How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (2024)

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In November 2015, I spent six days traveling solo through Scandinaviatothree capital cities and spent a total of USD $883.39, including all airfare, accommodations, museums, food/drinks, and shopping.I did not create a budget for this trip beforehand as it was a last minute trip that I knew I wanted to take regardless of cost. I had decided last minute to switch jobs and wanted to take advantage of the transition period to travel more “extensively.” As I have had so many readers ask me about the cost of traveling Scandinavia during our Scandinavia series last month, I decided to put together this cost analysis of how I traveled Scandinavia for six days with less than$1000. In the cost breakdown below, I will highlight areas I’m glad I splurged on and areas where I wish I would have skipped or planned better to save money.

Transportation: $283.32 USD

Since I had a limited amount of time in Scandinavia, I decided to fly between each of my destinations, rather than take the train, in order to save time on the road and give myself more time to explore the cities.Once I arrived in each city, I walked everywhere for the most part.The only non-flight costs I incurred for transportation werefor theferry rides between Suomenlinna and mainland Helsinki and the bike rental in Copenhagen. All in all, I think I did a great job with keeping transportation costs low.

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Roundtrip flight from Chicago to Helsinki: $167.20 USD

I have been collecting airline miles through American Airlines for years and have racked up more miles than I’m able to use while working a full time job. In order to get a cheap flight to Scandinavia, I used my miles and found a flight from Chicago to HelsinkiforUSD $167.20roundtrip. Idid have a layover each way but was actually able to take advantage of this by spending a few hours relaxing in Paris on my way there and spending a day in Berlin visiting a friend on the way back. I would highly recommend finding longer stopovers in different cities if you can because it’s essentially a free flight to another city. Also, if you have not yet signed up for a travel credit card, either through a specific airline or through a general rewards program, you need to get on that ASAP! Flying with miles has saved me so much money on my trips and is a big reason I am financially able to travel so often. If you are unable to fly with miles, however, I would recommend checking out Skyscanner and Expedia for the best flight deals.

One-way flight from Helsinki to Stockholm: $32.80 USD

I flew Norwegian Air from Helsinki to Stockholm on a Tuesday, which is the cheapest day of the week to fly. My one way flight costUSD $32.80. Although Norwegian Air is labeleda budget airline, it is nicer than some non-budget airlines I’ve been on.I would happily fly Norwegian Air again, especially with its low costs. I booked this ticket pretty last minute and was still able to find a relatively cheap flight from Helsinki to Stockholm.

One-way flight from Stockholm to Copenhagen: $55.80 USD

I flew Norwegian Air again fromStockholm to Copenhagen. My flight cost USD $55.80, which is a little more than the cost of my flight from Helsinki to Stockholm, but I can’t complain considering how last minute I booked this. Had Ibeen able to plan ahead farther in advance, I may have been able to save some money on this flight.

Ferry tickets between mainland Helsinki and Suomenlinna: $11.05 USD

Although I prefer to walk everywhere when I travel, I didn’t have much of an option when it came to traveling between Suomenlinna, where my hostel was located, and mainland Helsinki, wheremostofthe attractions I wanted to see could be found. You can buy ferry tickets at the ticket machines right outside the ferry terminal. A one way ticket costs€2.70 (USD $2.98), or you can buy a 12 hour pass for€5.00 (USD $5.53).

Although I was in Helsinki for two days, I only purchased two 12-hour passes, which cost me a total of €10.00 (USD $11.05),since I timed my trips within the 12 hour time frames. The ferries operate exactly on schedule, so don’t think you’ll be able to catch it if you show up a few minutes late. Follow the timetable posted online, and show up on time (or with time to spare).

The ferries were very nice, with two indoor sections on each side of the main walkway, and outdoor areas as well if you prefer to stand outside.You can also bring your car on the ferry, although you will need to book online in advance if you are planning to bring your car because each ferry can only carry 1-2 cars. If you’ve got a bike or other small transport, you can bring it on the ferry with you without booking in advance.

