Tips from the team
- By cooking for yourself, you can save quite a bit of money.
- Wild camping is allowed in Norway. Opt for a car with (roof) tent instead of fixed accommodation. The adventure comes for free!
- Refuel at the right time. Gas prices vary significantly from station to station. Use the app Drivstoffappen to find the cheapest one.
- Travel outside the high season. May-June or September offer lower prices and fewer tourists, without compromising on natural beauty.
- Trust our experts. When you book a trip with Norway Nomads, your budget is already optimized. Everything is included, so you know exactly what you're spending.
Travel budget in Norway
How much does a week-long road trip cost?
Norway is known as one of the more expensive countries in Europe, but with good preparation and smart tips, you can explore the fjords without draining your bank account.
Here you can read all about the actual budget for a week-long road trip in Norway: fuel, campsites, transportation, groceries, and activities... Including concrete price estimates and our best savings tips.
Why is Norway expensive?
In Norway, wages are high (a waiter earns around €3500 per month), taxes are high too (25% VAT), and many products are imported. As a result, everything is pricey, from restaurants to supermarkets.
The good news: Norwegian nature is free. Fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and viewpoints cost nothing. Thanks to the right to access nature (“allemannsretten”), you can also camp for free in the wild.
That's why a road trip with a rooftop tent is perfect in Norway: cheap, flexible, and you're right in the middle of nature 24/7.
Transport budget: vehicle and fuel
Car Rental
- 4×4 with rooftop tent: €800 to €1200 per week, depending on the season. This is the option we recommend (and offer): you have your accommodation on the roof, access to mountain roads, and complete freedom.
- Campervan: €1000 to €1500 per week. More expensive, but with more comfort inside.
- Regular car + accommodations: €400 to €500 for rental, but you'll spend another €800 to €1400 on hotels or campsites. In the end, this is more expensive and less flexible.
Insurance
- Basic insurance is usually included, but full coverage costs an additional €150 to €250. We strongly recommend this since you’ll be tackling many mountain roads.
Fuel
This is a significant expense in Norway. Gasoline costs about 18–20 NOK per liter (or €1.60–€1.80). Keep in mind that you'll be covering a lot of distance.
For a typical week-long road trip through the fjords (about 1500–2000 km), you can expect:
- 4×4: around 150–180 liters, or €270–€320
- Van: around 180–220 liters, or €320–€400
Savings Tip: use the app Drivstoffappen to compare prices between gas stations. The difference can be up to 2–3 NOK per liter, which can make a big difference on a full tank.
The cheapest stations are usually those at supermarkets (Coop, Rema 1000). The stations along major tourist routes are generally more expensive.
Total transport budget: €1000–€1600
Budget for accommodation in Norway
Camping in Norway
Norway offers two very different types of accommodation:
- Official campsites: cost €25–€40 per spot (for 2 people with a vehicle). You'll have access to hot showers, toilets, often a communal kitchen, and sometimes Wi-Fi. Comfortable, but it can add up quickly: €175–€280 for 7 nights.
- Free wild camping: thanks to the right to access nature, you can pitch your tent (or rooftop tent) for free in the wild, as long as you respect a few simple rules. That’s the big advantage of Norway.
Our recommendation: mix both options. Spend 2–3 nights at an official campsite (for showers, laundry, and charging devices) and 4–5 nights wild camping in beautiful spots. This way, you’ll save €100–€180 and have a much more authentic experience.
Rules for wild camping
It's important to know them to respect nature and avoid fines:
- Maximum of 2 nights at the same spot
- At least 150 meters away from homes
- Prohibited in agricultural areas and national parks (except in designated zones)
- Take all your trash with you
- No campfires in the forest between April and September
Accommodation budget: €50 to €280, depending on your mix of official campsites and wild camping.
Budget for groceries and restaurants
Eating Out
Let's be honest: eating out every day in Norway will blow your budget. Expect:
- Sandwich or burger in a café: €10–€15
- Main course in an average restaurant: €20–€30
- Mid to high-end restaurant: €35–€50
- Beer: €8–€12
If you eat out twice a day for 7 days, you easily end up over €500 per person. That's simply not feasible for most travelers.
Grocery Shopping
This is the way to keep your budget in check in Norway. Supermarkets are pricier than in France or Belgium, but still reasonable by Norwegian standards.
The Cheapest Chains:
- Rema 1000: the Norwegian budget supermarket with the lowest prices
- Kiwi: also very affordable
- Coop: slightly more expensive, but available everywhere
- Bunnpris: good value for money
Avoid gas stations, unless in emergencies — they are very expensive.
Grocery budget for 2 people, 7 days (if you cook everything yourself):
- Breakfast (bread, jam, coffee, yogurt, fruit): €5–€7 per day
- Lunch (sandwiches, salads, snacks): €8–€12 per day
- Dinner (pasta, rice, vegetables, meat/fish, canned goods): €15–€20 per day
Total: €200–€270 for two people, or €100–€135 per person.
Our Grocery Tips:
- Buy in bulk upon arrival (pasta, rice, canned goods, oil, etc.)
- Local products like salmon, brown cheese, and yogurt are delicious and not more expensive
- Store brands and discount labels are of good quality in Norway
- Choose seasonal vegetables and watch for promotions
- Opt for sliced bread instead of baguettes (cheaper and lasts longer)
Smart Middle Ground: cook your own breakfast and dinner, buy a sandwich or snack for lunch, and treat yourself to 1 or 2 restaurant visits to taste the local cuisine.
Food and Drink Budget: €200 to €500 depending on your choices.
