7 tips for Oslo on a budget

[@FranschK]

HEY buddy after watching like 8 different videos of what to do in Oslo and travel on a budget I would say yours is BY FAR the best, straight to the points no BS or stupid obnoxious tips. you should be keep doing this you have talent.

[@thornton]

Thanks so much! Your comment means the world to me, thanks for taking the time to let me know. I have done a bunch more videos talking about travel tips since, but this has always been my most popular video. I hope you have the best frugal time in Oslo.

[@bonjovi5530]

@@thorntonis the Thursday free visit still valid in 2022?

[@emerlyheslee112]

This is the kind of blog that I have been looking for. Thank you to you both. You just restored my faith in the humankind. Keep doing what you are doing, I for one will be looking for your blog on you tube most definitely.

[@RichardCodes]

I've lived in Oslo for over a year. All what was said is 100% correct. Great advice.

[@thornton]

RichardCodes any additional advice from a resident? So happy with your comment though, thank you!

[@GrizzlyGamesNorway]

Apart from rema 1000 is more expensive than kiwi

[@shaunpierce4174]

I'm going to Oslo for three nights next month, this video has helped me a lot in my budget planning.

[@napoleonsdauphin]

The older I get the more I realize most 'on a budget' articles/videos/etc. are short for 'you wouldn't mind saving a buck or two but hey it's still vacation and you're middle class.' The points you make are really great ones, many of which my husband and I follow, though as I'm in my mid-30s I'd personally still spring for a whole apartment rather than a private room. One thing I love about cooking on vacation is you can actually buy all the cool fresh things you see in the grocery store and play around with them in the kitchen. You can even be extravagant at the grocery store for that matter and still not reach the amount one mediocre meal out might cost.

[@napoleonsdauphin]

one other point I wanted to make - it's important on vacation to remember that you're still you. You shouldn't try to do things you're 'supposed to do,' but rather the things which speak to you. I think a lot of people do what they think they should do because, let's be honest, they don't know who they are.

[@thornton]

I couldn't agree more. Lots of people really miss the mark. That's fine if you have a huge budget and want to live the high life! But I wanted to make this for people like us. We'd much rather make our own food, like you say you can have a big meal with snacks, dessert and wine for the cost of a breadstick in some restaurants!

[@napoleonsdauphin]

@@thornton Keep up the good work!

[@marionbaker2926]

Absolutely the wisest, most practical travel tips I’ve seen anywhere. Your videos are incredibly interesting and well produced. Keep up the good work!

[@alexf7377]

Not quite on cheapskate budget... I travel for opera houses/performances. My perfectly good seat at the opera was £22 IIRC. I got a 24 transport ticket at the airport arrivals which included airportcentre. I stayed in a suburban business hotel on a weekend with a cheaper than London rate including breakfast. Went to the Kon-tiki museum in the morning. Very good, not expensive. Public transport easy to figure out. The city will surely test how much you want that cappucino. So yes, doing Oslo can be affordable if you can avoid food/drinks/coffees out.

[@ToastedCigar]

Thanks for these great tips, they became very handy when I was visiting Oslo last April. I always cooked at the Airbnb and planned my trip so that I did all the activities that require public transportation on a single day, and on other days I just walked everywhere. Also, I saved a ton of money by always filling up a big 1.5-litre bottle with tap water before heading out. Furthermore, I do agree that the outdoorsy stuff is so much more fun than spending the time by going from museum to museum. Norway is probably the most beautiful country I've ever been to, so why not use the trip enjoying the nature

[@thornton]

Thanks for the feedback. So nice to hear you enjoyed Norway and followed the setup of our trip.

[@PippaHoffman-lb9ft]

Just came across this excellent video. Been a budget traveler for years and agree that being outdoors is the best. Going to Oslo next week and looking forward to taking the metro to lakes and forests and island hopping, all for $30 for a week (actually $15 since I’m a senior)! Done my research and your video is spot on!

[@CheapHolidayExpert]

Yessss - the point about the outdoors is so spot on (can't believe I didn't put it in my Iceland one - haha!!). We didn't spend a penny on activities - why on earth would you when the best experience is the nature!! Always see Oslo flights for cheap and so you've notched it up a few pegs after this. Nice one, Tom!

