How to Plan a Trip to Norway in Winter (Step-by-Step Guide)

Winter in Norway is unlike anywhere else in Europe, with short daylight hours (or even none at all during polar night), freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and unpredictable weather.

And trying to plan a trip to Norway in winter around all of that can feel overwhelming!

I still remember drowning in budgets, endless “things to do” lists and logistics before my own first solo trip to Norway in winter – wondering what on earth I was getting myself into!

But once I learned how to plan with winter elements in mind, everything felt a lot simpler.

So my aim with this guide is to share the exact steps I used when organising and planning my own winter adventure to Norway as a solo female traveller – from choosing the right month, to booking trains and tours, and the winter logistics that make a huge difference!

Ready to plan your dream winter trip to Norway?

Disclaimer: Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. That means if you click on one and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, places and services I genuinely love and use on my own solo travels. Thank you for supporting my adventures so I can continue to provide free content on this blog! 💛

How to Plan a Trip to Norway in Winter

Table of Contents

1. Start With Your Norway Winter Travel Goals

Before you book anything, really think about what kind of winter trip to Norway you want.

Your travel goals will influence everything from where you go to how long you stay, and they’re so important to plan a trip to Norway in winter without feeling overwhelmed by all the beautiful places and “must-sees!”

Here are some examples of Norway travel goals I’ve personally had in the past:

Chasing the Northern Lights in the Arctic
Sailing through Norway’s most beautiful fjords
Enjoying culture and history on a Norway city break
Photographing Norway’s spectacular coastline
Seeing some of the Arctic’s most iconic wildlife

Achieving my photography dreams, as part of my plan a trip to Norway in winter goals, in the spectacular Raftsund! — Achieving my photography dreams in the spectacular Raftsund!

Don’t get me wrong, none of these goals are better than the other (and you can have more than one for the same trip), but they do create completely different itineraries.

As an example:

If your goal is to see the aurora, you’ll need to head north of the Arctic Circle.
If you want fjords, you’ll want to plan a trip to Bergen, Flåm, or Ålesund.
If you want culture, museums, and great food, Oslo is an unbeatable city break.

I know it’s tempting to do everything (same!), but having goals will help you avoid the overwhelm of trying to travel to every corner of this beautiful country in one short trip!

Katie’s Top Tip: Try to limit yourself to a maximum of three goals for your trip to Norway in winter. For example: #1 chase the aurora, #2 go husky sledding, #3 enjoy a city break in Tromsø.

2. Choose the Right Time to Visit Norway

Timing matters when you’re planning a trip to Norway in winter, because the definition of winter changes a lot through the months.

Daylight, snow quality, prices, and whether you’ll even see daylight depend entirely on the month and where you’re going.

So here is a breakdown of Norway in winter, month by month:

Norway in December

December feels like stepping into a Norwegian Christmas card!

Cities are decorated for the holidays, there are Christmas markets in every city, and there’s usually reliable snow (especially in the north).

The downside is that there are very limited daylight hours for exploring. And even “polar night” all month above the Arctic Circle – with no daylight at all.

If your priority is Northern Lights and Christmas markets, it’s a great month, but know that sightseeing in daylight will be shorter (or even non-existent in the north).

Norway in January

January is Norway at its most wintery, with the coldest temperatures, the most amount of snow and the least predictable weather.

But the Arctic is still in polar night (until at least mid-January), so that means no sunrise at all. And you should be flexible and prepared for more storms and cancellations.

This is a good month for Northern Lights because the long nights offer more chances.

Norway in February

In February, the sun starts to return up north, so you get a good balance of daylight for sightseeing and long nights for aurora chasing.

Snow conditions are also reliable almost everywhere.

And this is also a great month for travelling to Norway for beginners because it’s cold but not as intense as January!

Norway in March

March is my favourite month for planning a trip to Norway in winter, as it gives you the best of both worlds – enough daylight for sightseeing and dark skies for the Northern Lights!

The days are longer (even in the north), the weather is more stable, you get a beautiful winter light for photography, and you can still see the Northern Lights.

This is when I did my own three-week trip to Norway, and I would recommend it to anyone!

