Tips from the Lofoten Nomads team
- Cook as much as possible yourself: Norway is expensive, and the Lofoten Islands are even more so. It's a remote tourist region. By preparing your meals in your van, you can stretch your food budget significantly.
- Wild camping is legal in Norway. With a view of a fjord or a white sandy beach, you save a ton of money while experiencing something unforgettable.
- Fill up before you arrive: Gas stations are scarce on the Lofoten Islands, and prices are higher there. Refuel in Narvik before you hit the E10.
- Travel in May-July: Less crowds, lower prices, and the midnight sun starts to appear. The archipelago is stunning before the tourist rush in July.
- Book your campsites in advance: The best spots get booked up quickly in July. With Lofoten Nomads, this is already taken care of for you.
The Lofoten, part of Norway
Many travelers describe the Lofoten Islands as one of the most beautiful places they’ve ever seen. Mountains plunge straight into the Norwegian Sea, fishing villages in red and ochre line the waterfront, and white-sand beaches stretch beneath a sky that never gets dark in summer. All of this lies above the Arctic Circle.
But Lofoten is still Norway, with all the prices that come with it. 🙂 So, how much does it really cost? Here’s a clear breakdown of the budget for a 7-day road trip through the archipelago, divided by category, with specific price estimates and our best tips for making the most of your trip without blowing your budget.
The prices are high. But there's good news too!
Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Wages are high (a waiter earns around €3,500 a month), as are taxes (25% VAT), and the Lofoten Islands are a remote tourist destination where everything has to be transported in. 👉 The result: prices in restaurants and supermarkets in Reine or Henningsvær are even higher than on the mainland.
The good news is that the most spectacular landscapes are completely free. The beaches of Uttakleiv and Haukland, the view from Reinebringen, the fishing villages, the midnight sun turning everything golden at 11 p.m.... none of it costs a thing. And thanks to the right to roam (allemannsretten), you can camp in the wild for free.
That’s why a campervan road trip is the ideal way to explore the Lofoten Islands: you’ll save a huge amount on accommodation while sleeping right in the middle of some of the Arctic’s most beautiful landscapes.
Transport budget: car and fuel
Renting a car or campervan
For a road trip to the Lofoten Islands, you have three options:
- 💸 Compact campervan (2 people): from €920 per person with Lofoten Nomads, all-inclusive. Bed, kitchen, equipment… Everything is provided. Easy to drive and park in small villages.
- 💸💸 Comfort campervan (2–3 people): from €1,060 per person. More spacious, with stationary heating, a seating area and a large cool box. Ideal for chilly Arctic nights.
- 💸💸💸 Regular car + accommodation: €400–600 for the rental, plus €900–1,600 for rorbuer (fishermen’s cabins) and campsites. Ultimately, it costs considerably more and gives you much less flexibility.
Insurance
Collision damage insurance is available as an optional extra. On the Lofoten Islands’ narrow roads, often running alongside rocks or the ocean, it’s highly recommended for a worry-free drive.
Fuel
Petrol costs around 19–22 NOK per litre (€1.65–1.90). A 7-day road trip from Narvik to the Lofoten Islands via the E10 covers around 900–1,100 km. With Lofoten Nomads, your mileage is unlimited.
The vans use around 8–11 L/100 km. For two people, budget €130–195 (1,500–2,200 NOK) for fuel.
💡 Budget tip: Fill up in Narvik before driving onto the archipelago. The remote petrol stations on the Lofoten Islands charge higher prices. The Drivstoffappen app compares prices at different petrol stations.
➡️ Fuel budget: €130–195
Budget for accommodation: (wild) camping
Official campsites
The 7 nights at campsites are booked in advance and included in the price of Lofoten Nomads. Every campsite has toilets and hot showers. If you’re organising your road trip independently, budget €25–45 per pitch for two people with a vehicle, or €175–315 for the week.
Wild camping
Thanks to the right of access to nature, you can camp in the wild for free, as long as you follow a few simple rules: stay no more than two nights in the same spot, keep at least 150 m from buildings, and stay off agricultural land.
