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5/13 - Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo for 3 nights each. Q's?

5/13 - Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo for 3 nights each. Q's?

Old Jan 31st, 2013, 08:33 PM
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5/13 - Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo for 3 nights each. Q's?

Hello fellow travelers. Planning a trip to Scandinavia at the end of May 2013 for 10 days, maybe 11. Coming from DC, where would you suggest flying IN and OUT of?

Did a lot of searching on this site for the "Just Back" reports but am still very confused. Considering 3 days in each place (could possibly do 4 in one of them if absolutely necessary) - Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo since I want to get a small taste of these 3 countries.

I never rent cars or fly in between countries once I"m on a trip but rely solely on trains and buses. I'm 52 and in very good shape so I can walk far too if it's a matter of getting to and from remote bus and trains stops. I'd be most likely traveling solo since no one else would want to see as much as I stuff in in a small period of time.

I sometimes sign up for walking tours of cities when I get there and have found this a great way to meet other cool travelers and see a city

I LOVE big cities (I hike enough mountains in the US out west so I'm fine with big cities while vacationing in Europe). Love doing museums, walking around a town, doing a city rented bike tour, maybe a day trip to the country to see cool stuff and back that same day (by bus or train).

Sample itinerary help anyone? I've read so many trip reports on here that my head is dizzy.

If I'm flying in from Washington DC, what city do you suggest flying into and then out of at the end? I arrange all travel plans by bus, etc while on my trips, not before. Don't really care if it costs more to do it this way.

I have Sheraton Points saved up so my first 3 nights in Stockholm could be covered if I choose to use them but they are very expensive points for this hotel. 16K points a night (used to be 10K pts a night 3 yrs ago when I last looked into this trip). I may have to just pay out of pocket and do a cheap hotel there and save these valuable points. Suggestions on Stockholm hotels right in the heart of it all that are budgetary?

Then I'll need cheap ($65-100 nt if possible) hotel recommendations for Oslo and Copenhagen too that are in great walking areas, not on the outskirts but centrally located since I won't have a car. It can be bare bones like an Ibis hotel but not seedy or awful. Can't do hostels. Too old for that now.

Suggestion on great day trips for this very short amount of time per city? Maybe 1 per country? Or should I simply concentrate on doing the city and that's it due to the small length of the stay?

Or is this plan pure folly, kind of stupid, and I should stick to 2 countries and not try to "bag" that extra country? In that case, it would almost definitely be Copenhagen and Stockholm.

The thing is, I spent 5 nights in Prague last year and 4 in Budapest and did Budapest in 3 days instead of 4 so I took a very long day trip to Vienna and had a total blast even though it was just for 1 day. It was SO worth it. Did 3 bus tours and saw so much - ok, from the bus. That's why I was trying to fit in the 3 countries. In theory, it just seemed cool to get to all 3! No other reason than that. Sometimes, that's all the reason I need. Kind of crazy, I know, but that's how I roll.

Thanks in advance if you can offer an advice on my questions or musings.

I promise to post a very thorough just back report to "give back", with pics, once I return as my way of paying it forward.

Cheers,
Steve R
Gaithersburg MD
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Old Jan 31st, 2013, 10:14 PM
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We did similar trip in 2011 whilst picking up our new Volvo. We flew from Dulles to CPH on SAS and then went on to Goteburg, Oslo, and Stockholm.

I will be back to give you some more info, heading to market right now.
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Old Jan 31st, 2013, 11:08 PM
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Given your interests (and thanks for letting us know what they are!), I think you might want to consider at least 3 days in Stockholm (and perhaps a 4th if you choose to travel outside the city to, say, Uppsala or the archipelago) and at least 3 days in Copenhagen (and perhaps a 4th if you choose to take a day trip to Roskilde). (And yes, I recommend those day trips!)

I haven't been to Oslo yet; I must admit that my impression is that 2 days might be enough. (But I look forward to the trip that allows me to have that time there!)

As you plan, be sure to leave time for getting from one city to the next! No need to rent a car - public transportation should work for you.

Much as I enjoy reading trip reports, I must admit that I don't find them to be a reasonable substitute for guidebooks - they can be inspiring, but I find them too intrinsically linked to the traveler's unique interests to be a good basis for trip planning. I urge you to consider investing in at least one, if not 2 or 3, good books. Although its been years, the ones I found most useful for my time in Stockholm and Copenhagen were Fodor's and Frommer's.

Scandinavia is a pricey destination, points or not. For lodging, you might want to look at options through http://www.booking.com ?
I've used it for many years without problem.

You probably already realize that the closer you get to the summer solstice, the more expensive and more crowded these cities will be. Plan accordingly!

From what you say of your interests and experiences, I think you will thoroughly enjoy your trip.