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Bike rental in copenhagen: $16.47 USD

When I was in Stockholm, I met two travelers at my hostel who were also headed to Copenhagen the next day, so we decided to meet up in Copenhagen and tour the city together by bike. Copenhagen has one of the strongest bike cultures of any city in the world, so we thought, what better way to experience Copenhagen like a local than to see the sights by bike? We rented a bike for an entire day, which set us back USD $16.47 each.

Accommodation: $171.55 USD

For the most part, I stay in hostels when I travel, and this trip was no exception. I stayed for two nights each in Helsinki, Stockholm, and Copenhagen. In each hostel, I stayed in a co-ed 7- or 8-bedroom dorm room. Overall, I’d say I did a pretty good job with keeping costs down for accommodation. The only way I could have reduced my accommodation expenses would be to book earlier, book hostels farther from city centre, or find hosts on couchsurfing. However, I prefer to stay at hostels when I travel solo because it feels safer than staying with a single host on couchsurfing, and it provides me with an opportunity to meet more people, which is always a plus for me when I’m traveling solo. Alternatively, staying at a hostel farther from city centre would likely have increased my transportation expenses since I wouldn’t be able to walk everywhere, soresorting only to hostels in great locations is not an unnecessary splurge in my books.

Helsinki: $55.24 USD

I stayed at the Suomenlinna Hostel on the beautiful Suomenlinna sea fortressisland, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. My 7 bed co-ed mixed dorm room cost€49.97 (USD $55.24)for two nights. By the time I decided I would be traveling to Helsinki, all of the reasonably priced hostels in Helsinki had been booked, except for this quiet hostel in Suomenlinna with a cozy cabin-like feel. I would recommend it to someone looking for a more off-the-beaten path, quiet hostel, but for those looking for a party atmosphere or a place to meet and socialize with other travelers, this hostel may not be your best option. I did like how I was able to pay for my stay via email even after I had left Helsinki because I had arrived late at night and was too busy out exploring Helsinki to remember to check in and pay for my stay.

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Stockholm: $50.81 USD

I stayedat the City Backpackers Hostel, one of my favorite hostels in the world. My 7 bed co-ed dorm cost SEK455.61 (USD $50.81)for two nights. I couldn’t believe this steal! I was not expecting to find a hostel for less than USD $30 per night, and certainly not in a hostel as clean, fully equipped, and welcoming as this hostel. You can read my full review of City Backpackers Stockholm here. I would recommend this hostel to anyone, but especially to solo travelers looking to meet other travelers, as the community aspect of this hostel is fantastic.

Copenhagen: $65.50 USD

I stayed at the Urban House in Copenhagen, a hip and energetic hostel near the main train station. My 8 bed co-ed dorm cost DKK440.89 (USD $65.50)for two nights. This was by far the most expensive hostel I stayed at in Scandinavia. It is a huge hostel and I believe the only one in the world with a tattoo parlor. Having seen tattoo parlors on what seemed like every street corner as I was walking through Copenhagen, I knew I had to get a tattoo at this hostel because when else am I going to get a tattoo in a hostel? My tattoo artist was a girl from Italy who ran a tattoo shop in Italy as well as in Copenhagen and regularly travels between the two locations. Of course I had to get a travel related tattoo, so I got one that says “miles to go” – from one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost (“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, Andmiles to go before I sleep, Andmiles to go before I sleep.”)

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Food/Drink: $223.89 USD

Food and drink are expensive in Scandinavia. My best advice for avoiding spending all your money on food is to stay at a hostel with a kitchen and buy groceries to cook yourself.In Copenhagen, I found some cheaper areas such as Christiania, and tried to eat my meals there. In Helsinki, on the other hand, I was unable to find any cheap areas, so each meal ended up being a splurge unless I resorted to the grocery stores.

Helsinki: $76.43 USD

The food in Helsinki is expensive, and you really have to try hard to find something cheap. Do not assume that just because you’re getting a plate of cold, dry food that you must not be paying much for it. My best tipis to check the prices on the menu before you order anything, and try to stay at a hostel with a kitchen and buy groceries from the grocery store to cook yourself if possible.

