How Much Does Stavanger Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Stavanger is a high-end coastal destination that serves as the gateway to Norway’s dramatic fjords and pristine beaches. As the country's oil capital, it maintains a premium price point compared to many European cities, with a daily solo budget ranging from $149 / 1,425 kr for basic needs to $874 / 8,352 kr for a luxury experience. While the historic center is compact and walkable, the costs of island hopping, boat transfers, and dining reflect Norway's high standard of living. Visitors should expect significant expenses for guided activities and alcohol, though the exceptional natural scenery remains the primary draw. The unique mix of white sandy beaches like Sola and the deep Lysefjord makes it a destination where transport logistics often dictate the daily spend.
Is Stavanger expensive to visit?
Stavanger is a premium destination with a high cost of living; visitors should expect to spend between $149 / 1,425 kr and $874 / 8,352 kr per day depending on their travel style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Stavanger
$149
per person /day
$463
per person /day
$874
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $447 | $1,388 | $2,621 |
| 5-Day Trip | $745 | $2,313 | $4,369 |
| 7-Day Trip | $1,043 | $3,238 | $6,117 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is advisable to maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for hidden costs such as public toilet fees of $1.02 / 9.79 kr and the mandatory $26 / 245 kr parking fee at major trailheads. This extra cushion also covers the standard 5–10% tip expected for good service in restaurants and the small environmental taxes added to taxi fares.
How Does It Compare?
See how Stavanger stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Stavanger
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant Typical for a burger or a large pizza in a casual setting. Tap water is free and of excellent quality. | $26 245 kr |
| Pint of Local Draught Beer (0.5L) Prices at waterfront bars like Skagenkaien can reach ~$14–$16 / 135 kr–158 kr per pint. | $12 113 kr |
| Cappuccino in City Center Espresso House and local bakeries like Kanelsnurren charge around ~$5.65 / 54 kr for a standard latte. | $5.65 54 kr |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Flybussen Airport Express (Single Ticket) The fastest way to the city center. Buying a round-trip ticket online can save ~$5.3 / 51 kr compared to two singles. | $16 155 kr |
| Local Bus Single Ticket (Zone 1) Valid for 90 minutes. You can transfer between buses and local trains within Zone 1. Cash payment on board costs ~$2.35 / 23 kr extra. | $5.04 48 kr |
| 24-Hour Public Transport Pass Cost-effective if taking more than 2 trips in a day. Covers buses, local trains, and some local ferries. | $14 131 kr |
| Standard Taxi Ride (8km / 13min) Based on the holiday/peak rate. Daytime standard rates are closer to ~$34 / 323 kr (329 NOK). | $44 420 kr |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed at Stavanger Hostel St. Svithun A reliable budget option located near the hospital, about 20-minute walk or a short bus ride from the center. Prices often increase to ~$77 / 731 kr during peak hiking season. | $53 511 kr |
| Scandic Stavanger Park (Mid-range Hotel) Located conveniently near the train station. Standard rooms include a generous buffet breakfast worth ~$29 / 281 kr. | $279 2,670 kr |
| Home Hotel Skagen Brygge (Luxury/Harbor View) This waterfront hotel includes both breakfast and a light evening meal, which provides significant value in expensive Stavanger (~$47 / 450 kr saving). | $307 2,936 kr |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Rødne Lysefjord & Preikestolen Cruise A 3-hour round trip from Stavanger harbor. It offers the best sea-level view of the Pulpit Rock. Pre-booking is essential in summer. | $65 619 kr |
| Norwegian Petroleum Museum Ticket A world-class museum explaining Stavanger's oil history. Students pay half price (~$9.24 / 88 kr). | $19 177 kr |
| Museum Stavanger (MUST) Day Pass Gives entry to all MUST museums for one day, including the Maritime Museum and the Canning Museum in Old Stavanger. | $15 147 kr |
| Stavanger Cathedral (Domkirke) Entry Norway's oldest cathedral, recently reopened after extensive renovation. The fee supports ongoing conservation. | $10 98 kr |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Telenor Prepaid SIM (Call Start Fee) While local SIMs are available, most tourists find eSIMs easier as registration for a local number requires a D-number (ID). | $0.15 1.46 kr |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Stavanger is a significant expense, with a casual meal such as a burger or pizza typically costing $26 / 245 kr. Alcohol is highly taxed, resulting in a standard pint of local beer priced at $12 / 113 kr, though high-quality tap water is always free. For those seeking value, many local bakeries and harbor-side counters offer fresher, more affordable alternatives to formal restaurant service.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Fisketorget (Counter menu)
$19–$33 / 182 kr–314 krVågen (Harbor) · Local food type
The 'Husmann' (traditional dish of the day) is the most affordable way to eat high-quality local fish for ~$33 / 315 kr.
