Planning a visit to Norway? Concerned that Norway is dear to go to? Here’s a breakdown of our Norway highway journey, together with meals and journey prices, plus our route, map, toll prices, ferry prices, bills, how a lot to spend on meals and common day by day finances for Norway.
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Is Norway costly to go to?
As quickly as we introduced our plans to take our motorhome to Norway, we had been swamped by folks sucking of their breath and looking out pityingly at us whereas saying “Norway huh? Isn’t Norway expensive to visit? You’re going to need a second mortgage…”
I’ll be honest- it made us just a little involved. Just how a lot was this highway journey going to value?!
But now that we’ve accomplished our motorhome tour of Norway, what’s the decision? Is that true? Is Norway costly to go to?
How a lot does it value to go to Norway?
Well, the outcomes are in! We have now obtained and reviewed all of the financial institution accounts, bank card statements and toll charges.
Basically, I’ve spent the final two weeks buried in paperwork, making an attempt to determine how a lot our little Norway highway journey itinerary value us.
This has actually been me… and other people surprise what I do all day! Ha!
Before we dive in, listed below are some issues to learn about our journey to Norway, so you may steadiness it in opposition to how you propose to journey:
- We visited Norway in a motorhome and drove from the UK to Norway
- We spent simply over 2 weeks truly in Norway, the remainder was spent motorhoming in Germany, Holland and Denmark
- These prices solely cowl our time in Norway, not the prices to journey there and again from the UK. I’ve included the automobile ferry to Norway from Denmark and the prices of getting again into Denmark by way of Sweden and crossing the well-known bridges.
- Our Motorhome was 7.8m lengthy and OVER 3.5 tonnes. If you may keep away from this, do- it makes the tolls sooooo less expensive! (Read extra in regards to the Pros and Cons of getting a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes)
- We additionally towed a trailer with two massive motorbikes on it. As all of the ferries in Norway are primarily based on size (no sniggering, thanks!) this made our prices far more costly than a smaller van or a automobile.
- We intentionally stocked up and introduced meals with us from the UK- solely shopping for requirements as we wanted them. Having stated that, we thought of the journey a vacation, so if we needed just a little deal with or a meal out, we purchased it. Bear in thoughts that now, submit Brexit, it’s not potential to take a lot meals with you.
- We drove so much throughout these two weeks- actually greater than we should always have– we had been exhausted after we bought dwelling. But there are simply so many stunning locations to see in Southern Norway.
- I added up the bills in NOK (Norwegian forex) and exchanged them into GBP at right now’s alternate price. I’ve included the NOK prices under, however clearly, the alternate price will fluctuate with time.
Watch the video of our Norway motorhome journey
Here’s a video of the speech I gave on the NEC Camping, Caravan and Motorhome present about taking your motorhome or van to Norway.
We hope you discovered the video helpful. If you probably did, we’d like it if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with suggestions for motorhoming and campervanning within the UK and Europe are launched weekly.
Our Norway Road Trip Route Map
Here’s a map of the route we took in Norway. This route took us simply over 2 weeks. You can see it in additional element right here.
As a information, it took us 2 days to drive again from close to Kristiansund to the Swedish border, then an extra two days to get again to the UK!
Which route is most cost-effective in Norway?
The route by way of the centre of Norway is MUCH faster, as a result of there are not any ferries… however there are extra tolls, so it in all probability prices about the identical.
Guess it relies upon whether or not you wish to take the scenic route or the short route.
However, in case your purpose is to stand up to the highest of Norway, you’ll in all probability discover it most cost-effective to drive up by way of Sweden (the place there are far fewer tolls).
Car Ferry from Denmark to Norway
We selected to take the automobile ferry from Denmark to Norway with an organization referred to as Colorline and crossed from Hirtshals- Kristiansand. This value us £409.56 (yep, that’s a technique!)
You can learn extra about that (and watch the video) HERE
There are loads of different ferry routes however this one might be the most affordable.
There’s now additionally a ferry from Holland to Norway (with HollandNorwaytraces) which is longer and fairly costly. You additionally must e-book far prematurely to get an area.
How a lot does it value to tour Norway – Internal Ferry prices
There are small automobile ferries throughout Norway- simply consider them as a part of the highway community. You don’t must e-book these small ferries prematurely, simply flip up and use them.
Here’s an inventory of all of the ferries we used and the way a lot they value us. Remember we had a 7.5m motorhome (our Swift 496) with a 2m trailer towing the bikes, and I imagine the worth break is 6-8m, then 8-10m, so we had been in the costliest class.
