Norway on a Budget: The Complete Campervan Guide to Saving Money

Being a bit strapped for cash doesn’t mean you need to “ride” it out back home. By renting a campervan, it’s still possible to have that Norwegian holiday and explore Norway on a budget. All you need is the right strategy and a little insider know-how from the locals. So, if you’re thinking about potentially hitting the road here in Norway, read on. We’ll tell you how to have the budget-saving campervan adventure of a lifetime!

Is Norway Really That Expensive? The Honest Truth

Norway is known as one of the most expensive countries in Europe. However, this is only true in context. Norway places an incredibly high value on quality and treating employees fairly.

That’s why you may pay a little extra for products, but you can rest assured that they have been through vigorous quality checks, especially when it comes to our food. You can also rest easy knowing that employees are well taken care of and not exploited in any way, which is often the case in places you find cheaper products and services.

Since employees are well taken care of in Norway, what you perceive to be expensive as a visitor is also not that expensive to locals. Higher wages, higher quality products and service, and an overall higher quality of life – that’s the Norwegian way. But as we already mentioned, your Norwegian getaway doesn’t need to break the bank, and there are ways you can travel on a tighter budget.

The first way is by renting a campervan. The most expensive parts of any trip, regardless of where you want to go in the world, are transport, accommodation, and food. A campervan takes care of both your transport and accommodation and allows you to cook your own budget meals “at home.”

How Much Does it Cost to Travel Norway? A Daily Budget Breakdown

Check out our nifty easy-referencing table below for an idea of what your daily budget should look like depending on your travelling style:

	Budget Traveller	Mid-Range Traveller	Comfort Traveller
Accommodation	390 NOK/$41.65/€35.35 per stand with electricity per night to 525 NOK/$56.05/€47.60 per person per night (a combination of wild camping, campsites, and hostels).	950 NOK/$101.40/€86.15 per apartment per night to 1616 NOK/$172.50/€146.50 per room per night (a combination of self-catering accommodation and guesthouse stays).	3904 NOK/$416.75/€353.90 per room per night ( hotel stays only).
Food	+/- 1489.25 NOK/$159/€135 per person per day (home cooking budget meals only).	+/- 2040.80 NOK/$217.85/€185 per person per day (a combo of home cooking budget meals and dining out).	+/- 2647.55 NOK/$282.60/€240 per person per day ( dining out only).
Transport	+/- 1116 NOK/$119.15/€101.20 per day for a small rental car or +/- 6930 NOK/$739.70/€628.25 per day for a small rental camper (this also includes basic rental insurance).	+/- 1510 NOK/$161.20/€136.90 per day for a bigger rental car or +/- 7200 NOK/$768.55/€652.70 per day for a bigger rental camper.	+/- 4684.35 NOK/$500/€424.65 per day for a luxury rental car or +/- 25765.10 NOK/$2765/€2345.61 per day for a luxury rental camper.
Fuel	+/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 for gas in a small rental car or +/- 31235.25 NOK/$3334/€2831.55 for diesel for a small rental camper (this is based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip).	+/- 37474.80 NOK/$4000/€3397.15 for gas in a bigger rental car or +/- 52052.50 NOK/$5556/€4718.65 for diesel for a bigger rental camper (this is based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip).	+/- 34355.05 NOK/$3667/€3114.35 for gas in a luxury rental car or +/- 58554.40 NOK/$6250/€5308.05 for diesel for a luxury rental camper (this is based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip).
Activities	+/- 2757.85 NOK/$294.40/€250 in total (for just 2 paid activities throughout a 1-week trip (since there are many free things to see and do here in Norway, you can get away with very little expenses here).	+/- 5515.65 NOK/$588.75/€500 in total (for 4 paid activities throughout a 1-week trip (since there are many free things to see and do here in Norway, you can get away with very little expenses here).	+/- 9652.40 NOK/$1030.30/€875 in total (for at least 1 paid activity a day throughout a 1-week trip.
Ad-Hoc Costs (Parking, Public Restrooms, etc.)	+/- 4412.55 NOK/$471/€400 (also includes an emergency “buffer”)	+/- 4412.55 NOK/$471/€400 (also includes an emergency “buffer”)	+/- 4412.55 NOK/$471/€400 (also includes an emergency “buffer”)

*Please note that the above is based on averages and can vary depending on the season and location. 

