Norway + Sweden 15-20 days
Dec 11th, 2015, 11:33 AM
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Norway + Sweden 15-20 days
Hello my friends,
Me and my wife are planning a trip to NORWAY and SWEDEN in OCTOBER 2016.
I would like some tips and advices from you.
I am planning to arrive in STOCKHOLM and spend 1 or 2 days there so we can shop some cold weather clothes (we are from brazil).
Then, i was thinking about getting the train to OSLO and spend 1 or 2 more days there know the place. From Olso, we are thinking about renting a car, and drive to the FJORDS, and from there, drive to the Atlantic Road. I was thinking about spending 5-6 days on this.
Then, my plan is to get a flight to LOFOTEN ISLE, get a nice Rorbu there, maybe do some Northern Lights Hunt, spending like 3-4 days. From Lofoten, i was thinking about heading back to SWEDEN, going to the ICE HOTEL, on a 3-4 days trip and, finally, back to stocholm.
1- So, do you think thats a good trip?
2- Is rent a car a good way to travel from oslo - fjords - atalntic road?
3- Is october a good month to see the Northern Lights in lofoten?
4- Is it a good month for driving (weather conditions)?
5- How much time do you guys think i need for this trip?
6- Whats the best way to go from LOFOTEN to ICE HOTEL, is car a viable option?
Thank you all very much!
TY FERRARI
Me and my wife are planning a trip to NORWAY and SWEDEN in OCTOBER 2016.
I would like some tips and advices from you.
I am planning to arrive in STOCKHOLM and spend 1 or 2 days there so we can shop some cold weather clothes (we are from brazil).
Then, i was thinking about getting the train to OSLO and spend 1 or 2 more days there know the place. From Olso, we are thinking about renting a car, and drive to the FJORDS, and from there, drive to the Atlantic Road. I was thinking about spending 5-6 days on this.
Then, my plan is to get a flight to LOFOTEN ISLE, get a nice Rorbu there, maybe do some Northern Lights Hunt, spending like 3-4 days. From Lofoten, i was thinking about heading back to SWEDEN, going to the ICE HOTEL, on a 3-4 days trip and, finally, back to stocholm.
1- So, do you think thats a good trip?
2- Is rent a car a good way to travel from oslo - fjords - atalntic road?
3- Is october a good month to see the Northern Lights in lofoten?
4- Is it a good month for driving (weather conditions)?
5- How much time do you guys think i need for this trip?
6- Whats the best way to go from LOFOTEN to ICE HOTEL, is car a viable option?
Thank you all very much!
TY FERRARI
Dec 11th, 2015, 12:53 PM
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<<I am planning to arrive in STOCKHOLM and spend 1 or 2 days there so we can shop some cold weather clothes (we are from brazil)>>
Considering the prices in Sweden, you can probably get cold weather clothes shipped to you in Brazil for less. Last check, two of your neighbors (one skinny country with whom your country does not share a border, one that is larger and shares a major waterfall with you) have mountains and skiing so they likely have cold weather gear that can just ship across the continent, not halfway across the world.
<< i was thinking about getting the train to OSLO >>
There have to be other options - you're coming halfway around the world to lose a full day on the train? The ride is between 8-1/2 to 10-1/2 hours.
Considering the prices in Sweden, you can probably get cold weather clothes shipped to you in Brazil for less. Last check, two of your neighbors (one skinny country with whom your country does not share a border, one that is larger and shares a major waterfall with you) have mountains and skiing so they likely have cold weather gear that can just ship across the continent, not halfway across the world.
<< i was thinking about getting the train to OSLO >>
There have to be other options - you're coming halfway around the world to lose a full day on the train? The ride is between 8-1/2 to 10-1/2 hours.
Dec 11th, 2015, 01:38 PM
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We took the train from Stockholm to Oslo in 2013. Bought the tickets 90 days in advance (I will check that) and they were very cheap, as in $30US. Four and a half hours.
https://www.sj.se/travel/booktravel/timetable.form
https://www.sj.se/travel/booktravel/timetable.form
Dec 11th, 2015, 01:58 PM
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Thanks for the info.
Maybe we should start our trip in OSLO, we can do some shop there, and we save some days. Then, in the end, we can take a flight from KIRUNA to STOCKHOLME and end our trip there.
Maybe we should start our trip in OSLO, we can do some shop there, and we save some days. Then, in the end, we can take a flight from KIRUNA to STOCKHOLME and end our trip there.
