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Bergen on a Budget

Visiting Bergen on a Budget

Published on February 25, 2017 • Last updated July 23, 2017 by Elizabeth Atia

Solo traveling in Bergen – tips & tricks to save a few kroner.

Bergen on a Budget

Ever since I moved to Shetland I’ve been intrigued by our nearest neighbours across the North Sea. Shetland is closer to Norway than it is to Aberdeen in Scotland, and over the years I’ve met many a traveler and seafarer from the country, sharing a pint and a laugh together back in my pub-going days. In fact, I married a man who grew up in Norway and my mother-in-law and his extended family is all still there.

We decided last year that we were going to save up for a family trip to visit them. Alas, our car decided to fail its MOT most miserably. It needed loads of work and new parts to be driveable and living as rurally as we do we need reliable transportation. We were faced with a choice – sell the car and risk buying another second-hand vehicle which would also need work down the road, or fix it with the money we had saved up and have it run for a good few more years. 

We chose to fix it, and my husband, being the money-worrier in the family, stated sadly: “We can’t afford to go to Norway now.”

“I’m going to Norway!” I adamantly declared. Visiting Norway was #1 on my list of 40 Things to Do Before I Turn 40, and dagnabit it was going to happen! So, I booked my solo flight direct from Shetland, paid the car bill (£2.5k – wince!) and vowed to make this as budget-friendly a trip to Norway as I could.

Here are a few of the tips and tricks I learned from my stay.

Bergen on a Budget - Solo Camping in Norway

MY TOP TIPS FOR VISITING BERGEN ON A BUDGET

Table of Contents

  • Transport to/in Bergen
  • Budget Accommodation in Bergen
  • What to Eat in Bergen on a Budget
  • Things to Do in Bergen on a Budget
  • Other Tips for Enjoying Bergen on a Budget

Transport to/in Bergen

We are quite lucky in Shetland that we have direct flights on a Saturday during the summer months from Sumburgh airport to Bergen. Flights take just over an hour and Shetland Islanders qualify for a hefty discount (up to 50%) in flight costs with the Air Discount Scheme. You mainland folk will have budget airlines near to you so it’s always worth checking out deals and booking well in advance.

Before you fly to the city I recommend you buy yourself a Bergen Card online and choose to receive it by post so you’ll have it when you land. I’ll be mentioning the benefits of this card throughout this post! For starters, this card gives you free transportation on the Bergen Light Railway and inner city buses, including the shuttle bus to Birkelandsskiftet that leaves the airport every ten minutes. This card also gives you a 20% discount on the Airport Bus which will take you straight into the city centre. Note, if you want to take the Airport bus buy your ticket in advance online or they’ll charge you an extra for buying it on board.

A Bergen Card can be purchased for 24, 48 or 72 hours for 240 NOK/£23 (approximately, check current exchange rate here) for the 24-hour card, 310 NOK/£30 for 48-hour card and 380 NOK/£37 for the 72-hour card.

Alternatively, you can purchase a 24 hour, 10 journey or 7-day tickets for the bus and light rail if you’re not planning on visiting museums or eating out.

Lone Camping Bergen - solo camping in Norway on a budget

Budget Accommodation in Bergen

I highly recommend camping. If you’re not adverse to sleeping in a tiny tent for a week you can save an absolute fortune on hotel costs. I spent some time in advance researching the various campsites around Bergen and opted for Lone Camping in Haukeland, a 25-minute drive from Bergen.

The price (in 2016) for a small tent space was 140 NOK/£13.50 for the pitch plus £1.50 per night per person. This is cheaper than the youth hostel prices I’ve checked online, and you don’t have to share your sleeping space with other people (I must be getting old – I like my privacy!). Plus, you get to wake up to a view like below every morning!

Lone Camping Bergen - solo camping in Norway on a budget

This particular campsite is situated just a few minutes’ walk away from two supermarkets, a bakery and a petrol station where you can pick up provisions from food to toiletries, and even emergency iPhone charger cables. On this particular campsite, there’s a communal tv room with loads of couches if you fancy being indoors (and want access to sockets for charging your phone), showers (10 NOK per shower), toilets (free) and a little kitchen shed (free) with a few counter top hobs and again, sockets for phone recharging.

