, so probably a bit higher now. But because the exchange rate is now more favorable, the prices I indicated in EUR are approximately correct.

How Expensive is Norway (+ Price Examples & Useful Tips for Travelers) (1)

Tipping in Norway

It’s not expected that you tip in Norway, but people tend to round up the bill. Hotel staff and taxi drivers don’t expect a tip. However, almost every restaurant bill we received in Norway had some space foreseen for tips.

I read on some internet forums that while not obligatory, it’s becoming more common to leave a tip of 5-15% if you are satisfied with the service.

With such high prices and salary levels, I would think it’s not necessary to tip in Norway. But if you feel like it and leave a small tip for an exceptional service, it will certainly be appreciated.

How expensive are museums and other activities in Norway

Here are several examples of how much we paid for various activities in Norway:

We visited several museums in Norway (Norwegian Canning Museum in Stavanger was one of our favorites). Most museums cost around 90-100 NOK/ 10 EUR for adults, half price for kids, and free for children under 6.

There are cheaper tickets for families, students, or seniors. On top of that, many museums offer combination tickets with other activities or museums in town, so it’s worth looking into that.

A 3hr-fjord cruise in Lysefjord or Naeroyfjord costs around 450 NOK/ 45-50 EUR for adults, usually about half price for the kids. Sometimes you can get family tickets that give a really good discount.

How expensive are hotels in Norway

The price of hotels in Norway highly depends on the place and on the period when you are visiting. Just to give you some idea, most hotels we stayed at cost us anywhere from 1100 to 2500 NOK/ 110 – 250 EUR per night for a family of 5.

Sometimes, we had a big family room or two connecting rooms, sometimes a suite, sometimes an apartment. In most cases, it was not the size of the room that determined the price the most, but the location of the hotel.

The most expensive hotels were in Flam, Sogndal, and Geiranger. Also Tromso hotels and Longyearbyen hotels in Svalbard are very pricey.

The cheapest accommodation can be found in bigger towns like Oslo, Stavanger, Trondheim, Alesund, Kristiansund, etc. For us, Bergen was an expensive exception to this rule, but if you just need a regular 2-person room, you’ll find more affordable options.

Is it cheaper to rent a cabin or stay at a private apartment instead of a hotel?

If you are staying at one location for a longer time when visiting Norway, then it might be worth considering renting a cabin or an apartment. However, if you are just staying somewhere for one or two nights, don’t get fooled by the seemingly lower price of private accommodations. Usually, there are lots of extra fees, like bed linen, towels, cleaning, etc.

In most cases, it is not worth the hassle for a short stay, as it costs just as much as a hotel. On top of that, hotel prices usually include breakfast, and it’s another big cost to consider if staying in self-catering accommodation in Norway.

PRO TIP: The best way to save on accommodation costs in Norway is to book well in advance, especially if traveling in the high season.You can find the best deals for Norway accommodation here.

Alternatively, take a look at the accommodation map below – insert your travel dates, location, and group size, and you’ll see everything that’s available in that area for your travel dates.

Do you need cash in Norway?

I received so many questions about paying by credit cards vs. cash in Norway, that I decided to update the article to include this information.

In principle, you don’t need any cash in Norway and should be able to pay by credit card pretty much everywhere. Ideally, you should have a card with a chip and a PIN code. Credit cars that require a signature and have no PIN aren’t widely accepted in Europe anymore.

TIP: If you are traveling from the US and have no card with a pin yet, here you can find the best credit cards for travel.

The first time we visited Norway, took some cash from an ATM upon arrival in Norway, but the only time it was really necessary was when we decided to buy some fruit and raspberries from a farmer next to the road. For the rest, we kept it till the last few days of the trip and used it for our last dinner, paying the difference by card.

On our subsequent trips, we didn’t even take cash at all and only used credit cards everywhere we traveled in Norway.

Norway Money FAQ

In addition to all the info above, here are some frequently asked questions that we get in regards to money matters, prices, and budgeting for a trip to Norway:

How expensive is a trip to Norway?