Here is a list of my food and drink spending in Helsinki:

  • Grocery/convenience stores: USD $19.75 – I visited the supermarket a few times in Helsinki to buy water, snacks, and toiletry essentials I had forgotten at home.
  • Viaporin Deli and Cafe: USD $15.58 – This is the cafe/restaurant/brewery on Suomenlinna island that I mentioned in my Suomenlinna post. The brewery was closed when I went, but the cafe served several of the beers they brewed locally. I ordered one of their home-brewed beers and a large bowl of tomato bisque soup that was just what I needed on a cold Finnish day.
  • Fazer: USD $21.68 – This was probably the worst food splurge on my entire trip. I was desperately looking forbreakfast on a Sunday morning, but nothing was open. It also happened to be Father’s Day that day, so that limited my options even more. Finally, I found a breakfast place that was open and looked pretty casual, so I went inside without even checking their prices, thinking it couldn’t be too much since the breakfast buffet looked like it was just bread and yogurt and other cold foods. Boy, was I wrong. I ended up paying over $20 for this meal, and it was probably the least satisfying $20 meal I’ve ever had. I would for sure skip this.
  • Molly Malone’s: USD $8.52 –I met a friend at this cute Irish pub on my last day in Helsinki. There was live music and good beers, and that’s all I can really ask for. The wait staff was very relaxed and casual. This was a good spend.
  • HKI+: USD $10.90 – I had a big bowl of pho here right before I departed for Stockholm. I could have done away with a cheaper meal, but this really hit the spot, and anyone who knows me knows my obsession with pho. I would do it again.

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Viaporin is located in this archway building

Stockholm: $68.13 USD

I definitely splurged a bit on food in Stockholm, but the local dishes I splurged on were entirely worth it. A trip to Stockholm is not complete without a meal of Swedish meatballs, and thelaxpudding dish I had was to die for. The beers were extremely pricey, but I don’t regret that either as it was one ofmy most memorable hostel bonding experiences. I could have saved entirely on food on this trip had I taken advantage of the free dry pasta available at my hostel, but like I said, I don’t regret the spend.

Here is a list of my food and drink spending in Stockholm:

  • Cafe Sten Sture: USD $14.45 – This is an old underground prison that has since been converted into a restaurant that serves traditional Swedish food. I saw a sign outside for Swedish meatballs and of course could not resist.The meal was a bit pricey, but I would recommend it simply for its atmosphere.
  • Robert’s Coffee: USD $3.34 – Sometimes whenyou’re traveling, you just need a cup of joe to keep you going.
  • Cafe Co: USD $3.70 – Or two.
  • Schweizerkonditoriet: USD $14.45 – I had the most delicious local dishof laxpuddingat this cute little cafe in Gamla Stan (Old Town). The meal was pricey,but I’m very glad I tried this as it was extremely tasty and I had neverheard of or tasted something like this before.
  • The Flying Dog: USD $32.19 – My entire hostel room of seven people went out together on my last night in Stockholm and got some drinks. This is the only hostel I’ve stayed at where my entire dorm room went out together.While the beers here were extremely pricey (at USD $10-11 per beer), it was worth it for me because of the unique experience and memories behind the beers.

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Copenhagen: $79.33 USD

A couple of my best tips for saving money on food and drinks in Copenhagen are to eat at your hostel, and eat in Christiania.Hostels typically have cheaper food than restaurants outside, as they cater to a budget crowd. Christiania, whichyou should read about here if you haven’t already, has categorically cheaper food than other parts of Copenhagen, and their food is locally sourced and organic, so you’re really gettingthe most bang for your buck. Here is a breakdown of my food and drink spending in Copenhagen:

  • Urban House: USD $18.13– This included one sandwich and two beers.
  • Vietnamese Restaurant: USD $19.28 – This was my splurge meal and NOT a smart spend. I was really craving Asian food and saw this Vietnamese restaurant down the street from my hostel, so I decided to give it a try. I ordered a bowl of noodle soup, which was delicious, but set me back much more than it should have. I could’ve easily gotten a sandwich at the hostel for USD $5.00.
  • Christiania Gyro: USD $5.00 – This is a rough estimate as I paid in cash and can’t recall the exact amount. I remember it being around $5.00 for a large gyro that was tasty and more than enough food for lunch. This was a good spend, and I would recommend eating more meals here if you’re on a budget.
  • Carlsberg Brewery: USD $12.32 – This included a tour of Carlsberg Brewery andtwo beers.
  • 7-eleven: USD $6.67 – Yes, there are 7-elevens everywhere! I bought a quick snack, which probably turned into an entire meal, at a 7-eleven in Copenhagen.
  • Astor Deep Pan Pizza/BOB (Biomio Organic Bistro): USD $19.38 – We went out for drinks on our last night in Copenhagen, and a whole night of drinks only set me back less than USD $20! No regrets on this one at all.
  • Train Station: USD $5.22 – I bought some snacks at the train station while I was waiting to leave Copenhagen. This probably ended up being an entire meal, so it was a good spend.

