Often, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Scandinavian countries’ tour is the cost. Actually, any Nordic countries tour can be very costly if you’re not careful about how you spend your money as these countries are a little pricier than other areas of Europe. However, there are a few things you can do to make sure Scandinavian prices don’t drain your wallet. A few travel tips might save you a few Euro, krone, and krona.
Where to start a trip to Scandinavia?
On your Scandinavian vacation, you can visit more than one Scandinavian country during one trip. You can choose Scandinavia travel packages that offer guided and self-guided tours of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland or make your own travel plan.
Norway, fjords
Any Scandinavian trip should include visiting famous Norwegian fjords and, yes, it is possible to travel on a budget in Fjord Norway. A few tips will make your holiday more affordable, without missing out on great experiences.
Renting a car can be worthwhile. With your own car, you are free to go where you like and stop whenever you want as there are numerous fantastic places to stop for a picnic lunch along the road. Tables are often available, making it possible to sit down and eat, which will be much cheaper than having lunch at a restaurant.
Bring your tent, or you can stay at one of the Norwegian Trekking Association’s lodges. The trekking association offers more than 470 cabins found all over the country that offer the possibility to go trekking from cabin to cabin for a few weeks. The cabin prices vary, so you can choose the ones to fit your budget.
Also, you can find a B& B or a room for rent in private houses, which is simple, sweet, and inexpensive.
Go biking in Fjord Norway. Time spent on your bike is an environmentally friendly and affordable way of exploring the country. You can pitch a tent on a campsite and have a basecamp from where you can explore the surroundings.
Fishing in the sea from the shore is free in Norway. If you bring your fishing rod along, you can enjoy the taste of fresh fish you have caught yourself for dinner.
Fjord Norway is full of free and relatively easy to access nature attractions to be enjoyed by the travelers on any budget.
Finland
Finland is also known as an expensive country, which is why so many budget travelers skip it. It is a shame as they are missing out on a lot. With a little planning and knowledge, you can travel around Finland as cheap as in any other European country.
To begin with, you can save money on your accommodation by splitting the cost between several people if you are traveling with friends. Also, you can look for a room in a hostel.
If you are traveling in the countryside, you can legally pitch a tent and start a campfire anywhere in Finland outside of farm fields and private property. All you need is your own tent and some essential camping equipment.
Transport around Finland can be costly unless you use some planning. Trains in Finland can be particularly expensive. You can avoid spending a fortune on trains by pre-booking and using a EUrail pass. A cheaper alternative is to use the Omnibus service, which connects dozens of towns and some summer festivals. If you travel to Scandinavia by train from Germany, visit DB Fahrplan to see the schedules.
In Helsinki, transport is extraordinarily expensive. To avoid this, you can buy a travel pass for up to a week, which gives you unlimited travel on all the city’s buses, trams, local trains, and ferries.
There are fantastic attractions in Finland to suit any taste, and not all of them are expensive. A number of museums and galleries have free entry at a specific time each week, so check their websites to find out when those free days are. Besides, enjoying the beautiful Finnish countryside or the architecture of the cities is a free and exciting activity.
Sweden, Stockholm
Without any doubt, your Scandinavian trip must take you to the capital of Sweden, Stockholm. This very expensive city, can also be very inexpensive if you know ways to save money.
You can just walk in the city center without using public transport, enjoying the popular tourist attractions, or you can buy a metro ticket and visit several stations of Stockholm Metro, which an art museum as well.
Don’t forget to check the list of free places to be visited in Stockholm. Nearly all of the museums are free for everyone, including the Medieval Museum, Stockholm City Museum, Modern Art Museum, and others. You can even visit the Swedish parliament without buying a ticket.
Cheap accommodation options are hostels. The hostels in Stockholm have no staff working there. You get a password via email, and use it everywhere, leaving your bedsheets in a basket.
If going to restaurants is too expensive for you, you can buy food from the supermarkets or eat at fast-food chains.
Nature Accessibility Act
The Right of Public Access to nature in Sweden gives you the right to roam the countryside in perfect peace and quiet, which means that when you are in Sweden, you can walk, cycle, ride, ski and pitch a tent on any land with some exceptions, though: pitching tents in locations such as parks or sports grounds may be forbidden as most municipalities have regulations on camping and tents may be banned in outdoor recreation areas. In general, camping that is permitted under the Right of Public Access is not restricted.
So, don’t say that Sweden is too expensive for you!
On the other hand, making all the prearrangements on your own can be too complicated and time-consuming. A smart traveler often turns to a travel agency that has experience in organizing budget tours to Scandinavia.
One of the most reputable travel agencies selling tours to Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, and other destinations, Nordic Saga Tours, offers a good variety of options and services for your Scandinavian adventure. Their discounted tours, when booking in advance, can be irresistible.
Choose smart, and you will have a good time in Scandinavia without spending a fortune.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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