How to Find Cheap Hotels in Bergen, Norway

Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway and one of the most popular ports of call for cruise ships. Whether you travel via sea or air, this enjoyable town has many attractions to keep you entertained.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Choose Lodgings in Bergen, Norway

1. Visit the Web site for the Bergen Tourist Board (see the Resources section below) or call them at 011 ([phone] to book your lodgings. If you're calling from outside the United States, check the international prefix before dialing.
2. Live like a college kid at one of the spartan hotels. Still not cheap, these rates will run you about $100 a night.
3. Find accommodations for around $100 a night near Bryggen Wharf, the Rosenkrantz Tower and Haakon's Hall. Several reasonable motels are within walking distance of all these sights.
4. Shack up at a mom-and-pop joint for around $125 in the Bryggen Wharf area. The shopping center and fish market have several family-run properties nearby.
5. Treat yourself to one of the upscale, 19th-century hotels found on the waterfront of Bergen harbor. Close to the train station, these luxury accommodations will delight you at $150 a night.
6. Swap your home with a Bergen local. House-exchange services can find someone to trade accommodations with you.
7. Seek out cheap accommodations in one of the many hostels. If you are a member of any of the hostels, you can get a better rate. However, most hostels range from $20 to $100 a night.

Organize Transportation to and Around Bergen, Norway

8. Get a good rate flying into the local airport. Don't be confused by its name: Bergen Airport, Flesland.
9. Transport yourself to your accommodations via rental car, bus or your hotel shuttle. Save cash once you are in town and walk everywhere or take the bus.
10. Enjoy a ferry ride along the coast. There are several ferries available, especially in the fjord area.

Know Your Destination

11. Compare Bergen to Seattle and you are on the right track. With 88 inches of annual rainfall, Bergen still has one of the warmest climates in Norway, getting up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months.
12. Brush up on your Bokmal and Nynorsk. These are the two official languages of Norway, so speak the language or at least learn some handy phrases before you travel.
13. Enjoy the exchange rate. At the moment, the dollar is slightly higher than the Norway kroners (NOK), so you'll get more bang for your buck as you seek cheap accommodations.