Budget & Tips
People often think that Norway is very expensive, even when it comes to accommodation, and it's true! However, there are solutions to suit every budget and every taste:
Campsites: all over the country. They range from tent and camper pitches to small cottages for rent. What's more, the country is very safe and the infrastructure is very good. The western part of the country really comes alive with campervans in summer. Very many tourists wishing to visit regions outside Oslo use this means of travel. Campsites are plentiful, whether by Canadian or motorhome, and can be found all along the route.
Beware, however, that beyond Trondheim, campsites become rarer, as the climate, even in summer, seems less conducive to pitching your Canadian... All Norwegian campsites also offer small cabins for rent, hytte (between 500 and 900 kr), generally with minimum comfort (no toilet) and limited surface area (15 to 20 m²). From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., quiet is required. Look out for the signs: virtually all campsites have the facilities needed to welcome motorhomes, of which there are countless in summer. On the other hand, campsites in Oslo - Oslo is usually the first port of call when arriving in Norway from Sweden - offer limited capacity, especially when it comes to access to electricity. But campsites are not the only ones to offer wastewater discharge points. Most service stations have them, as do drinking water refill points. Don't expect to be camping in Oslo between late July and early August, when the world's biggest soccer tournament for all ages, the Norway Cup, takes place, with over 1,000 teams occupying everything that can be lived in Oslo (campsites, etc.). Campsites are therefore closed to the general public during the last week of July and the first week of August. The best route to take by motorhome is up through Denmark, via the new Denmark-Sweden bridge, which gives access to Norway from the Swedish coast. The shortest route is via Germany to Kiel, before taking the ferry from Kiel to Oslo (for the ferry: www.stenaline.no).
Don't forget your camping card!
Wild camping authorized in Norway and rules to be respected: nature is precious: leave no traces, and keep a minimum distance of 150 m from the house on private land. Please note that overcrowding has forced the municipalities of the Lofoten Islands to impose stricter regulations. Contact your local tourist office for a map of authorized bivouac zones.
Hytte: these wooden cabins are ideal for nature lovers who want to stay dry, but sometimes in comfort. They are available to suit all tastes and budgets: on isolated campsites, but also (and even better!) in the heart of nature, like our refuges and gîtes d'étapes. Reservations must be made through the Norwegian Hiking Association (ww.DNT.no), which offers three types of accommodation: gîtes d'étape and refuges with food supplies, unguarded chalets with food supplies and unguarded chalets without food supplies. The hardest part is choosing: they're all tempting!
Youthhostels: most offer single rooms, with 2 or 4 beds, and sometimes 6 or 8 beds. Some are open all year round, others only in summer, when reservations are essential. Open to all ages. Beds in shared dormitories cost between 150 and 300 NOK per night. Breakfast is sometimes included, but usually has to be paid for separately. Double rooms are available for between 400 and 700 NOK, depending on comfort and whether or not you have your own toilet.
Hotels: for all budgets. There's no evidence of higher prices. Luxury hotels are strangely often less expensive than in France. In general, you can expect to pay €300 for two in a double room with breakfast and spa. Special rates on the web. On the other hand, if you work for a major corporation, you may be able to get a substantial discount through agreements with local subsidiaries. Scandic, Thon, Comfort and SAS hotels all have arrangements with large corporations.
What's very local
You can pitch your tent or sleep under the stars for the night anywhere in the Norwegian countryside, in forests or mountains. The only requirement is to maintain a distance of at least 150 meters from the nearest dwelling (or mobile homes and caravans). To spend more than two nights in the same place, you need to ask permission from the owner, except in the mountains and in very isolated areas. Of course, you mustn't leave any garbage behind. It's forbidden to build campfires near forests from April 15 to September 15. Permitted in areas where fires are unlikely, such as by the sea. In drought conditions, barbecues, gas stoves and camping stoves are prohibited. If you light a campfire or barbecue, you are legally responsible for it. However, beware of local regulations. Consult your local tourist office if in doubt.
For food lovers
Because of the Nordic climate, breakfast is a very important meal in Norway. In hotels, they can be a good plan: in general, the buffet is generous and the price is not necessarily excessive. You will have enough to eat for at least half a day! The buffets are of good quality and healthy, sweet and (especially) salty. There are dishes for sportsmen: eggs, smoked fish, caviar in a tube to spread (in Norway, we love toast!), cold cuts, seeds, all kinds of energizing juices, cereals, waffles, and, icing on the cake: cod liver oil! Let's not forget the unlimited coffee which is a real institution in Norway. We drink liters of it, but it is mainly served lying down, which is not necessarily appreciated by the French who prefer it more tightly. A comforting drink when the climate becomes harsh!
To be booked