Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords — Self-Launched
14 days · Denmark, Norway & Sweden
Trafalgar charges £3,900
No-markup version: ~£1,185 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 14-day version of Trafalgar's Copenhagen-to-Stockholm coach tour, done independently by rail, bus and ferry. You'll cover the same headline stops — Copenhagen, Odense and Randers in Denmark; Stavanger, Bergen, the Sognefjord and Flåm Railway, Geirangerfjord, Lom, Lillehammer and Oslo in Norway; and Stockholm — staying in hostels and simple guesthouses, booking the same boat trips and scenic rail journeys yourself on GetYourGuide, Klook or directly with the operators, and eating supermarket-and-cafe style rather than included hotel dinners. Scandinavia is expensive, so this is not a shoestring trip by European standards, but self-launching cuts the price dramatically versus a guided coach package. Costs below are rough backpacker/mid-budget estimates for one person, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Copenhagen & walking orientation
Copenhagen, Denmark
Land at CPH and take the Metro (M2) to the city centre — about DKK 30 (£3.50) for a 3-zone ticket. Check into a hostel around Nørreport or Vesterbro (e.g. Generator Copenhagen or Danhostel Copenhagen City, dorms from ~£30-40/ night — Copenhagen is the priciest of the three Scandinavian capitals). Spend the afternoon on a free self-guided walk: Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace square (free to wander, palace museum ~DKK 125), Christiansborg Palace, and the Little Mermaid statue at Langelinie. Many Copenhagen museums are free on certain days — check opening hours. Grab a supermarket dinner (Netto/Rema 1000) or a hot dog from a pølser stand (~DKK 40).
🚌CPH Metro M2 to city centre, ~£3.50; walking
🛏Hostel dorm, Nørreport/Vesterbro (~£35-45)
- →Self-guided Nyhavn & harbour walk
- →Amalienborg Palace square
- →Christiansborg Palace exterior
- →The Little Mermaid statue
Copenhagen free day — Tivoli, Dragør or canals
Copenhagen, Denmark
Book a 1-hour canal boat tour online (~DKK 100-150 / £11-17) or take the harbour bus (route 991/992, ~DKK 30) for a cheap alternative. Tivoli Gardens entry is ~DKK 155 (£18), plus rides — go in the afternoon and stay for the evening lights. Alternatively take bus 33 to the fishing village of Dragør (~DKK 40, 30 min) for yellow-walled cottages and a harbour walk. Consider the Reffen street-food market on Refshaleøen for a cheap, varied dinner (mains ~DKK 60-90).
🚌Local bus / harbour bus, ~£3-5
🛏Hostel dorm, Copenhagen (~£35-45)
- →Canal boat tour (GetYourGuide ~£15)
- →Tivoli Gardens (optional, ~£18 entry)
- →Dragør fishing village (optional)
- →Reffen street food market
Copenhagen → Odense → Aarhus or Randers
Odense & Aarhus, Denmark
Take an early DSB train Copenhagen–Odense (~1h20, from ~DKK 200 / £22 if booked in advance on dsb.dk). Explore Odense's Hans Christian Andersen quarter, the free open-air HC Andersen house area and the cathedral, then continue by train Odense–Aarhus (~1h35, from ~DKK 200). Base yourself in Aarhus (better hostels and food scene than Randers, and an easy gateway to the west coast ferries) — Danhostel Aarhus or a budget hotel near the station. Evening in the Latin Quarter or Aarhus Street Food hall (~£10-12 for a meal).
🚌DSB trains Copenhagen–Odense–Aarhus, ~£40-50 total
🛏Hostel dorm or budget hotel, Aarhus (~£25-35)
- →Odense HC Andersen quarter self-guided walk
- →Aarhus Latin Quarter
- →Aarhus Street Food hall
Long travel day: Denmark → Stavanger
Stavanger, Norway
This is the itinerary's big transfer day. The cheapest reliable route: bus/train Aarhus–Copenhagen or Aarhus–Hirtshals (~3h, ~£25-35), then either the DFDS ferry Hirtshals–Kristiansand (~3.5h, from ~£30-45) plus a bus/train Kristiansand–Stavanger (~4h, ~£25-35), or fly Aarhus–Stavanger via Copenhagen with Norwegian/SAS if a cheap fare appears (often £60-100 one way, sometimes faster and comparable once ferries and buses are added — compare on Skyscanner). Arrive Stavanger, check into a hostel or budget guesthouse near the harbour (e.g. Stavanger Budget/St. Svithun-style options, dorms ~£30-40). Light supermarket dinner.
