Traveling Insights in Northern European Countries

Buzz

Content

Visa and Flight Tickets

Best Time to Visit

Currency

Scandinavian Culture

Traveling Between Countries and Cities

Self-driving car rental

Accommodation

Dining

Recommended Itinerary

Smart Money-Saving Tips

With stunning forests resembling paintings, majestic narrow fjords, towering mountains, thousands of lakes, the Northern Lights, Viking heritage, and IKEA, the Scandinavian Nordic countries offer a perfect blend of breathtaking nature with art, architecture, cuisine, and history. The Nordic countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, along with the dependent territories of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Svalbard, and Åland. However, when referring to Scandinavia (used synonymously with the Nordic countries), it's more accurate to mention Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Northern European Countries Always Attractive Destinations

Magnificent Landscapes in Norway

Visa and Flight Tickets

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are part of the Schengen Area, so you only need to apply for a Schengen visa at the Embassy of any of these three countries or any other country within the Schengen zone. Contact the Embassy directly and follow the visa application instructions, including the required documents.

There are no direct flights from Vietnam to these three countries. You'll need to transit through a third country like Thailand, France, or Germany. The most convenient option is to fly directly from Vietnam to Paris, France, or Frankfurt, Germany, and then take a connecting flight or train/bus to the three countries. Direct flights from Vietnam to France or Germany are operated by Vietnam Airlines and Air France. Round-trip ticket prices from Vietnam range from 16 to 28 million VND, depending on whether you're traveling during peak or off-peak seasons.

The Northern European region is served by airlines like Norwegian, SAS, Finnair, and Wizzair, offering extensive flights to countries such as Iceland, Finland, and Germany. Norwegian is the most famous low-cost airline in the region. Ticket prices are divided into various categories: hand luggage only, hand luggage and checked baggage, excess baggage, etc. When booking flights, pay attention to the type and size of luggage allowed in the cabin or checked baggage to avoid penalties at the airport for incorrect or oversized luggage.

https://www.norwegian.com/us/https://www.flysas.com/en/https://www.finnair.com/pt-en https://wizzair.com/

SAS is a prominent airline in Northern Europe.

Best Time to Visit

From May to the end of September is the ideal time to visit Northern Europe as the weather is not too cold, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 20 degrees Celsius and plenty of sunshine. During summer, Northern Europe experiences about 20 hours of daylight per day, providing ample time for exploration and various outdoor activities.

Autumn in September and October is very romantic in Northern Europe with golden leaves, but it often rains. Winter is very cold with snow and only a few hours of sunlight per day, making it gloomy and chilly.

Summer is the perfect time to visit Northern Europe.

Currency

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are part of the EU but do not use the common European currency, the Euro; instead, each country uses its own currency.

The currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone, symbolized as NOK. The exchange rate as of July 2022 is 1 NOK = 2362 VND.Sweden uses the Swedish krona, symbolized as SEK. The exchange rate as of July 2022 is 1 SEK = 2280 VND.Denmark uses the Danish krone, symbolized as DKK. The exchange rate as of July 2022 is 1 DKK = 3211 VND.

You can exchange currency at the airport or at the bank. However, cash is rarely used in the Nordic countries; everything can be paid with credit cards, including restaurants, hotels, train and bus tickets, and admission tickets. Many places only accept cards for payment, so you don't need to exchange much cash when traveling to Northern Europe. Note that many places require a PIN code for card payments and may ask to see your passport or ID card, so remember your credit card PIN and always carry your passport or ID card with photo.

Scandinavian Culture

Lagom is the quintessential expression of the Nordic spirit. Lagom means 'Not too little, not too much, just right.' Life in Northern Europe is modest, unhurried, simple yet vibrant through every street, house, river, tree, and blade of grass. They leisurely enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Life is tranquil yet equally enjoyable and colorful.

Traveling Between Countries and Cities

You need a detailed, clear, and specific itinerary, knowing exactly where to go each day, and which mode of transportation to take for booking suitable flights, train tickets, or buses. Train and bus tickets in Europe are more expensive closer to the departure date. Summer is the peak season in Northern Europe, so you should book tickets as early as possible. When buying train or bus tickets, sometimes you may need to pay extra for a preferred seat. If you don't buy in advance, you can still find available seats on the train or bus on the day of departure.

