My guide to you, to a low budget time around Tromsø, and still catch the Nothern Lights. I will share my experience and knowledge of traveling on a budget as this is how I love to travel.
Tromsø, Paris of the North. Got its name back in the late 1800s, because the women would adabt the latest fashion trends from Paris, and it also reflects on the city’s sophisticated atmosphere, rich cultural life and cosmopolitan vibe, Today the nickname evokes its charm, but also its significance as an important cultural and trade hub in Northern Norway. And lots of beaytiful nature.
The citycentre contains the highest number of wooden houses in Northern Norway, the oldest dating from 1789. also historically if a house is red (ochre-based), being cheapest is for poor farmers and fishermen, Yellow houses (more ochre) for middle class and white (zink-based) being the most expensive for the wealthy. Today vibrant colours are used more for traditions and aesthetics. And now these colours are a cherised aspect of Norwegian architectual heritage.
The port to the arctic ocean, a mosaic port symbolizing the gateway to the arctic oceans. Unveiled in 2024 and is a great place for photo opportunity with views of the arctic cathedral. It has a meaningful local connections.
Sommarøy, A small Island in the Tromsø county, where they dont use the 24 hour clock, as we know it because in winter time they hardly have any sun and in summer time sun is barely away as Sommarøy is north from the arctic cicle line. Meaning in summer time the sun is continously above the horizon for 24 hours (also called “Midnight sun”) and in winther time it will be below the horizon, this also means that in winter time you have great chances of catching the northern lights and what an experience that is, so I packed my tent and hammock, though very happy I had my tent, as the island is light on trees and come winter time high on wind and the tent brings me closer to nature, to experience the wonders of the northern lights while on a budget.
Camping, So in Norway you can camp where ever, as long as you are 150M away from private grounds, and dont litter. So this means if you dont mind sleeping in nature or have a campervan it is a good way to keep your budget low. If how ever you have plenty of money I loves luxury such as showers, and toilets I dont know some people like that, there is a 4 star hotel that is pretty nice, but dont ask me about that, Im a nature lover and a low budget traveler i would much rather spent less on sleeping and more on experiences and such.
Hiking, to the top of Hillesøy (A mild 183m and 1,6km to the top). It was a great little hike and very interesting with the ice, and lets just say im happy there was a robe to clam to. Took me around 1h and 30m with stops to enjoy the view. A hike where I used my arms just as much especially down, as we rappelled down some of the big slippery rocks. Getting to the local restaurant after, I was feeling fine a little sore but not too bad.
Aurora Borealis, Photo dump of a few of the many pictures I took of the lights. It was truely a magical moment to witness, I felt so energized and elated, it was so amazing and way better than I ever imagine and to experience it on my first night getting here, I had litterally just put up my tent just a few hours before. The feeling of the right time and right place, luck and being blessed comes to mind. Tuesday I caught one more big beautyful show, in a starry night with no clouds so also very cold night i guess that is the price we pay to get the beautiful sky.
Boat Cruise, So I actually just found this boat to sleep on where price wasnt to much and breakfast was included turned out a boat cruise was also included + coffee and tea, so lucky accident. And a very nice trip arround tromsø area seen from the water side, with people who want you to have a great time in Tromsø and will help you to not spent too much on overprised tours and such, so this is a 10/10 recommend from me, Norwegian Fjord Explorar Line. And if you are only interested in the boat tour you dont have to stay overnight, they have 3 tours per day (the night one can be cancelled if weather is bad as this is a Nothern Lights tour). And for the people that like a little green project, they harvest seaweed that destroy Co2 and make healthy energy drinks from the remainings with natural vitamins protecting you immune defence, and the remainings of the remainings will be destilled into bio fuel to run the boat. And the energy drink taste good. Lastly the boat is the main scene for an international explorer TV series running in 20 countries, OPPDRAG NORD NORGE.
The budget: So I flew to Tromsø with SAS, with Points so I only paid the obligatory taxes, fees and other charges what ever that is in a corporate world, 266DKK, then 1h 45m busride from Tromsø. Just 30DKK one way. For my homebound ticket, I bought a planeticket for 770DKK, which is just wild that its that cheap to fly, I started looking at train tickets, but going that great a distance became easily 1000DKK and that was only to stockholm, then from stockholm an additional 500DKK, so planeticket it is, sorry earth im on a budget.
Public transportation, However driving around with buses in tromsø area is cheap and can easily be bought on the norwegian Svipper app, which can be used for all of Norway’s public buses, no need to signup just use it anomously. Also a quick note I went to tromsø citycentre to meet up with some acquintances, but the bus to Sommaroy comes by the airport so you dont have to come into Tromsø city centre. And all tickets in Tromsø area cost 30DKK and is valid for around 1h 30minutes.
Pocket money, Norway is not cheap. Just to give you the gist of what it could cost, I paid for a moose burger and a can of beer, 204,42DKK at the local restaurant. However the supermarket is just up the road from the restaurant, where you can get everything, for a fraction of the price, I brought for at least 2 maybe 3 days worth of food (I dont eat that much generally) for 186,21DKK. So it is much better to go to a supermarket and buy the meat there and then cook it yourself at home, the whale meat, moose meat or reindeer meet is especially something to try here and can become a delicious meal. Fried on a pan and cooked potatos on the side with some sauce and then you have youself a nice norwegian meal without breaking the bank.
saturday means night out, Lets check out the Tromsø Night life, a lot of live music going on. its like anyother city night life, they have nightclubs, pubs and bars and it is expensive so the young people start at home drinking before going out around 23-24.
Hostel, I have one night in a boat, Norwegian Fjord Explorer Line, with breakfast and a sailing trip around Tromsø, 481,46DKK and a night at Tromsø activities hostel, which is 316,82DKK for a night. Which is cheap for a hostel/hotel room here, but not uncommon. normal prices are between 300-600DKK per night.
So in conclusion, Norway is very expensive and therefore very difficult to keep the budget low, not a lot of couchsurfers here either so make sure to have you stay planned as these will be the most expensive ones if you are looking to be in town and not out camping in the woods. But it is so worth it to catch the northern Lights, but dont need more that a week here to see it all.