- Ferry from Luavika to Oanes 358NOK
- Ferry from Puntnes (hjelmeland) – Nesvik on 13 – 430NOK
- Ferry Skanevik- Utaker (48) – 438nok
- Ferry Arsnes- Gjermundshamn (DONT PANIC- it goes to the island Varoldsoyna first!!) – 534NOK
- Ferry Fornes -Mannheller (route 5) – 384NOK
- Ferry Stranda – Liabygda – 412NOK
- Ferry E39 Vestnes- Molde – 602NOK
- Ferry E39 Halsa- Kanestraum – 438 NOK
TOTAL = 3596 NOK = £333.44
Is Norway Expensive to visit- Tolls
Before we left for our Norway highway journey, we ordered a Brobizz toll go for our motorhome.
We debated which one to get, however in the long run, we went for a enterprise tariff, as our automobile was over 3.5t and we didn’t wish to danger getting caught saying we had been much less.
As it occurs, we had been by no means checked at all- however we’d quite play it protected and never have to fret about it.
The Brobizz additionally works in Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland, which makes our life simpler for future travels and permits us to go by way of toll cubicles with out having to cease or discover change.
They take the funds out of your card robotically and ship you a invoice a couple of weeks later.
You can select to not have a toll tag, however you gained’t get any low cost. You ought to register with Autopass.no prematurely. If you don’t, you gained’t be capable to use the Autopass lanes, so may have extra queues.
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
Norway Tolls prices
In whole, we went by way of 23 tolls throughout our Norway highway trip- and over half of these had been on the E6, which is the principle highway working North-South by way of central Norway (‘I’ on the map).
Having stated that, these tolls solely amounted to £84.88. The different tolls in Norway (across the western edge) got here to a whopping £20.06- not dangerous for 12 days driving! But these are the roads with all of the ferries on.
So the entire for our Norway highway journey itinerary for tolls was £104.94
Word of warning, the Oresund Bridge and the A/S Storebaelt, that are the large bridges from Sweden to Denmark, value us £275 a technique. I’ve included this within the determine for the ultimate tolls.
How costly is gasoline in Norway?
Our gasoline got here to £307.72 and we roughly used 277 litres.
I do know we crammed up earlier than we entered Norway, however I’ve no manner of understanding how a lot gasoline was within the tank after we left. Our mileage was (very roughly) 1,490 miles, which works out at us doing round 24.4 miles to the gallon.
Honestly, on these winding roads and in that appalling climate, plus towing practically a tonne of motorbikes and trailer, we’re fairly happy with that determine for our gasoline prices!
Motorhome wild tenting guides for the UK & Europe
How costly are campsites in Norway?
We thought wild tenting in Scotland was nice, however then we went to Norway. While we had been there, we spent practically each evening wild tenting with our motorhome in some INCREDIBLE locations.
Seriously, these locations are out of this world- right here’s one among our favorite wild tenting spots in Norway!
We solely stayed in a campsite once- and it was properly definitely worth the £23 payment. The solely purpose we stayed right here was as a result of we wanted a laundrette. You will discover laundrettes in greater cities, however we attempt to keep away from this with our motorhome.
Just having the ability to get up by the fjord and look out at that view was breathtaking- you may learn extra about our favorite campsite in Norway HERE. We didn’t use the electrical, however we did pay £4 to make use of the laundry amenities.
If we handed a campsite, we had a fast take a look at the costs and located them to be comparable in worth to UK campsites out of season- £20-£25/ evening for a motorhome or campervan.
We went to Norway in July, so it was already ‘high season’ and I wouldn’t anticipate the costs to be dearer additional North- though don’t quote me on that!!
If you’re in a position to journey out of peak season, you would possibly be capable to avoid wasting cash utilizing an ACSI CampingCard.
Average value of a visit to Norway – How a lot to finances for meals?
Food and alcohol are one of the vital costly issues on any journey to Norway. One large tip is to top off prematurely in Germany, Denmark and even Sweden. Remember there are guidelines for taking alcohol throughout the border.
This is likely one of the largest benefits to touring Norway with a motorhome or campervan- it can save you some huge cash by taking and getting ready your personal meals.
As I discussed above, we didn’t purchase a lot meals in Norway at everywhere in the 2 weeks. We purchased the odd scorching canine or bag of sweets at a gasoline station and a number of bottles of water.
Our procuring invoice for meals, water and highway journey snacks was £152.21. And surprisingly, we didn’t eat wherever close to as many occasions as I assumed we’d!
Tips to make the price of your Norway highway journey cheaper- meals
I packed our motorhome up with over 90 tins of varied meats and sauces, and we didn’t even eat a 3rd of them.
