Norway vacation planning 9 months out is an update to my first post about “Plan for using my points to get Norway”. I have written the third post in this series 6 months out.
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the stunning fjords, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes of Norway, you’re not alone! But as with any international trip, proper planning is essential to ensure you make the most of your time in this incredible country. Whether you’re embarking on a family adventure, a solo journey, or a romantic getaway, starting your Norway vacation planning 9 months in advance gives you plenty of time to lock in key details, secure the best deals, and prepare for the trip of a lifetime.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the essential steps to take 9 months out from your Norway vacation, ensuring you’re ready to enjoy every moment when the time comes.
Another post I wrote about beginner credit card point travel. I also preplanned out what to pack see that post here. So what am I doing now in the planning phase?
Finalize Your Travel Dates & Duration
The first thing you should do when planning a trip to Norway is set your travel dates. Norway is a year-round destination, but the experiences you have will vary depending on the season.
- Summer (June–August): This is Norway’s peak season, with mild temperatures, long daylight hours, and plenty of festivals. If you plan to visit the famous fjords, go hiking, or enjoy scenic drives, summer is ideal. However, this is also when prices are highest and popular tourist spots can get crowded.
- Winter (December–February): If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights or experience a snowy winter wonderland, the winter months are perfect for your trip. It’s colder, with shorter days, but the winter scenery is magical. You’ll also find fewer tourists, and the ski resorts are in full swing.
- Shoulder Seasons (Spring & Fall): Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer a balance between fewer crowds and relatively mild weather. You’ll experience beautiful autumn colors or the tail end of the spring bloom, along with better deals on accommodations and flights.
Once you’ve decided on when you’d like to travel, determine how long you want to spend in Norway. With so many incredible cities, natural wonders, and outdoor activities, you’ll want enough time to explore. A typical trip could last anywhere from 7 to 14 days, depending on your interests.
We decided to stay for two weeks. We had already finalized dates but we did meet to finalize the time spent in each of the areas we are staying at.
Flights
If you’re not interested in the points details, feel free to skip ahead to the next section. But if you are curious, here’s where I stand so far. I’m currently a bit shy of my goal for points, sitting at 503,000 points in total (excluding my American Airlines points). I’ve used 300,000 of those points to secure four business-class tickets to Copenhagen. We’ll be starting our trip in Denmark before heading to Norway.
By following others who are experts in points, you can definitely get a better return on your points. However, I’m working within a specific time frame, and I don’t have quite enough points to cover everything. So, I’ve made a few adjustments along the way. I’ve opened a new credit card (check out my recommendations on what cards to open), and I’ve also set up an alert on PointsYeah to keep an eye out for any great deals that come my way.
So far, the two main things I’ve done are:
- Planned my travel points usage (I’ve already purchased tickets to my destinations).
- Explored accommodation options for our stay.
Points Purchases (Yes, I Bought Points)
I don’t typically recommend buying points, but sometimes it’s necessary to get you closer to your goal. This is actually the second time I’ve done this this year. For Thanksgiving, I was flying to Arizona, and ticket prices were sky-high, so I purchased points to help cover the cost.
For the Copenhagen flights, I used 300,000 points for the four of us to travel business class, and I’ve used another 300,000 points for our return flight from Norway. In addition to the points I’ve already used, I opened a new credit card to earn more points, but I decided not to redeem them right away. I was worried about losing out on the value of the points if I didn’t act quickly, so I ended up purchasing 100,000 additional points instead.
In total, our cost per person has been…
| Total cost of ticket per person | $1,060.15 |
| $7,819 if we bought the same tickets with cash | per person |
| $31,276 | for the four of us |
Where I’m staying
You do not have to book stays this early but I have been looking at Airbnb’s and hotels. I am going with other members of my family so I made links to places and asked for feedback. With hotels most you could book and then cancel if you find something else as time gets closer. In Flam, there is a place I want to stay out so I emailed them and they don’t start opening bookings until November. I love using technology I have been using notes on apple to share with family. You could also use google sheets or docs. For myself I also have a notebook that I jot thoughts down on. I’m trying to narrow it down to two-three Airbnb’s and hotel options. I read the reviews and look at the location of the hotel/Airbnb.
Look at what to do in each Location
I’m starting to look at what activities to do in each location. I like to have more of a relaxing vacation. But if I’m heading to a city it is more of a full day. So for me Copenhagen and Oslo will be the busiest part of out vacation. The smaller towns in Norway more relax and scenic vacation. I should right a post of my Chicago vacation because I had a well planned out schedule with all the research I did. In starting. For Copenhagen I have planed out day one which we arrive at 2:45 pm. I also planned day two. Day 3 I left open with a bunch of ideas. Also there can aways be changes in the first days if we have more time we can always do one of the extra days. To get ideas of where to go I look at Tic Tok and Pinterest.
Research Transportation Options
Norway has a fantastic transportation system, and deciding how you’ll get around depends on your plans. Consider the following options:
- Train: The Norwegian rail network is efficient, and taking a scenic train journey is an experience in itself. Routes like the Bergen Line (Oslo to Bergen) and the Rauma Railway (Andalsnes to Dombås) are especially popular for tourists.
- Car: Renting a car gives you flexibility, especially if you’re traveling to more remote areas like the Lofoten Islands or the Arctic Circle. Keep in mind that driving in Norway can be challenging due to narrow roads, snow in winter, and high gas prices.
- Bus: In some areas, buses are a great alternative to trains, particularly for short distances or travel to smaller towns.
- Domestic Flights: For long distances (such as traveling from Oslo to Tromsø), a domestic flight is often the best option.
- Ferries: Norway is known for its islands and coastal beauty, so ferries are a great way to explore some of its most scenic areas.
Conclusion
At the 9-month mark, planning your Norway vacation is all about laying the groundwork. By locking in your travel dates, setting your budget, booking flights and accommodation, and starting to research activities, you’re setting yourself up for an unforgettable trip. Whether you’re drawn to Norway for its stunning natural beauty, rich culture, or outdoor adventures, taking the time to plan ahead will ensure you make the most of your experience.
As you move closer to your departure, keep refining the details and stay flexible. Norway is an incredibly diverse country with so much to offer, and by planning early, you’ll be able to enjoy every moment without the stress of last-minute planning.
We are doing all of these except renting a car.
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