Norway Archives - christopherkhoitran https://christopherkhoitran.com/tag/norway/ Wedding and landscape photographer in Los Angeles and Orange County Fri, 29 Mar 2019 15:49:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 How expensive is a trip to Norway really? https://christopherkhoitran.com/how-expensive-is-a-trip-to-norway-really/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-expensive-is-a-trip-to-norway-really Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:53:08 +0000 https://christopherkhoitran.com/?p=1385 If you’re thinking of scenic mountains, clear blue lakes, stunning skies and dreamy snow-covered landscapes, you’re probably thinking of Norway! (Or Canada, but that’s another article for another day.) Norway is an incredible country to visit and provides exceptionally high living standards. And while it is one of the most expensive countries to live and […]

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If you’re thinking of scenic mountains, clear blue lakes, stunning skies and dreamy snow-covered landscapes, you’re probably thinking of Norway! (Or Canada, but that’s another article for another day.) Norway is an incredible country to visit and provides exceptionally high living standards. And while it is one of the most expensive countries to live and to travel, it is well worth the price. But exactly how expensive is a trip to Norway?

In this article I’m going to give you a basic overview of how much a trip to Norway costs – excluding flights, as they vary depending on your home base.

Cost of Living

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When you’re trying to understand how expensive a trip to Norway is, you’ll likely start with accommodation. A decent hotel in Oslo will cost you around $150. That’s not too bad, however there is lots of room for improvement. If you’re short on money, you can get a private room at a hostel for $70. If you’re adventurous, the Allemansretten in Norway allows you to camp pretty much anywhere for free. That is as long as you stay away from private property and homes. So you could bring your camping gear and enjoy the countryside for free.

You still have to get food, though. A cheap meal for two will come in around $40 and a higher-end meal will end up around $90. So even if you’re not staying at a hotel, food for a week can easily cost you $910 and that excludes breakfast. If you decide to stay at a hotel, it will come to $1,960.

Cost of Entertainment

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Now that you have sorted out the basics, you want to have a little fun, too! Norway’s nature is incredible, and there is no better way to explore it than through a tour. Reindeer or dog sledding under the northern lights costs around $210. It doesn’t get much more Norwegian than that! Kayaking tours come in around $85. If you’re more of a city person, a tour of Oslo is around $90. There really is so much to do, it is impossible to list all the different tours. Most half-day or day tours in nature cost around $200 and $250, though.

Of course, you don’t have to take tours to experience Norway. Instead, set out on your own adventure! You can get a three-day Oslo pass for $90 and explore the city yourself. You can also rent a small car for $345 a week and tour the countryside.

There you go! Short and sweet, this is how expensive it is to travel to Norway. With such a beautiful and diverse nature and culture, the cost is well worth it. If you think Norway might be too expensive for you, check out this budget comparison or this article comparing destinations.

Have you been to Norway and did you make use of the Allemannsretten? Let me know in the comments!

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The 5 Best Places To Visit In Norway https://christopherkhoitran.com/the-5-best-places-to-visit-in-norway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-5-best-places-to-visit-in-norway Mon, 01 Apr 2019 07:39:51 +0000 https://christopherkhoitran.com/?p=1430 Norway isn’t exactly big, but it’s packed with amazing nature and interesting culture. If you’re short on time, it can be hard to decide what places to visit in Norway. With so many incredible sights, how do you prioritize one? But don’t worry – I’ve done the work for you. Instead of combing through endless […]

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Norway isn’t exactly big, but it’s packed with amazing nature and interesting culture. If you’re short on time, it can be hard to decide what places to visit in Norway. With so many incredible sights, how do you prioritize one? But don’t worry – I’ve done the work for you. Instead of combing through endless travel guides, here is a short and concise list of things you absolutely have to see when you visit Norway.

5. Preikestolen

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In photos it reminds of Trolltunga but it is actually completely unique. Preikestolen towers over Lysefjord, giving spectacular views of the Scandinavian Mountains. It is only one scenic outlook of the area, although definitely one of the most famous ones. There is something so impressive about the fact that this near-square rock got shaped only by nature! Equally fascinating is the Kjerag mountain further along Lysefjord, which is great but challenging for hiking and climbing. It gets a little touristy on Preikestolen itself, but if you’re willing to explore the surrounding mountains then you’ll find it’s worth it!

4. Lofoten

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Few places in the world are known for such rugged beauty as the Lofoten Islands. Their surprisingly mild climate makes it the perfect spot to explore some of Northern Norway’s beauty. Not only is the local nature stunning, but the islands have a rich Viking history that makes this place perfect for anyone interested in the Nordic culture.

3. Tromsø

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You can’t skip this one, because you haven’t really been to Norway if you haven’t seen the Northern Lights! That is what Tromsø is famous for. While it’s not the only place to see the Northern Lights, it is one of the most urban places to do so. It is a major cultural hub and fun to get around for a few days, so you don’t have to hike into the middle of nowhere during the icy Norwegian winter just to get an opportunity to see the light spectacle. If that’s what you want to do, however, Tromsø is a great starting point for ventures into the arctic nature.

2. Trolltunga

Did you just say “oh, come on!” because this is such a cliche? Each time you look up Norway, pictures of Trolltunga pop up everywhere. But there are good reasons! Not only is Trolltunga spectacular to see and one of the most scenic spots in the world, but the Hardangerfjord area is beautiful in its own regard. With spectacular waterfalls, blue ice hiking, white water rafting, and summer skiing, there are some great activities waiting at Hardangerfjord. So after you check the box for this popular tourist destination, split from the crowds and explore the beautiful fjord below Trolltunga.

1. Geirangerfjord

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As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stunning Fjord really is worth a visit. With kayaking, fishing, rafting, and hiking you’ll be busy for a few days exploring Geirangerfjord. But that’s not the only good thing about it! Norway’s nature is precious, and tourism takes its toll. Geiranger and the local towns work hard to keep Geirangerfjord sustainable and preserve it as one of the best places to visit in Norway – for generations to come! And with such a vast and well-preserved area, you’ll find you hardly have enough time to explore it!

And that’s it! While there is plenty more to discover in Norway, these are the areas that really stand out! If you’re looking to travel to Norway, check out this budgeting article to know what you’re getting yourself into. Not sure that’s where you’re going yet? Then check out this budget comparison instead!

What do you think are the best places to visit in Norway? Let me know in the comments!

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$1000: How Much Does It Cost To Travel Different Places? https://christopherkhoitran.com/1000-how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-different-places/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=1000-how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-different-places https://christopherkhoitran.com/1000-how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-different-places/#comments Mon, 11 Feb 2019 13:00:22 +0000 https://christopherkhoitran.com/?p=1055 In this article, I compared how far $1000 will get you in different destinations around the world. Of course, there’s no way to compare every country in just one article. That’s why I’ll have a look at several other countries here. That way you’ll have a larger overview of what it costs to travel to different […]

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In this article, I compared how far $1000 will get you in different destinations around the world. Of course, there’s no way to compare every country in just one article. That’s why I’ll have a look at several other countries here. That way you’ll have a larger overview of what it costs to travel to different parts of the world and can answer the burning question: how much does it cost to travel to your destination?

As in the original article, I’ll only cover the costs once you’re on the ground. This makes comparison easier, as flights vary depending on where you’re from.

Norway: 8,580NOK

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Norway is well-known to have one of the highest costs of living, which can influence how much it costs to travel here. In case that puts you off, remember there is always the Allemansrätten, the right to camp almost anywhere for free. If you’re an adventurous traveler, that can make a trip significantly cheaper. If, on the other hand, you’re more into the creature comforts, a decent hotel in Oslo costs around $125 or 1,065 NOK. Dinner for two comes in at a fairly high 450 NOK, with lunch about 300 NOK (granted, they eat some strange things over there). That’s 1,815 NOK already! If you stay in Oslo, getting around should be easy with an Oslo pass. This also includes entry to some museums and tourist attractions. The pass costs 820 NOK for 72 hours. That adds up to 6,265 NOK for three days in Oslo, with 2,315 NOK left to spend. After exploring the city, you can spend that on some wine (150 NOK) or beer (85 NOK for a pint). Or you could relax at one of the famous Nordic spas and saunas (1,800 NOK at KOK Oslo).

Australia: 1,400 AUD

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Australia, the land of plenty, is also known for its high living standards and prices. But how much does it cost to travel here? Although it’s not quite as expensive as Norway, your 1,400 AUD might not get you too far in a place like Sydney. If you head to the tropical Cairns, however, you’ll get at least a bit of a run for your money.

Here, a fairly good hotel will cost you about 175 AUD. Get a quick bite for lunch at 40 AUD for two and dinner for 65 AUD. You’ll end up around 280 AUD for basic costs. If you’re up for a road trip, a car rental will cost around 325 AUD a week. Skip the car rental, spend four days in Cairns (1,120 AUD) and you’ll have enough money left for some entertainment. Take a tour to the Great Barrier Reef (115 AUD per person) or have a stunning harbor sunset cruise (50 AUD per person). Watch out for sharks, though!

Singapore: 1,350 SGD

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Singapore might be small, but it’s still well worth a visit, despite being more expensive than the rest of Southeast Asia. It’s clean and a buzzing metropolis with lots to do! A decent hotel will cost you around 215 SGD and an average dinner will be around 50 SGD. Add lunch for 30 SGD and a beer for 9 SGD, you’ll end up around 305 SGD. If you stay for three days, spending 915 SGD, you’ll have 435 SGD left for tours and transport. A half-day city tour is about 35 SGD. Alternatively, a full tour including Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and a river cruise is about 185 SGD. For transport, a three-day Singapore Tourist Pass is 20 SGD.

Guatemala: 7,700 Quetzal

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I want to give some hope to those who are a little intimidated by how much it costs to travel the previous destinations! Guatemala is a very affordable country to travel to, with a fairly-priced hotel in Lake Atitlan costing you only about 465 Q out of the 7,700 Q you get for your $1000. An average dinner for two will be around 160 Q, with lunch around 80Q for two. So you could comfortably spend ten days here and still have 650 Q left for activities. While renting a private boat costs 300 Q, you can go diving in Lake Atitlan for as little as 125 Q. The entry to the nature reserve is 55 Q. If you need to get around, a ride on a Tuk Tuk should be 10 Q on average, depending on the distance. If your budget is low, this is the place to be!

That’s it! Hopefully, you’ll be able to plan your trip more easily with these comparisons. Have you traveled to any of these destinations? How much do you think does it cost to travel these places? Let me know in the comments!

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