Why Renting a Campervan is the Smartest Budget Move in Norway

There are many reasons why renting a campervan is the smartest budget move you could possibly make when travelling through Norway. Check it out: 

Campervan vs Hotels + Car Rental: A Real Cost Comparison

You can either go the traditional rental car and pre-booked accommodation road-tripping route, or you can go the campervan route. When the make-or-break point of your Norwegian adventure boils down to a budget, costs matter. Here’s the difference in cost for the various scenarios, if you were to visit Norway for a week:

Car Rental + Accommodation (Hostels)

	7 Days Solo Travelling	7 Days as a Couple Travelling	7 Days as a Small Group of Family/Friends of 4 Travelling
Car Rental	+/- 7812 NOK/$834.05/€708.40	+/- 7812 NOK/$834.05/€708.40	+/- 10570 NOK/$1128.40/€958.30
Fuel	+/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 37474.80 NOK/$4000/€3397.15 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).
Accommodation	+/- 3675 NOK/$392.35/€333.20	+/- 7350 NOK/$784.70/€666.40	+/- 14700 NOK/$1569.40/€1332.80
TOTAL	+/- 34393.50 NOK/$3671.40/€3118.10	+/- 38068.50 NOK/$4063.75/€3451.30	+/- 62744.80 NOK/$6697.80/€5688.25

 

Car Rental + Accommodation (Self-catering & Guesthouses)

	7 Days Solo Travelling	7 Days as a Couple Travelling	7 Days as a Small Group of Family/Friends of 4 Travelling
Car Rental	+/- 7812 NOK/$834.05/€708.40	+/- 7812 NOK/$834.05/€708.40	+/- 10570 NOK/$1128.40/€958.30
Fuel	+/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 37474.80 NOK/$4000/€3397.15 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).
Accommodation	+/- 6650 NOK/$709.80/€603.05 per apartment to 11312 NOK/$1207.50/€1025.50 per room.	+/- 6650 NOK/$709.80/€603.05 per apartment to 11312 NOK/$1207.50/€1025.50 per room.	+/- 13300 NOK/$1419.60/€1206.10 2-bedroom apartment to 22624 NOK/$8452.50/€7178.50 for 2 rooms.
TOTAL	+/- 37368.50 NOK/$3988.85/€3387.95 to 42030.50 NOK/$4486.55/€3810.40	+/- 37368.50 NOK/$3988.85/€3387.95 to 42030.50 NOK/$4486.55/€3810.40	+/- 61344.80 NOK/$6548/€5561.55 to 70668.80 NOK/$13580.90/€11533.95

 

Car Rental + Accommodation (Hotels)

	7 Days Solo Travelling	7 Days as a Couple Travelling	7 Days as a Small Group of Family/Friends of 4 Travelling
Car Rental	+/- 7812 NOK/$834.05/€708.40	+/- 7812 NOK/$834.05/€708.40	+/- 10570 NOK/$1128.40/€958.30
Fuel	+/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 37474.80 NOK/$4000/€3397.15 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).
Accommodation	+/- 27328 NOK/$2917.25/€2477.30 per room	+/- 27328 NOK/$2917.25/€2477.30 per room	+/- 54656 NOK/$5834.50/€4954.60 per room
TOTAL	+/- 58046.50 NOK/$6196.30/€5262.20	+/- 58046.50 NOK/$6196.30/€5262.20	+/- 102700.80 NOK/$10962.90/€9310.05

 

Campervan Rental + No Accommodation (Wild Camping)