Katie’s Top Tip: Norway is huge, so winter looks completely different depending on the region. For example, Tromsø in January is nothing like Bergen in January. So once you pick your month, you’ll match it with your destinations next…

Tromsø in March, from the Fjellheisen cable car

3. Pick Where to Visit in Norway

Norway looks narrow on a map, but in reality, it’s really long and spread out – so choosing where to go first can be very overwhelming!

But once you know your goals and month, choosing where to visit in Norway is a lot easier.

Here are some of the most popular Norway itineraries and what they’re best for:

Oslo + Bergen (Cities + Fjords)

Perfect for culture lovers, museum fans, scenic train rides and an introduction to the fjords.

You’ll enjoy a fascinating city break in Norway’s capital, a ride on the spectacular Oslo–Bergen railway (via Flåm if you wish), and a picture-perfect escape to Norway’s prettiest city: Bergen!

Exploring Oslo Royal Palace on a winter city break!

Tromsø (Arctic Adventures + Northern Lights)

If the Northern Lights or Arctic adventures like husky sledding and reindeer sledding are your priority, Tromsø is your dream destination!

It’s the easiest Arctic city to get to as a solo traveller, with tons of winter activities, reliable snow, and loads of amazing aurora tours to choose from.

Just keep in mind that Tromsø experiences polar night between late November and mid-January.

Tromsø + Lofoten (Adventure + Photography)

This itinerary is perfect if you want Arctic landscapes, spectacular fjords, wildlife, dramatic coastlines, and snowy villages.

Lofoten is especially popular with photographers thanks to its winter light, Northern Lights and incredible mountain scenery!

For Lofoten, I recommend you base yourself in Svolvaer (you can get there on an internal flight or on the Norway Coastal Express ferry).

And I recommend you visit North Lofoten, South Lofoten and Trollfjord.

Just keep in mind that Lofoten experiences polar night between early December and early January.

Beautiful Svolvaer in the Lofoten Islands, covered in snow!

Bergen + Flåm (City Break + Fjords)

This is perfect if you want a mix of fjords and a colourful city break!

For fjords, I recommend you visit Mostraumen Fjord from Bergen and Nærøyfjord near Flåm. You can also join the incredible Flåmsbana train.

In Bergen, there are so many amazing things to do, including the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf and taking the funicular up to Mount Fløyen.

A Taste of Everything: The Norway Coastal Express

If you do want to see a lot of the most beautiful places in Norway without the stress of planning your own itinerary or logistics, the Norway Coastal Express (with Hurtigruten or Havila) is honestly the best way to visit Norway in winter!

I did the full round-trip in March, taking me to some of Norway’s best cities, towns, fjords, landmarks and tiny Arctic villages – past the most spectacular coastal scenery!

It’s perfect for solo travellers who want to explore Norway without complicated logistics!

Seeing Mount Torghatten from the Coastal Express!

4. Decide How Long to Visit Norway

The places you visit will naturally decide your length of stay – and also make sure that your Norway itinerary actually fits your time and budget:

For a city break plus a couple of day trips (Oslo, Tromsø or Bergen), 3 or 4 days works perfectly.

If you want to do the Norway Coastal Express one way, northbound will take you 7 days and southbound will take you 6 days.

For the full round-trip Coastal Express in winter, you’ll need 12 days, and I highly recommend adding at least 1 or 2 extra days to explore Bergen before or after.

And if you’re dreaming of a more ambitious Norway itinerary, covering more of the country slowly, expect to spend over 2 weeks.

My own trip was 3 weeks long:

Oslo → Bergen → Coastal Express round-trip → Tromsø → Svolvaer.

Katie’s Top Tip: Let everything you’ve planned so far with this guide decide the length of your stay. It’s the easiest way to avoid overbooking, burnout, or missing out on those dream experiences!

5. Build a Realistic Winter Itinerary

Building a realistic winter itinerary is the most important part of learning how to plan a trip to Norway in winter.

Winter daylight hours are short (or even non-existent in the Arctic), so you need to plan your itinerary around daylight rather than just trying to fit in as much as possible.

In Tromsø in December, for example, you’ll get just a few hours of blue twilight.

Whereas in Bergen, you’ll have around 6 hours of daylight.

