Budget travelers with a limited amount of time in Norway should start their journey with a free walking tour of Oslo. Start at the Oslo Visitor Centre and explore plenty of landmarks including the Royal Palace, Oslo Opera House, and Karl Johans Gate - the most famous street in Oslo.
The Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of Oslo's top attractions, features over 200 bronze, granite, and cast iron sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland. Afterward, traveling to the port area of Oslo for a fjord sightseeing trip might be a good choice. These tours highlight the city's fantastic waterfront, offering traveller picturesque sights of the city and the islands surrounding it.
Bergen is known as the gateway to the fjords and is a must-visit destination for every traveler in Norway. Take a stroll around Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admire the magnificent views from the top of Mount Fløyen, and explore the many other museums, shops, and cafes the city has to offer.
The Sognefjord is widely considered the "King of the Fjords." Take a day trip from Bergen and travel via ferry or a train to Flåm, and then return back to Bergen. The trip is a marvelous choice for capturing stunning scenes of mountains, lakes, and the Sognefjord itself.
Wake up early and take a bus from Bergen to Stavanger. When you get there, look forward to a delightful walking tour of the Old Town, with its whitewashed wooden buildings, narrow streets, and bustling markets. Later, travel to Hjelmeland and catch the ferry to Tau to start your hike towards Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) for an adventure you won't soon forget.
Travelers should consider purchasing either Eurail Norway Pass or Bus Pass for public transport in Norway. The train and bus network in Norway is adequately developed, and planning routes and tickets couldn't be simpler. To save money, travelers should use public transportation in cities instead of taxi services. Total transportation costs estimated around NOK 1,500 (Approx. USD 170).
If you have more than five days to travel, you can add hikes to Trolltunga, Romsdalseggen or Jotunheimen National Park. The hike difficulty level ranges from easy to advanced, but all of them are scenic, and some are even world-renowned. If you have less time, consider skipping the Sognefjord trip and stay one extra day in either Bergen or Oslo. Also, always pack a waterproof jacket and layers because the weather can be unpredictable in Norway.
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is Norway's busiest airport, and it's located 60 km north of Oslo. Sandefjord Torp Airport (TRF) is a secondary airport serving the cities Oslo and Bergen. All international airlines fly to Gardermoen, but Ryanair and Wizzair primarily serve Torp. Sandefjord Torp Airport is approximately 118 km southwest from Oslo and 18 km northeast of Sandefjord.