We additionally drank 3 bottles of wine we had on board, so I’ll be conservative and say we ate about £60 value of meals we already had with us. Which offers us a invoice for 2 weeks meals of £212.21.
For the most effective costs in Norway, attempt to store within the Spar or Co-op’s. Most supermarkets and grocery outlets don’t open on Sundays. Garages will promote fundamental groceries (and scorching canines!) however at inflated costs!
All drinks (cans and plastic bottles) have a deposit (pant) on them- along with the worth on the label. You can put them again into the machine contained in the supermarkets and get the choice of a voucher to spend or giving the cash to charity.
How a lot is Alcohol in Norway?
Tax is charged on all alcohol with greater than 0.7% quantity of alcohol, making all alcohol costly.
Beer will be present in most supermarkets, however is just bought earlier than 8 pm on weekdays or 6 pm on Saturdays. For wine, spirits or robust beer, you have to go to one of many Vinmonopolet retailers, present in most massive cities and cities.
In a Vinmonopolet you’ll pay round NKR150 for a bottle of wine and NKR50 for beer and cider. Spirits value significantly extra.
Eating out in Norway- how costly is it?
Oh, it’s costly! The costs of restaurant and takeaway meals is crazy- even a McDonalds can value upwards of £10 for a meal. Burger and chips will be £25 per meal and a beer, cider or glass of wine in a restaurant will value between NKR60-90.
Our meals out concerned two Norwegian takeaway pizzas and one “traditional” Norwegian fish and chips- and man they had been so good!!
We had a espresso and cake out twice, as soon as on the high of Trollstigen Road – the loopy highway up the mountain with 11 hairpin bends!!
We additionally handled ourselves to a Swedish Burger King on the way in which dwelling (which was precisely the identical as a UK Burger King, in the event you’re !)
In whole, we spent £106.10 on meals out. (WAY higher than what we spent on our journey to Germany earlier within the 12 months!!)
How costly is Norway in comparison with the UK?
If you’re doing a Norwegian highway journey by automobile and must pay for lodging, that might be expensive- particularly if it’s essential purchase meals and drinks every day.
But if you’re bringing your personal automobile and cooking most of your personal meals, then I don’t assume it’s scarily costly. You can undoubtedly purchase meals pretty fairly (it’s in all probability equal to procuring in Marks and Spencer or Waitrose for my UK readers!)
Expect to pay at the very least double the quantity you’re used to within the UK for all the things in a supermarket- even the native manufacturers. Many shops have an ‘own brand’ which is barely extra reasonable- assume Waitrose or M & S costs.
Other issues we paid for in Norway
How costly is Norway to go to? Our whole and prices of a visit to Norway…
So, right here’s a abstract of our whole prices:
- Ferry from Denmark to Norway: £409.56
- Internal Ferries in Norway: £333.44
- Tolls in Norway: £104.94
- Bridges again through Sweden: £275
- Campsite: £23
- Food/ drink/ snacks: £212.21
- Eating out: £106.10
- Other prices: £239.41
Total: £1703.66
Average day by day whole (over 16 days): £106.48 per day
So, are you able to journey to Norway on a finances?
Absolutely.
I’m truly pleasantly stunned by how little the journey value us- we had been fearful it was going to fully break the financial institution after listening to all of the rumours about how costly Norway is for vacationers.
Don’t get me mistaken, as somebody who’s used to motorhoming in France and Italy, Norway is dear to go to, nevertheless it wasn’t as dangerous as we expected- perhaps we simply had actually actually low expectations!
Like with any journey, the most important bills are going to be your lodging after which your meals and journey prices. If you’re staying in inns/ BnBs, attempt to get one thing with a kitchen so that you don’t have to purchase each meal.
If you’re renting a automobile or motorhome, attempt to do the journey outdoors of peak season so you will get a deal on greatest costs.
More tricks to make Norway cheaper to go to
And in the event you’re driving to Norway from the UK or wherever else, e-book your ferry prematurely as quickly as potential, attempt to wild camp and keep away from campsites, deliver meals with you (however bear in mind the brand new guidelines about driving in Europe after BREXIT about meat and milk merchandise from the UK) and discover different methods to economize in your highway journey.
The manner we take a look at it, it was nonetheless cheaper to drive our motorhome as much as Norway than it might have been to rent one for 2 weeks.
Also, if we went once more, we wouldn’t take the trailer (and our new motorhome is beneath 7m- a Swift 685 Escape), so we’d pay a LOT much less on the ferries, which makes an enormous distinction.
All in all, nothing in regards to the prices of this journey put us off going again!