Norway in winter also rewards slower travel.

Rushing between activities in the dark, snow and ice just makes the trip stressful (and honestly, unsafe). So a realistic itinerary is the best way to visit Norway in winter.

The Norway Coastal Express forces you to slow down and just enjoy the stunning scenery passing by!

Here is my checklist to help you plan your Norway itinerary in winter:

Have your goals, month, dream destinations and trip length visible
Pick 1 or 2 main bases that will allow you to reach your dream activities
Check the daylight hours for your base(s)
Add one main activity per day, max (around daylight hours)
Plan a few indoor backups for every outdoor activity
Research winter transport/tour logistics for how to get there
Book key tickets/hotels/transport in advance (more on this in a bit!)
Leave buffer time between any connections

Or, if planning your own Norway itinerary from scratch feels overwhelming, the Coastal Express is honestly the best way to explore Norway in winter.

The scenery changes constantly as you sail past fjords, fishing villages, and snowy mountains – so you’re sightseeing all day without even trying!

Plus, you can join daily briefings to learn what’s coming up, hop off to explore each port on your own, or book optional excursions.

It’s perfect for solo travellers because logistics are handled for you, and you get the fun of exploring without the pressure of planning!

Katie’s Top Tip: I always build my itinerary backwards, with one main experience per day, and then other smaller, easily swappable sights around it.

More incredible coastal scenery as we cross the Arctic Circle on the Coastal Express!

6. Setting Your Budget for the Trip

Norway has a reputation for being expensive, and honestly? Yep, that’s true!

But learning how to plan a trip to Norway on a budget is absolutely possible when you understand where your money actually goes.

The highest costs are flights, accommodation, food, transport and tours.

When I first started planning my trip to Norway in winter, I had no clue how quickly little things could add up, especially meals and transport!

Here are some tips on where to save vs splurge in Norway, so you can set a budget too:

Many of the best experiences in Norway are free, like exploring cosy harbours, walking to viewpoints or visiting a city centre. So save your money for the big-ticket excursions you can’t do alone (for me, this was husky sledding!)
If you’re joining the Coastal Express, the ship becomes your sightseeing, and most ports are easy to explore without an excursion, so again, prioritise where to splurge.
For the Coastal Express with Havila, check the prices 90 days before sailing, as they often remove the solo supplements.
Book transport tickets well in advance for huge savings, especially on popular routes like the Flåmsbana railway and the Oslo to Bergen railway.
Don’t eat out for every meal. Instead, go to a local supermarket or bakery for lunch and then prioritise one hot meal out a day.
Look for accommodation with a shared kitchen so you can make your own meals.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re trying to keep costs down, choose one main paid experience per destination and fill the rest of your days with free sightseeing and viewpoints.

Some excursions are worth the splurge, like this boat trip to Trollfjord!

Booking Your Trip to Norway in Winter

Okay, so now we’ve planned the logistics of your dream trip to Norway in winter, it’s time for the exciting part: actually booking the trip!

1. Booking Flights + Best Arrival Airports

Your flights are the first thing you should book when planning a trip to Norway.

Prices rise around Christmas and the winter school holidays, so you’ll save a lot by securing your flights as early as possible.

Oslo, Bergen, and Tromsø are the main international airports, and you should choose based on the itinerary we created earlier:

Oslo (OSL) typically has the most flight options and the lowest fares.
Bergen (BGO) is perfect if fjords are your priority or you’re joining the Coastal Express.
Tromsø (TOS) is your best starting point for Northern Lights and Arctic activities.

If you want to explore smaller towns in Norway, look into Widerøe, Norway’s regional airline.

Their small planes connect tiny airports like Hammerfest, Svolvaer, and Trondheim, and they’re often the quickest (and sometimes cheapest) way to move around in winter.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re on a longer Norway itinerary, fly in and out of different airports to avoid doubling back. For example, I flew into Oslo but out of Tromsø.

2. Book Accommodation

Accommodation is next on the list to book, and as a solo traveller, it’s worth being picky.

Your hotel becomes your warm, safe space after long days outside in the cold, so I always recommend choosing city centre accommodation that’s close to public transport, restaurants, and things to do.

A walking distance may not sound much in theory, but if you consider icy or snowy pavements, winter weather, or the long nights, it’s not ideal to be out of the centre.

Also, the best hotels in places like Tromsø, Svolvaer and Bergen book up fast in winter, especially during Northern Lights season – so book early.

A central location also means you won’t need to rely on taxis (expensive!) or public transport to get around, which makes a huge difference to how safe and easy your trip feels.

Here are some of my favourite hotels in Norway for solo travellers:

Katie’s Top Tip: When comparing accommodation, check the walking distance to any tour meeting points and public transport, especially if you have any early or late connections that don’t include pickup or drop-off.

I loved treating the Coastal Express as my floating hotel on this trip, combining transport and accommodation!

3. Book Activities, Day Trips & Excursions

This is the fun part! Choosing the winter experiences, day trips and excursions that will give you memories to last a lifetime!

Norway in winter has so much to offer, from fjord cruises in Bergen and Northern Lights chases in Tromsø to husky sledding in Kirkenes and the iconic Flåm Railway.

You absolutely don’t need to do everything (please don’t try!), so just pick your must-dos and build the rest of your itinerary around them.

Every destination in Norway has its own top experiences, here are just a few:

Bergen: fjord cruise to Mostraumen, Bryggen, ride the Fløibanen

Oslo: Oslofjord boat trip, museums, Vigeland Park

Tromsø: Northern Lights tours, husky sledding, whale watching, Sami culture

Svolvaer / Lofoten: photography tours, Trollfjord boat trips, Northern Lights tours

Trondheim: Nidaros Cathedral, Bakklandet, the world’s northernmost tram

Ålesund: Art Nouveau architecture, Geirangerfjord, Mount Aksla

The Coastal Express: I have a whole post about which excursions are worth it!

Choose 1 or 2 main activities for each destination you visit, then fill the rest with flexible activities like exploring the centre, enjoying cosy café culture or visiting free viewpoints.

On my first winter trip to Norway, my big must-do was husky sledding in Kirkenes, and honestly, it was the highlight of my trip!

Katie’s Top Tip: Book your key winter experiences before you arrive (especially Northern Lights tours, fjord cruises and husky sledding). They are popular, so you don’t want to risk them selling out.

4. Book Winter Transport

Winter transport in Norway is generally reliable, safe, and incredibly scenic!

But you’ll still want to choose the routes that match your destinations and daylight hours.

As an overview:

Trains connect major cities like Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim, and the Bergen and Flåmsbana Railways are stunning in winter
Buses fill in the gaps between smaller towns, for example, Gudvangen to Voss.
Domestic flights with Widerøe are incredibly useful for longer distances, like Bergen to Tromsø.
The Coastal Express Ferry (Hurtigruten or Havila) is the slow, scenic, zero-stress option. Perfect if you want coastal scenery without worrying about logistics!
Guided tours are perfect for activities not connected by public transport, like fjord cruises and Northern Lights chases.
Renting a car is possible, but I don’t recommend it for beginners. Roads are often dark, icy and snow-covered, so not suitable unless you’re an experienced winter driver.

Katie’s Top Tip: If you’re not driving, check out my guide on how to get around Norway in winter without a car. It breaks down every transport option in a lot more detail!

Just one of the incredible views from the Oslo to Bergen railway!

Packing for Norway in Winter

Planning what to pack for Norway in winter is the final step that makes it all feel very real!

And packing smart is absolutely essential.

Winter conditions go from cold but manageable in the south to freezing in the Arctic, and weather conditions are often volatile with storms, wind, snow and ice.

The secret is layers:

A warm, thermal base layer
An insulating mid-layer like wool or fleece
A proper waterproof, windproof and insulated outer layer

Once you’ve got those, everything else builds around them:

Hat
Scarf or neck gaiter
Thermal socks
Gloves that you can use your phone with

And your shoes matter just as much:

Footpaths can be icy even in major cities, so bring insulated, waterproof snow boots with good grip.

If you’re joining the Coastal Express, I’ve written a full packing guide for what to pack for a winter cruise in Norway – it shares my full, exact packing list from my 3-week trip!