[@thornton]

Thanks for the kind words Chelsea :) definitely bumping Iceland up my list thanks to your mega suitcase buffet!

[@CheapHolidayExpert]

@@thornton 'Mega suitcase buffet' - 🤣 Spot on. That should have been the video title.

[@Platzergraph]

I will say that if you are visiting in winter, the Oslo Pass is absolutely worth it, especially because it includes transportation. If you are a student and buy it at the main train station, it’s roughly $56 USD for 3 days as long as you present a student ID. It’s also valid for 72 hours, so if you activate it in the afternoon the first day you use it, you can technically still use it the morning of your 4th day. The transportation is great in the cold, particularly if your Airbnb isn’t in the direct center. The museums are incredible, and it also gets you a discount for the opera house tour, which is also very cheap if you are a student. Yes, $56 can be a lot if you’re on a budget, but you have such great access to transportation and attractions. For me it was the only ticket I bought the whole time there. Maybe it’s different in the summer, but I know that while the occasional stroll outdoors was nice, I didn’t want to spend the whole day in below freezing temperatures.

[@thornton]

Preston Hereford thank you for your helpful comment! Another good perspective :)

[@nathaliekappke25]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I was thinking about the same thing. I intend to go there in December, so these tips were very useful.

[@thornton]

Glad people are enjoying the video! What other tips do you have for this amazing city?

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

I recall it cost me almost £5 for a hot chocolate in a meagre museum cafe. We were dissuaded from buying the Oslo card by the chap selling them in the tourist office. He asked what we intended to do (a museum or two, basically) and said really it wouldn't be worth it. I think we got some sort of card that just covered the museums for the day. I agree don't waste money on expensive water. Bring it with you! Thanks and happy travels once you can get underway again.

[@thornton]

Thanks Terry. Hope you are able to hit the road again soon too.

[@vesleengen]

Finally someone giving good advise on travelling on the cheap in Oslo. As a Norwegian living in Oslo I really agree with your findings. Looks like you did some good research. Other tips I can give is not to go here in the winter, since you then will be dependant on transportation and less of the city is open to explore. Also get an AirBnB with possibility to cook. You can make like a pasta dinner with hotdogs and tomatosauce for like 4 people for less then £5 if you check for offers when buying groceries. Tap water is some of the best in the world so don't buy water in Norway. If you really want to drink you can buy beer in shops for under £2 for a 0.5L can and vine for less than £10 in special store called Vinmonopolet. Feel free to ask me in comments if anyone has any questions.

[@thornton]

Thanks for your praise, and additions to the advice. Useful stuff! Haha yes, when I went back to the UK I missed Norwegian tap water...

[@hagralyn]

vesleengen where can we find cheap food to eat other than supermarket?

[@thornton]

MG Garcia this is a very big question haha, not sure if there is any :(

[@hagralyn]

vesleengen thanks! I’ll take note of it. :)

[@hagralyn]

tom thornton thanks! I guess we’ll search for cheap foodstore there. :)

[@ariepaul]

Great video and I subscribed of course. Nice to see two young people travelling the world being critical and aware of the price of everything. Hreat. We moved to Norway 8 years ago and yes it’s expensive but once outdoors, it feels like the bet country in the world :-). Keep on travelling!

[@thornton]

Awesome, thank you! Norway is an amazing country and we'd love to see more of it. We've looked at the Bergen line or even going to Narvik/Tromso when it's safe again. Do you have any recommendations?

