Wow, just checked a flight on SAS leaving on 5/24/13 at 515pm, coming back on Jun 5 from Stockholm at 10am getting into DC at 3pm and it's only $909 - total. Not bad at all, pricewise.

I was thinking, after reading what you folks wrote, to fly into Copenhagen, do 4 nights there, then 3 nights in Oslo saving 1 day for the crazy Norway in a Nutshell tour, training over to Stockholm for 4 nights and heading back on the 12th day.

Alternately, I was thinking of getting back a day earlier so I won't feel guilty about missing work (I'm in sales and have a huge quota to hit each month or I don't make much money) and doing 3 nights in Copenhagen, 3 in Oslo and 4 in Stockholm.

I did Prague and Budapest in October and found that I can see ALOT when traveling alone, in just one day, which is why I thought shaving a day off of the Copenhagen leg might not hurt too much.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Steve R
Gaithersburg, MD.

We did 2 nights in both Stockholm & Copenhagen in July 2011, could do 3 to 4 nights in both. We found a very cost effective hotel where they supply a free evening snack which was more than enough for the 4 of us for an evening meal and saved $$$$ considering the high cost of eating out in Sweden
Clarion Collection Hotel Mayfair Helgolandsgade 3
1653 Kobenhavn

(free Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner Snack)

> found that I can see ALOT when traveling alone, in just one day, which is why I thought shaving a day off of the Copenhagen leg might not hurt too much.

Indeed, a solo traveler with energy can maximize the use of the available time. I was fairly young and full of energy when I visited this region, and packed a LOT in. As I recall, I had close to 2 full days in Copenhagen itself and the better part of a day for a day trip to Roskilde.

You should be able to see quite a lot in Copenhagen if you plan your trip to maximize your chance of hitting opening times and are willing to keep moving. And depending on your priorities, time might not be that big an issue for you. It certainly makes sense to think through the consequences for your work and budget!

The good news is that you'll see some wonderful things no matter what.

Thanks for your feedback. The Clarion Collection Hotel Mayfair Helgolandsgade 3 looks awesome but is totally out of my $100 a night budget, especially as a single.

And Kja: good to hear that if I shave a night off of Copenhagen, it won't be the end of the world. Will make a decision soon since I don't want to miss out on a $900 RT flight!

Steve

>>>>> <i>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.</i>

It's going to be hard to find a hotel in Copenhagen for $100 a night, I think I mentioned that before in my first post. A hostel or a BB is a possibility and with B&Bs, alot have shared bathrooms so check that out. End of May is a popular time to visit, seeing that there are many public holidays around Europe at that time.

Here is a link to Cabinn hotels, Copenhagen City is the most central one. Check room description carefully, some are very small & definitely bare bones.

https://www.cabinn.com/en/

Or the Wakeup Hotel, little more pricey

http://www.wakeupcopenhagen.com/prices/

Thanks for those links. I'm starting to think that a shared bathroom may not be a big deal for me, and almost strangely cool in a way, back to bones, back to my youth - since I'm traveling alone and will rarely be in my room during the day.

I bought my ticket! SO excited. It was a little scary but I'm now committed to going. Got the great rate. This will be fun, fun, fun.

Decided to do 3 nts Copenhagen, 3 in Oslo and 4 in Stockholm. All day Norway in a Nutshell trip on one of the Oslo days. If I only get a small taste of this part of the world I'll be happy. Now to find... CHEAP hotels in Stockholm and Oslo .

Unless, I should stay in Bergen one night instead, or do the Norway in a Nutshell trip over 2 days and check out of my Oslo hotel one night to do this trip differently. This seems kind of complicated so I'll probably just do it all in one hellishly whirlwind day. I have the energy to do it... and I won't have to bring any luggage with me at all or to worry about.

Right?!?

Steve R

Check out that Comfort express I have listed above for Oslo. It was pretty (relatively) inexpensive.

Comfort hotel in Stockholm is 756 SEK about $116, use that link above!