	7 Days Solo Travelling	7 Days as a Couple Travelling	7 Days as a Small Group of Family/Friends of 4 Travelling
Campervan Rental	+/- 48510 NOK/$5177.90/€4397.75	+/- 48510 NOK/$5177.90/€4397.75	+/- 50400 NOK/$5379.85/€4568.90
Fuel	+/- 31235.25 NOK/$3334/€2831.55 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 31235.25 NOK/$3334/€2831.55 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 52052.50 NOK/$5556/€4718.65 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).
Accommodation	Free (but be sure to adhere to the rules and regulations of wild camping).	Free (but be sure to adhere to the rules and regulations of wild camping).	Free (but be sure to adhere to the rules and regulations of wild camping).
TOTAL	+/- 79745.25 NOK/$8511.90/€7229.30	+/- 79745.25 NOK/$8511.90/€7229.30	+/- 102452.50 NOK/$10935.85/€9287.55

 

Campervan Rental + Accommodation (Campsites)

	7 Days Solo Travelling	7 Days as a Couple Travelling	7 Days as a Small Group of Family/Friends of 4 Travelling
Campervan Rental	+/- 48510 NOK/$5177.90/€4397.75	+/- 48510 NOK/$5177.90/€4397.75	+/- 50400 NOK/$5379.85/€4568.90
Fuel	+/- 31235.25 NOK/$3334/€2831.55 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 31235.25 NOK/$3334/€2831.55 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).	+/- 52052.50 NOK/$5556/€4718.65 (based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip, which is more than enough for many of our most popular road trip routes).
Accommodation	+/- 2,730 NOK/$291.55/€247.45per stand with electricity.	+/- 2,730 NOK/$291.55/€247.45per stand with electricity.	+/- 2,730 NOK/$291.55/€247.45per stand with electricity.
TOTAL	+/- 82475.25 NOK/$8803.45/€7476.75	+/- 82475.25 NOK/$8803.45/€7476.75	+/- 105182.50 NOK/$11227.40/€9535

*Please note that the above is based on averages and can vary depending on the season and location.

As you can see, the only time a car rental and pre-booked accommodation make financial sense is if you’re a solo traveller. Remember that the abovementioned does not include other campervan vs rental car expenses, such as groceries vs. dining out. So, you’ll find that a campervan tends to wear the budget-friendly exploration crown when it comes to couples, families, and friends. 

And when it comes to a unique experience and having the adventure of a lifetime, deeply embedded in the breathtaking Norwegian landscape, there is truly no transport that can beat a camper. Add on the fact that Iceland has been named the safest country in the world for more than 18 consecutive years, and this is probably the place you’d want to try your hand at solo-traveling in a camper.

When to Visit Norway to Save Money

In Norway, the question isn’t really when to visit, but rather when not to visit. The period to avoid visiting is during our summer peak season (June to August). As you know, peak season not only brings peak season crowds, but also peak season prices. If you’d really like to visit during the summer, there’s a little loophole.

If you visit during the shoulder months of May or September, you’ll be giving peak season a skip while still enjoying many of our summer season perks. For the ultimate budget-friendly trip, you’ll need to visit during our “off season,” which is essentially throughout our colder months (October to April), except for the festive season till right after the New Year.

Just keep in mind that opening and closing times of everything from transport to attractions may differ during our off-season, so please check ahead of time. Also, remember to not only focus on what would be the most affordable time to visit.

What you wish to see and do here in Norway also needs to align with the proposed period. For example, if you’ve always dreamed of experiencing the Midnight Sun, it’s not going to happen during our colder months.

Getting to Norway on a Budget: Flights and Airports

Once again, when you visit will affect how budget-friendly your flights are. Needless to say, with demand spiking during our peak season, so does the price of flight tickets. So, if you’d like to score a bargain on flights, you’ll also need to plan your visit around peak season, with the off-season offering up some of the cheapest flights.