[@ariepaul]

@@thornton just go camping in the mountains en enjoy Norways nature. Then you can visit a city

[@fistofthenorthstar3155]

It depends on what do you want to see. "Oslo Pass" was a great thing for me, because I love history, and I love to see the cultural heritage of some nation. And there are so many great things that are unique, like: Viking museum, Fram ship, Kon-Tiki, Norsk Folkmuseum, National Galery, Munch Museum, History Museum, Akershus castle, Nobel Center, Military Museum, Holocaust center, Resistance museum, Holmekollen ski museum with viewpoint from the top of the tower, etc. And transportation is included in that pass, also when you are visiting during summer days entrance to the public pool is included. Guided walking tours are also included in Oslo Pass, it is nice when guild explains you everything about the city. Ofc that there are many things that you can see for free... Like Opera house, Vigeland Park (there is the Vigeland park museum also), Stovner tower (viewpoint), Botanical garden, go to the forest and find some nice viewpoints, visit Holmekollen but not entering the tower, Fortress, Royal Palace, etc. For all other kinds of stuff I totally agree, food in restaurants is so expensive, alcohol also. If you really, really do not know how to prepare food at home, there is one option to eat in a restaurant, but I'm not sure how tasty it is. EGON, that restaurant offers for some kind of buffet. For 114kr (like 10-11 pounds), you can eat pizzas, salads, and dressings for the whole day, on Sundays and Mondays. On other days it is 70kr (6-7 pounds) but only until 18:00 o'clock.

[@annabelle.112]

I watched so many vlog that were not really useful for me... just watch yours and I will definitely take notes of your advices for my trip in Oslo (end of may) ! Thanks a lot !!!

[@thornton]

Thank you so much, comments like this are the reason I made this video! Hope you have the most amazing time and please comment back here with more tips afterwards

[@VacillisaPlays]

if you use Couchsurfing it doesn't cost you anything for accommodation, plus you can talk to your Norwegian host about them showing you the typical Norwegian food dishes so you don't have to go to a fancy restaurant to try the food :)

[@thornton]

Another great option, thanks :)

[@itscharliangel]

This is really helpful, I'm going for three nights on Friday. Thanks for the help!

[@thornton]

Happy you enjoyed it, have the best weekend in Oslo!

[@mozzzca]

Thanks a lot! I am from Brazil and I am planning to go to Norway in September, and it seems that it would be expensive as hell. I am sure that some of your tips will make a huge difference! Btw, I heard that beer is very expensive even on the grocery stores...

[@thornton]

Glad you found it useful! Please don’t forget to reply again after Oslo with your experiences and advice :) yes, I was very cautious even about supermarket beers.. there’s one brand with grey cans that, as another poster said, come to about £2 a can (so maybe $2.75US, if that’s any help)

[@whitneyglover8103]

this helped me out so much during my norway trip, thank you!

[@thornton]

So happy people are enjoying the video, it means the world to me! If you’re going to Oslo please come back and comment what budget tips you learned there, and check out my Scandinavia vlogs for the real 🔥🔥

[@thornton]

Also I have companion videos on Gothenburg and Copenhagen 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@asiamenegatti3209]

For next year i have a massive trip planned with one of my best friends and this video was definitely the most helpful by far. I'm 18, i'm starting university this year and i'll be able to work and save up only during the summer, so i really needed tips like these ones! Thanks a lot :)

[@thornton]

Awesome! Hope you have the best time :) Norway is gorgeous and id love to go back, and maybe ride the Oslo-Bergen line but I know that’s super expensive haha

[@Lisa-kf4eg]

Thank you, that was super helpful. I really dont get the point of budget tips including restaurants, bars etc. As you said - if you really are on a budget you definitely cannot afford going out everyday.

[@glenvisitacion5932]

One way to save also is that don’t buy water. Tap water is so clean and safe that you can drink it. 🙂

[@thornton]

Such a good point! The tap water in norway is great. I had barely left the uk when I made this video so I had no idea rap water was such a novelty. Been in Asia for a while now and really missing uk/Scandinavia tap water 😍😍

[@lusi6050]

Cool advice. Next week I will fly to Oslo. I am still thinking about oslo pass, to buy or not to buy😁😁. But, how did you wandering around from your bnb to the park for example? Walk? Is it really close?

[@MrSamdam66]

These tips are really going to pay off on my trip next year, thankyou!

[@StrawRaccoon51]

Incredible video, honest. I’m off to Oslo on international exchange so this was needed, thanks dude

[@thornton]

Have a great time mate, glad you liked the vid!

[@angelosaopaulo1]

Wait!!!! I am arriving on a Thursday ....only for that this video was totally worth it. Screammmmm...