Dec 11th, 2015, 02:09 PM
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2. Car hire is good for touring the fjords. But note that one-way car hire is very expensive. It's a very long drive up to Lofoten. And one-way cross border hire either not possible or extremely expensive.
3. October is as good a month as any for Northern Lights (winter half year)
4. October is already cold in the fjords - expect temperatures around zero, possibility of snow on higher areas, possibility difficult driving conditions. Move the trip forward to September if you can.
Don't really see why you are including Stockholm in this itinerary, yet hardly spending any time there. Any day travelling whether by air or train is mostly wasted unless the journey is scenic. Sweden is basically flat forests. Even the shortest flight takes ½ day with airport transfers and waiting time etc.
Which ice hotel? - there are two in Norway as well.
3. October is as good a month as any for Northern Lights (winter half year)
4. October is already cold in the fjords - expect temperatures around zero, possibility of snow on higher areas, possibility difficult driving conditions. Move the trip forward to September if you can.
Don't really see why you are including Stockholm in this itinerary, yet hardly spending any time there. Any day travelling whether by air or train is mostly wasted unless the journey is scenic. Sweden is basically flat forests. Even the shortest flight takes ½ day with airport transfers and waiting time etc.
Which ice hotel? - there are two in Norway as well.
Dec 11th, 2015, 02:14 PM
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Doesn't the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden open in December?
H&M and Ahlens Department store in Stockholm have inexpensive clothes but no point stopping in Stockholm if you are not going to see the city.
H&M and Ahlens Department store in Stockholm have inexpensive clothes but no point stopping in Stockholm if you are not going to see the city.
Dec 11th, 2015, 02:26 PM
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<dyoll> I was thinking about driving from Oslo to the Fjords and end up in any city near the ATLANTIC ROAD. From there i would take a flight till LOFOTEN, since its a little bit far.
From LOFOTEN, i was thinking about driving till NARVIK (or taking bus) and i would do NARVIK -> KIRUNA by train (I heard its an awesome trip.
I would spend some days in Kiruna/Abisco and, since i'll have to take a flight back to Brazil from a big city, i was thinking about go from Kiruna to Stockholm by flight and spend some days there to know the city, see if i can get some Metal shows and stuff.
I could travel in september, but we are really looking foward to see some snow, more chances of northern lights, and taste a more cold weather. My only concern is about driving in snow.
From LOFOTEN, i was thinking about driving till NARVIK (or taking bus) and i would do NARVIK -> KIRUNA by train (I heard its an awesome trip.
I would spend some days in Kiruna/Abisco and, since i'll have to take a flight back to Brazil from a big city, i was thinking about go from Kiruna to Stockholm by flight and spend some days there to know the city, see if i can get some Metal shows and stuff.
I could travel in september, but we are really looking foward to see some snow, more chances of northern lights, and taste a more cold weather. My only concern is about driving in snow.
Dec 11th, 2015, 03:05 PM
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Here are some pics that should give you a feel for both Norwy and Stockholm. Guide book is essential!Brings lots of money...most expensive part of Europe (especially Norway)
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Stockholm#
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...uHk6iIgbSEgAE#
You come very close to the ice hotel near Koruna on the overnight train, Narvik to Stockholm which we took
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Stockholm#
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...uHk6iIgbSEgAE#
You come very close to the ice hotel near Koruna on the overnight train, Narvik to Stockholm which we took
Dec 11th, 2015, 04:08 PM
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IMHO Stockholm is a glorious city and spending fewer than 4 days there is giving it very short shrift. And agree not to buy clothes in scandinavia - buy what you need before you leave - it will be much cheaper.
Dec 11th, 2015, 04:58 PM
#11
Norway is even more expensive than Sweden.
Another option for seeing the fjords: https://www.hurtigruten.us/
(I did the northbound Hurtigruten this year and enjoyed it very much.)
Stockholm is a lovely city and deserves more time than you are giving it.
Another option for seeing the fjords: https://www.hurtigruten.us/
(I did the northbound Hurtigruten this year and enjoyed it very much.)
Stockholm is a lovely city and deserves more time than you are giving it.
