Nuttela

I have been reading posts, looking at tour websites, watching travel guide movies, and I have been pricing accommodations and airfares. I came to the conclusion that the costs of going to Norway and Denmark is going to be too high and not having a lot of knowledge, I am worried I might not get the best for my value, so hopefully someone can help out.

I appreciate the help I have already received especially from puttakka and look forward to more information. Just so you have some of our thoughts and parameters:

• We want to do this trip without having to rent a vehicle. We feel that would just add to an already expensive trip.
• We originally had a budget of $5000 (total) but we are quickly realizing that it might not be feasible.
• We want to go end of June – early July (10-11 actual country days).

I tentatively am looking at this kind breakdown:

Copenhagen - 3 nights
Bergen - 3 nights
Stalheim - 2 nights
Oslo - 2 nights
(Bergen to Oslo will be utilizing the NIN trip)

or
Copenhagen - 3 nights
Oslo - 2 nights
Bergen - 3 nights
Oslo - 2 nights
(Oslo - Bergen being the NIN trip)

Which of these two are better? Should we consider making the trip smaller? Is transportation going to be a problem? Should we stay less nights in one place and more nights in others? Should we just do the NIN in one day? Any help would be appreciated. I would love to go to this part of the world and hopefully I will with your help.

Thanks in advance.

Maudie

Hi Nuttela,
We did the NIN last year at the end of May as a day trip from Bergen, just purchased the ticket at the TI the day before. We are glad we weren't hauling luggage about as we went for a long walk at Flam to stretch our legs.
We flew into Copenhagen and Bergen so I really can't help you with your itinerary but have you checked Scan rail passes?
If it is of any help this is where we stayed in Bergen: www.skansen-pensjonat.no and
www.citybox.no

This is where we stayed in Copenhagen:www.nebo.dk/eng/index.htm
it had a great breakfast.

We were on a budget too and yes it was expensive but we managed to feed ourselves mainly from supermarkets. We had a lovely picnic in the front garden of the Pension looking out at the amazing view of Bergen and another picnic at the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen. The prawn rolls at the fish market in Bergen are to die for, that was lunch one day. So it is manageable just think outside the square a little.
Hope you can manage to go and have a wonderful time.

oliverandharry

We are traveling June 1-19 with the following:

3 nights Oslo
1 night Stahlhiem (via NIN)
3 nights Bergen
Rent car. Three more nights around Hardanger, and back to Bergen airport.
Fly SAS to Stockholm (cheapest item on whole trip)
Stockholm 3 nights
Fly to Copenhagen on SAS (ditto)
Copenhagen 3 nights

I don't think Stahlheim is worth more than 1 night. Likely all accommodations will come with substantial breakfast and as you have been advised, you can eat cheap if you're careful. Check out the hotels on the Fjordpass plan. The only trouble with this is that many will already be booked for summer.

Yep, it's expensive, but we used miles for the air so it hurts a little less. And it hurts a lot less than going anywhere at the moment that involves euros or British pounds!

oliverandharry

USNR

This will get me in trouble with our friends in Copenhagen and the Danophiles who inhabit this web site. But I must say that three nights in Copenhagen is a bit much. There's not much there...there. Tivoli? An aging, over-rated amusement park that can't compare with others that are more modern, more attractive. A couple castles that may be worth a half-day each. Denmark reminds me of Iowa with a seacoast -- rolling, rural, pleasant, dull. How do I know? We have been visiting friends there since 1969.

WillTravel

There are lots of daytrips you can take from Copenhagen, so while you might exhaust some of the main attractions in two days, you will definitely not exhaust the daytrip possibilities.

nytraveler

You're right - it will get you in trouble with people who like Denmark.

first of all, Tivoli is charming - and unique.

Second Copenhagen has some truly wonderful museums.

Third it has a couple of palaces and castles in town.

Fourth there are several excellent day trip:

To Roskilde to see the Cathedral and the Viking ship museum

To see "Hamlet's" castle not far north of the city

Finally - to see some of the charming towns on the smaller islands

You can easily do a week in Copenhagen and not see everything interesting there is to see/do.

IMHO Copenhagen has more to see than Oslo - but neither has as much to see as Stockholm - which is a fantastic city.

Slot

To USNR
I haven't heard so much rubbish in my life!
If you want to comment on Scandinavia - I think that you should investigate first.

The people are friendly
The food is fantastic
The countryside and the cities are beautiful
Their is a lot to see and do.
And I could continue for hours but I .....
And believe you me - I know!

Viajero2

Three nights in Copenhagen in the context of your trip length (10-11 days) is way too much. Two days max. If I was already in Scandinavia and so close to Stockholm, I would not skip it.

That said, Norway is spectacular. We rented a (hybrid) car in Norway and it was the absolute best desicion we made. We were able to explore the Geirangerfjord and the Sognefjord areas at leisure and it was just amazing. Rent a car while at Bergen and explore the fjords area and visit some of the Stave churches, they are certainly unique in the world.

As far as cost, without a doubt, very expensive. Stop at supermarkets whenever possible and stack on salads, breads, etc...

USNR

Viajero2: you've got it right. Norway can be spectacular, the scenery, that is. The prices are too spectacular for further comment.
Having made the Hurtigruten sea voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes with stops in between, we admire its glaciated coastline. Pray for good weather. Can be mighty chilly and foggy otherwise.

Sweden -- especially Stockholm -- is extra nice. The train ride from Oslo (one of Europe's dullest capitals) to Stockholm is just one endless Christmas tree farm.

