The True Cost of Visiting Bergen, Norway: Know Before You Go!

Find out how expensive Bergen, Norway is with this helpful insight into your daily costs and a budget breakdown.

If you’ve never been told it before, let me tell you now… Bergen, Norway is expensive to visit. In fact, most of Scandinavia is pricey. That being said, you can visit Bergen on a budget, if you plan carefully and prioritize what you want to do in the city. As you plan your trip to this beautiful city, having an idea of what it will cost will go a long ways in preparing you for your adventure.

To help you get an idea of what you need to budget for your trip, let’s take a look at the overall cost of visiting Bergen, Norway!

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

Table of Contents

How Expensive is Bergen?

The cost of a trip to Bergen, Norway, can vary widely depending on various factors. This includes your travel style, preferences, the duration of your stay, and the time of year you visit. You can do your planning one of two ways. Figure out your budget and then determine how long to spend in Bergen and where else to go in Norway, or plan your trip to Bergen and then start saving for what your trip will cost.

In general, Norway is known for its higher cost of living and tourism-related expenses. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of some typical expenses for your trip to Bergen.

Accommodation Cost in Bergen

One of your largest costs in Bergen will be your accommodations. Fortunately, there are several hostels in the city and a few other options that are even more affordable if you’re willing to check them out, like Couchsurfing or rental apartments. That being said, you can also find solid hotels at a rate that won’t break the bank.

Here’s the basic breakdown of how expensive hotels are in Bergen. To get more specifics, hop over to Booking.com and take a browse.

Budget: Hostels and guesthouses typically range from $30 to $80 per night.

Mid-range: Hotels and boutique accommodations can cost between $100 to $250 per night.

Luxury: High-end hotels and upscale options can exceed $250 per night.

Find out where to stay in Bergen!

Food Cost in Bergen

Another big bucket for your Bergen expenses will be food. Cheap food is something hard to come by in Norway. Plan this into your budget as you can easily spend $100 per day eating and that can really impact your overall Bergen trip budget.

Dining out at budget-friendly eateries: $10 to $20 for a meal.

Mid-range restaurants: $30 to $50 for a three-course meal for one person.

Fine dining: Expect to pay $100 or more for a multi-course meal at a high-end restaurant.

Transportation Cost in Bergen

Fortunately, the center of Bergen is walkable and has great public transit, so you can get away without renting a car or taking too many taxis. This is helpful in that you can easily spend two days in Bergen or even three without feeling a pinch from the cost of getting around. Here are some ideas of the cost to help you plan.

Public transportation within Bergen (local buses -Skyss and the light rail -Bybanen): A one-way ticket costs around $4, if you buy it before you board. You can also purchase the Bergen Card which includes free public transportation.

Taxi: Starting fare is approximately $10, with additional charges per kilometer.

Flights: Domestic flights within Norway can vary in price depending on the destination.

Train: Taking trains cross-country can add up in Norway. For example, plan to spend $100 – $200 to get from Bergen to Oslo by train.

Rental cars: Rental car costs can vary significantly based on the type of vehicle and rental duration. I’d plan on $50 – 100 per day, but do a quick search on Discovercars.com to get a better idea of the cost during your trip.

Activity Cost in Bergen

Of course you’re in Bergen to see and do all the things! There are a number of free things to do in Bergen if you’re really watching your wallet, or you can splurge on some of the most popular tours in the area to make the most of your time in Bergen.

Attractions: Many museums and attractions charge an admission fee. Costs can range from $10 to $30 or more per person.

Bergen Card: If you purchase a Bergen Card, it costs around $36 for a 24-hour card and provides access to some attractions and free public transportation.

Tours and Outdoor Activities: Costs for guided tours, fjord cruises, and outdoor activities such as hiking or kayaking can vary widely. Expect to pay between $50 to $200 or more per activity. To get a better idea of cost, visit Get Your Guide or Viator.

Other Expenses in Bergen

While the largest buckets for expense are above, you will find that there are many other places you will spend money in Bergen, Norway. Here are some areas you may want to add to your Bergen budget to ensure you don’t go over.

Shopping and Souvenirs: Prices for souvenirs, clothing, and gifts will depend on what you’re buying. Handmade and locally crafted items can be more expensive than mass-produced goods. If you’re into shopping, make this a line on your travel budget for Bergen.

Miscellaneous Expenses: I always like to include a miscellaneous bucket to cover all of those unexpected costs that add up. This could include mobile phone usage, internet access, and unforeseen costs. Budget around $10 to $20 per day for incidentals.