🚌Ferry + bus or budget flight, ~£60-100
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse, Stavanger (~£30-40)
- →Overnight transfer to the fjord country
Stavanger: Lysefjord & Pulpit Rock
Stavanger, Norway
Pre-book a Lysefjord sightseeing cruise from Stavanger harbour via GetYourGuide or directly with Rodne (~NOK 500-650 / £37-48, ~3h) to see Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) and the Vagabond's Cave from the water. If you're a hiker, instead take the bus to Preikestolen trailhead (~NOK 150 each way / ~£11) and do the 4-5h round-trip climb to the plateau — free apart from transport. Evening in Gamle Stavanger's white wooden houses; cook in the hostel kitchen.
🚌Local bus to trailhead ~£22 return, or walk to harbour
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse, Stavanger (~£30-40)
- →Lysefjord cruise (GetYourGuide ~£40)
- →Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) hike (free)
- →Gamle Stavanger walk
Stavanger → Bergen (coastal route)
Bergen, Norway
Travel Stavanger–Bergen by bus (Kystbussen, ~4.5h, ~NOK 400-500 / £30-38) or by fast ferry via Haugesund if you want the coastal scenery. In Bergen, stay in a hostel or budget hotel near Bryggen (Bergen Hostel Montana or Marken Guesthouse, ~£35-45 dorm / ~£65 double). Afternoon self-guided walk of the UNESCO Bryggen wharf, the fish market (Fisketorget), Haakon's Hall and the Fløibanen funicular (return ~NOK 160 / £12) for the view. Skip the private farm dinner — instead eat at the fish market or a modest restaurant for ~£15-20, or make use of the hostel kitchen.
🚌Kystbussen coach Stavanger–Bergen, ~£35
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse, Bergen (~£35-45)
- →Bryggen wharf walk
- →Bergen fish market
- →Haakon's Hall
- →Fløibanen funicular (~£12)
Bergen free day — fjord day trip
Bergen, Norway
Book the classic Norway in a Nutshell-style self-assembled day: train Bergen–Voss (~1h15, ~NOK 200-300), bus Voss–Gudvangen, then the Nærøyfjord ferry Gudvangen–Flåm (~2h, ~NOK 500 / £38), before returning by train Flåm–Bergen (~3h). Buying the segments separately on vy.no and norwaysbest.com is usually cheaper than the packaged tour; book ahead in summer. Alternatively stay in town: Bryggens Museum, KODE art galleries, or a hike up Mount Fløyen. Eat in, or a casual burger in the city centre (~£12).
🚌Train + bus + ferry segments, ~£70-90
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse, Bergen (~£35-45)
- →Nærøyfjord ferry (self-booked, ~£38)
- →Nutshell-style rail/bus/fjord loop
- →KODE art galleries (optional)
Bergen → Voss → Flåm Railway → Sogndal/Leikanger
Flåm & Sognefjord, Norway
Train Bergen–Voss (~1h15, ~NOK 250), then the Voss–Myrdal connection and the famous Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) down the valley — book on norwaysbest.com in advance (~NOK 500-650 / £38-48 one way), watching for Kjosfossen waterfall from the train. From Flåm, take the express boat or local ferry along the Sognefjord to Leikanger/Sogndal (~NOK 300-400) and stay in a Sogndal-area hostel or camping cabin (Sogndal Vandrerhjem, ~£30-40). Cook in and enjoy the fjord stillness.
🚌Train + Flåmsbana + Sognefjord ferry, ~£90-110
🛏Hostel/cabin, Sogndal or Leikanger (~£30-40)
- →Flåm Railway (self-booked, ~£45)
- →Kjosfossen waterfall
- →Sognefjord ferry crossing
Sognefjord → Geirangerfjord
Geiranger, Norway
The tricky logistics day. From Sogndal take the bus to Stryn/Hellesylt (~4-5h with a change, ~NOK 300-450), then the Hellesylt–Geiranger fjord ferry (~1h, ~NOK 250-300) into the UNESCO Geirangerfjord — book the ferry on frammr.no. Alternatively, use the summer express boat network via Ålesund. Check timings carefully (services are seasonal and sparse) and consider splitting the journey with an overnight in Hellesylt if needed. Stay at Geiranger Camping cabins or a budget guesthouse (~£40-55 — Geiranger is a small village and summer beds go fast). Evening walk to the fjord viewpoint.
🚌Bus + Hellesylt–Geiranger ferry, ~£60-80
🛏Camping cabin/guesthouse, Geiranger (~£40-55)
- →Hellesylt–Geiranger fjord ferry
- →Geiranger village & fjord viewpoints
Geirangerfjord: kayak or boat, and Trollstigen
Geiranger, Norway
Book a guided sea-kayak session or a fjord boat trip on the Geirangerfjord via GetYourGuide or a local operator (~NOK 600-900 / £45-68 for 3h kayaking; boat tours ~NOK 400-600). If you'd rather see Trollstigen, the summer local bus (route 220) runs Geiranger–Valldal–Åndalsnes and lets you view the famous hairpin road — but check seasonal timetable on frammr.no, as departures are limited and you may need to arrange it as a day trip or change your next-day routing. Otherwise hike to Skageflå or the Losta viewpoint (free). Supermarket or campsite cooking for dinner.
