Is Airbnb a good option in Norway compared with hotels?
Rentals, hotel prices, service fees and the new overnight fee.
Short answer
Airbnb can be good value in Norway if you rent a flat or house as a base, which Visit Norway says can cut costs, but hotels often include breakfast. Compare the total, since guests on Airbnb's split-fee model pay a 14.1–16.5 percent service fee. From 2027, municipalities that choose to can add a 3 percent overnight fee to both.
Why
- Visit Norway gives the average hotel room price in Norway as NOK 1,725 per night for a double room with breakfast.
- Airbnb is moving all home hosts to a single service fee that is deducted from the host's payout, and is phasing out the split fee where guests pay part of it.
- The law on besøksbidrag took effect on 1 July 2026 and lets municipalities under heavy pressure from tourism charge an overnight fee of 3 percent of the price, excluding VAT, from 1 January 2027.
Details
The overnight fee covers rented rooms, flats, cabins and houses, including camping cabins. When a host who is not VAT-registered sells through a platform such as Airbnb, the platform is responsible to the municipality for the fee. Not all hotels include breakfast: Citybox Oslo does not, but has a guest kitchen with a microwave, toasters and kettles.
Tip
Compare the total price for the whole stay, including breakfast and any fees, rather than the nightly rate alone.
What may differ
The overnight fee is voluntary for municipalities, so it applies only where it is introduced, and motorhomes, caravans and tents at campsites are not covered.
People also ask
- Is Airbnb cheaper than hotels in Norway?
Sources
- Visit Norway: Budget travelChecked at:
- Airbnb: Airbnb service feesChecked at:
- Norwegian Government: Four new measures for tourism (overnight fee)Checked at:
- Visit Norway: Norway's best hotel breakfastChecked at:
- Citybox OsloChecked at:
Prices and fees change, so check the hotel or the rental listing before you book.
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