Budget for activities (sometimes paid, sometimes free)
Free activities (and there are plenty of them!)
The biggest advantage of Norway is that the most beautiful experiences are completely free:
- The fjords: admire the Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord, Sognefjord… free from scenic roads.
- Hikes: Preikestolen, Trolltunga, Romsdalseggen… all free (sometimes just parking costs of €5–€10).
- Scenic routes: the 18 national tourist routes with their architectural viewpoints.
- Waterfalls: Vøringsfossen, Kjosfossen, Steinsdalsfossen…
- Villages: stroll through Bergen, Ålesund, and picturesque fishing villages.
- Beaches: Uttakleiv and Haukland on the Lofoten.
You can easily have a fantastic week in Norway without doing a single paid activity.
Paid activities worth it
If you want to treat yourself, here are the activities that are worth their price:
- Whale safari: €100–€130 (Tromsø, Andenes)
- Kayaking in the fjords: €80–€100 for half a day
- Cable car in Bergen (Fløibanen): €15 (or free if you hike up)
- Fjord cruise: €40–€80, depending on the duration
- Guided glacier walk: €80–€120
- Via ferrata: €70–€100
Our advice: choose a maximum of 1 to 2 paid activities. The rest of the time, enjoy the free nature.
Budget for activities: €0 to €250, depending on your preferences.
Budget for extras and unforeseen expenses
Toll Roads
Norway has an automatic toll collection system (AutoPASS). You just drive through, a camera reads your license plate, and the bill is sent later to the rental company, which deducts the amount from your card.
For a week-long road trip through the fjords, expect to pay around €30–€60 in tolls. Major cities and some tunnels charge fees.
Parking
Many tourist spots have paid parking: €5–€15 per day, depending on the location.
Budget around €30–€70 for a week.
Ferries
When crossing certain fjords, you may need to take a ferry. This is included in many routes and usually costs €10–€30 per crossing with a car.
Budget: €20–€60, depending on your route.
Safety Margin
Always set aside an extra reserve of €100–€200 for unforeseen expenses: an extra tank of gas, an unexpected restaurant visit, a fun activity on-site, or a souvenir.
Budget Extras: €180–€390.
Total budget: 3 scenarios
Scenario 1: The Budget Adventurer
You optimize every expense without compromising on experience:
- Transport (4x4 + fuel + insurance): €1220
- Accommodation (combination of camping/wild camping): €80
- Food (groceries + 1 restaurant): €250
- Activities (everything free except for 1 paid): €80
- Extras (tolls, parking, ferries): €150
Total for 2 people: €1780, which is €890 per person
Scenario 2: Balanced Comfort (recommended)
The ideal balance between comfort and budget:
- Transport (4x4 + fuel + full insurance): €1400
- Accommodation (combination of camping/wild camping, more nights at campsites): €150
- Food (groceries + 2–3 restaurant visits): €350
- Activities (2–3 paid): €180
- Extras (tolls, parking, ferries, margin): €250
Total for 2 people: €2330, which is €1165 per person
Scenario 3: Maximum Comfort
You don't want to cut corners:
- Transport (campervan + fuel + full insurance): €1900
- Accommodation (every night at official campsites): €280
- Food (groceries + regular dining out): €500
- Activities (multiple paid): €300
- Extras: €350
Total for 2 people: €3330, which is €1665 per person
Our best tips to save money
Transport: Drive calmly (max 90 km/h) to save fuel. Plan your stages wisely to avoid unnecessary detours. Use an app to compare fuel prices.
Accommodation: Make the most of wild camping – it's legal and the best way to experience real Norway. Alternate with official campsites for a bit of extra comfort.
Food: Cook for yourself, stock up at the beginning of your trip, and prefer discount supermarkets. Have a real picnic in the afternoon instead of eating out. Bring a reusable water bottle to fill with tap water – it's of excellent quality in Norway.
Activities: The best experiences in Norway are free. Legendary hikes, fjords, scenic routes – all of that costs nothing. Choose at most one or two paid activities and then go for the real experiences like rafting or kayaking between the fjords.
The right timing
Travel in May–June or September instead of July–August. Rental prices are 20–30% lower, there are far fewer tourists, and the weather remains pleasant. Check out our guide on the best time to travel to Norway to make the most of your budget.
The all-inclusive package: what does that really cost?
With Norway Nomads, you benefit from an all-inclusive formula that makes your budget much simpler and clearer.
Included:
- 4x4 with equipped rooftop tent
- Basic insurance
- Pre-selected and reserved campsites
- Detailed route book
- Mobile app with map
- Complete sleeping gear
- Camping equipment (table, chairs)
- Complete cooking equipment
- Briefing by the French-speaking team
- Support during the trip
What you still need to provide:
- Flights (€150–€400 depending on the season)
- Fuel (€270–€350)
- Food (€200–€350 if you cook for yourself)
- Paid activities (optional)
- Extras (parking, souvenirs)
The advantage? You know exactly how much you will spend before you leave. No surprises, no stress, just adventure. Plus, you save preparation time (and often money) thanks to the optimization by our experts.
Is Norway really that expensive?
Norway is especially expensive if you travel in a "classic" way, with hotel stays and regular restaurant visits. But with a road trip in a rooftop tent and cooking for yourself, you can explore this beautiful country for €90 to €1200 per person per week. An investment that's more than worth it. The Norwegian landscapes are unique in the world, and camping with a view of the fjords is an unforgettable experience.
With a good preparation and the right tips, Norway becomes perfectly affordable. The price-quality ratio is exceptionally good if you make smart use of everything the country has to offer for free.
So, are you ready to explore the fjords?