There is a bus stop just across the road from the petrol station with regular, frequent stops. Again, bus transport from here is free with the Bergen Card (it would be around £3.50 without), but it takes about 45 minutes as you need to get the bus and then the Bergen Light Railway into the city centre. It’s a rather enjoyable and scenic route, and over the course of the week I was there I got to know some of the locals.

What to Eat in Bergen on a Budget

What to Eat in Bergen on a Budget

When I first arrived at the campsite I took a visit to the nearest supermarket for provisions. I spent about £12 on supplies – peanut butter and jam, bread, budget brand biscuits, coffee, juice. Things to keep me going. By Day 3 I was well and truly sick of peanut butter and jam sandwiches and started to look around for other options.

The famous fish market by the Bergen waterfront has all sorts of stuff, but it’s expensive. If you face the water and look to the shops across the road on your left you’ll see a Subway restaurant. They had daily offers when I was there – a six-inch sub for just 25 NOK/£2.40 but you can only get whatever it is they have on offer that day.

There’s also a little newspaper kiosk at the far end of the fish market – just before you turn down to Bryggen. You can get a coffee and a delicious freshly baked Norwegian pastry there for 25 NOK. Be warned, though, the coffee is super hot.

Go tee-total. If you can find any wine or spirits available in Bergen it’s silly expensive. Also, bring your own refillable water bottle because bottled water is expensive, like £2 a bottle!

The Bergen card offers 10% discounts on a range of eateries, as well as a five-course meal for the price of a three at the Cornelius Seafood Restaurant. A visit to this restaurant (via boat) was my one indulgence while visiting Bergen.

Things to Do in Bergen on a Budget

Go geocaching! Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunt, and it’s free! I spent the most of two days exploring the city geocache by geocache like I did when I visited Paris on my own. It gets you to all sorts of hidden nooks and crannies in a city that you otherwise wouldn’t have experienced.

The Bergen Card offers free entry to a wide range of museums and attractions such as St. Mary’s Church, pictured above. Construction of this church began in 1130, making it Bergen’s oldest church. Haakon’s Hall is a must visit too – this 750-year-old royal feasting hall and the adjacent Bergenus Fortress are steeped in history and make for a great place to pass the time when it’s pouring down with rain outside. I’d encourage you to visit the morbidly fascinating Leprosy Museum too, just because you can (pictured below). These three museums alone would cost you around £20 to visit without the Bergen Card.

The Leprosy Museum, Bergen
The Leprosy Museum, Bergen

For the outdoor enthusiast, I’d recommend heading to Stoltzekleiven, one of Bergen’s most popular trails. This steep paved set of 722 stone stairs is not for the faint-hearted; it’ll give you a proper workout but the views of the city from the top are stunning.

Stoltzeklevien Bergen 800 Steps

Bergen from Stoltzekleiven

From here you can carry on along the signposted forest trail to Mount Fløyen, one of Bergen’s most popular tourist destinations. Or, if the weather is permitting, follow along some of the back trails. There’s 4G in them there woods, so if you’ve got a phone it’s easy enough to follow the trails on the maps app and not get lost. I had a most enjoyable afternoon up there meandering about the trails and lakes. It was one of those afternoons where I had all of the contented happy. All of it.

Storevatnet lake on Sandviksfjellet mountain, Bergen

Bergen Forest Walk
Bergen Forest Walk

Trolls in Mount Floyen Bergen Forest

The closer you get to the top of Mount Fløyen the more people you start to see, and wooden trolls and bizarre wooden signs begin to appear randomly in the forest.

I confess I did queue for an ice cream in a waffle cone at the Fløistuen Shop and Café at the top of the mountain as it was so hot that afternoon, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out it wasn’t that expensive. There were so many people though! The viewing platform was uncomfortably mobbed, and it took some stealth to grab the geocache up there.

Mount Floyen Funicular

From here the trail zig-zags back down the picturesque mountain, appearing just 150 metres from Bryggen Wharf. Just keep heading downwards, you’ll get there eventually.

Other things I enjoyed in Bergen was the walk through Nordnes park, a 10-minute walk from the city centre, and its 10-metre high totem pole sent over by Bergen’s sister city, Seattle, to celebrate its 900th birthday.

