Looking to visit Scandinavia, but unsure about the potential prices in these relatively expensive countries? In this article we will examine how to enjoy an amazing vacation in any of the Scandinavian countries, without having to save for years. Enjoy!
Contents
About the price in Scandinavian countries
No matter where in Scandinavia you visit, you will be greeted by a highly developed infrastructure that allows you to easily make use of public transportation, speak English to more than 90% of the adult population, and in general be amongst friendly people.
While the Scandinavian countries of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden are known for being relatively expensive to visit, it is in fact not as bad as many news articles in recent times have made it out to be. Comparing the average cost of living to the United Kingdom for instance, we find that all of the Nordic countries are cheaper to visit than the UK, except for Norway which is roughly estimated to cost the same as a trip to England.
The capital cities
Most trips to the Scandinavian countries start out in the capital cities, since this is mainly where the international airports are located. And this is a good thing! These capitals are among the most beautiful cities in all of Scandinavia, meaning you will have a wonderful time exploring them and adjusting to the culture.
Whether your visit Oslo in Norway, Helsinki in Finland, Copenhagen in Denmark or Stockholm in Sweden, you are sure to find a diverse culture with a mixture of people of all ages and walks of life. All of these large cities are also great in terms of tourism, since most people here speak English, and you will be able to find exotic restaurants or local diners offering anything from Mexican quesadillas, to Swedish surströmming, a seafood infamous for the smell and taste.
Travelling the countries
All of the Scandinavian countries regularly have cheap plane tickets to their respective international airports, so we recommend that you book well in advance for the cheapest prices, or wait until the very last minute in order to get discounted plane tickets.
When it comes to moving around on a budget, we highly recommend using the public transportation networks. This way you will not need to worry about an expensive rental car, and you are still free enough to visit just about anywhere you’d like.
Bonus tip: Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Sweden are also well known for their extensive bicycle culture. If visiting Copenhagen for instance, you are able to rent a bike for a few euros a day, and that can provide an incredibly interesting and alternative way of visiting the city.
Sleeping on a budget
The hotels in Scandinavia can be somewhat expensive compared to many other European countries, so it can be a great idea to look for discounted deals online before you visit. Another alternative to hotels are the hostels, which offers a bit less comfort but way cheaper pricing options.
You can also find great deals on Airbnb stays, as most cities in Scandinavia, even the smaller ones have people participating on the app. This can be a great way to save some money that you can then use on gifts for your friends or family back home.
Eating without breaking the bank
No matter what country in the world you travel to, eating locally tends to be a much cheaper option than dining at fancy restaurants that cater to tourists. The same goes for restaurants or cafés located in the popular tourist areas. If money is a concern, we recommend you try to look where the locals are eating, which has the added benefit of providing a new culinary experience you might not have experienced otherwise.
Final thoughts
As with any type of budget travel, visiting during the off seasons tend to be much cheaper, as hotels and airlines are starving for customers. At the same time, you will also experience the country without mingling with too many other tourists, allowing you to take better photographs, and in general move about more easily. Happy travels!
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