Trains and buses are very punctual, so you should arrive at the station 30 minutes early to prepare. Buses offer free Wi-Fi and onboard toilets, making travel quite convenient. Remember to bring water because there's no complimentary water onboard, and you may have to pay extra. Some train and bus companies you can consider are:

- Norway

https://www.vy.no/

Bus: https://www.nor-way.no/en/#/?step=2 and https://www.flybussen.no/en

- Sweden

https://www.sj.se/en/https://www.vybuss.com/

- Denmark

https://www.dsb.dk/en/Bus: https://global.flixbus.com/ or http://rødbillet.dk

- Getting around the city affordably and conveniently: Every city offers a City Pass that allows access to various modes of transportation such as trains, buses, boats, and metros. It often includes discounts or free entry to attractions and discounted dining options. Stockholm offers the SL card, Copenhagen has the Copenhagen Card, Bergen offers the Bergen Card, Oslo provides the Oslo Pass, and more. Typically, these passes come in different durations like 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, or 1 week, depending on the city. You can purchase these passes online, activate them via smartphone apps, or pick up physical cards at ticket counters. For more information, visit the following websites:

https://copenhagencard.com/https://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/https://sl.se/en/in-english/fares--tickets/visitor-tickets/travelcards

When boarding trains or buses, there will be staff members from the transportation company checking tickets. Not every trip will be checked, but inspections are random. Failure to have a valid ticket may result in a hefty fine, typically around 4-5 million VND per violation, so make sure to purchase tickets according to regulations.

The public transportation system in Northern Europe is highly modernized.

Self-driving car rental

Renting a self-driving car in Northern Europe can provide convenience and enhance your travel experience. Some renowned self-drive car rental companies include:

https://www.europcar.com/en-us https://www.rentalcars.com/https://www.budget.com/en/home https://www.autoeurope.eu/

Exploring Northern Europe, especially Norway, is highly suitable for traveling by Campervan. Here, you can park and sleep wherever you desire, as long as it's not private property and is at least 150 meters away from residential homes. A Campervan serves as a mobile home with a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom inside. You can park near attractions to enjoy early morning sunrises, sip tea, and read a book while it's raining outside. Although Campervan rental prices in Scandinavia are not cheap, especially in summer, you still save on accommodation and cooking expenses. When renting a Campervan, opt for one with a gas stove, beddings, kitchen, and electrical outlets.

this website

Campervan offers an exciting choice for self-driving in Northern Europe.

Accommodation

Hotels in the Northern Europe region are quite expensive, with double room prices ranging from 50-80 Euros per person (equivalent to 1,900,000 VND). You can consider the following tips to save money on accommodation:

Choose hotels/hostels located within approximately 1km radius from the central metro/train/bus station to be able to walk back from the station, avoiding taxi expenses.Opt for dormitory accommodation: Dormitories in Northern Europe range from 25-40 Euros per person (equivalent to 600,000-1,000,000 VND).Airbnb: Suitable for families or large groups of friends traveling together.Hostel: The average price ranges from 30-45 Euros per night (equivalent to 700,000-1,100,000 VND), and you should book early to save money. Choose hostels located near central train or bus stations for easy access to attractions and select ones with kitchen facilities so you can cook your own meals rather than eating out. The kitchen is equipped with all necessary utensils for cooking, remember to clean up afterward. Note: Many hostels in Northern Europe do not provide bed linens, blankets, or pillows, so you may need to bring your own or rent them from the hostel for prices ranging from 5-10 Euros per stay (equivalent to 120,000 - 240,000 VND), and often you have to make the bed and return the linen to the hostel upon checkout.

You can refer to hotels and hostels on reputable booking websites such as Mytour, Hostelworld, Airbnb, etc.

Dining

A restaurant meal in Northern Europe typically costs between 30-50 Euros per person (equivalent to 700,000-1,900,000 VND). You can save on dining expenses with the following tips:

Buy groceries from supermarkets and cook your meals at the hostel. Most hostels in Northern Europe do not include breakfast, but they provide a fully equipped communal kitchen for you to prepare your own meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.Opt for fast-food options like McDonald's, Burger King, etc.Bring canned food, instant noodles, dry noodles, etc., from Vietnam, which can be used for breakfast or during late-night outings when supermarkets are closed.