Hekkan Burger
$17–$24 / 166 kr–226 krPedersgata · Local chain
Arguably the best burgers in the city. Grab a takeaway and sit by the harbor to save on drink costs (~$12 / 113 kr for a beer).
Renaa Xpress
$9.77–$20 / 93 kr–192 krSølvberget (Library) · Bakery
The casual sibling of the Michelin-starred RE-NAA. Their sourdough pizzas (~$20 / 191 kr) are excellent value for the quality.
Paa Kornet
$20–$36 / 187 kr–344 krØvre Holmegate · Local food type
A cozy gastropub on the 'Colorful Street'. Great for hearty snacks and small plates around ~$19 / 180 kr.
Sabi Sushi
$15–$29 / 142 kr–275 krPedersgata · Local chain
Norway is famous for salmon; this local chain offers high-quality sushi at much lower prices (~$15 / 146 kr) than sit-down seafood restaurants.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city and surrounding islands are best navigated via a reliable public transport network where a single Zone 1 bus ticket costs $5.04 / 48 kr. For those planning to explore multiple areas in a day, a 24-hour pass for $14 / 131 kr covers buses, local trains, and several island ferries. While taxis are available for convenience, a short 8km ride can cost approximately $44 / 420 kr, making public transit the standard choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from the Stavanger Hostel St. Svithun at $53 / 511 kr for a dorm bed to luxury harbor-view hotels like Home Hotel Skagen Brygge at $307 / 2,936 kr. Mid-range hotels like Scandic Stavanger Park average $279 / 2,670 kr and typically include a substantial buffet breakfast, which helps offset the high cost of morning meals. The 'sweet spot' for value is often found in waterfront hotels that include both breakfast and a light evening meal.
Accommodation Budget in Stavanger
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the 24-hour public transport pass for $14 / 131 kr to cover unlimited travel on buses and local island-hopping ferries.
- 2 Download the Kolumbus mobile app to buy tickets for $5.04 / 48 kr; paying cash on the bus incurs a surcharge of approximately $2.06 / 20 kr.
- 3 Book a stay at Home Hotel Skagen Brygge for $307 / 2,936 kr, as the included evening meal can save a solo traveler roughly $47 / 450 kr on dining costs.
- 4 Utilize the free and high-quality tap water throughout the city instead of purchasing bottled water for $3.53–$5.89 / 34 kr–56 kr.
- 5 Visit the 'Counter menu' at Fisketorget in the Vågen harbor for restaurant-quality seafood at a fraction of the sit-down price.
- 6 Pre-book the Flybussen Airport Express online to save about $5.3 / 51 kr on a round-trip ticket compared to two single fares.
- 7 Eat on Pedersgata, known as the city's multicultural food street, where spots like Hekkan Burger offer better value than waterfront tourist traps.
- 8 Use the Museum Stavanger (MUST) Day Pass for $15 / 147 kr to visit multiple sites including the Maritime Museum and the Canning Museum.
