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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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Norway

Hi all.

I'm a new member of HU but have been a motorcyclist for quite a few years.

I would like to take a bike trip to Norway next year for a couple of weeks.

I've read/heard it can be very expensive to visit Norway in terms of accomodation, food etc.

I would be staying in hostels (as I think b&b's and hotels are beyond my budget). Self catering where I can and eating straight from the supermarkets. Someone was telling me it cost them £98.00 pounds sterling for a curry for two people in a restaurant. I can't camp as I would be travelling two up and luggage space is lmited.

Could anyone who has toured in Norway tell me what their experiences are concerning costs?

Thanks for any help.
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  #2  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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You can stay in wooden cabins for about £30-£40 per night. This is your best option. You will need to carry sleeping bags with you though as a lot don't supply bedding. Inside you will find a couple of bunk beds a heater and some sort of basic cooking facilities, a hotplate usually. Most have refridgerators and some have tv too. I stopped in a cabin at Grimsbu tourist centre which even had cable TV so I could watch the MotoGP. I usually camp though if it's not too wet.
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  #3  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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On my website I have a trip report from a trip to Norway in 2006. Look at it on this URL:
Jan Krijtenburg homepage (Travel pages) Maybe it has something usefull for you.

The wooden cabins are a very good solution. I liked it.
Norway is a beautifull country and you will love it. Make sure to bring your camera. Plenty of nice place to take pictures. Mind the prices for speeding tickets in Norway !!
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My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
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  #4  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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Don't be put off by hear-say. You can get a decent curry for less - I'd say 80 GBP if you're lucky ;-) Just kidding. It's quite possible to get by on a budget even in Norway. Cabins are, as already said, a good option. They are on most camping sites, which in turn are all over the place. Check out two vital pages for cheap, yet clean, accomodation: Camping sites are here and the hostels are to be found here. Actually, I tend to use camping cabins and hostels myself when travelling in Norway and beyond. You meet all kinds of cool people there, as opposed to in the ordinary hotels. Oh, and if you are in the Oslo area I have a spare room you could use for a couple of nights. Even have a garage for you to do some routine maintenance if you'd like to.
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  #5  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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Like everyone says dont believe everything you hear, Norway can be very expensive but cook for yourself its the Norwegian way on the campsites, take some supplies with you or shop at the supermarkets in towns and food stuff is not that pricey. Restaurants are expensive as are some cafes etc but if your in the cities find out where the students go - always cheaper. I have camped and used the huts on different trips the huts are great if your sharing. A few years ago I travelled upto Kirkness in the far north spending two weeks in and out of Norway and a week split between Finland and Sweden. I did live basic and wild camped 50% of the time but all in for three weeks including all fuel a few pints here and there and a good amount of food including fresh fruit and veg every day I spent less than £500 all in. I travel in Norway every year as I love the place, going back again in July Do a bit of ice climbing on the Glaciers while your there swim in the fjord in the morning (wakes you up!) then try as much as you like to take in the scenery and roads - you will love the place. Last but not least get talking to the locals they are great people you just need to break the ice. You will meet some great people.
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  #6  
Old 2 Dec 2007
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We have done Norway twice, the second time was all the way to the Nordkapp (from Bergen).

As others have said the Hytters (huts) are a reasonable price, more so if sharing the cost. We took a tent but never used it.

Full trip here, http://www.ytc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/...orway2005.html

As it was our second trip to Norway we knew what to expect price wise, and using local stores to stock up with bread, cheese and fruit kept the price down. Simple meals can be cooked cheaply and easily, especially as the cabins have cooking rings.

When you go, make sure you are beyond the Artic Circle for the full longest day experience, and take something to blank the light out at "night" :-)

If you worry about price, then don't eat out... or pop into Sweden which is a bit cheaper :-) . We managed a motel with 2 meals (and ) for less than £50.
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  #7  
Old 3 Dec 2007
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Norway: a must-do!

Hi Phil,

We did about 1,300 km in Norway in early July this year: into Bergen on the ferry from NewcastleUponTyne, to Voss, via Narrow Fjord (by ferry) to Kaupange and Sogndal, Nigardsbreen glacier, Lom, Geiranger, Molde, Karvag, then back down to Andalsnes, Lillehammer and Oslo. Only 5 days unfortunately .

Fuel price at that time were the most expensive of the 12 countries we travelled in: about Kr12.2/litre or equivalent or about £1.05/litre. However we got some of our best fuel economy of the trip in Norway. So doing the maths, it cost us £80 in fuel to cover just under 1,300 km (on an ST1300 getting 17 km/ltr).