In the Lofoten Islands, that means waking up to views of the Norwegian Sea, surrounded by mountains beneath a sky that barely gets dark in June. Hard to beat.
➡️ Accommodation budget: included with Lofoten Nomads, or €175–315 if you’re travelling independently.
Budget for food & drinks
Eating at restaurants in the Lofoten
The Lofoten are a high-end tourist destination, and you can see that reflected in the prices:
- Sandwich at a café: €12–18 (140–210 NOK)
- Meal at a restaurant: €25–45 (290–525 NOK)
- Salmon or cod at a restaurant: €35–55
- Beer: €10–14 (115–160 NOK)
Eating out twice a day for 7 days can quickly add up to €600–800 per person. But you can cut that cost significantly. 👇
Grocery shopping
The key to keeping your budget under control. Options around the archipelago:
- Coop and Rema 1000 in Leknes and Svolvær: the two larger towns have good supermarkets, so do your main shop here
- Spar: found in smaller villages, but slightly more expensive
- Avoid tourist shops in Reine or Henningsvær: prices are considerably higher here
Grocery budget for 2 people, 7 days:
- Breakfast (bread, brown cheese, coffee, fruit): €8–12/day (90–140 NOK)
- Lunch (sandwiches, canned food, snacks): €10–15/day (115–175 NOK)
- Dinner (pasta, rice, vegetables, fresh salmon/fish): €18–25/day (210–290 NOK)
Total: €250–370 for two people, or €125–185 per person.
Our tips:
- Stock up properly when you arrive in Svolvær or Leknes. Fresh salmon and cod are delicious and reasonably priced at the supermarket.
- Bring a refillable bottle: mountain water is safe to drink, free and delicious.
- Your Lofoten Nomads campervan is fully equipped for comfortable cooking, even in the rain: camping stove, pots, cutlery, barbecue... everything you need is there.
A smart compromise: cook your own breakfast and dinner, and bring a sandwich for lunch. Treat yourself to one fish dinner at a local fishing restaurant, one of the archipelago's culinary highlights.
➡️ Total food and drink budget: €250–700, depending on your choices.
Budget for activities: free versus paid
Free activities (and they're spectacular)
The Lofoten Islands are generous to nature lovers:
- Reinebringen: the Lofoten Islands' iconic hike. Stone steps, 360° views of fjords and mountains from 448 m up. Free.
- Beaches: Uttakleiv, Haukland, Ramberg, Kvalvika, white sand, turquoise water and mountains in the background. Free.
- Fishing villages: Reine, Henningsvær, Å, postcard-perfect villages to explore on foot.
- Midnight sun: from mid-May to mid-July, the sun never sets. Enjoy the golden light at 11 p.m. from a deserted beach, it costs nothing and you'll never forget it.
- Vesterålen: the wild dunes of Andenes, untouched coastlines, easily accessible by van.
Paid activities
Want to experience even more? Here are some bucket-list activities on the Lofoten Nomads itinerary:
- RIB whale safari in Andenes: from €145 per person, a high-speed boat ride across Arctic waters, with sperm whales, orcas and porpoises. One of the best places in the world for whale watching. Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours.
- Puffin spotting in Bleik: from €79 per person, a boat trip to see thousands of these “clowns of the ocean” nesting on the cliffs. Duration: 1.5–2 hours.
- Kayaking between the fjords in Eggum: from €85 per person, paddle at the foot of the vertical Lofoten Wall and enjoy mountain views from the sea. Duration: approx. 3 hours.
➡️ Activity budget: €0–300, depending on your interests.
Budget for extras
Ferries
To reach the Lofoten Islands from the mainland, the Bodø–Moskenes ferry is an option if you’re organising your road trip independently (around €50–70 for a vehicle and 2 passengers). With Lofoten Nomads, you depart from Narvik/Evenes and follow the E10 by road, so there’s no need to take a ferry.
Parking
Most natural attractions have paid parking areas, costing €5–15 per day. Reinebringen, Uttakleiv, viewpoints… Parking budget: €30–60 for the week.
