What makes Norway one of the best solo travel destinations in the world?

When it comes to solo travel in Norway, it might not be at the top of most travelers’ bucket list but it’s actually one of the best destinations for solo travelers in the world. It’s actually one of the safest countries in the world, most people speak English, there are a lot of tours and activities that cater to solo travelers, and best of all, no one will give you a weird look if you’re walking, eating, or even drinking alone. In this article, we’ll share a lot of practical information for solo travelers in Norway, including accommodation, activities, and everything else you need to know before visiting Norway. Let’s start!

What’s the best time to visit Norway?

It really depends on what you want to see. If you like winter activities and want to witness the spectacular Aurora Borealis, it would be a good idea to visit between October and March. If you don’t like cold weather, on the other hand, you can still see some spectacular landscapes during spring and summer (March-September). During June and July, you can even see the midnight sun in some parts of Norway.

Getting around in Norway

The easiest way to get to Norway is via a flight. Norway has 98 airports, 45 of which operate public flights. The main airport in the country is the Oslo International Airport, but you can also find a lot of cheap flights to Bergen, Tromso, Trondheim, and Stavanger. All of these airports (and many others) are connected to the city via public transport. This means that you can skip the expensive taxi ride in most airports around the country.

Another way to enter Norway is by bus or train. You can get to Oslo or Trondheim from Stockholm and Gothenburg (Sweden) by taking a bus or hopping on one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe. You can also travel from Finland to Tromso via bus, come from Russia with a bus or train via the Storskog border crossing, and you can take a ferry from Larvik (Denmark) to Hirtshals.

How much time would I need to explore the whole country?

Even though it might not seem like it by looking at the map, Norway is a vast country and it will take at least two weeks to cover most of the country but only if you’re planning to spend a day or two per city and see only the major cities. If you want to travel slow and explore the country’s most remote regions, it will take a lot more time.

No matter what you decide, it won’t be difficult to arrange it. After all, what makes solo travel in Norway so great is…

The simple travel arrangements

If you’re thinking about solo travel in Norway, you’ll be happy to hear that getting around is very easy because even the country’s most remote regions are connected to the rest of the country via road, rail, and ferries. If you aim to be an eco-friendly traveler, the most sustainable line is the Hurtigruten coastal line that can take you from Bergen to the northernmost part of Norway, Kirkenes.

Alternatively, you can also rent a car and even though this is a more expensive option, it gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and you can get some amazing deals on websites like Auto Europe. It allows you to compare prices from all car rental companies and always choose the best offer available.

Finally, you can also get around Norway with domestic flights. You can get some cheap flights with Scandinavian Airlines or Norwegian Airlines.

What about accommodation?

You can find a wide variety of accommodation options for people thinking of solo travel Norway. However, as you probably might know, Norway is very expensive. One great way to save on accommodation is to go camping. Even if you don’t have a tent, you can find a lot of stores that rent camping equipment. If you’re planning to explore the most remote parts of the country, you can also check out the Norwegian Trekking Association to find cabins along the way. Finally, you can also use this Booking.com discount voucher to get up to 15% off on all properties in Norway.

Another thing that makes solo travel in Norway very convenient is the fact that there are many…

Group and solo outdoor activities

In Norway, you’ll find a lot of tours that pair up single travelers. Not only can this help you decrease the costs of renting a kayak, tent, etc. but it’s also a great way to make new friends. If you’re looking for day trips or 2-day trips, you can use this special offer to save on all Get Your Guide Tours. If you want to explore the best of Norway’s remote nature, consider some of these G Adventure tours. At a glance, they might seem expensive but even it’s a price that’s difficult to beat even if you organize everything on your own.

However, if you don’t like to join any group tours, you can always…

Enjoy the solitude

If you want to isolate yourself from the rest of the world, there aren’t a lot of better places than Norway. It’s a vast, sparsely populated country with charming countryside where you can experience inner calmness and solitude. If you’re looking for a peaceful vacation with minimal human contact, Norway is just perfect. Whether you want to explore the country’s rolling countryside, breath-taking remote fjords, or conquer snowy mountains, you’ll be in for an adventure of a lifetime.

