Scandinavia
 

I'm looking to do a 'mini' trip from the UK to Denmark, Sweden and Norway next summer. I've been to a fair amount of Europe, and am clued up as to the costs of travel here. I'm interested in hearing from anyone who a) lives in any of these countries or b) has been there recently as to how expensive travel would likely be? I'm not looking to live in the lap of luxury, but neither do I want to rough it the whole time! I'm particularly interested in accommodation costs and food - being Vegan, I eat cheap!

In terms of cost, how do the above countries compare to those in mid to Southern Europe? ?c?

Hello!

I am living in Sweden and have visited all the countries you mentioned. Top of the price level is definetly Norway - be prepared for some shocking experiences there. Going out dining is almost impossible, if you don't run on a norwegian salary. And of course also shopping for groceries will be much more expensive than in southern European countries. So how to save money there? Best way is to stay in a tent and use as often as possible the totally legal option of free camping in wilderness.

Sweden is, I would say, pricelevelwise at German levels. A good cheap way of accomodation is hostels, most of which are organized in the STF (Svenska Turistföreningen, the Swedish Tourist Association). See STF - Boka vandrarhem, fjällstationer,och hotell i Sverige and choose English in top right. Most hostels offer single rooms, but you should ALWAYS phone them a day before you arrive to make sure the have vacancies and someone is there to let you in. Or at least tell you were the key is and were to place the money before you leave!

Finland - have been there just twice and realized they have the most expensive gas prices in all of Europe!

I have never made a real comparison of prices - what for, there is anyway no way around eating something, once you have decided to enter the country. The only way to save money is then to avoid restaurants and cook yourself. And again: use the ages old right to set up your tent for a night almost anywere in nature (see The Right of Public Access - Naturvårdsverket)

If you like you can check out my homepage Start -. It's mostly in German, but maybe the pics can be some inspiration. And of course you can mail me directly if you have specific questions about Sweden!

Greetings from Stockholm
Kai / nordicbiker

Do not take tips from a Swede about Norway! ;-) Here's all you need to know about touring on a budget in Norway: Budget travel in Norway - Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict

PM me if you need additional info.

Thanks to both of you; I'll definitely check out the links! :thumbup1:

nice tips Indu, thanks. I should be heading to Norway/Sweden next month, on the bicycle. I'm hoping for an Indian-winter :)

interesting about the maps, which was my first price-shock about Norway ! I ended up getting a Marco Polo (in the UK) for £5.99, which is a reasonable tourist road map. Only 1:800000, but worth a look if you don't want to spend £100 on a collection of maps.

cheers

Other than the paper quality, they are quite thin and can tear easily, I rather like the Michelin National series. They are only about £5 each through Amazon and 752 covers Norway with 753 covering Sweden.

If I visit St.Petersburg for (say) three or four days, what is the Russian Visa likely to cost, please? I know that passing through Kaliningrad as a Brit, there is a two-day allowance without a visa.

Some great advice there. Thanks.
I'm thinking of going to Norway in a couple of years, partners 50th so would like to make it a bit of an adventure for her.
We would be traveling on 2 bikes so the travel cost will be a bit higher so any savings we can make along the way will be a big help.

Camping and hostels will be what we would do, but interested in local bikers help along the way.

Would like to make it up to the Artic circle. So any advice about the trip that way also helpful.

Will be coming from England, probably ferry to holland and make our way from there. No Planed route yet.
Will have about 3 weeks to do this trip.


Cheers Dave.

Some great Norway tips here

I went to Denmark/Norway/Sweden last summer. Expensive but worth EVERY penny.

Details on my blog. The Dom way round Scroll down to August/Sept 2013 but as a summary...

These are the facts and figures of our summer trip...

36 days

4,000 miles - 1,900 in Norway
1,500 in Sweden
500 in Denmark


Petrol prices...

Norway £1:65-80
Sweden £1:50
Denmark £1:45


Costs!

Total cost of the whole trip was around..... £4,000

That breaks up at around £900 for ferries to/from UK and Sweden/Denmark
£725 on BMW repairs in Trondheim!:thumbdown:
£400-500 in petrol
£2,500 to 3,000 on the rest.


It was worth every penny!

Thanks !