Best Budget Hotels in Oslo
Four of the best-reviewed budget hotels in Oslo, all in the walkable city center, with real booking links and honest prices.
Best Budget Hotels in Oslo
Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in Europe for a hotel room, but Norwegian chains like Smarthotel, Citybox and Comfort Hotel Xpress have built a genuine budget-to-mid-range tier around smart, compact rooms rather than cutting corners on location. All four hotels below sit right in the city center, a few minutes' walk from Oslo Central Station or Karl Johans gate.
Whether you're searching for a cheap hotel near Oslo Central Station, an affordable stay in the hip Youngstorget neighborhood, or a well-located compact-design hotel near the Royal Palace, this list covers it. Every listing links to the hotel's real page on Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com or Expedia so you can compare live rates.
How Much Do Budget Hotels Cost in Oslo?
A clean, well-located budget hotel in Oslo typically runs $100 to $180 a night, reflecting Norway's high cost of living rather than a lack of budget-tier options — "budget" here means smart, compact rooms from a reliable Norwegian chain rather than a cheap rate. Rates climb during the short, intense Nordic summer (June through August), when long daylight hours draw the most visitors. Winter, outside the Christmas period, tends to offer the best value, in exchange for short days and cold weather.
| Hotel | Area | Stars | Guest Score | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smarthotel Oslo | City Center | 3 | 7.9 | $$ |
| Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget | Youngstorget | 3 | 8.0 | $$ |
| Citybox Oslo | City Center | 3 | 8.1 | $$$ |
| Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station | Central Station | 3 | 8.4 | $$$ |
Oslo has no cheap tier the way Southeast Asian cities do, so we filtered it down to the city's genuine budget-to-mid-range brands: Smarthotel, Citybox and Comfort Hotel Xpress, all well-reviewed 3-star properties within a short walk of Oslo Central Station or Karl Johans gate.
Best Areas to Find Budget Hotels in Oslo
Right around Oslo Central Station is the most practical base, with a direct airport train connection and an easy walk to Karl Johans gate, the Royal Palace and the harbor. Youngstorget, a short walk from the station, has become one of Oslo's hippest neighborhoods, packed with restaurants and bars around a lively square. All four hotels on this list sit within this compact, walkable core, so the real trade-off is more about hotel style and budget than neighborhood.
1. Smarthotel Oslo
Just five minutes' walk from Karl Johan shopping street and two minutes from Nationaltheatret Station, Smarthotel Oslo is widely seen as one of the most budget-friendly choices in an expensive city. The 257 rooms range from smart, compact 8-square-meter singles to spacious 40-square-meter apartment-style rooms, with a 24-hour reception bar and self check-in keeping things efficient.
Reviewers consistently mention the excellent central location within walking distance of the Royal Palace and National Museum, with compact rooms noted as the trade-off for the price. You can check room availability on Booking.com for your dates.
Booking.com
Check Rates & Book →Trip.com
Check Rates & Book →2. Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget
Right in the heart of the hip Youngstorget neighborhood, Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget was refreshed with a new lobby and rooms in 2021, close to the Oslo Opera House and Nobel Peace Center. A 24/7 gym with both cardio and strength equipment is a genuinely useful amenity rarely found at this price point in Oslo.
Guests consistently rate this an excellent choice for budget travelers, praising the modern rooms and the lively Youngstorget location. You can check room availability on Booking.com for your dates.
Booking.com
Check Rates & Book →Agoda
Check Rates & Book →Trip.com
Check Rates & Book →Expedia
Check Rates & Book →3. Citybox Oslo
In the middle of the city center, 820 feet from Oslo Central Station and 492 feet from Karl Johans gate, Citybox Oslo offers self-service check-in and Scandinavian-designed rooms with a bed, a small desk and a modern bathroom. A free daily manager's reception, two coffee shops and an arcade/game room add a bit of extra character to the efficient, no-frills Citybox formula.
Reviewers consistently praise the great value for such a central location, calling out the unbeatable walk to both the train station and the main shopping street. You can check room availability on Booking.com for your dates.
Booking.com
Check Rates & Book →Expedia
Check Rates & Book →4. Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station
Just 328 feet from Oslo Central Station and close to Oslo Spektrum, Comfort Hotel Xpress Central Station is the most centrally located hotel on this list for anyone arriving by train or the airport express. All 195 allergy-free rooms include a seating area and free WiFi, with self check-in service keeping arrivals quick and simple.
Guests consistently rate this the highest-scoring hotel on this list, praising the unbeatable proximity to the train station and the modern, comfortable rooms. You can check current rates on Agoda for your dates.
Agoda
Check Rates & Book →Expedia
Check Rates & Book →Prices above are shown as relative bands rather than fixed nightly rates, since Oslo hotel pricing rises during the short Nordic summer. Click through to any platform for live rates on your exact dates.
