Oslo on a budget: how to make your dollar go further

Can Oslo be done on a budget? The city has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in Europe, even the world. After spending 6 days here, I can safely say that this measures up based on prices I saw, both compared to the Australian dollar and to my travels to other very expensive cities like Geneva, Paris, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Dubai.

What I’ve realised as I’ve moved away from rushed travel focused on seeing everything, ticking off a checklist and paying for many activities is that there’s another way to still enjoy the world that doesn’t burden the wallet and your energy. By understanding what you want out of the holiday and designing your days accordingly, you may actually find you don’t need to pre-book, arrange or pay for many things you originally thought. The beauty is that there are so many ways to explore and enjoy a new place that don’t cost a lot and I’m going to outline some of those below.

Free things to do in Oslo

There are in fact, many ways to enjoy this beautiful city despite the exorbitant costs. Many of the things I enjoy the most about visiting new places don’t cost much. What I mostly had to budget for was food and accommodation but once in Oslo, I rarely paid for anything else except for any souvenirs and some shopping.

Oslo is also a city that’s incredibly compact and easily navigated on foot which is perfect for my style of travel, especially in summer when the weather is warm and days are long. This meant that I didn’t actually need public transport at all during my stay – another way to save on costs.

• Explore the Oslo fjords & Opera house: for stunning views along the water and plenty of dining options nearby.
• Visit the Munch museum (Wednesdays after 6pm (outside of July/August) is free entry).
• Vigeland Park: stunning sculpture park worth exploring for an afternoon.
• Aker Brygge: great area to wander and people-watch.
• Akerselva river: A quiet, green part of the city, great for a walk.
• Oslo City Hall: beautiful architecture and artwork within the main hall.
• Grünerløkka: great cafés, restaurants, and thrift stores.
• Explore the Palace grounds and wander Slottsparken: a quiet respite from the busier nearby streets.

Oslo on a budget: Accommodation & Food

Where you stay matters too and skipping the pricier city centre for neighbourhoods like Frogner or Grünerløkka can make a real difference.

Food was really the other main cost of the trip. From bakeries worth the detour to supermarkets and a few local restaurant favourites

Oslo on a budget needs some consideration. A large volume of spending after flights will naturally go towards accommodation and food, so it’s important to do research and know your options. These are important topics that deserve their own post so stay tuned for more.

Card is king

The last few destinations I visited, interestingly still had a culture of using cash but Oslo is completely cashless. So much so, even public toilets require a card.
This makes it super easy for someone visiting, with no need to worry about currency on the move.

Tip: Always choose the local currency conversion when paying at any store to avoid a bad exchange rate.

Is the Oslo Pass worth it?

I seriously contemplated getting the Oslo Pass for my visit. The admission prices are quite high in Oslo compared to other countries so it adds up quite fast and if you intend to visit a lot of museums/sights for example then it’s really worthwhile getting.

For my style of travel though, where I typically only visit a few museums and want to do so on my schedule rather than to a strict timeframe, it doesn’t work out cost effective, so I opted not to get one. Do the math based on your own itinerary before buying. Prices vary depending on how many days you choose, roughly 580 NOK (~49 EUR) for a 24-hour pass, but check the official Oslo Pass website for current pricing and inclusions before you decide.

Interesting experiences in Oslo

I would have loved to experience the local sauna culture here. Floating out on the fjords in a sauna, staring out at the natural beauty and then plunging into the cool waters sounds incredible. Unfortunately, it was extremely hot (around 25-30 C) when I was there so it wasn’t an option.

I chose to visit the National Museum as it had a large selection of artwork and it was worth it – here I could see Edward Munch’s famous artwork ‘The Scream’ and many other interesting artworks from local and international artists. I’m really glad I got to see it as I had missed out on visiting the Munch museum but the surrounding area is just breathtaking.

I was actually really lucky to also be there during Midsummer (Sankthansaften) on June 23rd. Every year, this festival gathers locals at the Bjørvika district to welcome the summer by watching a bonfire of a large wooden statue on the water (this year it was a bird). Great to experience something so unique to this region.

Oslo on a budget? Totally possible.

My advice: don’t shy away from visiting due to cost. Yes, it’s expensive, but if it’s within your means, there are definitely ways to enjoy your trip to this incredible city without breaking the bank.

Think about how you travel, what you actually want to get out of it, and plan accordingly. You don’t need to see everything on the checklist. Sure, it means missing out on certain things, but look at what aligns with your taste and skip the rest. Bake in rest days and time to wander freely. Oslo rewards those who do.

Oslo on a budget is doable. Explore on foot, window shop, enjoy the free public art dotted around the city, and take in the natural beauty that surrounds it.