You probably picture Norway as fjords, the northern lights and villages of red cabins perched above icy water – and it really is every bit as beautiful as you imagine. But then the practical doubts kick in: how much does it all cost, when is the best time to go, and should you book a tour or go it alone? The two of us have been through all of it, and we know these are exactly the questions that hold people back the most.
Here you’ll find three things in one place: up-to-date tour and flight prices that we refresh every morning so they actually match; our tips from our own trips and articles, where we give straight, no-fluff advice; and a plan for when and what to book so you don’t overpay for nothing. No empty superlatives – just what genuinely helps you plan the trip. ☺️
What to see and do in Norway
For us, the heart of northern Norway is the Lofoten Islands – an archipelago where sharp peaks rise straight out of the sea, with fishing villages tucked in between them. The most photogenic spots are Reine and Hamnøy, the harbour of Henningsvær – nicknamed the Venice of the North – is magical too, and right at the end of the road sit Å and Nusfjord.
- The climb up Reinebringen on the sherpa steps, with that view over Reine – or pick from the other treks and hikes on Lofoten, including easier ones.
- The white sandy Haukland and Uttakleiv beaches, which look like the Caribbean – just with Arctic water.
- A dose of history at the Lofotr Viking Museum, set in a reconstructed Viking longhouse.
- The northern lights in winter and the snow-covered Lofoten – a completely different mood than in summer.
- The less-discovered neighbouring islands of Senja and Vesterålen – plus our hidden gems, where the crowds don’t go.
The gateway to the Arctic is the lively city of Tromsø, with its cathedral, cable car and northern-lights tours. And if you’re not sure how to fit it all together, we’ve put together a ready-made 7-day day-by-day itinerary.
When to visit Norway
Norway has two completely different faces, and neither one is “better” – it all depends on what you want to experience. In summer, roughly from June to August, the midnight sun rules the north, it’s at its warmest, you can go hiking and all the roads and ferries are running at full tilt. But it’s also the most expensive and busiest time, so sort out your accommodation well in advance.
In winter, roughly from October to March, the polar night arrives along with the main draw – the northern lights. The weather is harsher, the days are short and driving on snowy roads takes some experience, but the atmosphere is straight out of a fairy tale. The transitional spring and autumn are a compromise, with lower prices and fewer people. We break it all down in detail in our article When to Visit Lofoten: the Weather Month by Month.
If you’re going for a tour, departures are available pretty much all year – our listings show January, February, March, April, June, July, August and September, so you can pick a trip for the northern lights or for the summer sun.
Our tip from the groundOur tip from the groundOur tip from the groundThese are the experiences that, for us, make Norway worth the trip – we’ve picked them from our own travels and from what we enjoyed the most:
- The climb up Reinebringen – that view over Reine from above is the reward for every single step.
- Chasing the northern lights on a clear winter night – an experience you never forget.
- A day on Haukland and Uttakleiv beaches – the Arctic Caribbean, without the crowds.
- A trip to Senja or Vesterålen for whales and quiet off the main routes.
- The cable-car ride above Tromsø and a taste of life in an Arctic city.
- A stroll through Henningsvær and the village of Å at the end of the road.
How to get to Norway
Flying from the Czech Republic to Norway always means a connection – don’t expect direct flights to the north. The main gateway is Oslo, with onward domestic flights to Bodø or straight to Lofoten (Leknes and Svolvær airports). For northern Norway and Tromsø, the most common option is connecting via Oslo, or through other Scandinavian hubs. Depending on the connections, the whole journey from the Czech Republic can easily take a full day, so bear that in mind when planning your first and last day.
The second option is flying into Bodø and taking the ferry across to the islands. Adventurous travellers also drive across Scandinavia by car or campervan – a long but gorgeous journey. We’ve laid out all the options – by air, ferry and car – in our article How to Get to Lofoten.
Renting a car
A car is almost a necessity in northern Norway – the distances are big, public transport is sparse and the prettiest spots lie off the bus routes. It pays off if you want to be independent, chase the sunsets and discover hidden coves. On the other hand, if you’re taking a tour that includes transport or staying in one town, you can skip the car.
- Book in advance through rental comparison sites – cars sell out in season and on-the-spot prices tend to be noticeably higher.
- Watch the insurance and deposit – basic cover often isn’t enough, and good extra insurance saves you the stress.