Also, remember that there’s also a price benefit when booking flights early. You’ll also need to align your flight plans with your trip itinerary. For example, if your main goal is chasing the Northern Lights in and around Tromso, it makes no sense to fly into Bergen Airport.

Remember, whatever distance you need to drive that’s not part of your officially planned road trip route is additional costs and expenses. You’ll also need to consider where you need to pick up your rental car or campervan.

So, do your research properly while planning your trip and decide which of our international airports will work best for you: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim, Alesund, Haugesund, or Sandefjord.

Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Norway

There are a couple of ways you can stay relatively cheap in Norway, and in a campervan, you can stay for cheap in comfort! Here’s how:

Staying for free: The Magic of Allemannsretten

Allemannsretten, also known as “the right to roam,” is founded on the Norwegian belief that nature is supposed to be enjoyed by all. So, Allemannsretten does not just relate to camping; it also applies to everything from berry picking to hiking and more. However, in terms of camping, this means you can set up camp for up to 48 hours on a piece of uncultivated land for $0.

It just has to be at least 150 meters from a residence or homestead, and treat the environment with respect (no littering, trampling the fauna, or confusing the outdoors for your bathroom!) It’s also important to be very clear on what the definition of “uncultivated land” is. Uncultivated land extends to everything still in its natural form: the mountains, the coastline, and our forests.

It does not, however, mean pastures, fields, and gardens, and our national parks also have their own restrictions, despite technically being “uncultivated”. We also need to warn you: if you’re used to fences and gates as signs of private property, you’ll rarely find that’s the case here in Norway. So, please double-check that what you think is just an uncultivated open field isn’t someone’s pastures.

Cheap Campsites and Their Average Costs

If you’re concerned you might mix up your private pastures with uncultivated open fields, there is another super affordable way to stay in Norway. Our campsites range between 150 NOK ($16.10/€13.65) and 350 NOK ($37.50/€31.90), and can vary between a very basic pitch and pitches in campsites that resemble resorts. Below are some of our most highly rated campsites, all varying in location, facilities, and amenities:

• Camping Saltkjelsnes (Eidsbygda)

• Jostedal Camping (Jostedal)

• Gloppen Camping (Sandane)

• Forde Gjestehuso og Camping (Forde)

• Mageli Camping og Hytter A/S (Tretten)

• Elvelund Camping (Sjovegan)

• Soria Moria Camping (Verdal)

• Skoganvarre Villmark AS (Skoganvarre)

• Mindresunde Camping (Stryn)

• Tingsaker Familiecamping (Lillesand)

How to Eat Well in Norway Without Spending a Fortune

You don’t need to max out the credit card to eat well during your trip to Norway. Here’s how:

Cooking in Your Campervan: The Game Changer

One of the biggest perks of cruising the country in a camper is the fact that you can cook your own budget-friendly meals in the comfort of your “home.” Here’s the difference you’re looking at:

	Campervan Cooking on a Budget	Campervan Flexible Cooking (Mix of Home Cooking and Dining Out)	Only Dining Out (Life in a Guesthouse or Hotel)
Total for a 1-week Trip to Norway (per person)	+/- 10424.75 NOK/$1,113/€945	+/- 14285.60 NOK/$1524.95/€1,295	+/- 18532.85 NOK/$1978.20/€1680

 

Best Budget Supermarkets in Norway

Budget meals don’t just begin and end with home cooking; they start in the shop. So, if you go shopping, be sure to stick to our budget supermarkets:

• Rema 1000 (often credited for having the lowest prices).

• Kiwi (probably the second-most affordable).

• Coop (although prices may be slightly higher than at Rema and Kiwi, Coop is still budget-friendly and can be found everywhere across Norway).

• Bunnpris (also credited for giving you the most bang for your buck).

Free and Low-Cost Activities Across Norway

As we already touched on, there are many attractions and activities here in Norway that won’t cost you a cent. Here’s how to keep yourself entertained on a budget:

Free Attractions and Activities

Go Hiking

You will find various hiking trails here in Norway with varying degrees of difficulty, which can range from a hike of just a couple of hours to multi-day treks. If you’re someone who’d like to take on a few trails while in the country, the following come highly recommended:

Trolltunga Trail (from P3 Magelitopp)

Easy difficulty level, except for steep inclines.

20 km (12.4 miles) out-and-back

7 to 10 hours, depending on fitness level.

Preikestolen Trail

Moderate difficulty level

8 km (5.0 miles) out-and-back

4 to 5 hours, depending on fitness level.

Rimstigen Trail

Hard difficulty level

16.6 km (10.3 miles) out-and-back

7.5 to 8.5 hours, depending on fitness level

Kjerag Trail

Challenging difficulty level

11 km (6.8 miles) out-and-back

5 to 6 hours, depending on fitness level

Multi-Day Femundsmarka Trail (from Roros)

Challenging difficulty level

55.5 km (34.5 miles) loop

3 to 5 days, depending on fitness level

Explore the Fjords

Norway’s biggest claim to fame is its breathtaking fjord views. Driving or strolling along these impressive expanses of water won’t cost you anything. Be sure to tick off the following fjords on your visit:

• Sognefjord (Norway’s longest and deepest fjord)

• Geirangerfjord

• Hardangerfjord

• Nordfjord (with a very impressive stretch inland)

• Lysefjord (the fjord view after your hike to Preikestolen)

Check Out Our Waterfalls

Norway has over 350 waterfalls, so you have your pick of waterfalls to visit and admire throughout your trip. Some of the most beautiful falls that are not to be missed are:

• Voringsfossen

• Steinsdalsfossen

• The Seven Sisters and the Suitor

• Tvindefossen

• Vinnufossen

DIY Your Own Northern Lights Hunt

This is, of course, an activity for the colder and darker months of the year. All you need is a campsite far away from the light pollution of cities and towns, an eye on the Northern Light forecasts, and a camper you can quickly jump into whenever the Northern Lights require a bit of a chase.

Visit a Few Free Attractions

Visit some of our most famous attractions absolutely free of charge:

• Vigeland Park – a park celebrating the sculptural works of Gustav Vigeland.

• Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf – this historic wharf in Bergen, with its colorful wooden buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Oslo Opera House – this architectural gem in the capital city allows you to walk on its roof!

• Akershus Fortress – Although exploring the fortress inside will require payment, exploring the outside grounds doesn’t.

• The Royal Palace – Once again, exploring the inside will require payment, but strolling and admiring the grounds on the outside is free.

Paid Activities and Attractions Under $25

The following are paid activities and attractions, but still budget-friendly:

• The Fanikular Ride Up Mt. Floyen (Up to 200 NOK/$21.40/€18.30 for an adult)

• Fram Museum (Up to 180 NOK/$19.25/€16.45 for an adult)

• Munch Museum (Up to 220 NOK/$23.55/€20.10 for an adult)

• Norsk Folkemuseum (Up to 200 NOK/$21.40/€18.30 for an adult)

• The Nobel Peace Center (Up to 180 NOK/$19.25/€16.45 for an adult)

• Holmenkollen Ski Museum (Up to 200 NOK/$21.40/€18.30 for an adult)

• Walking Tours (you’ll find walking tours in most of our bigger cities and towns). Here, you’ll need to do some research since prices vary greatly between cities and guides.

Getting Around Norway: Transport Costs Explained

Fuel is yet another major expense of any road trip. You can check the current gas prices in Norway and calculate exactly what your planned route will cost you. As you can see from our nifty cheat sheet comparison tables, fuel usage heavily depends on the type of vehicle you choose and the type of fuel it uses. 