🚌Local bus optional ~£15-25; otherwise walking
🛏Camping cabin/guesthouse, Geiranger (~£40-55)
- →Fjord sea kayaking (GetYourGuide ~£55)
- →Geirangerfjord boat tour (optional)
- →Trollstigen bus ride (optional)
- →Skageflå/Losta viewpoint hike
Geiranger → Lom → Lillehammer
Lom & Lillehammer, Norway
Bus from Geiranger via Grotli to Lom (~3h summer service, ~NOK 300-400; verify on frammr.no — otherwise route via Otta by train). Stop in Lom to see the 12th-century wooden stave church with its dragon carvings and runic inscriptions (entry ~NOK 60 / £4.50). Continue by bus/train Lom–Otta–Lillehammer (~3h, ~NOK 350-450). In Lillehammer, stay at a hostel or budget hotel near Storgata (Lillehammer Hostel, ~£35-45). Stroll Storgata's wooden houses; Maihaugen open-air museum costs ~NOK 220 if you have time tomorrow morning.
🚌Local bus + train, ~£55-70
🛏Hostel/budget hotel, Lillehammer (~£35-45)
- →Lom stave church (~£4.50)
- →Lillehammer Storgata walk
- →Maihaugen open-air museum (optional, ~£17)
Lillehammer → Oslo
Oslo, Norway
Morning train Lillehammer–Oslo (~2h10, ~NOK 250-400 / £19-30 via vy.no). Check into an Oslo hostel (Anker Hostel or K7 Hotel Oslo, dorms ~£35-45). Afternoon self-guided city walk: Akershus Fortress (free), the Opera House (free to walk on the roof), the Royal Palace, and Vigeland Sculpture Park (free, tram to Vigelandsparken ~NOK 40). Evening wander Aker Brygge and grab cheap eats at Mathallen food hall (~£12-15) or the Grønland area for budget international food.
🚌Vy train Lillehammer–Oslo ~£25; city tram ~£4
🛏Hostel, Oslo (~£35-45)
- →Akershus Fortress
- →Oslo Opera House roof walk
- →Vigeland Sculpture Park
- →Aker Brygge & Mathallen
Oslo → Stockholm
Stockholm, Sweden
Take the SJ train Oslo–Stockholm (approx 5h15-6h, ~SEK 250-500 / £19-38 if booked early on sj.se — one of Europe's great value rail journeys, passing Lake Vänern). Or a budget Norwegian flight if cheaper (~£40-60). Arrive Stockholm and check into a hostel in Gamla Stan or Södermalm (City Backpackers Hostel or Generator Stockholm, dorms ~£30-38). Evening self-guided walk of Gamla Stan's cobbled lanes, the Royal Palace exterior, Storkyrkan and Riddarholmen at sunset — all free to walk past. Cheap dinner in Södermalm (~£10-12).
🚌SJ train Oslo–Stockholm, ~£20-38
🛏Hostel, Stockholm (~£30-38)
- →Gamla Stan old town walk
- →Riddarholmen waterfront
- →Royal Palace exterior
Stockholm: City Hall, museums & departure
Stockholm, Sweden
Visit Stockholm City Hall (guided entry ~SEK 150 / £11) where the Nobel banquet is held, and Riddarholm Church. Choose one museum — the Vasa Museum (~SEK 190 / £14) is the standout — or just walk Djurgården and Skeppsholmen. Finish with fika (coffee and a cinnamon bun, ~SEK 60 / £4.50) at a konditori. Arlanda Express to the airport (~SEK 320 / £24) or the cheaper SL commuter train + bus combo (~SEK 40 / £3) with a longer journey time.
🚌SL commuter to Arlanda ~£3-24 depending on option
🛏Hostel, Stockholm (~£30-38) — or depart today
- →Stockholm City Hall tour (~£11)
- →Vasa Museum (optional, ~£14)
- →Djurgården walk
- →Fika in Gamla Stan
Self-launched vs. Trafalgar
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Trafalgar | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,185 | £3,900 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,715 per person (70%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Trafalgar-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,185
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,185 per person for 14 days in Denmark, Norway & Sweden. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Trafalgar?+
Yes — Trafalgar charges around £3,900 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,185 — a saving of roughly £2,715 (70%) per person.
How long is the Denmark, Norway & Sweden trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Denmark, Norway & Sweden.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Denmark, Norway & Sweden, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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