Copenhagen's food is OK -- if you like fish and/or open-faced sandwiches. Otherwise, it's no more like Brussels with a shoreline.

USNR

Correction: omit "no" from last sentence.

isabel

Well I just gotta jump in here in defense of Copenhagen. While not my favorite place in Europe I certainly found it a wonderful little city with plenty to see and do. I was there 5 days, then flew to Stockholm for two, then back to Copenhagen for another full day before flying home. While if I were to do it over I'd spend more time in Stockholm than I did, I also don't think even four or five days is too much for Copenhagen. While the countryside around Copenhagen may be a bit dull, the city itself is quite beautiful, lots of incredible buildings and charming streets. Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen itself, Kronborg (Hamlet's) Castle a short train ride away, and especially Friedriksburg Castle were fabulous. And Stockholm was even better!

Yes it was expensive, but as oliver said, this year anyplace with euros is going to be just as bad probably. In Copenhagen I stayed at the CabInn, right near Tivoli. It was the cheapest place I found and quite fine. It's rooms are tiny, like on a ship (hence the name - CabInn) but clean and it has everything you need. In July the hotels in Stockholm have specials (I think they are mostly business hotels that do most of their business during the week in non summer months). I stayed at the Adlon and it was a great deal for the money.

I have photos of Copenhagen at: www.pbase.com/annforcier/denmark_2006

USNR

Scandinavian countries do not use the Euro. That said, their local currencies are vastly overpriced in world markets.

travelgourmet

You have no idea how expensive Scandinavia is, until you get here. Everything is expensive. A hot dog is $4 from a street vendor. A McDonald's value meal is something like $12. If you sit down at a restaurant, it is very easy to spend $50 per person. It is startlingly easy to have the most expensive meal in your life. Even shopping at supermarkets, as suggested by many is an eye-opening experience, with pricing that is very high.

That being said, if you can get a good deal on flights and hotels, then $5000 might just do it. You won't be able to do much/any shopping, and you will have to watch your meals, but it is doable.

As for your itinerary, I think the first is better. I actually agree that Copenhagen can be underwhelming to some, it is definitely more exciting than Oslo and 4 nights in Oslo is too much in the context of this trip.

oliverandharry

I'm perfectly aware that Scandanavian countries are not on the Euro. My point was that if you are going to whinge about prices on the various kroners be glad you're avoiding the rest of Europe now that the dollar has hit $1.51.

travelgourmet

"My point was that if you are going to whinge about prices on the various kroners be glad you're avoiding the rest of Europe now that the dollar has hit $1.51."

Except that only the Norwegian Krone really floats. Both the Danish Kroner and the Swedish Krona are basically pegged to the Euro, so the dollar's slide against the Euro has been reflected in a slide against the kroner and krona.

USNR

What does "whinge" mean? Same as "whine"?

trsny

"What does 'whinge' mean? Same as 'whine'?"

Yes, they share the same meaning.

I absolutely loved my time in Copenhagen. I spent four days there (in addition to two day trips out of the city), and came away feeling as if I didn't do all there was to do. Mind you, I have never been to Norway, so I can't offer an opinionated comparison between the two.

Nuttela

Wow I have been not feeling well so I was not around by my computer and I missed so much. I want to start by thanking everyone for their thoughts and debates. (I always find the debates to be interesting.) I will have to really think long and hard with my husband on this.

Thanks again and I will keep you posted.

TravelKristin

Hi Nuttela! Norway is an expensive country if you dont travel the right way. I would recommend to stay at hihostels/hostelling international and travel budgetwise I went on a budget trip last summer in Norway.It was a try-out trip for the company. We travelled around in small groups from Oslo to the western part of Norway. We travelled by car, slept in tents, went hiking and had a great time! I have looked at their website and they have more trips this summer. This trip has it all and it is cheap!
http://www.nordic-experience.no

Wilbur

Do you like museums? Then 3 days in Copenhagen will not be too many. We spent 6 nights in Copenhagen ( never used a car- the public transportation is fantastic) and could have still used more. Loved Dragor also loved Hamlet's castle in Helsingor. If you are there during Midsummer's Night Eve don't miss the celebrations.

We stayed at Copenhagen City-- the hostel, The location can't be beat; within walking distance of Tivili, the bus, the train and the water Taxi. The room was clean, we ate their breakfast as it was large and reasonable. I brought along a small folding cooler and refreezeable ice pack. We shopped grocery stores for lunch and dinner. Used the cooler to take the food back to the hostel to cook our own dinner. We ate dinner out only once while in Denmark. It was just too expensive for our family of 4. Also bring your own water bottles and fill them up whenever you see water. We didn't and must have spent $100 on water. It was hard to find water fountains.

I would tour Copenhagen, then catch a ferry to Oslo. (We came from Oslo to Copenhagen so I don't know exactly how they run going north. We left Oslo at 5PM and got into Copenhagen around 7:30 AM).

Oslo was OK, I would think 2 days would be plenty. I would spend more time in the fjords than in cities if you have a choice. We did an expanded Norway in a Nutshell, (train from Oslo to Myrdal, to Flam railroad to ferry) spending 2 night in Balestrand. We stayed at the Balestrand Hotel. It was heaven-- book a room with a fjord view. We took kayak lessons, hiked around, took the ferry one day to look at the glaciers. Then we took the express ferry to Bergen. I think 2 nights in Bergen would be enough. It is a nice city, we loved the fish market but I would rather spend the time in the wilderness.