Norwegian Fjords & Scottish Highlands — Self-Launched Island-Hopping Version
16 days · Norway & Scotland
G Adventures charges £5,200
No-markup version: ~£2,950 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 16-day overland and sea version of G Adventures' Edinburgh-to-Tromsø expedition. You'll cover the same ground — Edinburgh and the Highlands, Stirling, a whisky distillery, the Orkney Neolithic sites, the Shetland Islands, Bergen, the Flåm Railway, Ålesund, Geirangerfjord, Trondheim and the Torghatten/Vega coast — using local buses, trains, North Sea ferries/Hurtigruten coastal sailings and self-booked day tours instead of a chartered 128-passenger expedition ship. Costs are indicative backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP for summer travel; Scandinavia is expensive, so self-catering and hostel kitchens make a big difference.
Day-by-day
Arrive Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
Land in Edinburgh and settle into a hostel in the Old Town or near Haymarket (the original trip's joining hotel is at Haymarket). Pick up a Ridacard or just walk — the centre is compact. Spend the evening on the Royal Mile and grab a cheap pub meal; supermarket meal deals keep costs down for the rest of the Scotland leg.
🚌Airlink 100 bus from Edinburgh Airport to city centre, ~£5.50 single
🛏Castle Rock Hostel or Kick Ass Grassmarket (dorm, ~£25/night)
- →Royal Mile evening wander
- →Supermarket shop for hiking days
Edinburgh Castle & Old Town
Edinburgh, Scotland
Self-guided walking day: book Edinburgh Castle tickets online in advance (~£21) and use the free audio guide. Walk the Royal Mile, pop into the free National Museum of Scotland, and climb Arthur's Seat for sunset (free, ~1 hour up). Optional: a food tour via GetYourGuide if you want a guided tasting (~£45).
🚌On foot / Lothian buses £2 single
🛏Castle Rock Hostel (dorm, ~£25/night)
- →Edinburgh Castle self-guided visit (~£21)
- →National Museum of Scotland (free)
- →Arthur's Seat hike (free)
Scottish Highlands day trip — Stirling & Deanston Distillery
Stirling & Deanston, Scotland
Take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Stirling (~45 min, ~£10 return with advance ticket). Self-tour Stirling Old Town and Stirling Castle (~£20). Walk or local bus to the Wallace Monument (~£11). In the afternoon take a local bus or taxi to Deanston Distillery near Doune for a distillery tour and tasting (~£18, book direct). Return to Edinburgh in the evening.
🚌ScotRail Edinburgh–Stirling ~£10 return; local buses ~£5
🛏Castle Rock Hostel (dorm, ~£25/night)
- →Stirling Castle (~£20)
- →Wallace Monument (~£11)
- →Deanston Distillery tour & tasting (~£18)
Edinburgh to Orkney — overnight to Kirkwall
Edinburgh → Kirkwall, Orkney
Free morning in Edinburgh, then head north. Cheapest route: train Edinburgh to Aberdeen (~2h40, ~£25 advance), then the NorthLink ferry Aberdeen–Kirkwall overnight (book a reclining seat or shared cabin, ~£45–70). Arrive Kirkwall next morning. Book ferry and rail in advance — summer sailings fill up.
🚌ScotRail Edinburgh–Aberdeen ~£25; NorthLink ferry Aberdeen–Kirkwall ~£55
🛏Overnight on NorthLink ferry (reclining seat)
- →Free morning in Edinburgh
- →Ferry crossing to Orkney
Orkney Neolithic sites
Kirkwall & Stenness, Orkney
Check into a Kirkwall hostel, then take the local X1/T11 bus to Stenness (~30 min, ~£3) to see the Standing Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar (both free, open access). Book a timed slot for Skara Brae and Maeshowe via Historic Environment Scotland (~£12 combined). Alternatively, a full-day Orkney tour via GetYourGuide/Viator costs ~£60 and covers all sites plus transport.
🚌Local Orkney bus ~£6 return
🛏Kirkwall Youth Hostel or Peedie Hostel (dorm, ~£28/night)
- →Ring of Brodgar (free)
- →Standing Stones of Stenness (free)
- →Skara Brae & Maeshowe (~£12)
Shetland Islands
Lerwick, Shetland
Take the NorthLink ferry Kirkwall–Lerwick (~5.5h, ~£30–40; check sailing days — often 2–3 per week). On arrival, explore Lerwick's lodberries and the Shetland Museum (free). Book the local 'Puffin Bus' or a wildlife tour to Sumburgh Head for puffins and seabirds (~£35), or take the local bus to Jarlshof prehistoric site (~£5 entry).
🚌NorthLink ferry Kirkwall–Lerwick ~£35; local buses ~£8
🛏Islesburgh House Hostel, Lerwick (dorm, ~£27/night)
- →Shetland Museum (free)
- →Sumburgh Head puffin bus (~£35)
- →Jarlshof (~£5)
Shetland to Bergen via North Sea
Lerwick → Bergen, Norway
Most practical self-launched routing: fly Lerwick–Bergen via Aberdeen (Loganair/Widerøe, ~£90–140 booked ahead) rather than hunting rare direct summer ferries. Alternatively check the summer Smyril Line/Holland Norway Lines options. Land in Bergen, check into a hostel near Bryggen, and treat yourself to a fish-and-chips or a supermarket dinner by the harbour.
🚌Flight Lerwick–Bergen via Aberdeen ~£110
🛏Marken Guesthouse or Bergen Hostel Montana (dorm, ~£35/night)
- →Arrive Bergen
- →Bryggen evening stroll
Bergen — Bryggen & Fløyen
Bergen, Norway
Self-guided Bryggen walking tour (free) with a downloadable audio guide. Take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen (~£12 return) or walk up free in ~45 min. Optional guided Bergen walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£20). In the afternoon, book the Flåm Railway and the Norway in a Nutshell-style connection for tomorrow through Vy/Entur.