Katie’s Top Tip: Pack your warmest layers in your carry-on. If your checked suitcase is delayed (it happens!), at least you’ll have the essentials you need to stay warm when you land.

Finalise Your Winter Route

Once you’ve got your destinations, budget, flights, accommodation, activities, packing list, and logistics sorted, all that’s left is reviewing it all and heading off on your dream trip!

I recommend writing your itinerary out day-by-day, with daylight hours, flights, transport times, tours and accommodation listed, as well as things to see and do.

This helps you spot any overly ambitious days and makes life easier when you arrive, too!

Here’s a checklist that you can screenshot, which summarises the whole process:

Define goals for your winter trip to Norway
Choose your perfect month and dates for your trip
Pick where to base yourself
Decide how long you’ll be travelling for
Build your realistic winter itinerary
Set yourself a trip budget
Book your flights
Book your accommodation
Book any activities, day trips and excursions
Book any transport (trains, buses, flights, ferries)
Get travel insurance for your trip
Plan your packing list

Especially if you’re travelling in Norway solo, this level of planning is essential, reducing last-minute stress, keeping you safe and letting you enjoy your trip without worry!

Whether you follow your own itinerary or board the Coastal Express, the best way to plan a trip to Norway is to keep it simple and flexible.

I hope you have the best time!

How to Plan a Winter Trip to Norway: FAQs

Is Norway safe for solo travellers in winter?

Norway is genuinely one of the safest countries I’ve been to as a solo female traveller. I’ve always felt comfortable walking around cities like Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Tromsø, even when it’s dark early in winter.

The main things to be aware of in winter aren’t people but weather and ice. Slippery pavements, limited daylight and sudden weather changes can make logistics difficult.

That’s why planning your transport ahead of time, choosing central accommodation, and booking tours with reputable companies matters more in winter than any other season.

For a deeper dive into personal safety, culture, and what to watch out for, I’ve written a full guide to Norway safety for solo female travellers.

Is travelling Norway in winter worth it?

If you love dramatic scenery, cosy culture, snowy landscapes, quieter sightseeing and the Northern Lights, then yes, Norway in winter is absolutely worth it!

Everywhere in Norway takes on a completely new personality in winter, from Bergen’s colourful Bryggen dusted in snow to Tromsø glowing under the polar night.

But what makes winter in Norway especially worth it is how manageable it is when you plan well. Once you understand the daylight hours, transport options and winter logistics, the whole country opens up, and planning feels a lot less overwhelming!

Is winter a good season for a first-time trip to Norway?

Yes, winter can be an incredible season for your first-ever trip to Norway, just as long as you plan with winter in mind.

Even in winter, public transport is generally reliable, city streets stay well-maintained, and tours are designed to help you enjoy even the most remote nature safely.

The key is choosing the right destinations. Cities like Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø are the perfect bases because they combine easy transport with lots of winter activities. Alternatively, you can join the Norway Coastal Express to explore Norway’s spectacular winter coastline.

If your dream is Northern Lights, quiet fjords in winter, or snowy mountain towns, there’s no better time to visit Norway!

Do I need special winter gear for Norway?

Yes, some level of proper winter gear is essential for any winter trip to Norway, especially if you’re heading north or spending lots of time outdoors.

Temperatures can drop well below freezing, wind chill is often bitter, and snow or ice is almost guaranteed. So at the very least, you’ll need warm thermals, a good insulating mid-layer, a waterproof and windproof outer jacket, insulated boots with grip, and accessories like gloves, a hat and a scarf.

More specific gear will depend on where you’re going and planned activities. But in most cases, excursions will provide everything you need, for example thermal suits.

If you’re planning to combine your winter trip with the Coastal Express, I’ve written a full Norway cruise in winter packing list that shares everything I packed for my own winter trip!

Is Norway expensive in winter?

Norway is known for being expensive all year round, but winter doesn’t always make the costs higher. In fact, some things are cheaper.

Flights and hotels are often more affordable compared to summer.
Cities like Tromsø, however, are often more expensive for everything in winter, as this is the peak Northern Lights season.

The real expense throughout the country comes from food, excursions, and long-distance transport. But once you understand your priorities (with the help of this guide!), it becomes much easier to build a winter itinerary in Norway that fits your budget.