Most visitors arrive expecting Norway to be pricey, and yes, a latte in Oslo can sting and a beer often costs more than you planned. But here is the twist: plenty of everyday experiences are free or far more affordable than the Norway stereotype suggests. As someone who grew up here and helps travelers plan trips year-round, I see people save real money when they lean into how Norwegians actually live.
Short answer if you are skimming: the cheapest things in Norway revolve around nature, tap water, smart use of public transport, grocery store meals, and secondhand shopping. Add in a few local habits like making your own lunch and returning deposit bottles, and your costs drop quickly without missing what makes Norway special.
Curious how to do it in practice? Let’s take a deeper dive into what is genuinely cheap in Norway, and how to enjoy it like a local.
Nature Is Free, And It Is Everywhere
Norway’s biggest bargain is the outdoors. Thanks to the traditional right to roam, you can walk, hike, swim, and even wild camp on uncultivated land if you follow simple rules. Hiking trails, lakes, beaches, and countless viewpoints cost nothing. In summer you can swim in the fjords or nearby lakes, and in autumn many of us head out to pick blueberries and chanterelles for free. If you like fishing, shore fishing in saltwater does not require a license, which surprises many anglers who are used to buying expensive permits elsewhere. Freshwater fishing usually does require a local license, so check before you cast.
My tip: pack a light picnic from the supermarket and ride a local bus or ferry to a trailhead. You get a full day out for the cost of groceries and a transit ticket.
Tap Water Is Excellent, And It Is Free In Restaurants
You do not need to buy bottled water in Norway. Tap water is cold, clean, and delicious whether you are in a cabin in the mountains or in central Bergen. Most restaurants will happily bring a carafe of water for the table at no charge. Carry a refillable bottle and top up at your hotel, in public buildings like libraries, or at gyms and museums that have fountains. If you do buy a bottled drink, you will notice a small deposit on the label. Return the bottle to a reverse vending machine in any supermarket and you get that money back on the spot.
Public Transport Can Be A Great Deal If You Buy Smart
Single tickets are convenient, but day and week passes often deliver the best value. A 24 hour or 7 day ticket typically costs less than a handful of single rides, especially if you plan a packed city itinerary. In several cities, the harbor ferries are included in the same ticket. That turns a commuter boat into a scenic mini cruise for the price of public transport, which is one of my favorite budget hacks in Oslo. Families also benefit because there are generous child and youth discounts, and on weekends some regions offer family deals that let an adult bring children on the same ticket.
Pro move: group your sightseeing by zones and ride all your ferries and trams on a single pass. It is cheaper, and you spend less time fiddling with your phone at each stop.
Grocery Store Meals Are A Quiet Superpower
Eating out can add up quickly, but grocery stores are where Norwegians keep costs down. The discount chains have solid bakery sections with warm rolls in the morning, and you can build a great picnic with sliced cheese, smoked salmon, leverpostei, cucumbers, and a bar of chocolate for dessert. Look for store brands and yellow discount stickers near closing time. Many supermarkets have hot counters with roast chicken or fish cakes that make an easy dinner.
A very Norwegian habit is the matpakke, a simple packed lunch of bread, butter, and toppings. When traveling, I still make one before I head out. It takes five minutes and saves you enough to splurge later on a pastry or a nicer dinner.
Extra tip for food waste warriors: several bakeries and restaurants sell end of day bundles through surplus food apps, which can be a fun way to try local food on a small budget.
Free And Low Cost Fun In Cities
Big cities here are not only about expensive cocktails. Public libraries are free havens with clean bathrooms, strong Wi Fi, and often fantastic architecture. You can read, work, or warm up on a winter day without spending a krone. Many neighborhoods host free concerts, community festivals, or outdoor movie nights in summer. Churches regularly hold organ recitals with free or donation entry. Public parks have playgrounds, outdoor gyms, and plenty of grills or designated barbecue spots for bring your own picnics.
If you are in Oslo in winter, the city maintains sledding hills and often ice rinks that are free to use with your own gear. When the conditions align, locals skate on natural ice on city lakes at no cost, though always follow safety advisories.
Cross Country Skiing For Almost Nothing
Downhill skiing is expensive, but cross country skiing is the great Norwegian equalizer. In and around many towns, groomed tracks are maintained through municipal support and volunteer organizations. Using the trails is free. If you rent skis one day and stick to the lighted forest loops, you can have a full winter experience for the price of the rental and a thermos of hot chocolate. Sledding is free too if you bring or borrow a sled. I keep a cheap plastic one in the car every winter and it pays for itself in about ten minutes of laughter.
Affordable Stays If You Plan Like A Local
Accommodation is rarely cheap in Norway, but there are two options that surprise visitors. First, campgrounds rent basic cabins that are clean, heated, and much cheaper than hotels. They work especially well for road trips and families. Second, the Norwegian Trekking Association cabin network offers simple mountain cabins at budget friendly rates compared with hotels. You bring a sleeping liner, cook for yourself, and enjoy a classic Norwegian mountain atmosphere without breaking the bank. Book popular cabins early and read the house rules carefully.
Thrifting And Secondhand Deals Are Everywhere
Norwegians buy quality gear and then resell it when the season changes or kids grow. That means secondhand shops and online marketplaces are treasure troves for outdoor clothing, skis, bikes, and even baby gear. Look for charity shops in city centers and keep an eye out for weekend flea markets in spring and autumn. If you are here for a longer stay, it is very normal to pick up a used winter jacket or boots at a fraction of retail. You will also blend in better with the locals than if you arrive geared like a sponsored athlete.
Ferries And Fjords Without The Tour Price Tag
There are unforgettable fjord cruises that are worth every penny, but you can also get scenic water time for much less. In some cities, local ferries are part of the regular public transport system, carrying commuters to islands and back. Ride out in the morning, hike or swim, then return with the afternoon crowd. You pay the same price as a bus or tram ride, and you enjoy front row views.
VAT Refunds Make Some Shopping Cheaper Than You Think
Norway has a value added tax on most goods, but non resident visitors can often claim a VAT refund on eligible purchases when they leave the country. That makes certain items like outdoor gear or Norwegian design pieces more affordable than the price tag suggests. The process is straightforward if you ask the shop for the right paperwork and allow a few extra minutes at the airport or border. This is not a trick to buy random stuff you do not need, but if you were already planning to pick up a quality rain jacket, the net price after refund can be surprisingly fair.
Little Everyday Bargains
A few small wins that add up. Coffee refills are common at bakeries and convenience stores if you bring their cup back. A hot dog in lompe from a kiosk or gas station stays one of the cheapest grab and go snacks, especially with a drink combo. Using a card or contactless payment is standard, so you will not pay ATM fees or exchange money like in some countries. Bring your own shopping bag to avoid paying for a new one at the till. And if you buy bottled drinks, return them for the deposit refund. Norwegians do this on autopilot and the savings quietly build over a week.
How To Put It Together For A Budget Friendly Trip
Start each day with a grocery run for breakfast and a packed lunch. Carry a refillable bottle. Buy a day or week transport pass and plan routes that include a ferry ride or a tram into the forest for a hike. Pick a free or low cost activity in the afternoon like a library visit, a church concert, a swim, or a sledding hill in winter. Grab dinner from a supermarket hot counter or a casual spot that serves hearty Norwegian classics. If you need gear, try a secondhand shop first. Book a cabin at a campground or a trekking cabin when you want to save on accommodation and be closer to nature.
This is how many of us live anyway. Not because everything is expensive, but because the simple parts of Norway are the best ones. When you lean into those, you discover that a trip here can be both rich in experience and surprisingly light on your wallet.