[@jeffreygreen1917]

Thanks heaps..finally a really good guide which is realistic and practical...good man

[@thornton]

Jeffrey Green so happy it’s had the impact I was going for :)

[@kjellhl1975]

Norway is a pricey country, so if you want Cola or soft drinks, then get more than one big bottle. If you buy a unit with 4 big bottles or 6, or 8 then each bottle will be much cheaper than buying one at the time.

[@colineire9162]

Heading there tomorrow, great advice. thanks!

[@thornton]

Thanks, let us know how you get on :)

[@bobtetstall2681]

I get the whole budget thing but going on holiday to new places for me is also enjoying the local food and lifestyle, finding a balance surely gives the best experience of each location ? Oslo has some of the best restaurants I've ever eaten in and you don't always have to pay a fortune.

[@joits]

Yeah for me its crazy to not at least try to visit a few restaurants as trying local cuisine is one of the best ways to experience a culture. I think maybe for this person in the video, they might be picky eaters so its not hard to believe that they'd be satisfied with just eating pasta while visiting another country.

[@Crozz22]

Hey looks like the link to the series is broken. Where are your oslo videos?

[@thornton]

Ah sorry David, I took them down in the end to focus my channel in different areas :)

[@georevox5638]

Hello Tom, hello viewers, another advise from me: Every time I go to Oslo I use an app called TooGoodToGo, where you can buy food for a small amount of money which would otherwise be thrown away. Public toilets charge you often some money, but the brilliantly designed restrooms in Oslo Opera House are for free. And you can take a normal bus (sorry but I forgot the number of the servce) almost directly to the Holmenkollen ski arena/museum. Although I would not recomend that museum, the view over Oslo is fantastic.

[@thornton]

Thank you so much for the extra tips! Really helpful. TooGoodToGo seems like an amazing concept, I’m glad you showed it to me.

[@ernestkovach3305]

Very Educational ! Informative. Thank you so much!

[@WorldKiwi]

Now all the supermarkets have to mark down food up to 50% before throwing it away so its a great way to get cheap meat! Getting a one of those 1time grills is a very cheap way to cook if you want to stay out at the lake or in the park.

[@thornton]

Thanks for the idea, I would absolutely love a bbq by the lake in Oslo (in summer of course). We should try more environmentally friendly alternatives to disposable bbqs but still a great suggestion

[@WorldKiwi]

At some lakes ,parks and beaches around Oslo they have a bin for them to be recycled.

[@cknoway]

super helpful, I understand the frustration of those videos!

[@thornton]

Happy to have helped! Haha it’s ridiculous right? Like saying here’s how to get a private limo everywhere for the best price when everyone already knows the train exists...

[@iknowyouwanttofly]

Advanced option. Learn esperanto and use the pasporta servo to stay some of tge nights for free

[@divanka815]

Thank you for a video ! :) very entertaining and useful!

[@thornton]

Thank you! So glad it helped.

[@johncarpo4]

Incredibly helpful video!

[@thornton]

John Carpenter thank you! And I loved your movie The Thing

[@TimTamCorporation]

Thanks for the tips. Really helpful

[@thornton]

Big Ben Have a great time in Oslo, feel free to come back and add your own tips afterwards if you save some more money :)

[@alouise]

Just booked a pretty impromptu trip to Oslo in a few weeks. This will definitely come in handy. I also agree with you about those city passes. You usually have to rush around from one site to the next in order to fit them all in to get your money's worth. I'd rather walk around outside and see the free sites anyway. Plus I'm living in Dublin and there are a plethora of Viking artefacts here, so I don't feel any urge to go to the Viking museums in Oslo.

[@thornton]

Thanks :) I hope you have the best time in Oslo, come back with more tips!

[@AdrielnerEPinto]

Where can we look for these "private rooms" for less than $30?

[@brianm9223]

well done on the video, thanks for sharing

[@thornton]

Thanks Brian M, have a fun and cheap trip to Oslo 😁

[@___ridehalgh___4459]

How much is it to rent a boat for island hopping?