Travel Insurance: As a frequent traveler, who has seen a few things go wrong in my time, I always recommend travel insurance. The cost of travel insurance will vary based on the coverage, duration, and provider as well as your age and nationality. Budget approximately 5% to 10% of your total trip cost for insurance.

Currency Exchange and Fees: Be aware of currency exchange rates and any associated fees when exchanging money or using credit cards. Credit card transactions in Norway often include a foreign transaction fee unless you have a zero transaction fee credit card, which I highly recommend!

Emergency Funds: It’s a good idea to have some emergency funds set aside for unexpected expenses or changes in your itinerary. I typically carry about ~$225 in cash just in case.

The Cost of a Trip to Bergen, Norway

As you can see above, the cost of visiting Bergen truly depends on you, your itinerary, and how you travel. You can spend as much or as little as you want. That being said, we’ll give you a deeper look at how each of these buckets add up for daily and weekly costs in Bergen.

Daily Budget for Bergen, Norway

Overall, a basic daily budget for a budget-conscious traveler in Bergen ranges from $80 to $150 per day, not including international airfare. Mid-range travelers are more likely to spend between $150 and $300 per day, while luxury travelers can expect to spend $300 or more per day.

This does leave out some miscellaneous factors and discretionary spending, like travel insurance, souvenirs, and international credit card fees.

Sample One Week in Bergen Budget Breakdown

The below budget for one week in Bergen is built with the following assumptions:

2 people traveling to Bergen for 1 week
Flying in on $500 flights roundtrip
Using public transit in Bergen for 1 roundtrip per day
Staying at a mid-range hotel for $200/night
Eating out lunch and dinner every day at mid-range restaurants
Doing 2 excursions and visiting 2 attractions in the week
Traveling with travel insurance
Incurring foreign transaction fees
Traveling with a buffer of $225, or 5% of your total budget… just in case!

BUDGET FOR ONE WEEK IN BERGEN, NORWAY	COST
Flights Flights ($500 per person): $500 x 2	$1000
Accommodation Mid-Range Hotel ($200 per night): $200 x 7 nights	$1400
Meals Mid-Range Dining ($80 per day, per person): $80 x 2 = $160 Total for a week: $160 x 7	$1120
Activities Excursions and tours (per day, per person): $100 x 2 = $200 Two excursions and tours per week: $200 x 2 Entrance fees to attractions: $20 x 2 = $40 Two entrance fees to attractions: $40 x 2	$400 $80
Transportation within Bergen Public transportation ($4 per direction, per person): $4 x 2 x 2 =$16 Total for a week: $16 x 7	$112
Miscellaneous Souvenirs and miscellaneous expenses: $30 x 2 = $60 Three souvenirs and miscellaneous expenses: $60 x 3	$180
Travel Insurance Insurance ($15 per day per person) $15 x 2 = $30 Total for a week: $30 x $7	$210
TOTAL	$4,502
Contingency 5% of the total budget (approximately)	$225
Credit Card Foreign Exchange Fee 3% of expenses (approximately)	$135
TOTAL BUDGET FOR 1 WEEK IN BERGEN	$4,862

Total Cost of 1 Week in Bergen

So how much does a trip to Bergen cost? Well, the total cost to spend a week in Bergen for two people is around $$4,900. This of course can flex up and down depending on several factors, but it gives you an idea of how the budget comes together and adds up so that you aren’t faced with sticker shock!

If this is out of your budget, don’t worry! There are a few ways to decrease it. For one, get a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees – you’ll save about $135. The $225 contingency budget, or emergency fund, should not be spent if all goes well. Take that off the budget. Not interested in travel insurance? That’s another $210 savings! And that’s before you even touch the experience you’ll have in Bergen!

Need to make it even cheaper, cut out souvenirs, look for a cheaper hotel, eat at less expensive restaurants, do less pricy activities… there are a number of ways to save money in Bergen!

Explore More of Norway

Ready to jet set to Norway? Well, now you know what it will cost to visit Bergen, Norway. These expenses are similar to what you’ll see in Oslo, and a bit higher than other areas of Norway. The only true exception is if you’re headed up to Tromso. Things are even more expensive there, and distances are bigger. You’ll need to factor that into your overall Norway budget.

Also, keep in mind these are approximate costs. Your actual expenses may vary greatly based on your personal preferences, activities, and the choices you make during your trip. Bergen is a beautiful city with much to offer, and with careful planning, you can enjoy your visit while managing your budget effectively.

Continue planning your Norway trip with these helpful posts:

Like this post? Pin it.

The True Cost of Visiting Bergen, Norway: Know Before You Go!