There are an extraordinary number of statues and sculptures dotted about the city, and even the manhole covers are carved works of art!

Don’t forget to check out the statue of Leif Shetland Larsen, skipper of The Shetland Bus, a Shetland-based boat operation that ran to and fro to Norway during WW2. You can find this statue on the little wharf that juts out between the fish market and Bryggen.

Haukelandvatnet in the rain

Other Tips for Enjoying Bergen on a Budget

Bring waterproofs. It rains, a lot. Locals kept apologising to me for the rain. Apparently the summer I chose to visit was the wettest summer they’d had since 1939, or something of the like. Most of the photos you see in this post were taken on the one sunny day I had in the whole week I was there. Still, it’s a pretty awesome place even in the rain.

Wear layers. Again, it could be pouring down with rain one minute and the next the sun is hot and scorching.

Keep an eye on your mobile phone data. This was the one aspect I overlooked and I got whacked with a huge phone bill the following month and there was nothing I could do about it.

I found only one public toilet in Bergen, and it cost 10 NOK to use it. However, a local informed me that if you went into shops and asked they’d let you use their facilities.

Have you visited Bergen? Do you have anything else to add to this list? I’d love to hear about your visit – let me know in the comments!

Visiting Bergen on a Budget

This is not a sponsored post. I funded this trip entirely myself, but huge thanks to Millets online for the Berghaus Peak 3.1 Pro one woman tent – without it this trip never would have happened. Best tent ever.

Category: Adventure, NorwayTag: budget travel, camping, Norway

About Elizabeth Atia

Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

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Comments

  1. Mandy

    June 19, 2019 at 3:42 am

    Thanks for the awesome post. I’ll be going on my first solo trip to Norway in September and am very excited. Can you tell me where this picture was taken (https://www.elizabethskitchendiary.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Norway-1.jpg) because I would like to go! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      June 26, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed my post! Funny, I was just talking about this trip today on the ferry with a young lad I met travelling from Norway. This photo was taken at the top of the mountain on one of the paths from Floyen – I took the steps up and meandered through the paths to emerge where the funicular comes down. I hope you enjoy Norway! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Vicki D

    July 3, 2017 at 3:21 am

    I’ve always wanted to visit Norway and this post makes me want to go there so much more. It looks amazing!

    Reply
  3. Laura

    May 16, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    I’ve never heard of Bergen before so I really enjoyed this post, it sounds idyllic

    Reply
  4. Wildish Jess

    March 2, 2017 at 6:43 am

    I’ve never heard of Bergen before. Looks like a cute little town though!

    Reply
  5. Nicole - Little Miss Sparkle

    February 28, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    The photos look so lovely. Would really like to visit some day! Thanks for all the tips!

    Reply
  6. Nadine Cathleen

    February 28, 2017 at 10:33 am

    By looking at your pictures I thought you’d be in Austria or Switzerland 🙂 I have to go up North, sounds like there are some amazing trips and things to see waiting 🙂 🙂

    Reply
  7. Shaheen Khan

    February 28, 2017 at 1:44 am

    Such an amazing trip. Love that campsite morning view. I wish I can visit this beautiful place. You definitely sound like you had more fun than if you had booked into an expensive hotel.

    Reply
  8. Lisa Rios

    February 27, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    That’s awesome. I definitely agree that life is too short to wait to enjoy yourself. I love how you decided to make it happen and you were thrifty and frugal while having tons of fun. I hope to go one day.

    Reply
  9. Azlin Bloor

    February 27, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    Who says you need lots of money to have a good break? You look like you had a really awesome time.

    Reply
  10. Annie

    February 27, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    I love those photos! The place is gorgeous! I honestly admire you for going on a solo trip, I yet have to muster up the courage to do something like that.

    Reply
  11. Natalie

    February 27, 2017 at 5:19 pm

    What a beautiful place to visit! Scotland looks so green and I love spending time outdoors. Adding to my bucket list!

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth O.

    February 27, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    I’ve never been to Bergrn before. I really appreciate posts like this. It’s good to kniw what you can di in a place especially when you’re following a specific budget.

    Reply
  13. Emma

    February 27, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Good on you for making your trip happen- life is too short to worry about the what ifs. It looks like you had the time of your life. the scenery is beautiful – the mountains and lakes are breathtaking – glad you got to visit!