🚌Funicular ~£12; city buses ~£4/trip
🛏Marken Guesthouse (dorm, ~£35/night)
- →Bryggen wharf (free)
- →Fløibanen funicular (~£12)
- →Fish market visit
Flåm Railway & fjord
Flåm, Norway
Take the train Bergen–Myrdal (~2h) and connect to the Flåm Railway (~1h, dramatic mountain descent). Book Flåm Railway tickets direct with Vy (~£40). Explore Flåm village, hike to Brekkefossen waterfall (free, ~1h), and stay overnight in the village hostel or campsite cabin.
🚌Vy train Bergen–Myrdal ~£25; Flåm Railway ~£40
🛏Flåm Camping & Youth Hostel (dorm/cabin, ~£38/night)
- →Flåm Railway
- →Brekkefossen waterfall hike (free)
Fjord cruise to Gudvangen & on to Ålesund
Nærøyfjord → Ålesund
Take the morning fjord cruise Flåm–Gudvangen through the narrow Nærøyfjord (book via GetYourGuide, ~£45), then bus to Voss and train onward towards Ålesund (Vy, ~£45, ~5–6h via Bergen or Dombås depending on schedule). Arrive Ålesund in the evening and check into a hostel.
🚌Fjord cruise ~£45; bus + Vy train ~£50
🛏Ålesund Vandrerhjem (dorm, ~£38/night)
- →Nærøyfjord fjord cruise (~£45)
Ålesund Art Nouveau town
Ålesund, Norway
Self-guided walk through the Art Nouveau district (free) — the town was rebuilt after the 1904 fire. Climb the 418 steps to Fjellstua for the classic viewpoint (free) or take the Aksla city train. Visit the Jugendstilsenteret museum (~£12). Pick up groceries for tomorrow's Geiranger leg.
🚌On foot; local bus ~£4
🛏Ålesund Vandrerhjem (dorm, ~£38/night)
- →Fjellstua viewpoint (free)
- →Jugendstilsenteret (~£12)
- →Art Nouveau walk (free)
Geirangerfjord & Dalsnibba
Geiranger, Norway
Bus Ålesund–Geiranger (~2h, ~£25, summer only — book on FRAM/Norwegian Travel). Take the local sightseeing bus up to Dalsnibba viewpoint (~£30) or hike a section of the fjord trails for free. Optionally do the 10km Skageflå/Geiranger hike for views over the UNESCO fjord. Catch the evening bus back to Ålesund or stay over.
🚌Bus Ålesund–Geiranger return ~£50
🛏Ålesund Vandrerhjem (dorm, ~£38/night) or Geiranger camping cabin (~£40)
- →Dalsnibba viewpoint bus (~£30)
- →Geirangerfjord hike (free)
Ålesund to Trondheim
Trondheim, Norway
Long travel day north: bus/train combination Ålesund–Trondheim (~6–9h, ~£50 via Vy trains or the express bus). Settle into a Trondheim hostel, wander the colourful old wharves of Bakklandet in the evening, and eat at a cheap student-friendly café.
🚌Express bus/Vy train ~£50
🛏Trondheim Vandrerhjem (dorm, ~£38/night)
- →Bakklandet evening walk
Trondheim — Nidaros & Bymarka
Trondheim, Norway
Choose your own adventure: hike in Bymarka Nature Reserve (free, take the Gråkallbanen tram ~£4 to the trailhead) or visit Nidaros Cathedral (~£12) plus Sverresborg Folk Museum (~£12). Free afternoon to explore the harbour and Solsiden district.
🚌Tram/bus ~£8
🛏Trondheim Vandrerhjem (dorm, ~£38/night)
- →Bymarka hike (free)
- →Nidaros Cathedral (~£12)
- →Sverresborg Folk Museum (~£12)
Torghatten & Vega Island
Brønnøysund / Vega, Norway
Head north by train/bus towards Brønnøysund (Vy to Grong or Mosjøen + connecting bus, ~£45). Hike up to the famous hole in Torghatten mountain (free, ~1h round trip). Take the local ferry to Vega Island (~£15 return) to wander the UNESCO fishing villages and do a self-guided coastal nature walk. Best done with one night based in Brønnøysund.
🚌Train + bus ~£45; Vega ferry ~£15
🛏Brønnøysund hostel/guesthouse (private room, ~£55/night)
- →Torghatten hole hike (free)
- →Vega Island UNESCO villages & coast walk (free)
Continue north to Tromsø
Tromsø, Norway
Final leg: bus/train combo or a cheap Widerøe flight from Brønnøysund to Tromsø (~£80–120 if booked ahead). In Tromsø, do a self-guided city walk past the Arctic Cathedral and harbour, and if you have a spare night in season, book a Northern Lights chase via GetYourGuide (~£90). Trip ends here.
🚌Bus/train or Widerøe flight ~£100
🛏Tromsø HI Hostel (dorm, ~£40/night)
- →Tromsø city walk (free)
- →Optional Northern Lights chase (~£90 in season)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,950 | £5,200 |
| Duration | 16 days | 16 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,250 per person (43%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,950
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 Norwegian Fjords & Scottish Highlands — Self-Launched Island-Hopping Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,950 per person for 16 days in Norway & Scotland. 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £5,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,950 — a saving of roughly £2,250 (43%) per person.
How long is the Norway & Scotland trip?+
This itinerary runs 16 days, covering 16 day-by-day stops through Norway & Scotland.
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 Norway & Scotland, 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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