Norway is the most expensive country in this series and the one most worth the money. A 7 day Norway itinerary built around the Oslo to Bergen railway and a fjord cruise gives you the best of the country without a car, and this guide is honest about what it costs.
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Quick facts before you book
Best time to go: June to August for long days, open mountain roads and the midnight sun in the far north. September brings autumn colour and lower prices. For northern lights you want a different trip entirely, to Tromso between October and March.
Daily budget: around 215 US dollars a day for a comfortable mid range trip, or roughly 130 US dollars a day using hostels, supermarkets and self catering.
Visa: Norway is in the Schengen Area despite not being in the European Union. Check your passport rule in the GlobeDude Explorer.
The route at a glance
Oslo for two nights, then the Bergen railway across the mountains with the Flam detour and a fjord cruise, then Bergen for three nights with a day trip. One direction, west to the coast.
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Oslo
Compact, walkable and greener than you expect. Walk the harbour at Aker Brygge, see the Opera House where you can walk up the roof, and stroll Karl Johans gate. If the weather is good, the islands in the fjord are a short public ferry ride and cost the same as a bus ticket.
Day 2: Oslo museums
The Viking Ship Museum, the Fram polar exploration museum and the Munch museum are the three that justify their entry fees. Vigeland sculpture park is free and strange in the best way, with hundreds of stone and bronze figures. Eat before the city centre prices catch you off guard.
Day 3: The Bergen railway and Flam
One of the world’s great train journeys, climbing from the city onto a high plateau of snow and lakes even in summer. Change at Myrdal for the Flam railway, which drops steeply past waterfalls into the fjord. Overnight in Flam or Aurland.
Day 4: Fjord cruise to Bergen
Cruise the Naeroyfjord, the narrowest and most dramatic arm of the Sognefjord, with cliffs rising straight out of the water and farms clinging impossibly to ledges. Continue by boat and bus or rejoin the train to Bergen for the evening.
Day 5: Bergen
The Bryggen wharf, with its crooked wooden merchant houses, is the postcard and deserves the slow walk through its back passages. Take the funicular up Floyen for the view over the harbour, and visit the fish market for a very expensive but very good bowl of soup.
Day 6: Fjord day trip or hike
Either take a day cruise on the Hardangerfjord, or if you are fit and the season allows, tackle one of the famous hikes. Trolltunga is a long full day and not to be underestimated. Ulriken gives you a fraction of the effort with much of the reward.
Day 7: Last morning and fly out
Coffee in the old town, then Bergen airport, which is small and easy. Flying out of Bergen rather than back to Oslo saves you a full day on the train.
What this week actually costs
Per person for a mid range trip. Pick your home country above and the flight row updates with live return fares from your nearest hub:
| Expense | Per person |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, six nights | 720 US dollars |
| Food | 430 US dollars |
| Trains, boats and transport | 390 US dollars |
| Entries and activities | 130 US dollars |
| Est. flights from your country | Pick your country above |
| Total for the week, with flights | 1,670 US dollars |
Check what that means for your income in the Salary Goes Furthest tool.
How to bring the cost down
Alcohol is heavily taxed, so drinking out is where budgets quietly collapse. Supermarket lunches, tap water which is excellent everywhere, and accommodation with a kitchen make the biggest difference. Book train tickets the moment they are released for the cheapest fares, which can be a fraction of the walk up price.
Where to stay
Oslo city centre for walkability, Flam or Aurland for the fjord night, and central Bergen near Bryggen. Find hotels in Norway.
Book ahead
The Flam railway, fjord cruises and summer hikes all sell out, and the popular sailings go first. Browse fjord cruises and tours in Norway on GetYourGuide.
Stay connected
Norway is almost entirely cashless, and tickets, ferries and parking all run through apps.
Pay at the real rate: you will use a card for everything here, so the exchange markup adds up fast. A Wise account pays in kroner at the true rate.
Cover the trip: SafetyWing is a low cost monthly plan, worth having if you are hiking.
Find the fare: Compare flights to Norway, flying into Oslo and out of Bergen.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Norway?
Seven days covers Oslo, the Bergen railway, one fjord and Bergen itself at a good pace. It is not enough to add the Lofoten Islands or the far north, which need their own trip and separate flights.
How much does a week in Norway cost?
Around 1,670 US dollars per person for a mid range week excluding international flights. Self catering, supermarket lunches and early booked train tickets can bring it closer to 1,000.
What is the best month to visit Norway?
June to August for long daylight, open roads and all boat services running. September is quieter with autumn colour. Winter is for northern lights in the far north rather than fjord touring.
Can I see the northern lights on this itinerary?
No. This route runs through southern Norway, and the aurora needs the far north between roughly October and March. Tromso or the Lofoten Islands in winter is a completely different trip.
Is Norway in a Nutshell worth it?
The route of train, fjord cruise and bus is genuinely spectacular and covers the highlights efficiently. You can book the exact same trains and boats individually, which usually costs less than the packaged version.
Why is Norway so expensive?
High wages, high taxes and a strong economy push up the price of labour, which shows up in restaurants, hotels and alcohol most of all. Groceries, public transport and nature itself are far more reasonable, which is why self catering changes the maths so much.
This itinerary is AI assisted and reviewed before publishing. Costs, opening hours and transport schedules change, so confirm current details before you book. Some links above are affiliate links that support GlobeDude at no extra cost to you.