[@thornton]

We island hopped on public transport for £9 each for all day, I have no idea how much private hire would be but I imagine it’d be scary expensive!

[@___ridehalgh___4459]

Thank you

[@agm43]

Did the 50 British pounds for the 4 days include accomodations?

[@thornton]

That’s not including accommodation. Cost of that is mentioned in the description. Hope you found the video useful :)

[@ClothesandCreativity]

Thanks for making this video really! We're looking forward to visit Scandinavian+ Spain in June, and all the blogs and videos about how "expensive" Scandinavia is has honestly got me a little worried! Could you please share where you stayed? Will be watching your vlogs to know more though. Also, totally agree with the fact that Norway is blessed with nature, so even we'd like to do more outdoorsy stuff. How much did the cruise cost and which company did you choose? I know I've bombarded you with questions but at this point I'm trying to do as much research about these places (Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Zurich) as I possibly can so that we have a pleasant vacation. Cheers!

[@thornton]

So glad you enjoyed the video :) I will dm you some more detail but the boat I showed was just Oslo public transport, included in the metro pass, no cruise company or travel agent :)

[@thornton]

So glad you enjoyed the video :) I will dm you some more detail but the boat I showed was just Oslo public transport, included in the metro pass, no cruise company or travel agent :)

[@ClothesandCreativity]

tom thornton Hey Tom, you could also email me at [e-mail] I'm sure your tips on Scandinavia will come in really handy to me. I'm in the midst of chalking out a rough itinerary and looking forward to your DM/email. Cheers!

[@rozbickad]

Thank you for your tips. I will change the way to get to Oslo Center from Airport. Where can I get that brown cheese sandwich in Oslo S.

[@thornton]

Glad you liked it :) do a quick google on the airport transfers since the exact numbers are a year old now. Unfortunately that was a long time ago and I can’t remember the sandwich shop :(

[@soniagold4771]

Great tips, thanks

[@thornton]

Glad you like it, thanks for the feedback 🤗

[@sphychedelic]

great stuff! one question. Where did you use the toilets in Oslo during the day. I have to constantly try to sneak into restaurants or pubs somehwere where I can go unnoticed. Is that what you guys did as well?

[@thornton]

Hi, glad you liked the video! As I recall I was very pleased with the public toilet situation in Oslo, only snuck into one or two. Must have been lucky to stumble across a lot, also i think they have some that rise out of the pavement at night, very futuristic. Used one that cost about £0.50 in a park once.

[@sphychedelic]

thanks!

[@maximaleffort]

Great video. Thank you.

[@thornton]

Thanks Jack! Have a great time in Oslo.

[@decembersix8206]

My husband and I would love to visit in April of 2019 to attend a Festival. What do you suggest for flights and hotel or hostel? thank you and appreciate any notes or suggestions.

[@thornton]

Always look on Skyscanner for a range of dates and airports, we went from Copenhagen to LGW for about £35. And always Airbnb in expensive places like this! Hope you have a great time

[@Subbacultcha100]

Why was the "island hopping" free?

[@thornton]

Ferries included with metro pass :)

[@blewis513]

It's unclear to me how the Museum of Oslo was free. Are you under 18 or you went on the first Saturday of the month?

[@thornton]

It’s a rule that has since been removed where one day a week was free.

[@AliBaba-mb1pu]

What was the travel pass?

[@aamirhussain769]

Hi thanks for your great video! We are in oslo next Saturday from 9am until 10pm. What pass do we need to go from the airport to the centre and some of these great locations you Visited, and then back to oslo airport? Thank you

[@thornton]

Hi Aamir thanks for your comment. Unfortunately the airport trains aren’t covered by the transport pass I mentioned, so you need to buy tickets for that separately when you arrive. Oslo transport passes can be bought on the RuterBillett app.

[@aamirhussain769]

@@thornton thanks for your reply So I need to buy a single each way to and from airport to the centre and then a 24 hour pass What do you reckon it may cost Me? It's me my wife and 5 year old child

[@KenJohansen]

I think a £ 12 budget is far too low. The minimum payment as a social client in Oslo is close to £ 30 per day. That is just money you need to live and rent comes in addition to that money. So to be more realistic, one should have a budget of at least £ 20.

[@SHAMEEKDHANDA]

Nice vid Tom will really help me...smiles

[@thornton]

Thanks for your comment, glad to be able to help. When are you going?

[@francoismaleking5474]

Great video

[@thornton]

Thanks Francois, enjoy your norway trip :)

[@oskarpettersson3549]

How you only 12£ a day? when a beer cost 10-20£?

[@thornton]

You have to make sacrifices to save this much, I had 2x £2 supermarket beer cans my whole time in Oslo, and even less booze in other Scandinavian cities.

[@oskarpettersson3549]

xD its not that bad if you from Oslo but if you out country it get exspensive

[@thornton]

Haha yes as someone who wasn’t earning Oslo wages I really struggled! :)

[@angelosaopaulo1]

Just checked their website "There is no longer free entry on Thursdays." :( another screammmm :(

[@thornton]

No way! So sorry you missed out, thanks for letting me know. I’ll add a note to the description.

[@angeldelgado1411]

I'll be there in a week hope I can survive with 2,000 usd

[@thornton]

Angel Delgado hope this has helped :) how long are you there for?

[@levihalperin7649]

Does that 12£ a day cover the accommodation too? If not than you didn't really only spend 50£ in 4 days...

[@thornton]

Unfortunately only food and sightseeing, like I said in the description we spent another £18 on accommodation 😶 I see what you mean but it’s sort of a “only £50 spending money in 4 days” thing, especially if you’re planning a good deal on a place to stay way in advance

[@paulang0303]

Hi Tom, May I know what metro pass you bought for island hopping? is it the the 24 hours ticket pass that cost 105NOK? and what Ferry you took for island hopping? How long do you spent for island hopping? Appreciate your reply. :)

[@thornton]

Paul Ang Hi Paul, yes that is the pass we used :) We got the boat to Hovedoya from Aker Brygge, a pier near Oslo town hall where you can use the pass to get a boat to many islands, and from Hovedoya we went to a couple of other islands, which took all day! Definitely a whole day out if the weather’s good and you like nature :) hope that helps, and enjoy your Oslo trip!

[@paulang0303]

tom thornton thanks for your prompt reply Tom! Appreciate that! :)

[@singerjttm11]

I tried to get MONZO but it's only available to folks in the UK :`~( Hopefully one day soon I will be able to live there.

[@shanakadabare]

Dear can u mention the AIRBNB you stayed in Oslo , really helpfull vlog , thanks

[@thornton]

Sure :) it was run by the loveliest couple abnb.me/kzZZmLTWhN

[@the_oslovian]

Yoohoo! Well done you! This is how a person who lives in Oslo without a lot of money lives 😊 You have seen Oslo like a local 😊 Next time stop by and I will make you some waffles 😉👏👏👏

[@thornton]

Thanks Helene! We’d love to come back 😁😁 I’d love to ride the Oslo-Bergen line when we can travel again. Hope you’re doing well up in Norway.

[@the_oslovian]

@@thornton You are most welcome and it is a highly recommended trip if you ask me. Go in June, when there is still snow in the mountains, but green vallies. Also light almost 24-7 of course ❤️ The Norwegian answer to BBC, NRK, filmed the whole trip and broadcast it a few years ago, you can probably still find it online 😊 If you want a preview. Feel free to ask anything else you wonder about. We are ok, but tierd of corona as everyone else. I long to go back to London! 😊

[@Henoik]

Okay, I haven't seen the video yet, but just from seeing the thumbnail: First off, I'm a Norwegian. How the heck did you survive here with £12 a day?

[@thornton]

£12 spending money a day, brought to £30 with accommodation included :) that might sound less impressive as a local but I think £12 cash per day as a tourist seeing what Oslo has to offer isn’t bad, right?

[@pauljamero]

It won't work hehe.

[@davidbadea1360]

Du må spise bare kvikklunsj, brød og pålegg 😂

[@rhomai]

very useful advice, thank you. i think i can live without that whale shashlyk

[@thornton]

Thanks! Haha it’s not hard, right? :)