Admission Fees: $38.19 USD

Even though I only spent $38.19 on admissions to museums and other attractions, this is thearea where Icanprobably find the most items to eliminate if I were to do it all over again. There are a lot of free things to do in each of these cities, and unless you have a particular interest in a subject matter covered by a museum, there is no need to pay a fee to visit the museum just because it’s ranked in the top 10 things to do on TripAdvisor.

Helsinki: $11.05 USD

The only “attraction” that set me back in Helsinki was the free walking tour I took on my first day in Helsinki. I tipped my tour guide€10.00 (USD $11.05). Other than that, all of the attractions I walked into, including the churches we visited on the walking tour, were free.

Stockholm: $21.94 USD

I visited the Fotografiska (photography museum) and the famous Vasa Museum in Stockholm. Although the Vasa Museum is one of the most famous attractionsin Stockholm, I do not have a huge interest in ancient sunken ships and thus would not pay theUSD $11.56 I paid to visit this museum if I were to do it again.Ido not, however, regret spending the USD $10.38 admissions feeon Fotografiska, as I have a strong interest in photography and thoroughly enjoyed the museum. My biggest tip is to spend money on museums you think you’ll find interesting and not simply go off of what others are raving about.

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Copenhagen: $5.20 USD

The only “attractions” I paid for in Copenhagen were the Carlsberg Brewery and the Church of Our Savior tower. I already included the cost ofCarlsberg Brewery under food/drink since I received two free beers with my entrance to the brewery, so the only cost I’m including here is the cost of ascending the tower at Church of Our Savior. The entrance fee to the tower wasDKK35.00 (USD $5.20). Although this is not an expensive fee, I would have sought outmy panoramic views of the city from the tower at Christiansborg Palace for free had I known about it before I went to Church of Our Savior.

Gifts/Shopping/Miscellaneous: $166.44 USD

I don’t want to categorically say I never shop when I travel because there have been a few emergency situations when I’ve had to buy clothes and other items abroad, but I do not ever choose togo shopping on my travels just to see what I can buy. In terms of souvenirs, I typically only buy postcards for my family/friends and a refrigerator magnetfor myself. All of mysouvenirs together on this entire trip cost about USD $10.00. I also made a random book purchase in Stockholm for USD $11.44. It kept me entertained on my trip, but I could’ve done without it or planned ahead and brought a book from home.

My big miscellaneous spend on this trip was thetattoo, which cost USD $145.00. This is a bit more expensivethan what I would have paid in Chicago, where I live, but like I said above, when else am I going to get tatted in a hostel? Worth it.

Total: $883.39 USD

  1. How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (8)

    Natasha Welchon November 2, 2016 at 1:27 pm

    Wow I’m really impressed with how little you spent on the flights! Would it have been much more without using your air miles? I might have to get on that, I only fly short distances usually but quite often and have a long flight to India soon so worth doing I suppose. Also, I’m in LOVE with your tattoo, everything about it, the font and quote! I’ve always wanted something similar but I don’t know the specifics yet. Lovely to get a tattoo on your travels 🙂

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 3, 2016 at 10:43 am

      Hey Natasha, I’ve actually seen really cheap flights (~$400) from Chicago to cities in Scandinavia pretty often. I check theflightdeal.com almost daily just to see which flights are cheapest that day. I’m not sure how much it would cost to book direct through an airline, as I rarely ever do that anymore, with all these cheap flight sites floating around. Thanks for the compliment about my tattoo! I would definitely recommend getting a tattoo on your travels – it is very meaningful. 🙂

      Reply

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    Staceon November 2, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    This is such a great breakdown! Travel doesnt have to be eexpensive! So glad I found this, I feel like a few of these places will be on the list for my next trip!