This hostel is in quite a good location, right on a bridge and you can walk to Tivoli Gardens and the Glyptotek quite easily.

http://www.danhostelcopenhagencity.dk/cphhostelscom/

Thanks. Wakeup looks a bit far from city center for me... Will keep looking. Danhostel Copenhagen looks a little to dormitory-esk for me. I would definitely need a private room. Gosh, I may be getting too old for this stuff! I'm 52 ... going on 5, though.

Will have to keep searching or increase my $$$ amount I have to spend there. The Clarion Royal Christiana is supposed to be cheap in Oslo according to a Trip Advisor review and it's $290 a nt! The Comfort Hotel in Oslo is $124 night plus tax. $371 for 3 nights. Hmmmm, more than I want to pay but I'm considering this.

I'll start cross checking Hotel.com and Trip Advisor and come up with something!

$116, $124 a night are VERY good prices for Scandanavia. For clean, well located hotels, you aren't going to find mich better.

Danhostel is definitely dorm-like. Wakeup Hotel is not that far from the city centre, it is walkable. Plus you can rent bikes and cycle around the city.

Check the Cabinn City, that one is slightly near to the Tivoli Gardens, so quite central.

Bethel Sømandshjem gets good reviews, I've not stayed there but I know it is in a great location.

http://www.hotel-bethel.dk/

Luckily, I have a really smart girlfriend that suggested I look into staying at an AIRBNB instead of a drab, tiny, depressing hotel room. Most of the hotel rooms you folks have kindly suggested I look into seem to pale in comparison to the AIRBNB rooms for rent I've seen on this site for ... are you ready for you? 1/2 the price! An awesome room in Copenhagen is going for $65 a night to $75 a night. Private bath, use of kitchen and outdoor garden, washing machine, etc, you get the picture.

Killer way to travel. Am looking forward to staying at someone's home since I'll be lonely anyway at the of the day and it'll be cool to meet these local families! Do you any downside to this?

I'm guessing not a lot of people know about this type of accommodation. It seems a huge win win.

Thx,
Steve

> Do you any downside to this?

Sounds like a great solution for you!

Not a downside per se, just something to consider: Before you go, you might want to think of some ways to gracefully disconnect from your B&B staff or owners if necessary. I have rarely come across B&B owners who seemed just a tad more interested in my company than I was in theirs, or just a bit more intent upon directing my time while in their city than felt comfortable to me. In MANY trips, I've only run into this problem a few times, so you probably won't run into it. But it might be useful to think through just in case!

Steve - I hope you choose places that have lots of reviews. AirBnB works ok most of the time, but there can be issues. I have used it to find places in US but never overseas. And we always have an entire apt, not just a room in someone's home. Wishing you good luck.

>>>I'm guessing not a lot of people know about this type of accommodation. <<<< Lots of people know about AirBNB and if you search you will find threads on here about people's experiences.
Hostels or B&B has been mentioned on this thread as an option. When you make your choice, check the address, since you felt the Wakeup Hotel was too far out (which it isn't), you might find some of the accommodation offered is not right in the centre, but you can rent a bike to get around. Everyone has a bike.

Here is a link that I have used in the past:

http://www.bedandbreakfast.dk/?count...428&language=2

I also gave you this link to the official Danish tourism site, which lists the various accommodation options. Here it is again:-

http://www.visitdenmark.com/en-gb/a-...a-z-item-10955

Thanks folks. Guess I have a bit more homework to do then... I didn't think about some of the things you mentioned. The anonymity of a hotel can be good much of the time. Renting a room in a house could end up iffy... Hmmm, back to the drawing board a bit.

I booked an AIRBNB and am psyched! Also booked one for Oslo. Both are very small apartments, for about $30 less than a hotel room. They're both near the city. I appreciate all your words of advice and caution. I'll report back after the trip... Just need a place for Stockholm, Sweden now... and I might spend 4 days in Norway now instead of 3 and do the 2 day Norway in a Nutshell tour at the end of my stay there before heading to Sweden.

That would give me 3 nts in Sweden instead of 4.

Steve

Everything is booked. 3 Copenhagen, 3 Oslo and 4 in Sweden. All AIRBNB's, for better or for worse. They all look cool and funky and I researched them to death.

Have fun!