We stayed in a cabin near Kaupange. This was excellent value for 4 of us, for a 2 bedroom, self contained place with a deck - brilliant. We negotiated a tariff on-the-spot of Kr300, or about £25 for the one night. Then for my wife and I the rest of the trip, we had double rooms as follows: a hotel at Djupvatnet lake called Djupvasshytta Lodge (under Dalsnibba lookout south of Geiranger - see pic below) for Kr600 or £50/night; the nice hostel at Andalsnes Kr575 or £49; and the very nice hostel in Lillehammer at Kr650 or £55. We saved money on accommodation on both our arrival and departure nights as we were on the ferries in and out of the country.

Djupvatnet lake and our hotel: Djupvasshytta lodge


We shopped in supermarkets for food most of the time and it was not too expensive. We had a simple restaurant meal at the Lodge (in pic above) that cost about £25 (for 2). Alcohol is quite steep though. And you can't buy grog after 6pm on weekends (except in a restaurant etc), so no takeaways!

We highly recommend Norway. The people were wonderful and the scenery the best . If you'd like to see some pics:
1. Go to the web page: http://photobucket.com/
2. Log-in as a guest at the top of this page as follows:
....Username: John_Meara
....Password: Europe
3. Then on the page that comes up, click-on the My Sub Album called “Europe on an ST1300
4. Click on pages 7 & 8 for the Norway sector.
The view Dalsnibba lookout (above Geiranger Pass and the Lodge)
(click on image to see 30 second video)


I hope this helps.
Cheers
John

Last edited by John-DownUnder; 3 Dec 2007 at 16:13.
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  #8  
Old 3 Dec 2007
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Norway

Hi, I am new to this site too, so apologies if I have already sent this. Norway is expensive. I can wholeheartedly support the idea of using campsite wooden huts. Absolutely great. I did the N Cape a couple of years ago and it was so windy and wet that it was not possible to erect the tent on some occasions. Travelling solo does have disadvantages putting a tent up in a gale. The fjords are very beautiful, but the far north has a harsher beauty. I had four weeks. I took three to get to N Cape and then took the Hurtugruten coastal ship over the next 6 days back to Bergen. Expensive, but good to see Norway from the sea. Exceed speed limits at your peril... max speeds are 80/90KPH and fines are huge. Zero limit on alcohol too, mind, at the price of it, its not to difficult to abstain. If you have the time, The Lofoten Islands are spectacular. Away from the main roads the roads are generally hard packed dirt and gravel which get rather muddy in the wet. No probs, my 750 Monster aint no off-roader and did fine.
If you are into civil engineering projects you will love the tunnels. I notice you are from stoke. I am near Leek, so if you and yours want a few maps/ holiday snaps, please get in touch. Gill
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  #9  
Old 4 Dec 2007
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Norway

Hi Phil2 and partner, looking though a few other mails on this site it seems OK to give PH nos. As previously stated, I am in the Leek area and you two are S-O-T. If you want maps/ chats/ boring hol photos here is the number: 01538 304368
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  #10  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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Hi Gill you may want to use the PM (personal message) for that kind of info. You never know who's phishin.
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  #11  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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If you can squeeze a tent on you should as there is some great wild camping to be had in Norway and its all free. They have a right to roam out there so you can go into the wild but check what the rights are on vehicular access.
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  #12  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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im thinking of a nordkapp trip near june/july. how cold/icey is it up there mid summer? am i thinking right that i'll be ok on road tyres? or shall i put it off till i have a different bike?
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  #13  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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The roads are ice and snow free in the summer. I've had temps up to 80f inside the arctic circle in July. I've only been up as far as Andalsnes but I don't think you'll get frost in July at the Nord capp.
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  #14  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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When I was at the Nordcape last year, it was rainy and windy but no problem if you have decent clothing like a good rain-overall.
You can drive all the way to the Nordcape on tar roads so no problem on any bike with street tires. I did it on my BMW F650GS with normal street tires and no all-road tires.
Just make sure your bike is in good condition (like it should be for every long trip)

You do need some warm and waterproof clothing because it can be wet and chilly but that's all.
You CAN be lucky and have sun and 25 degrees celcius there too.

Enjoy your trip.
__________________
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My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
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  #15  
Old 5 Dec 2007
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Thanks for your replies.

Many thanks to Indu and Gill750 for your kind offers. Hopefully I'll be in touch closer to my trip.

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