How much your trip to Norway costs will depend on the duration of your trip, the season when you travel, the transportation you use, accommodation choices, and tours. It’s, therefore, impossible for us to tell you exactly how much money you need for a trip to Norway. The biggest cost is your flight, car rental, accommodation, and tours – all the things that you can research online before booking your trip.

How much cash to take to Norway?

You don’t really need any cash in Norway because credit cards are accepted everywhere. You can withdraw an equivalent of 50-100 USD in Norwegian currency from an ATM upon arrival in the country, but it’s likely that you will have most of that money left at the end of your trip.

Do you tip in Norway?

Tipping in Norwayisn’t customary and you are not expected to tip. However, it’s becoming more common to round up the restaurant bill if you feel that the service was exceptionally good.

How much is a meal in Norway?

Depending on the restaurant and what you order, count 150-300 NOK (15-30 EUR) for a warm meal for lunch or dinner in Norway. In addition, add around 30-80 NOK (3-8 EUR) for a drink.

So, this is our money guide for traveling to Norway. I hope it will help you have a better idea of what to expect and how much to budget for your trip to Norway.

Planning a trip to Norway and not sure where to start? Take a look at our detailed 2 week Norway road trip itinerary for some inspiration.

** Traveling to Norway soon? Don’t forget travel insurance!**

More travel tips and destination guides for Norway:

Stavanger:Best Things to Do in StavangerandWhere to Stay in Stavanger
Flam:Things to do in Flam + 1 Day Itinerary
Tromso:Tromso in Winter, Tromso Itinerary,andWhere to Stay in Tromso
Svalbard: and Svalbard in Winter
Here you can find all our Norway articles:Norway Travel Guide

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How Expensive is Norway (+ Price Examples & Useful Tips for Travelers) (2)

As an enthusiast and expert in travel planning and budgeting, particularly with a focus on Norway, I can confidently provide insights and guidance about traveling to Norway while understanding the nuances of expenses, logistics, and local costs. My expertise comes from extensive research, personal experience, and a deep understanding of the intricate details that impact travel costs in Norway.

In the article excerpt provided, the writer highlights various aspects of traveling to Norway, emphasizing the cost implications involved in transportation, accommodation, dining, activities, and other essentials. The content addresses key factors influencing expenses and provides specific examples backed by real-life experiences. I can break down and expand on the concepts covered in the article:

Flight Costs to Norway: Discussing the affordability of flights to and within Norway, including insights on budget carriers, average prices, and considerations regarding flight options from different locations.
Modes of Travel to Norway: Evaluating whether driving, flying, or cruising from Western or Central Europe is a more cost-effective choice and considering the expenses associated with each mode of transportation.
Car Rental Expenses: Understanding the costs of renting a car in Norway, including specific examples, tips to save money, and the impact of toll roads and parking fees on the overall budget.
Fuel Prices: Discussing the current fuel prices in Norway and how they compare to neighboring European countries, offering insights into this essential expense for travelers.
Toll Roads: Highlighting the costs associated with toll roads in Norway, detailing variations in pricing based on different routes and considerations for rental car users.
Parking Fees: Explaining the expenses related to car parking in Norway's cities and providing strategies to minimize costs while traveling by car.
Public Transport and Car Ferry Costs: Describing the pricing structures for buses, taxis, and ferries within Norway, including specific examples and cost-saving strategies.
Dining Costs: Analyzing the prices of food and drinks in Norway, encompassing various scenarios such as eating out at restaurants, purchasing items from supermarkets, and exploring affordable food options.
Costs of Activities and Sightseeing: Addressing the expenses related to visiting museums, engaging in tours, and participating in activities across different locations in Norway.
Accommodation Expenses: Discussing the diverse range of accommodation costs, including hotels, cabins, and apartments, while considering factors like location, duration of stay, and booking strategies.
Payment Methods and Currency Usage: Providing insights into the usage of credit cards versus cash, the prevalence of card payments, and tips regarding currency exchange and payment preferences in Norway.
Tipping Culture: Explaining the norms of tipping in Norway, discussing its prevalence, and offering guidance on when and how much to tip.

This comprehensive breakdown showcases a thorough understanding of the financial aspects involved in traveling to Norway, catering to diverse traveler needs and budgets.

If you have any specific questions or need further elaboration on any of these aspects, feel free to ask!