- 9 Shop for snacks and hiking supplies at budget supermarkets like REMA 1000 or Kiwi rather than convenience stores.
- 10 Hike to Preikestolen independently during the summer months to avoid the high cost of guided trekking tours.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
May, Sep
Summer is essential for hiking the famous trails like Preikestolen safely. Winter offers significantly cheaper hotels, but many boat tours have reduced schedules and the mountain trails are only accessible with specialized guides.
Events to Watch
- ● Gladmat Food Festival (late July): +60% hotels
- ● ONS (Offshore Northern Seas) Conference (late Aug, biennial): +200% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Wander through Gamle Stavanger to see 173 protected white wooden houses from the 18th century.
- 2 Visit the 'Swords in Rock' (Sverd i fjell) monument at Møllebukta to learn about Viking history.
- 3 Explore the colorful street of Øvre Holmegate, known locally as Fargegaten, for vibrant photography.
- 4 Spend a day at Sola Beach (Solastranden), frequently named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
- 5 Hike up to Dalsnuten for a panoramic view of the Stavanger peninsula and the surrounding fjords.
- 6 Walk around Breiavatnet, the central lake located right next to the Stavanger Cathedral.
- 7 Discover the 'Broken Column' art installation, featuring 23 statues placed at various elevations across the city.
- 8 Visit the Stavanger Botanical Garden at Ullandhaug to see flora from across the globe.
- 9 Take a coastal walk along the Godalen path for views of the nearby islands.
- 10 Swim at the Vaulen bathing beach, which features both sandy shores and grassy picnic areas.
- 11 Admire the world-class street art murals found throughout the city center from the annual Nuart festival.
- 12 Enter the Stavanger Public Library (Sølvberget) to explore its modern architecture and cultural exhibitions.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
RE-NAA Michelin Tasting Menu
The only restaurant in Norway with 3 Michelin stars. A world-class culinary journey focused on local Rogaland ingredients (~$371 / 3,544 kr).
Private Lysefjord Rib Boat Safari
A high-speed adrenaline-filled way to see the fjords, reaching hidden waterfalls the larger boats can't (~$124 / 1,181 kr).
Full Seafood Plateau at Fisketorget
The ultimate Norwegian seafood experience with lobster, crab, and prawns, caught that very morning (~$139 / 1,328 kr).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Stavanger
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Stavanger and what they cost
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
$46 / 442 kr by Express Bus
Free
$98 / 933 kr
Kjeragbolten Hike
$87 / 835 kr by Express Bus
Free
$144 / 1,376 kr
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
1 $ ≈ 9.56 kr
No
Universal including street food and small markets. Norway is nearly 100% cashless.
Service is always included in the price. Rounding up the bill to the nearest $5.89 / 56 kr or $12 / 113 kr is common for good restaurant service. Tipping in cafes or for taxis is not expected.
ATMs ('Minibank') are located at the airport and in the city center (DNB, SpareBank 1). Avoid Euronet ATMs to skip high fees (~$5.3–$8.24 / 51 kr–79 kr).
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.83–$31 for 1GB to 20GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $29–$35 / 281 kr–338 kr for a starter pack with 5GB-10GB.
WiFi: Excellent. Available in almost all cafes, hotels, and even on the Flybussen and local buses.
Download the Airalo eSIM before arrival. It avoids the complex ID registration required for local physical SIM cards.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Stavanger.
Updated: February 16, 2026
Ready to Visit Stavanger?
Book your flights, accommodation, and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stavanger expensive to visit?
How much does Stavanger cost per day?
How much does a trip to Stavanger cost?
What is the cheapest month to visit Stavanger?
What are the hidden costs in Stavanger?
How can I save money in Stavanger?
More Stavanger Guides
Weather
Historical climate averages to help you pick the best time to visit
Best Time to Visit
Coming soon
Things to Do
Coming soon
Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
Itineraries
Coming soon
Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown