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How we managed our finances for our Lofoten travel is a topic people have asked us about frequently since returning from the trip. Norway, like other Nordic countries, is reputed to require significant funds. And while expenses are indeed high, we were able to minimize our costs.
Ultimately, our 10 day trip to Lofotenwas more affordable than anticipated. Indeed, we had to make some alterations – we did not indulge in luxury, we prepared our meals brought from home, and slept in a Camper Van even when conditions were below zero.
Still, even when traveling very economically, Lofoten offered a distinctive encounter we are eager to repeat.
Still, traveling affordably, Lofoten was a novel experience that we are eager to replicate.
BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES
ANTICIPATED SPENDINGS
FLIGHTS
Flight costs depend on the airport of departure, as discussed in the guide for planning a Lofoten trip.There are airports very near key areas offering beautiful scenery but with steep prices, while other departure points farther away may provide very inexpensive flights as well as affordable car or campervan rentals.
As a result, we opted to travel to Tromso, where reasonably priced flights were available, lowering our travel budget for visiting Lofoten.
The flight passes with two stopovers to Tromso from Madrid cost 200€ round excursion, with a checked tote.
Total flight expenses = 200 € per person *
* Note: Price for flights from Spain. However, from other countries such as the United States, flights to Lofoten are very expensive (exceeding $ 1,000).– still worth the trip nonetheless!
Travel INSURANCE
It is highly advisable to purchase travel coverage for Europe to visit the Lofoten Islands. Based on my past experience, Heymondo is one of the most trusted travel insurance providers and the one I suggest for your journey to Lofoten.
Total expenses in travel insurance = 65 € x 2 people = 130€
ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORTATION – CAMPER VAN
Renting a camper van was the most cost-effective way to travel through Lofoten. We found an especially inexpensive one in Tromsø through Norwagon, so we rented the van from there and drove it to Lofoten.
The cost of the Camper was 150 € per day. We rented it for 9 of the 10 days of our trip to Lofoten.
Complete cost for Camper Van (residence + transportation) = 1650 €
ACCOMMODATION IN RORBUER
It is necessary that you stay for at least one night in a Rorbuer, the iconic fishermen’s huts that gave Lofoten its popularity.
We lodged at the renowned Eliassen Rorbuer for one night and could not be happier – the cabins are incredible!
Remember that the cost does not include sheets, towels, or cleaning. You must leave the cabin as you discovered it to avoid a 40 € penalty.
Total expenses on accommodation of one night in the Rorbuer came to 130 €
PHOTOGRAPHy GEAR
Though part of our original plan was to join a whale watching excursion, sadly we could not in the end. To do so required having a good telephoto lens, so we rented a 70-200 2.8 for Nikon.
While we did not employ it for observing whales, we did apply it for numerous photographs of the fjords.
Total cost of telephoto lens rental = € 100
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EXPENSES DURING THE TRIP
On this particular trip, we did not utilize physical currency at all when making purchases. Rather than cash, we employed our credit cards to cover all expenses, with fuel being our primary cost.
90% of what we consumed during our journey to Lofoten was the nourishment we had brought from home. As we stated at the beginning of the post, Norway is an expensive country, so if you do not want to expend a lot on this trip, I recommend that you bring checked baggage filled with nourishment.
As this was a road trip, carrying a backpack and suitcase was not uncomfortable. You can save a significant amount of money from not dining at restaurants or needing to purchase food at the local market – we spent more money here buying water, bread, eggs, fruits, and veggies than in nearly any other country.
Total costs of food (grocery stores and airport meals) = 350 €
GASOLINE
Our camper van ran on diesel fuel, and filling the tank remained quite costly – approximately 80 euros for each trip, since we drove many kilometres. Apart from traveling from Tromso to Lofoten, every night we drove around for a while seeking clear areas to view the northern lights.
Total gasoline costs = 500 €
ACTIVITIES
Experiencing the magic of the Northern Lights and immensity of the fjords is priceless. During our 10 days in Lofoten, we dedicated ourselves to these two activities. However, there may be other activities also worth exploring, such as whale watching, kayaking, or visiting museums.
For this reason, you should factor in estimates for these expenditures as part of your travel budget planning for Lofoten.
The cumulative expenses for Fjords + fishermen’s huts + northern lights contemplation = without cost!
TRAVEL BUDGET FOR A 10-DAY LOFOTEN TRIP BY rv PER PERSON = 1430 € + flights
This travel expense to Lofoten has been calculated taking into account a trip by motorhome, where we will save on accommodation but we will increase the cost of transportation. Considering a 10-day Lofoten trip by car, this would be the result:
RENTAL CAR PRICE IN LOFOTEN
Vehicle rental costs in Lofoten can fluctuate, but it would be standard to locate some below € 400 for ten days.
Sum vehicle cost 10 days = € 400
FUEL
The fuel costs will be less than traveling in a campervan or caravan, with an estimated consumption of €300 for 10 days.
Total gasoline costs = € 300
AVERAGE PRICE OF ACCOMMODATION IN LOFOTEN
If we travel by car to Lofoten, we must factor in accommodation costs. Lofoten has higher prices, but if we plan ahead, we found an offer like the one we discovered. If you visit in the low season, anticipate roughly €130 per night on average, though it could reach up to €200 if traveling during peak season.
Total cost for accommodation = €130 for 10 days = €1300
RESTAURANT PRICE IN LOFOTEN
Finally, meals at Lofoten restaurants are notably expensive, so if traveling by vehicle one should take the cost of dining out into account when calculating a travel budget for visiting Lofoten. Plan for at least €70 per person each day.
Total meal expense for 10 days = € 70 x 10 = € 700
TRAVEL BUDGET FOR A 10-DAY LOFOTEN TRIP BY CAR PER PERSON = 1980 € + FLIGHTS
I hope that this travel budget for Lofoten help provides you good ideas about the expense and ways to decrease your budget such as bringing a suitcase full of provisions or traveling by Camper Van.
If your budget is low and you`re questioning whether it’s worthwhile to visit or sacrifice comfort to view Lofoten, let us provide you a glimpse of this place to help you decide.
