For my total grownup life I’ve been advised that the Scandinavian international locations of Denmark, Norway and Sweden have been three of the costliest locations on the planet to reside, work and journey. And that’s most likely why it’s taken me so lengthy to truly go to these three lovely European international locations.
Once I began planning a 2.5-month-long biking vacation in Scandinavia, I used to be each enthusiastic about all that I’d see and do whereas I used to be there, however I used to be additionally extraordinarily nervous about how a lot the journey may cost a little me. Would I have to get a second job to pay for all of it? Would I have to promote my home and all of my worldly possessions simply to scrape by in Scandinavia? Or would the rumors I had heard about touring in Denmark, Sweden and Norway become patently unfaithful?
Because it seems, the reality about the price to journey in Scandinavia was a little bit of each side. Sure, there are particular features of touring in Scandinavia which can be fairly costly compared with different elements of the developed world. However on the other-hand, there have been occasions once I was actually stunned at simply how cheap and inexpensive these three international locations might be.
As you’ll see in only a second, Norway, Sweden and Denmark are each costly and extremely inexpensive. Like so many issues in life, it simply relies on the way you do it. If you wish to keep in fancy accommodations and eat five-star meals every single day, you possibly can count on to spend some huge cash in a brief period of time. However if you wish to cycle throughout Scandinavia by yourself, camp within the woods, eat meals from the native supermarkets and skimp each time attainable, then it’s attainable to journey in Scandinavia for lower than what you might be at present residing on.
My Story – Biking Throughout Denmark, Sweden and Norway
My bicycle touring adventures in Scandinavia started within the charming city of Copenhagen, Denmark. From there, I cycled north (with my mates Pablo and Ana) to Oslo, Norway – tenting in my tent every evening, purchasing from native low cost supermarkets, and selecting wild blueberries and strawberries each time attainable.
As soon as in Oslo, I met up with my good friend Eric Kiraly and over the course of the subsequent 10 days, Eric and I participated in two self-guided bicycle excursions with an organization known as Energetic-Norway.com. These two bike excursions have been good as a result of they allowed us to sleep in fancy accommodations every evening, eat scrumptious meals, take day by day showers, and luxuriate in some spectacular biking on the identical time.
After my bike excursions with Eric have been over, I joined my good friend Rob in Oslo, Norway and we cycled for a couple of week throughout Norway collectively to town of Bergen on the west coast. Throughout this leg of my Scandinavian biking journey, Rob and I have been sleeping in our tents, purchasing at native supermarkets and doing what we might to economize each time attainable.
As soon as Rob and reached Bergen, I used to be joined by my good friend Katelyn, who joined me on a 6-day self-guided bicycle tour within the Sognefjord area north of Bergen, Norway.
As soon as Katelyn flew dwelling, I used to be again alone once more. I spent the subsequent three weeks residing on a big island in Western Norway. I spent about $150 USD on meals throughout these three weeks, however I had no extra bills – as I used to be staying within the dwelling of a good friend (I simply received fortunate they usually provided me their trip dwelling as a free place to remain).
Then, I spent the subsequent two weeks touring throughout Norway and Sweden alone, on a self-supported bicycle tour that ultimately ended within the tiny city of Umea, Sweden… which is the place I packed up my bicycle and flew again dwelling.
Once I look again on my Scandinavian bike tour(s) now, it’s laborious to precise in phrases how nice the expertise really was. I noticed a lot of these three international locations (Denmark, Sweden and Norway)… and the reality is, it actually didn’t value me all that a lot.
How A lot Does It Price To Journey In Scandinavia?
Okay. Now that you recognize every thing I did throughout my 2.5 months of motorcycle touring in Scandinavia, do you wish to take a guess at how a lot this epic biking vacation value me?
Whereas I used to be in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, I stored observe of each single cent of my spending – from the meals I ate to the ferries I used to shuttle myself and my bicycle throughout the water. The whole lot was accounted for… and that is how a lot my bike journey value me:
Meals & Drinks – $659.97
Prepare Tickets – $149.26
Ferries – $140.27
Bus Tickets – $50.34
Bicycle Prepare Tickets – $46.31
Taxi – $24.47
Tenting Charges – $21.85
Museum Entry Charges – $19.36
Toiletries – $12.57
AirBNB Lodging – $8.00
The associated fee for the three self-guided bike excursions I participated in have been coated by the tour corporations in trade for my photographs and assessment, however had I paid for these three journeys, the prices could be roughly:
Ultimately, the grand whole for 17 days of self-guided bicycle touring with two native tour corporations would have been about $2,780.53. That works out to about $163.56 USD per day for 17 wonderful days of high-end bicycle touring, consuming scrumptious meals, sleeping in high-end accommodations, and having fun with the corporate of good friend.
The entire value for me touring alone, cooking for myself, and sleeping in a tent for 52 extra days (self-supported bicycle touring) was a measly $1,132.40. That works out to simply $19.52 USD per day.
Ultimate Ideas – How Costly Is Touring In Scandinavia?
Going to a brand new place is all the time a bit scary. The unknown could be scary. However what I realized after nearly three strong months of biking and touring in Denmark, Norway and Sweden is that these international locations usually are not practically as costly as everybody makes them out to be.
Sure, the costs are excessive for plenty of issues (i.e. meals, lodging, leisure, and so on), however it’s attainable to have an unbelievable biking vacation in one of many world’s most costly locations with out breaking the financial institution. The truth is, when you do it proper (like the best way I did), you would possibly be capable of go to Scandinavia and really SAVE just a little cash!