And BTW, all my trips have been solo - I treasure the freedom that gives me to do exactly what I want, whenever I want.

You are in for a memorable trip!
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Old Jan 31st, 2013, 11:48 PM
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I can only speak about Copenhagen, you will struggle to find a cheap central hotel or just a cheap hotel. Take a look at the Wakeup Hotel Copenhagen as an example of a moderate hotel, but there are many others to choose from. Even those in the suburbs tend to be expensive, as many of the Copenhagen suburbs are quite affluent (northern suburbs) or are business districts.
3-4 nights in Copenhagen is about right, there are lots of things to see in Copenhagen as well as taking trips out to see castles or be by the sea. Public transportation is very good and you can rent bicycles and cycle around if you want to. Tivoli Gardens are a must, even for an adult. Daytrips from Copenhagen are definitely worthwhile!

Here is a useful link to the official Danish Tourist Board sitebr />
http://www.visitdenmark.com/en-gb/co...ons/copenhagen
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 12:04 AM
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We really liked Oslo, and found two days was not enough. All easily walk-able or bus-able. Buy an Oslo card for free public transport, entry into the man museums and 20% at some pizza places and other cafés and restaurants. It makes a huge difference believe me.

We stayed at the Comfort Hotel Børsparken. http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-oslo-norway-NO020
It was a short walk from the station and a good, clean friendly hotel, with a good breakfast buffet.
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 03:46 AM
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A couple of notes:

scandinavia is expensive - VERY expensive - for everyhting, incluidng meals, public transit etc - so be sure you have a realistic budget. Definitely use hotel points if you can - since otherwise prices are likely to be 2 to 3 times what they are in the US.

IMHO Stockholm has by far the most to see and do and Oslo the least - so I would switch things in that direction,. Stockholm and Copenhagen both have a number of interesting day or half day trips nearby - while Oslo is cute, but small and not very city-like.
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 05:06 AM
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Wow, thanks so much for the great amount of info and FAST. Sounds like I'll want to consider using my high dollar Starwood points in Stockholm, then. I wonder why it's 2-3X in pricing than other countries or the US in general? What makes it so much more? I've heard of the taxes being 25% or so but still...

So - the hard part - sounds like I'll want to fly into... Copenhagen? And out of ... Oslo? Or is there a better route to take for flights?

I'll rely on a combination of your just back reports and Fodor/Frommer books.

I'm thinking 4 nights in Stockholm, 4 in Copenhage and 2 in Oslo. Getting excited (who wouldn't be?). Don't want to be there when TONS of tourist are there. Is earlier May a better time to go? I don't care about cold but I hate rainy and dark most of the time.

Thanks,

Steve R
Gaithersburg, MD.
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 07:46 AM
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I did find less expensive housing in Oslo and Stockholm. You might want to take a look at my trip reports on Norway and Stockholm; click on my name to find them.
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 08:01 AM
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We found this site to be helpful for finding places to stay.

https://www.nordicchoicehotels.com/C...rice-Calendar/

We stayed at -
COMFORT HOTEL XPRESS, OSLO

It was very reasonable, within walking distance to everything needed and a great price.

We stayed at Marriott Courtyard in Stockholm. It was a short metro ride into downtown area or a pleasant 20 minutes walk.

We stayed at Marriott in Copenhagen.

We spent 3 full days in Copenhagen, only A night coming and going in Oslo ( we did the Norway in a Nutshell up to Voss and the fjord) and then 5 nights in Stockholm. We took the train from Copenhagen to Goteburg, and again from Goteburg to Stockholm. Very nice, book 90 days out to get best price.

I highly recommend SAS. They have sails ,sign up for emails.
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 09:26 AM
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Almost all of europe is considerably more expensive than the US - even than NYC. Switz is more than that and Scandinavia is highest.

One easy way to judge costs is McDonald's pricing (not that you should be dining there). But the Big Mac Meal that is about $8 in the US is about $19 or $20 in Scandinavia - and other meal prices are similar. So take lots of $.
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 09:47 AM
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Almost all [my emphasis] of europe is considerably more expensive than the US - even than NYC

Europe is so varied that such an overall statement is ridiculous: just as Norway is very expensive for everyone except possibly the Swiss, other countries such as Poland, Romania, Portugal will appear inexpensive to visitors from France, the Netherlands, Germany, etc. And most of Europe, in my experience, is less expensive than places like NYC or SF.
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Old Feb 1st, 2013, 10:15 AM
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And of the countries you're planning to visit, Norway is the most expensive, but the whole region is very pricey. Don't shortchange Oslo however, lots to see and enjoy. These are three beautiful waterfront cities. We flew on SAS between these them, cheaper than the train. There is easy train transportation from all of these airports to the city centers.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 12:02 AM
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I'm currently in Sweden and had a Big Mac meal, it cost SEK70 which is about USD11. Last night we had 2 burgers and 2 pints of beer in a sportsbar, this came to SEK390 which is about USD62. A cup of coffee with a small cake (Semla) was about USD7 with free refills.
And I agree with Michael, some places in the US are more expensive, eg decent hotel accommodation in Manhattan costs $$$, we did not find Vegas cheap at all but neither expected it to be. I also agree that Scandinavia is expensive, but not perhaps as much as some posters think.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 06:06 AM
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Ok, so it's expensive in Scandinavia. I definitely got that part now. Saved a bunch of money. Ready to spend it, frugally of course. Moving on ...