Dec 11th, 2015, 05:04 PM
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I agree that your time in Stockholm is too limited. I would encourage you to explore options to fly into Oslo (or elsewhere) and out of Stockholm, or vice versa, and to either add time to Stockholm or -- depending on your interests -- consider deferring it to another trip,.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Dec 11th, 2015, 05:13 PM
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We have purchased outdoor clothing in Norway. It is expensive, even on sale. I don't know the cost of similar clothing in Brazil. You could probably compare on websites.
I would at least look into buying a high quality waterproof jacket at home. Some of them are lightweight and you could wear them on the flight over to save luggage space.
Or perhaps you are not worried about the cost.
I would at least look into buying a high quality waterproof jacket at home. Some of them are lightweight and you could wear them on the flight over to save luggage space.
Or perhaps you are not worried about the cost.
Dec 11th, 2015, 05:37 PM
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Actually, i am worried about the cost, but here in Brazil i never saw anything like that to buy. I'll probably check on the internet for prices then.
Well, i thank you all very much for the replies, it is really helping me planning this trip.
Do you guys have any idea how much would cost the food per person per day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Well, i thank you all very much for the replies, it is really helping me planning this trip.
Do you guys have any idea how much would cost the food per person per day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Dec 12th, 2015, 01:14 AM
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No sense in spending time in Narvik, Abisko, Kiruna - especially at cost of fewer days in Lofoten and Stockholm. Narvik, Kiruna are just industrial towns. Few facilities at Abisko - if you want Northern Lights tours and other activities then Tromsø is a better place to stay.
No ice hotels will be in operation in September/October.
Best place for flights to the north would be Trondheim.
Breakfast normally included in hotel cost. Lunch in Norway is normally sandwiches, rarely hot food. Coffee and sandwich cost around NOK 100. Dinner can of course vary tremendously - On a night out with a good meal and a drink you can easily spend NOK 500 per person and lots more. There are of course cheaper options like pizza and kebab. Alcohol is expensive - count on NOK 80 +/- per drink.
No ice hotels will be in operation in September/October.
Best place for flights to the north would be Trondheim.
Breakfast normally included in hotel cost. Lunch in Norway is normally sandwiches, rarely hot food. Coffee and sandwich cost around NOK 100. Dinner can of course vary tremendously - On a night out with a good meal and a drink you can easily spend NOK 500 per person and lots more. There are of course cheaper options like pizza and kebab. Alcohol is expensive - count on NOK 80 +/- per drink.
Dec 12th, 2015, 02:06 AM
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>>Actually, i am worried about the cost, but here in Brazil i never saw anything like that to buy. I'll probably check on the internet for prices then.<<
I suggested buying clothes somewhere like H&M which is not expensive. If you go for the more serious cold weather clothing, it will cost alot. But you have H&M in Brazil, right?
http://www.hm.com/se/products/men/jackets_coats
http://www.hm.com/se/products/ladies/jackets_coats
Try going to a department store like Åhléns which has many branches in Stockholm. It's not an expensive shop.
https://www.ahlens.se/kontakt-kundservice/in-english/
adidas has an outlet store in Stockholm.
I suggested buying clothes somewhere like H&M which is not expensive. If you go for the more serious cold weather clothing, it will cost alot. But you have H&M in Brazil, right?
http://www.hm.com/se/products/men/jackets_coats
http://www.hm.com/se/products/ladies/jackets_coats
Try going to a department store like Åhléns which has many branches in Stockholm. It's not an expensive shop.
https://www.ahlens.se/kontakt-kundservice/in-english/
adidas has an outlet store in Stockholm.
Dec 12th, 2015, 04:34 AM
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<Odin> We don't have H&M here in Brazil, guess they quit opening something here. But we have a lot of adidas and other departament stores, gonna try to find something there.
What would suggest i should wear? I did some research and there seems to have a LOT of different jackets, like down, skiing and stuff.
<Dyoll> Thanks again for the info. Kiruna was just a step so i can reach Abisko, i saw some pictures, read some stuff and there seems to be an awesome place. So, do you think Tromso is more beautifull then there? Isnt there anything different in Abisko to do?
What would suggest i should wear? I did some research and there seems to have a LOT of different jackets, like down, skiing and stuff.
<Dyoll> Thanks again for the info. Kiruna was just a step so i can reach Abisko, i saw some pictures, read some stuff and there seems to be an awesome place. So, do you think Tromso is more beautifull then there? Isnt there anything different in Abisko to do?
Dec 12th, 2015, 06:45 AM
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Abisko is 85 people, Tromsø a city and lots more to see and do - http://www.visittromso.no/en