So, you’re looking at anything from +/- 22906.50 NOK/$2445/€2076.50 to 58554.40 NOK/$6250/€5308.05 and more for a 2000-kilometer journey, depending on what you’re driving. Just remember to add those ad-hoc road fees, like parking and toll fees (these are not expensive, though, and don’t occur a lot). If you set aside +/- 1643.20 NOK/$175.65/€150 per week, you should be fine.

Sample Budget for a 2-Week Norway Campervan Trip

Below is a sample budget for a 2-week (14-day, 13-night) Norway campervan trip:

	Budget Traveller	Mid-Range Traveller	Comfort Traveller
Accommodation	5,070 NOK/$541.45/€459.55 per stand with electricity per night.	5,070 NOK/$541.45/€459.55 per stand with electricity per night.	5,070 NOK/$541.45/€459.55 per stand with electricity per night
Food	+/- 19,360.25 NOK/$2,067/€1,755 per person (home cooking budget meals only).	+/- 26,530.40 NOK/$2,832.05/€2,405 per person (a combo of home cooking budget meals and dining out).	+/- 34,418.15 NOK/$3,673.80/€3,120 per person ( dining out only).
Transport	+/- 90,090 NOK/$9,616.10/€8,167.25 for a small rental camper (this also includes basic rental insurance).	+/- 93,600 NOK/$9,991.15/€8,485.10 for a bigger rental camper.	+/- 334,946.30 NOK/$35,945/€29,575 for a luxury rental camper (and when we say luxury, we mean LUXURY; you might actually be tempted to never go home).
Fuel	+/- 31235.25 NOK/$3334/€2831.55 for diesel for a small rental camper (this is based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip).	+/- 52052.50 NOK/$5556/€4718.65 for diesel for a bigger rental camper (this is based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip).	+/- 58554.40 NOK/$6250/€5308.05 for diesel for a luxury rental camper (this is based on a 2000-kilometre/1243-mile trip).
Activities	+/- 5,515.70 NOK/$588.80/€500 in total (for just 4 paid activities throughout a 2-week trip (since there are many free things to see and do here in Norway, you can get away with very little expenses here).	+/- 11,031.30 NOK/$1,177.50/€1000 in total (for 8 paid activities throughout a 2-week trip (since there are many free things to see and do here in Norway, you can get away with very little expenses here).	+/- 19,304.80 NOK/$2,060.60/€1,750 in total (for at least 1 paid activity a day throughout a 2-week trip.
Ad-Hoc Costs (Parking, Public Restrooms, etc.)	+/- 8,825.10 NOK/$942/€800 (also includes an emergency “buffer”)	+/- 8,825.10 NOK/$942/€800 (also includes an emergency “buffer”)	+/- 8,825.10 NOK/$942/€800 (also includes an emergency “buffer”)
TOTAL	+/- 160,096.30 NOK/$17,089.35/€14,513.10	+/- 197,109.30 NOK/$21,040.15/€17,868.20	+/- 461,118.75 NOK/$49,412.85/€41,012.60

 

Final Tips to Keep Costs Down in Norway

If this is your first time in Norway, the following budget tips and advice can be really helpful:

• Remember that booking early often pays off (no pun intended), especially if you’re planning on visiting during our summer peak season.

• Ask the rental agent for any potential partnership deals (these can be discounts at local retailers, activities, and attractions, or even at certain gas stations!)

• Take advantage of the savings the Oslo City Card has to offer. This ranges from various local attractions and activities to unlimited hop-on-hop-off bus rides.

• Gas prices are not the same here in Norway (not even within the same gas station brand), so with a little research, you can find an affordable refuelling spot. Use The Fuel App to check current prices, and also remember that prices tend to be at their cheapest on Sunday evenings.

By following these tips and renting a campervan, you can explore Norway on a budget and still enjoy the freedom of the open road, without the financial stress and strain. If you have any more questions or need assistance choosing the right campervan for you and your trip itinerary, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Motorhome Norway, where our aim is to make travel dreams ome true, no matter the budget.