- Factor in tolls and ferries – tolls on the main stretches are charged automatically by number plate, and ferries are paid separately.
- In winter, sort out winter equipment and driving on snow – if you don’t have the experience, consider an organised transfer instead.
Where to stay in Norway
The classic choice in northern Norway is the rorbu – converted fishermen’s cabins right above the water, often with their own little kitchen, which saves a lot on food in pricey Norway. Alongside them you’ll find guesthouses, apartments and, in season, campsites and campervan spots. Hotels are mostly found in towns like Svolvær, Leknes or Tromsø.
- Reine and around – the most photogenic base, but also the priciest and quick to fill up in season.
- Leknes / Henningsvær – a practical spot for trips to either side of the islands.
- Svolvær – the widest choice of accommodation and good transport links.
- Campervan – freedom, at the price of following the rules; read Lofoten by Campervan: Parking and Rules.
We go through specific areas and accommodation types in our article Where to Stay on Lofoten – you’ll also find the five best areas there, depending on what you want from the trip.
Package tour or independent travel?
A tour is worth it when…
- you want your transport, accommodation and programme all sorted, without stressing over the logistics;
- it’s your first time and, in pricey Norway, you’ll appreciate knowing the cost upfront;
- you’re heading north for the winter lights and don’t fancy driving on snow;
- you’re short on time and want to see the best without any planning.
Go it alone when…
- you want maximum freedom – to get up at dawn and change plans with the weather;
- you enjoy planning and finding savings through self-catering and rorbu stays;
- you want to stay longer or even pop over to Senja and Vesterålen;
- you don’t mind sorting out the car, ferries and accommodation yourself.
The two of us love travelling independently best – it gives us the freedom to stop wherever we like. But we completely understand that for a first trip, in winter, or when you’ve only got a few days, a tour is the calmer and often cheaper choice. It’s not about what’s “better”, but about what suits you. ☺️
Budget: daily costs in Norway
| Level | Accommodation | Food | Transport & activities | Total/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 550 NOK–820 NOK (campsite, hostel, shared rorbu) | 180 NOK–270 NOK (self-catering) | 360 NOK–550 NOK (shared car, free hikes) | approx. 1 090 NOK–1 640 NOK |
| Standard | 1 140 NOK–1 820 NOK (rorbu, apartment) | 360 NOK–550 NOK (mix of shops and restaurants) | 680 NOK–1 140 NOK (own car, 1 paid activity) | approx. 2 200 NOK–3 500 NOK |
| Comfort | 2 000 NOK–3 200 NOK (hotel, premium rorbu) | 680 NOK–1 140 NOK (restaurants) | 1 360 NOK–2 300 NOK (boat trips, northern-lights tours) | approx. 4 100 NOK–6 600 NOK |
These figures are rough estimates and reflect Norway’s price level – it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe. You’ll find a real budget calculator and tips on where you can save the most in our article How Much a Trip to Lofoten Costs.
How to save when planning
- Book flights 2–4 months ahead – getting to northern Norway often means only domestic connecting flights, which rarely come down in price, so the sooner the better. “Search for flights in our flight finder.”
- Book summer accommodation up to six months in advance – the popular rorbu in Reine are the first to go, and the last ones left tend to be wildly overpriced. Our accommodation tips.
- Go first-minute on tours to lock in your dates and spot, or last-minute if you’re flexible and want to snag a deal. Find current tours here.
- Book activities and northern-lights tours ahead – capacity fills up in season and there’s often nothing left on the spot. What to book early.
- The biggest overpaying happens on restaurant meals – cook in your rorbu or apartment and you’ll save thousands of crowns over the trip.
Practical information
- Language: the official language is Norwegian, but you’ll get by in English absolutely everywhere, no problem at all.
- Payments: Norway is almost entirely cashless – you can pay for even the smallest things by card and barely need cash at all. Watch out for fees, so a card with a good exchange rate pays off.
- Connectivity: the signal is decent even in remote areas; the most convenient option is an eSIM, which you activate before you fly so you don’t have to worry about roaming.
- Safety: Norway is one of the safest countries in the world – the main risk is the weather and the roads, so drive carefully in winter and keep an eye on the forecast.
- Packing: the weather changes fast, so layering and a waterproof jacket are a must – our packing list for every season will help.
And when the rain comes – and it does come up north – don’t despair. We’ve got a backup plan ready in our article What to Do on Lofoten When It Rains.