Flights
Lofoten Nomads offers flights from Brussels to Harstad/Evenes from €340 per person (without checked baggage). From Paris or other cities, expect to pay €150–400 depending on the season. Book early, as flights to Northern Norway fill up quickly in summer.
Contingency budget
Set aside €100–200 for unexpected costs: an extra tank of fuel, a restaurant you really want to try, a souvenir made from Lofoten wool…
➡️ Extra budget: €150–350.
Total budget according to 3 scenarios
Scenario 1: Keep your budget in check without compromising on the experience:
- Lofoten Nomads Easy van (campgrounds included): €1.840
- Fuel: €140
- Food (groceries + 1 restaurant meal): €280
- Activities (puffin spotting): €158
- Extras (parking, buffer): €130
➡️ Total for 2 people: €2.548, or €1.274 per person.
Scenario 2: The ideal balance between comfort and budget:
- Lofoten Nomads Comfort van (campgrounds included): €2.120
- Fuel: €165
- Food (groceries + 2–3 restaurant meals): €400
- Activities (puffin spotting + kayaking): €328
- Extras: €200
➡️ Total for 2 people: €3.213, or €1.607 per person.
Scenario 3: You don't want to cut back on anything:
- Lofoten Nomads Comfort van (campgrounds included): €2.120
- Fuel: €195
- Food (groceries + regular restaurant meals): €700
- Activities (whale watching + puffin spotting + kayaking): €618
- Extras: €300
➡️ Total for 2 people: €3.933, or €1.967 per person.
Our best tips to save money
About transportation:
The roads in the Lofoten are narrow and winding. Drive slowly to see more and save on fuel. With Lofoten Nomads, there are no limits on mileage, so no stress.
About accommodation:
Legal wild camping in the Lofoten is a rare opportunity. One night with a view of the Atlantic Ocean and mountains in the background is hardly found anywhere else.
About food:
Do your big grocery shopping right when you arrive in Svolvær or Leknes. Prices in the small tourist villages can skyrocket. Your campervan is fully equipped to cook anywhere. Make use of it.
About activities:
The best experiences in the Lofoten are free: Reinebringen, the beaches, the midnight sun… Save your budget for 1-2 truly unforgettable activities.
The right time:
May–June is our favorite time in the Lofoten. Campsites are quiet, the roads are clear, and the midnight sun starts to appear. Plus, prices are friendlier than in July.
An all-inclusive package, how much does that really cost?
With Lofoten Nomads, you opt for a fully organized package starting from €920 per person for the Easy option, or €1,060 per person for the Comfort option.
Included:
- Fully equipped campervan (bed, kitchen, barbecue, outdoor table and chairs, portable toilet)
- Comfort option: extra heating, seating area, and large cooler
- 7 nights at campgrounds with shower and toilet, pre-booked
- Detailed itinerary with complete travel schedule and tips
- Mobile app with interactive map
- Unlimited mileage
- Assistance before and during the trip
What you still need to arrange:
- Flights to Harstad/Evenes (from €340 from Brussels via Lofoten Nomads, €150–400 depending on departure city)
- Fuel (€130–195)
- Food (€125–185 per person if you cook for yourself)
- Optional activities
- Extras (parking, souvenirs)
The advantage: your campgrounds are already reserved, your van is ready at the airport, and you have the itinerary right upon arrival. Pick up the keys, and your adventure begins immediately!
Are the Lofoten really that expensive?
More expensive than mainland Norway, yes. It’s a remote tourist destination. But with the right setup, a campervan, supermarket groceries and wild camping… you can explore the archipelago for €1,250–1,600 per person per week, including flights.
That’s a reasonable budget for some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. The Lofoten Islands are unlike anywhere else: mountains plunging into the sea, Arctic beaches and the light of the midnight sun. In our opinion, the experience is worth every euro.
👉 Convinced? Book your trip to the Lofoten Islands with the travel experts at Lofoten Nomads. We’ll take care of everything for you.