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 3, 2016 at 10:45 am

      Thanks, Stace! Completely agree – I am all about spending less money on travels so I can travel to more places rather than overindulging on one trip. Hope you get to visit some of these cities soon. 🙂

      Reply

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    Noemi of Pinay Flying Highon November 2, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    I think that for something which is not very planned, you did a really good job in keeping the cost low. I always thought that Scandinavia is an expensive place to go to – not anymore. Thanks to this very detailed post. 🙂

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 3, 2016 at 10:48 am

      Thanks, Noemi! I’m so happy to hear that your perception of how expensive Scandinavia is changed after reading my post. With a bit more planning, you could make this trip happen with even less money than what I spent. Hope you get to visit these cities soon. 🙂

      Reply

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    Ivyon November 2, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    Wow this is such a comprehensive breakdown of your costs! I wish flights from Canada were cheaper. I always see ridiculously cheap promos from the States but rarely from here 🙁 How was the pho by the way? How does it compared to legit Vietnamese restaurants in North America?

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 3, 2016 at 10:50 am

      Hey Ivy, I didn’t realize flights from Canada were much more expensive and I’m sorry to hear that! Where in Canada do you live? Maybe you could fly out of a US airport near your city in Canada. The pho was not bad at all! It was different from what I’m used to here in the US, but I really just wanted a hot bowl of noodle soup that day because it was so chilly outside, and it hit the spot. 🙂

      Reply

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    Naomion November 2, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    I know Scandinavia is really expensive and that’s what’s keeping me from going but this doesn’t sound that bad. It is good to know the biggest chunk is not the actual travel from place to place! Good informative read.

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 3, 2016 at 10:52 am

      Exactly – this wasn’t bad at all, and with a bit more planning, you could make this trip happen with even less money. I am actually quite confident I could’ve made this trip happen for USD $500 had I actually planned and budgeted all my costs in advance. Hope you’ll choose to travel to Scandinavia soon. 🙂

      Reply

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    Lydia@LifeUntraveledon November 2, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    I can’t believe how cheap those flights were – wow! The bicycle rental was half the price of one of those flights….lol! It’s good know you can travel for cheap in Scandinavia – we always hear about how expensive it is.

    Reply

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    Nuriaon November 3, 2016 at 3:57 am

    Wow, such a helpful post for all of those who wants to visit Scandinavia but don’t do it because of prices! You did such a great job! 🙂

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 3, 2016 at 10:56 am

      Thanks so much, Nuria! I’ve heard too many times from people that they haven’t traveled to Scandinavia because it’s too expensive, so I thought I would just lay out my exact spending to show people exactly how much it costs to travel through Scandinavia. Thanks for reading. 🙂

      Reply

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    Gemmaon November 3, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    Thanks for sharing the details. I can’t believe how cheap everything was! I always thought Scandinavia was expensive, I guess I was wrong.

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 3, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      Gemma – overall it is more expensive than other parts of the world, but if you do your research and plan ahead of time, you can make your trip there a lot more affordable. Thanks for reading. 🙂

      Reply

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    Victoriaon November 3, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    Thanks so much for these money saving tips! International travel is becoming difficult from my home country with the bleak foreign exchange situation but it’s good to learn how to maximize what you have. Hopefully things will improve in time!

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 1:06 pm

      Hey Victoria, where’s your home country? Hope conditions improve soon and you can travel abroad more easily. Thanks for reading. 🙂

      Reply

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    Thelittlelai: Beyond limitson November 3, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    Stories like this are inspiring, not because you were able to fly to that place, but because you spend less than what most people expected. You’re proving that travelling does not have to be expensive. I haven’t found out about this place yet, and I’ll surely put this on my bucket list. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and it really amazed me cause you spend less on the airlines.

    LaiAriel

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 1:39 pm

      Thanks so much for reading, and glad I was able to inspire you to visit Scandinavia! Traveling really doesn’t to have to be expensive, not even to one of the most expensive areas of the world. I would definitely recommend signing up for an airlines reward credit card if you haven’t done so already – that’s how I was able to get such cheap flights! Hope you get to visit Scandinavia soon. 🙂

      Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks so much, Hanna! I just started doing this with my travels, and it really helps me to do this so I can see exactly how much I’m spending on my travels! I’m constantly going back through my spending and reevaluating where I could’ve done a better job budgeting too. Glad to hear I’m not the only one who does this. 🙂

      Reply

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    Louielaon November 4, 2016 at 4:13 am

    Scandinavia is really expensive and it’s a reason I never plan to explore these places. However, with your budget and saving tips and you even mentioned that you can lower it to 500 USD if you were not on a rush, then it is possible that a budget dreamer like me can enjoy Scandinavia as well. Thanks.

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      It’s definitely possible, Louiela! My goal with this post was to show people how it’s possible to travel Scandinavia on a budget, so I’m glad to hear my goal was achieved. Hope you get to visit Scandinavia soon. 🙂

      Reply

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    Mischaon November 5, 2016 at 10:12 am

    Love Scandinavia, but it does cost a bit! Great job of finding cheap and awesome things to do! 😀

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Thanks, Mischa! It is expensive, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to get around it. Thanks for reading. 🙂

      Reply

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    Sindhu Murthyon November 5, 2016 at 11:25 am

    One more addition to my bucket list now- Scandinavia it is ! Very helpful details covered in terms of accommodation, transportation, and sightseeing including the budget for each. I m bookmarking this post for my trip to Scandinavia.

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 1:45 pm

      Thanks, Sindhu! Glad you found it helpful. I hope you get to visit there soon. 🙂

      Reply

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    Jackyon November 5, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    Hi there! Interesting post for me, living in Finland. I personally have never felt that travelling Scandinavia is extremely expensive. I think many Americans are jyst so used to eating out 2-3 times a day. And yes, eating out is expensive here. But as you pointed out, you can always buy food from the supermarket. Alternatively I’d suggest to buy a platter of food from the stalls in the market halls. That’s where the locals spend their lunch break 😉
    Oh, and avoid Scandinavia if you’re a heavy drinker. A glass of beer will set you back by 6€ easily 😉

    Jacky

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 2:20 pm

      Jacky, that’s a really good tip about buying a platter of food from the stalls in the market halls. I love to hear about the ways locals live. And yes, I learned the hard way that drinking in Scandinavia is very expensive. Guess we should send all recovering alcoholics to Scandinavia to help them kick their habit, huh? 😛 In all seriousness, Scandinavia is one of my favorite areas of the world, and I’m always looking for more tips and tricks for affordable travel there. Thanks for reading. 🙂

      Reply

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    Katieon November 5, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Thanks for sharing the cost of travelling Scandinavia! This is a really helpful blog for planning! Thanks!

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks for reading, Katie! Glad you found it to be helpful. 🙂

      Reply

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    Eva | Travel The Whole Wide Worldon November 5, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Really impressive! I have been putting off visiting Norway for a while now, because I’m really afraid of how expensive it will be. I wish there was a way for me to collect miles via credit card, somehow we don’t have that here (or I don’t know it yet).

    Reply

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      Diana Chenon November 5, 2016 at 3:39 pm

      Hey Eva, Norway is definitely on the pricey end, but it’s possible to travel there on a budget as well. We’ll be coming out with a post on traveling the fjords of western Norway in the upcoming weeks and will have budget tips there. Sorry to hear about the lack of travel credit cards in your country – just curious, which country do you live in?

      Reply

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    Nancyon November 5, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    Can’t tell you how informative your post is and how surprised I was to see how cheap you were able to do Scandinavia. Impressive to say the least! Love your tattoo and the saying behind it. Don’t know if I would be brave enough to get one while traveling but wow, what a souvenir you got and you get to look at it every single day! Nice!

    Reply

    • How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (42)

      Diana Chenon November 7, 2016 at 2:59 pm

      Nancy, thanks so much for reading, and glad to hear you found it to be informative! The tattoo was definitely a spur of the moment decision, but it is the best souvenir I’ve gotten and I love it! Happy travels 🙂

      Reply

  18. How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (43)

    Jingon November 5, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    Thanks for giving us idea on a budget travel cost for Scandinavia. Coming from the Philippines, the bulk of the budget would undeniably be for airfares.

    Reply

    • How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (44)

      Diana Chenon November 7, 2016 at 3:00 pm

      Hi Jing, thanks so much for reading. I’m unfamiliar with airfare from the Philippines to Scandinavia, but I can imagine it might be pricey. It might be worthwhile to combine a trip to Scandinavia with a longer trip to other parts of Europe. I hope you have a chance to visit soon. 🙂

      Reply

  19. How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (45)

    Angelaon November 6, 2016 at 9:03 am

    Wow! I can’t believe your flight costs, but I guess points do help. Your total transportation cost were way lower with flying to all the destinations. Good planning and thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (46)

      Diana Chenon November 7, 2016 at 3:01 pm

      Yes, the miles were a godsend when planning this trip (and other trips). I’ve heard some people tell me they paid more than the cost of my total trip just for their airfare! Thanks for reading, and hope you get to visit soon, Angela. 🙂

      Reply

  20. How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (47)

    Emilyon November 6, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    I’m amazed that you packed all that in into 6 days and spent so little! This is a really helpful post as it shows that you don’t have to spend thousands to travel. Also love your tattoo – what a great souvenir!

    Reply

    • How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (48)

      Diana Chenon November 7, 2016 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Emily, thanks so much for reading, and I’m glad to hear you found it to be helpful. You definitely don’t have to spend thousands to travel, and I hope more people will realize how affordable travel can be! My tattoo was a spur of the moment decision, but it’s the best souvenir I’ve gotten (also the priciest) and I love it. 🙂

      Reply

  21. How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (49)

    Jimmy and Tinaon November 7, 2016 at 5:43 am

    Now that is what I call a budget trip, I like how you broke down the pricing and great tips on how to travel. It’s pretty amazing to pack so much into a short trip. I often have tried and failed when I try to pack to much in a day 🙂 Nicely done and great photos as well!

    Reply

  22. How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (50)

    Elisaon November 7, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    I always calculate a budget before doing a trip so this kind of posts are very useful to me. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

  23. How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (51)

    Kristineon January 7, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I love comprehensive posts like this! Thanks for it! Planning to go Scandi this year but the lodgings in Stockholm is enough to kill (S$300/night). After this post, I might give hostels a try! (need to have courage first)

    Reply

    • How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (52)

      Diana Chenon January 8, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Hey Kristine, you should definitely check out City Backpackers Hostel in Stockholm! It’s only like a 5 min walk from the main train station, and it was honestly nicer than many hotels I’ve stayed at in Europe. The facilities were so clean (they don’t allow you to wear shoes downstairs so you don’t track in dirt), and the guests were very friendly and polite when I was there. Best part is it was only $30/night! I would highly recommend it for your first hostel experience as it was one of the nicest hostels I’ve ever stayed at. 🙂

      Reply

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How I Traveled Scandinavia For Six Days With Less Than $1000 - MVMT Blog (2024)

FAQs

How many days are enough for Scandinavia? ›

1 week in Scandinavia is barely enough to scrape the surface of this vast and beautiful region of Europe. If you only have seven days in Scandinavia you can still get a good idea of everything that it has to offer. Any additional time could easily be spent further north, or across the border in Finland.

Is it cheap to travel to Scandinavia? ›

Traveling around Scandinavia for a month can be costly due to the region's high cost of living. Here's a general budget breakdown: Accommodation: $40-300+ per night. Transportation: $100-300 for multi-country pass, $3-5 for local rides, $50-100 per day for car rental.

How long do you need to travel Scandinavia? ›

It's a great introduction to some of the most important points you need to consider while planning your trip. Broadly speaking, we believe that Scandinavian adventures can range from a minimum of 13 days to a realistic maximum of 22 days.

What is the best way to travel within Scandinavia? ›

One of the best ways to travel around the cities is public transport, which is very convenient and pretty reliable, like in all Northern Europe. Scandinavian public transport is not only buses or trains; there are boats, car ferries, passenger express ferries, and the hub and a coach.

What is the best month to visit Scandinavia? ›

Summer (June – August)

No surprise here: June, July and August are the most popular months for travellers coming to Scandinavia. There are loads of reasons why people choose this time, not least of all being the temperate, sunny weather and the wonderful 'summer house' coastal culture found throughout the region.

How much money do I need for 5 days in Sweden? ›

For budget travelers, it's reasonable to expect to spend around $80 to $100 per day in Sweden, including accommodation, transportation, meals, and some activities. On the other hand, mid-range travelers can expect to spend approximately $150 to $200 per day.

Which is the cheapest Scandinavian country to visit? ›

See Denmark by cycle. Out of all of Scandinavia, Denmark is the cheapest to visit – especially if you visit early February which is usually always the most cost-effective time to fly and stay. Fortunately there is plenty to do which is free or only a small fee.

What is the cheapest Scandinavian city to fly into? ›

The cheapest city to fly into is Stockholm, and the cheapest airport serving this city at the moment is Stockholm Arlanda.

How to travel Scandinavia on a budget? ›

Budget Travel Tips: How to Save Money in Scandinavia
  1. 01 of 10. Compare Before You Book. ...
  2. 02 of 10. Pick a Few Free Activities. ...
  3. 03 of 10. Consider City Cards. ...
  4. 04 of 10. Keep Your Travel Date Flexible. ...
  5. 05 of 10. Consider Low-Cost Dining and Great Budget Hotels. ...
  6. 06 of 10. Don't Pay Unnecessary Fees. ...
  7. 07 of 10. ...
  8. 08 of 10.
Oct 21, 2019

What is the easiest way to get around Scandinavia? ›

Getting around Scandinavia

Thanks to an extensive network of train, ferry, and bus services, travelling between Scandinavian countries is both easy and convenient. Express trains are available between popular destinations (like Copenhagen and Stockholm, for example) and overnight trains are ideal for longer journeys.

What order should I go to Scandinavia? ›

Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographical proximity into account, here are my recommended priorities:
  • 4 days: Copenhagen, Stockholm (connected by a 5.5-hour express train)
  • 6 days, add: Oslo.
  • 8 days, add: Norway in a Nutshell fjord trip, Bergen.
  • 10 days, add: Overnight cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki.

How much does it cost to go to Sweden for a week? ›

The cost of traveling to Sweden depends on a number of factors, including the time of year you travel, the length of your stay, and your budget. However, in general, you can expect to spend around \$1,500 per week for a budget trip to Sweden. This includes the cost of flights, accommodation, food, and transportation.

Which Scandinavian country is best for Americans? ›

Finland – A Haven for Education and Quality of Life

Moving to Finland from the USA means you'll live in one of the best European countries. Finland, celebrated as a haven for education and an epitome of quality living, beckons those seeking a transformative experience.

Which Nordic country should I visit first? ›

Norway might be the better choice if you're looking for epic landscapes and outdoor activities. But if you want a mix of city life and outdoor adventures, Sweden could be the way to go. Keen for a Scandinavian adventure? Check out Intrepid's range of trips in Sweden and Norway.

What is the most visited Scandinavian city? ›

1. Stockholm. The capital of Sweden, Stockholm is one of the most photogenic cities in the world, spread out over 14 different islands. With plenty of lush green spaces, historic islands and an ancient harbour, you are bound to find something that catches your interest.

How many days to visit Copenhagen and Stockholm? ›

Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographical proximity into account, here are my recommended priorities: 4 days: Copenhagen, Stockholm (connected by a 5.5-hour express train) 6 days, add: Oslo.

How many days are required in Norway? ›

How many days are enough to travel in Norway? We recommend planning a trip of around 3-5 days for you to be able to explore Norway's natural beauty and magic such as the Northern Lights, fjords, and snow activities.

Is 10 days enough for Scandinavia? ›

While 10 days is not enough to see everything, especially in three countries as diverse as Sweden, Norway and Denmark, it is definitely enough to get a taste of the north.

How many days do you need for Sweden? ›

With our help, you'll be able to make the most of your time in Sweden and create a trip you'll never forget. 10 days is plenty of time to explore and see the best of what this beautiful country has to offer.

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