Hostels in Norway 2025🏕️ : Budget Beds & Travel Tips
Norway's hostels are the perfect choice if you're looking for the best of both worlds – amazing prices and incredible locations! Whether you're travelling solo, with a backpack, or looking to spend your money on the things that really matter, like amazing experiences, these hostels have got you covered. Modern Norwegian hostels are so much more than just "six-tier beds and dampness" – they're now full of fast Wi-Fi, an induction cooker, a local coffee station and, most importantly, a high culture of neighbourliness. We are thrilled to present the answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about Norwegian hostels. These include how to choose and book a bed for just €25-35, whether you need to bring your own bed linen, the ins and outs of "quiet hours" (which are stricter than in hotels), and how to keep your backpack safe. We checked prices with Booking, HI Norway and the Anker network (July 2025) and added some great life hacks to save up to 30%! Save this guide — we update the information every quarter, so you can be sure you're always getting the latest and greatest!
💰 How much does a bed in a Norwegian hostel cost in 2025?
The basic range is €25–40 in winter and €30–55 in summer. The cheapest beds (dorm 10–12 beds) can be found at Hostelling International (HI) – €25 off-season. In Oslo and Bergen, prices are €5–7 higher, but include Wi-Fi and a kitchen. Separate private twin rooms are twice as expensive, so it is more advantageous to travel with a group. Savings: book directly on the HI website — a €18/year membership fee gives you 10% off each night and free cancellation 24 hours in advance. Keep an eye out for Flash Sales on Wednesdays at 11:00 CET — 15% off even in summer.
🏆 Which chains and hostels are considered the best according to reviews?
Top 3 according to Booking (≥ 8.6): HI Bergen Montana — panoramic view of Mount Ulrikken and breakfast buffet, Anker Hostel Oslo — city centre location, kitchen and laundry facilities, Tromsø Activities Hostel — free waffles and discounted Northern Lights Tour. Lofoten Vandrerhjem Mosknes stands out in Lofoten: bedrooms with sea views and kayak rental. All four have quick check-in via a self-check-in kiosk and strict quiet hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
🛏️ What is included in the price: bed linen, towels, Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is free and stable (30-80 Mbps). Bed linen is often not included: Anker Hostel charges 70 NOK per set, or you can bring your own sleeping sheet (a sheet-envelope). Towels can be rented for 30-50 NOK; it is cheaper to bring a quick-dry towel from home. The kitchen with dishes and a refrigerator is free, but remember the "label rule": sign your food with your name and departure date, otherwise it will be removed to the "free food box" in the evening.
🏙️ Which hostels in Oslo offer the best value for money?
Anker Hostel — 10 minutes' walk to Central Station; bed €28 in winter, €35 in summer, linen extra. K7 Hotel/Hostel near Karl Johans Gate — bed in a 6-bed dorm €32, linen included, no kitchen (but there is a microwave and a cooler). For a super budget, try Central City Hostel in the Kampen district: 3 minutes from the metro, beds €25, but strict quiet hours. HI membership does not offer discounts here; look for the promo code STAY10 on the hotel website.
🌊 Where to stay cheaply in Bergen and still be close to Bryggen?
HI Bergen Montana is a 15-minute bus ride from the centre, but the view and free breakfast make up for it; beds are €27. Marken Guesthouse is 3 minutes from the train station: beds are €35, linen and kitchen are included, and quiet hours are strictly enforced. Tip: buy a Bergen Card (280 NOK/day) — free transport to the centre, plus museums. The card pays for itself on the third trip.
🔐 What security measures are in place: lockers, key cards, cameras?
All HI and Anker hostels have individual metal lockers (60×40×90 cm) for your own padlock; bring a small padlock (or buy one at reception for 50 NOK). Entrance to the dorm is by key card, and there are cameras in the corridors and kitchen, but not in the rooms. It is best to leave valuables in the safe box at reception (free of charge). Strict alcohol rules: open bottles are only allowed in the kitchen; violators will be evicted without a refund.
📅 Do I need to book the hostel in advance during the summer?
Yes. July and August are the peak season for fjord tours; dorm beds in Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø are sold out 6-8 weeks in advance. HI closes walk-in sales when occupancy exceeds 85%. Book an online rate with free cancellation 7 days in advance: you'll pay €3 extra, but you can change your plans. In the off-season (November-March), beds are available even on the day of arrival, and prices drop by 20-25%.
🚲 What additional services might be useful?
Self-service laundry: 50 NOK for washing, 30 NOK for drying (10-20 coins). Bike rental at HI Bergen — 180 NOK/day. At Oslo Anker, luggage storage is free until 6 p.m. on the day of departure. Free walking tours (donation-based) are often organised on Saturdays. Ask for a flyer — there is sometimes a 10% coupon for a local café.
🍳 How to use the kitchen and not make enemies?
The main rule is "wash, dry, put back." Don't use the stove for more than 20 minutes, and mark your food with a marker under your shelf. Any food left in the "free food" box is shared, but ask first. Sort your rubbish: plastic, paper, organic. The manager will charge a fine of 200 NOK for dirty dishes. Savings: cook simple porridge from Kiwi Budget and save €10-15 per day.
📌 How to cancel a booking or change dates without penalty?
On Booking, select "Free Cancellation" — most often free up to 24-48 hours. On the HI website, the "Flex 10" rate (€2/night surcharge) allows cancellation until 6 p.m. on the day of arrival. If you miss the deadline, try to reschedule your booking for other dates: many hostels agree without penalty. Always save your email confirmation; you may be asked for it again at check-in. Your booking number will help speed up your deposit refund.
Hostels in Norway are not only economical, but also a chance to meet other travellers seeking fjord adventures. Book in advance for the summer, bring your own padlock and thin bed linen so you don't have to pay for a set, and your HI membership will pay for itself on the second night. Observe quiet hours, sort your rubbish and label your food — this will help maintain the atmosphere of mutual respect that Scandinavian hostels are famous for.
Planning a trip? Share in the comments which Norwegian hostel you would stay at and save this guide so you always have it handy on the road!