Recommended Itinerary

To explore the 3 Scandinavian countries, you should plan for at least 2 weeks. Below is a suggested itinerary for your reference:

Day 1: Fly from Vietnam to Europe and onward to CopenhagenDay 2: Explore Copenhagen: visit the palaces of Amalienborg, Christiansborg, Rosenborg, and the iconic Nyhavn harbor.Day 3: Explore Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid statue, Frederik's Church, and take a boat tour along the river to see Copenhagen. In the afternoon, catch a train to the Swedish capital Stockholm (travel time approximately 5 hours).Day 4: Discover the Old Town of Gamla Stan, City Hall (Stadshuset), Storkyrkan Cathedral, and Riddarholmen Church.Day 5: Visit the Vasa Museum, the open-air museum Skansen, the Royal Palace, explore the colorful metro stations, and take a boat tour around Stockholm.Day 6: Explore Uppsala or the island of Gotland.Day 7: Fly to the capital Oslo of Norway. Explore Vigeland Sculpture Park, Akershus Fortress, City Hall, the Royal Palace, Munch Museum, and Oslo Opera House.Day 8: Take the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Oslo to Bergen, visit the narrow fjords, and experience the most beautiful train ride in Europe aboard the Flam Railway...Day 9: Explore Bergen: Bryggen Wharf, hike to the top of Mount Fløyen for a panoramic view of Bergen, visit the fish market, and Bergenhus Fortress.Day 10: You can head to Odda for the Trolltunga hike or fly to the Lofoten Islands.Days 11 - 13: Explore the Lofoten Islands or you can fly to the capital Helsinki of Finland.Day 14: Fly back to Vietnam

The narrow fjords are a specialty of Norway

The steep rocky cliffs are captivating at Trolltunga

Stockholm: A City of Romance

The Iconic Nyhavn Harbor in Copenhagen

Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark

Smart Money-Saving Tips

Explore on Foot as Much as Possible. Mark your map, highlight the places to go, segment the area, and focus on exploring a specific district each day. Sightseeing spots in cities are usually close to each other.Utilize Public Transportation: buses, metros, trams... Install apps like map.me, google map, moovit on your phone. Just type in the destination and the apps will provide detailed instructions on which bus to catch, tram number, how many minutes until the train arrives, which platform to wait at... Public transportation information in Europe integrates well with Google Maps.Get Drinking Water from Taps, just use the cold tap in the kitchen, bathroom. It's free, reduces plastic bottle waste, and carry a water bottle with you.Take Overnight Bus or Train to Save Accommodation Costs. Bus tickets are often cheaper than high-speed train or plane tickets.

Utilize public transportation to save costs

Touring Norway in a Nutshell offers many romantic landscapes

Traveling to the Nordic countries is not cheap, but with careful preparation, researching beforehand, and the shared experiences in this article, hopefully, you'll have a budget-friendly yet memorable Nordic adventure.

This article is a collaboration between Mytour and blogger Trần Hồng Ngọc.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best times to visit Northern European countries for optimal weather?

The ideal time to visit Northern Europe is from May to September when temperatures range from 13 to 20 degrees Celsius. During summer, you can enjoy about 20 hours of daylight each day, perfect for outdoor activities and exploration.

What is the easiest way to travel between Norway, Sweden, and Denmark?

The easiest way to travel between Norway, Sweden, and Denmark is by applying for a Schengen visa, which allows seamless travel within the Schengen Area. You can book flights or use efficient train services connecting these countries.

How can I save money on accommodation while traveling in Northern Europe?

To save money on accommodation in Northern Europe, consider staying in hostels or booking shared dormitory rooms. Look for locations near central transport hubs to reduce taxi costs, and take advantage of hostels' kitchen facilities to prepare meals.

What types of public transportation are available in Northern European cities?

Northern European cities offer modern public transportation options, including buses, metros, and trams. City Passes are available in most cities, granting unlimited access to these modes and often include discounts at attractions.

Is it necessary to exchange cash when traveling to Northern European countries?

No, it is not necessary to exchange much cash when traveling in Northern Europe. Most places accept credit cards, including restaurants and transportation. However, remember to have your PIN ready for card payments.

What should I know about booking flights to Northern Europe from Vietnam?

When booking flights from Vietnam to Northern Europe, you will need to transit through a third country like France or Germany. Direct flights from Vietnam to these countries are available, and ticket prices vary based on the season.

What cultural aspect defines the lifestyle in the Nordic countries?

The Nordic lifestyle is encapsulated by the concept of 'Lagom,' which means 'just right.' It reflects a balanced approach to life, promoting simplicity, tranquility, and enjoyment of everyday pleasures without excess.

How can I navigate between cities efficiently during my trip to Northern Europe?

To navigate efficiently between cities in Northern Europe, plan a detailed itinerary ahead of time. Book train and bus tickets in advance to avoid higher costs and ensure you arrive at the station early for timely departures.

What are some practical tips for dining affordably in Northern European restaurants?

To dine affordably in Northern Europe, consider cooking your meals in hostel kitchens or purchasing groceries from supermarkets. You can also opt for fast-food options or bring snacks from home to save on dining costs.