Another great aspect of solo travel in Norway is…

You don’t have to feel weird about eating alone

If you traveled solo before, you know how awkward eating alone might feel. However, in Norway, this is something you don’t have to worry about. Norway is a country with a strong individualist culture and a lot of locals also enjoy their meals alone. The “table for one concept” is a very Norwegian thing and if you like eating alone, Norway will make you feel like home!

And speaking of things that normal in Norway but not recommendable in a lot of other places…

It’s okay to hitchhike

As surprising as it might sound, hitchhiking around Norway is absolutely safe. The main reason for this is that public transport in the countryside is limited and unreliable (mostly due to weather conditions), and at times, it’s even difficult to find a cab if you’re in a remote area. That’s why a lot of locals tag along or even hitchhike when public transportation isn’t an option. By now, you probably understand that…

Norway is one of the safest countries on Earth

You know that traveling always involves the element of risk. In Norway, however, the element of risk is as low as it can be. Norway has extremely low crime rates and it always tops lists of the safest countries for solo travelers. In fact, statistically, the biggest risk to visitors is the environmental conditions and not man-made factors. So, if you’re thinking about solo travel in Norway but you never traveled alone before, this is the perfect choice for first-time solo travelers.

In addition to this…

Norwegians are very chilled

Norway is one of the happiest countries in the world and it’s no wonder that Norwegians are very laid-back people. They have this downright baffling ability to brush anything off and remain cool at all times regardless of what life throws at them. As far as hanging out with strangers goes, Norwegians are more reserved compared to other Europeans and they don’t really like small talk.

However, if you find a way to break the ice, you can easily make some new friends because as individualistic as Norwegians are, they still have a strong sense of community.

If you read this far, you might start thinking that I won’t mention it but we can’t speak of solo travel in Norway without talking about…

The scenery

We’ve all seen some amazing pictures of Norway on the internet. Most people think that these pictures are too beautiful to be real but they’re not. Despite being ridiculously photogenic, Norway’s natural landscapes are just as breath-taking when seen on the spot as they look in the pictures.

From charming small villages in the middle of nowhere to the spectacular emerald-green fjords and the always sought-after Northern Lights, Norway offers some of Europe’s most spectacular sights. As a country of extremes, you’ll have no shortage of options if you’re like us and like getting off the beaten track.

Related: guide to solo travel in India.

Useful money-saving tips for people who plan to travel solo in Norway

Buy food from the supermarket. Finding cheap food in Norway can be difficult. The restaurants in Norway are some of the most expensive ones in Europe and buying food from supermarkets can make your money last longer.

Drink tap water. Tap water is completely safe to drink in Norway.

Have warm clothes, even in the summer. Norway’s summers are often unpredictable and you should always be ready for a cold wave, even in June and July.

Book your tickets online. Most of the time, this is cheaper than buying at the station. This applies to local buses as well as buses that run to/from the airport.

Avoid exchanging money in Norway. Mostly because you can pay for pretty much anything with your card. Also, exchanging money can be very expensive and will include a fat commission which more often than not will be more expensive than the fees for withdrawing money from the ATM.

Get travel insurance

Norway might be one of the world’s safest countries but that doesn’t mean you don’t need travel insurance. First of all, if you need a visa, travel insurance is mandatory. Second of all, if you like exploring off the beaten track, it’s probably a good idea to have travel insurance because you might come across weather conditions that can make your journey more difficult. My personal choice is always SafetyWing. They might be more expensive than most average travel insurance providers but they will have your back no matter what happens, unlike some other travel insurance providers that offer cheap packages but don’t provide coverage for a lot of emergencies.

Helpful resources for solo travel in Norway

Looking for cheap flights to Norway? In addition to the local airlines, you can also get some amazing deals using this special offer by Qatar Airways.

For the best prices on car rentals, check out Auto Europe and save up to 30% by using this discount coupon.

Get up to 15% on all Booking.com properties in normal with this deal.

For the best solo travel tours in Norway, check out Get Your Guide for shorter trips and G Adventure for longer trips.

Did you ever think of solo travel in Norway? Was this guide helpful? Do you think we didn’t mention something important? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

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