    Reply
  14. karlyn cruz

    February 27, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    i love budget travel post! its very interesting to visit Bergen! i would like to go there someday!

    Reply
  15. Traveligaya

    February 27, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    that’sa vey nice place! very interesting to visit someday!

    Reply
  16. chei

    February 27, 2017 at 6:26 am

    Wow this place looks so fun! Thanks for the great tips! 🙂

    Reply
  17. David Elliott

    February 27, 2017 at 3:59 am

    This place looks amazing. And it’s great all of the things that you have shown that you can do there on a limited budget.

    Reply
  18. Anna nuttall

    February 26, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    Wow what a beautiful place. I’m going traveling next year so I must visit here. xx

    Reply
  19. Michelle Catallo

    February 26, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    So well written I felt I was living vicariously through you as I read it. Wonderful tips and tricks throughout and I truly hope you are able to go again with your family. Norway is on my bucket list also (roughly number 7) and maybe one day I will be able to go (highly unlikely though). Thank you!

    Reply
  20. Colleen Wool

    February 26, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    I would love to go camping here. The pictures looked amazing.

    Reply
  21. R U S S

    February 26, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    Oh lucky you, I am super envious. Everything that you showed us is simply BEAUTIFUL and BREATHTAKING. I have always wanted to go to Norway myself. All your tips are helpful. I might just be a little bit scared to do the camping thing alone. Lol.

    Reply
  22. Donna Ashworth

    February 26, 2017 at 11:29 am

    I just adore reading travel blogs, what a fantastic article! So much of interest in there and amazing photos!

    Reply
  23. Cameron

    February 26, 2017 at 4:35 am

    Beautiful place! Great tips on how to travel anywhere on a budget too! Not just Bergen.

    | diaryofasouthernmillennial.com

    Reply
  24. Amber Myers

    February 26, 2017 at 3:04 am

    What an amazing area! I’d love to check this place out. Thank you for the tips!

    Reply
  25. maggie bradley

    February 25, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    i visited Norway 2 years ago on a cruise to see the northern lights amazing scenery it was a country I could dream of emigrating too only slightly colder then the north of England it reminded me of England pre1970

    Reply
  26. Author Brandi Kennedy

    February 25, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    You had some really great tips hidden here, and I think many of them are things people wouldn’t even think of – like camping instead of staying in a hotel or hostel. I’m glad you were able to make the trip happen, and that you had a good time even if it wasn’t exactly the trip you’d originally planned.

    Reply
  27. Lorena

    February 25, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    really beautiful, and very helpful tips is for sure you had a great time regards

    Reply
  28. Ruth

    February 25, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    Bergen looks and sounds great. It wasn’t on my radar until I read your post. Thanks

    Reply
  29. Richard @ e-Courses.xyz

    February 25, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    Wow. this is an awesome travel log full of fantastic pictures. I would love to wake every morning to that campsite view of a pristine lake. We have so many of the same camping and travel opportunities here in the States but I have to say it sounds so much cooler in a foreign country.

    Reply
  30. Agentizerozerosetter

    February 25, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    This place is absolutely AMAZING!Your budget tips are seriously useful!

    Reply
  31. ivana

    February 25, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    Amazing post, those are some great tips, and this photos are so beautiful, Bergen looks like a real paradise to rest xo

    https://theninebyivana.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  32. Leah

    February 25, 2017 at 10:58 am

    Camping in Norway sounds absolutely fabulous!! Scandinavia in general is on my travel bucket list and being that it is a bit more expensive to travel in Scandi these are some great tips!

    Reply
  33. JM Castro

    February 25, 2017 at 10:52 am

    Awesome tips and great photographs. Would love to visit there one day!

    Reply
  34. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

    February 25, 2017 at 9:05 am

    On my to do list too – and I really need to get my butt into gear to go – thanks so much for the tips they are a huuuuuuuuuge help, plus it sounds like I need to go tent shopping at Millets online.

    Reply
  35. Eazynazy

    February 25, 2017 at 8:41 am

    Woww such a beautiful place it is and so many great tips… I would love to visit this place one day 🙂

    Reply

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About Elizabeth

Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home. Read More…

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