Great info, especially on ways to do cheaper hotels. I don't think I want to blow Starwood Points then in Stockholm and will look for cheap accommodations instead at around $80-100 a night. For the same 16000 Starwood points they want for a night in Stockholm at a medium-ly good Sheraton I can get a fairly KILLER hotel here in the US that's worth much more $'s per night. Michael: I clicked on your trip reports. Good ideas there!

So, what I REALLY, REALLY need help with is a general itinerary. I read so many of your just back reports my head is swimming. I am lost here. I don't know where to fly into from DC and out of back to DC 11 days later. Thoughts?

I'm really bad with route planning. I know I want to spend a couple days in these big cities but I'm guessing I'd love to see some Norway Fiord stuff too and could give up a day in the city to see the beautiful county. Without a car I have no idea how to plan this. I'm good about going to a city like Stockholm, planning in advance to stay 4 nights in a hotel and then doing day trips. I'm not good at planning to take multiday trips from a location leaving the first location. Can I just do these day trips from Copenhagen, Olso - maybe and Stockholm while getting back late those nights and sleeping in my original hotel?

I will get guide books but if anyone has a skeletal itinerary for me that would be great. Norway in a Nutshell sound PERFECT for a single guy like me to get a glimpse of fiords. That's really all I was looking for. So, can I sleep at my hotel in Oslo and still do all this in a day? Or do I have to check out, travel to Bergen and THEN take this day trip?

I realize this nutshell tour wouldn't appeal to all, but to get a smattering of a view of all this stuff is fine with me .

Steve
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 08:22 AM
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You can do Oslo-NIN-Oslo in one very long day, catching the first train out of Oslo. But Bergen is worth a visit. You would arrive in the evening, could probably visit the old town around the harbor in the morning and catch a train for Oslo in the afternoon or later (my first sentence implies a late train from Bergen to Oslo).

The pictures until no. 168 cover that part of Norway that would interest you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...70576316/show/
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 09:52 AM
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Fly from Dulles on SAS dot Copenhagen. Take the train (or fly) to Oslo and do Nutshell. Then take train or fly to Stockholm and then fly home from Stockholm. Or reverse it, starting in Stockholm and ending in CPH. Check out "Blue" for low cost local flights.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 01:06 PM
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Well I have been traveling over much or europe from quiote a few years - more than 100 trips at last count. In recent years I have found that cities in western europe are more expensive than NYC (although nor horribly so) which Switz is much higher (I've paid $50 for a cab ride that would be $25 in NYC) and Scandinavia is even higher. A good part of this is a function of the value (miserable) of the dollar against many other currencies. (Locals make a LOT of money and due to government social service plans don't pay for a lot of things we have to. Yes, they pay very high taxes - but they go to social service programs and education rather than supporting a massive military industrial complex.)

Yes, there are places that are less expensive (many in central europe - esp Prague and Budapest) and Spain is fairly reasonable. I understand Portugal is the same but I haven;t been recently and it's not a favorite of mine.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 01:30 PM
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Obviously we travel in different circles.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 01:39 PM
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If you use MacDonald's as your baseline experience of Europe, then of course you are going to think "all" of Europe is more expensive than the US! Same if you use Starbucks or any "foreign" corporate eatery. They're importing what they serve!

Also, you really have an extremely truncated view of "Europe" if it doesn't include Greece, Portugal, most of Italy (not its tourist destinations), and ditto all of what used to be called Eastern Europe -- all much cheaper than most of the US, including NYC.

Do people who live in NYC just not know what it costs to book a decent hotel room there as compared with 75percent of Europe?

Most Americans overspend on hotels and food when they visit Europe, and few do the research to take advantage of many of very sharp discounts available on museum and transportation costs.

That said, Scandanavia is indeed quite expensive, and not because of government services but because of strong labor laws that compel everyone to get paid a truly living wage. No "working poor".

Here are some tips for Scandanavia on a budget

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes....-on-125-a-day/
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Old Feb 2nd, 2013, 06:57 PM
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No "working poor".

If one scratched the surface, one would find working poor, if only foreign laborers--I stayed right above their neighborhood when in Oslo.
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