💸 Budget travel: routes and bus passes instead of car hire
Many people dream of travelling through Norway's national parks, but the high prices of renting a car and staying in accommodation often put off budget travellers. The good news is that you can see the best parts of the country without spending a lot of money! In this guide, we'll tell you how to make the most of public transport, bus passes, cheap places to stay and other tips to make your adventure affordable and comfortable.
Put your backpack and wallet in your bag: let's go on a budget trip through Norway's amazing countryside!
🚍 Why is public transport the best choice?
By using buses and trains, you not only save money, but also get to see more in less time:
- Trains and buses connect almost all national parks and popular tourist destinations.
- No fuel, rental or parking costs.
- It's easy to plan your routes and book tickets online in advance via Entur.no.
🚌 Bus passes and tickets: cheap travel around the country
Use bus passes to get unlimited travel in the regions:
- NOR-WAY Bussekspress Pass: from NOK 990 for 7 days of unlimited travel throughout the country.
- Vy Bus Pass: from NOK 799 (Southern and Central Norway) for 3 days of unlimited travel.
- Book your tickets in advance on Entur.no, where you can compare all modes of transport and choose the best routes.
Example savings:
| Route | Regular Ticket | With Bus Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 🚌 Oslo → Bergen (bus) | 899 NOK | 0 NOK |
| 🚌 Bergen → Ålesund | 799 NOK | 0 NOK |
| 💰 Total for 2 trips | 1 698 NOK | 990 NOK (pass) |
🚂 Life hack with night trains (Sleeper Seat)
Use night trains and save on accommodation:
- Book night trains (e.g. Oslo–Bergen or Oslo–Trondheim) and select ‘Sleeper Seat’ (comfortable reclining seats).
- A Sleeper Seat costs around NOK 500–600 instead of NOK 800–1,500 for a hotel. The savings are obvious!
- Book your tickets in advance (at least 2–3 weeks in advance) on the Vy.no website — prices will be significantly lower.
🏠 Cheap cabins (DNT cabins)
Instead of expensive hotels, use the Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT) cabins:
- The average cost of self-catering cabins (without staff) is 250 to 400 NOK per night.
- They are equipped with a kitchen, sleeping facilities and firewood.
- To access them, purchase a DNT membership (about 750 NOK per year), which gives you discounts of up to 50% on accommodation.
Example savings for 3 nights:
| Accommodation Option | Price for 3 nights |
|---|---|
| 🏨 Hotel or Guesthouse | 2 400–4 500 NOK |
| ⛺ DNT Cabin (with membership) | 750–1 200 NOK |
Save over NOK 2,000 on a single trip!
🥪 Food cash: how to save on food
Food in Norway is expensive, but there are some tried and tested life hacks:
- Buy food at REMA 1000, Kiwi or Extra supermarkets before you go.
- Use freeze-dried food (dry-tech), which is light and compact, averaging 70 NOK per serving.
- Don't forget about free mushrooms and berries along the way! (Picking for personal consumption is allowed in national parks).
Budget food list for a 3-day hike:
- Oatmeal, nuts, dried fruit (100 NOK)
- Freeze-dried food (6 servings) – 420 NOK
- Energy bars and chocolate – 100 NOK
Total for 3 days of food: about 620 NOK per person.
💡 ‘Norway in a Nutshell’: save money on your own
The popular Norway in a Nutshell tour costs about 2000–2500 NOK per person. But you can organise your own itinerary much cheaper:
- Oslo–Myrdal train (with Sleeper Seat): 600 NOK
- Train from Myrdal to Flåm (picturesque Flåmsbana line): from 450 NOK
- Ferry from Flåm to Gudvangen (across the fjords): 450 NOK
- Bus from Gudvangen to Voss: approx. 70 NOK
- Train from Voss to Bergen: 220 NOK
Total: 1,790 NOK compared to 2,500 NOK when booking an official tour.
Look for tickets on Vy.no, Norled.no and Entur.no.
🎒 Examples of budget itineraries
Itinerary 1: Rondane for the weekend (from Oslo)
- Oslo → Otta (Vy train, 300 NOK Sleeper Seat)
- Otta → Spranget (bus, 60 NOK)
- Two nights at DNT Rondvassbu (400 NOK)
- Food and snacks – 200 NOK
Total for the weekend: approx. 960 NOK.
Route 2: Bergen–Jotunheimen (3 days)
- Bergen → Sogndal (Vy bus, Bus Pass)
- Sogndal → Jotunheimen (local bus, 120 NOK)
- 2 nights at a DNT hut (600 NOK)
- Food (600 NOK)
Total for 3 days: approx. 1320 NOK.
✅ Budget traveller's checklist:
- Buy a bus pass in advance on the Entur.no website.
- Use night trains (Sleeper-Seat) instead of hotels.
- Become a member of DNT for discounts on huts.
- Plan your meals in advance and buy groceries at supermarkets.
- Organise popular routes (e.g. Norway in a Nutshell) yourself.
🔖 Useful links for planning your budget:
- Entur.no – public transport planner.
- Vy.no – train and bus reservations.
- UT.no – DNT routes and huts.
- Nor-way.no – intercity bus passes.
- Rema1000.no – budget supermarket chain.
🗺️ Conclusion: budget adventure is easy!
Norway doesn't have to be expensive! With public transport, budget huts and smart meal planning, you can see the country's incredible landscapes without breaking the bank.
It's time to pack your backpack and set off on a budget adventure to Norway's best national parks!
Save money, travel smart, and discover the stunning beauty of Norway with public transport national parks and tried-and-tested budget life hacks!
