Currency: Norwegian Krone
Meals

Budget: Nkr30-80
Mid-range: Nkr80-200
High: Nkr200-300
Deluxe: Nkr300+

Lodging

Budget: Nkr50-300
Mid-range: Nkr300-650
High: Nkr650-1000
Deluxe: Nkr1000+

Norway can be very expensive, but if you tighten your belt there are ways to take out some of the sting. If you use only camping grounds and prepare your own meals you might squeak by for US$21 a day. If you stay at hostels, breakfast at a bakery, lunch at an inexpensive restaurant and shop at a grocery store for dinner, you should be able to get by for US$34 a day. If you stay at ‘cheap’ hotels that include a buffet breakfast, have one meal at a moderately priced restaurant and snack for the other meal, expect to spend US$56 a day. This is still pretty bare-bones - entertainment, alcohol and transport costs are all extra.

Post offices and banks exchange major foreign currencies and accept all travellers’ cheques. Some banks charge a fee per cheque so you’ll save money bringing travellers’ cheques in higher denominations. ATMs are widespread and all major credit cards are widely accepted.

Service charges and tips are included in restaurant bills and taxi fares and no additional gratuity is expected, but there’s no problem if you wish to reward exceptional service with a top. There are no set rules to abide by, but most customers leave small change at bars and 5-10% at restaurants. Wait staff are often paid derisory wages on the assumption that tips will boost their salaries, so think twice about leaving a bare table at meal’s end. Taxi drivers also expect a small tip. Bargaining for services or goods is not a usual practice.