Backpacking in Norway: Staying at the Hostel Montana in Bergen

Norway was my 99th official real country on this crazy journey (something voted for by you) and I decided to tour Bergen, Voss, Gudvangen, Myrdal, Flam and Oslo. Bergen is a UNESCO listed city on the west coast of Norway and so I decided to base myself over here for the first few days.

Budget options in Norway are few and far between, and when backpacking in Norway, you will notice it’s slightly harder to stick to your normal budget. But there are some easy ways around it – stay in dorms, cut back on booze, cook for yourself, book hostels that include breakfast and free tea/coffee and don’t pay entry into museums etc.

Anyway I found out about the Hostel Montana in Bergen and I booked into a dorm room here. I liked the idea that it was out of the city, up at an altitude with a viewpoint. I was also trying to organise a night in the more central Basic Hotel Bergen, but being offline that option fell through as I had already made a note of the address and bus I needed to get out here, so I stayed here at the Hostel Montana. Here are five cool things about this hostel.

1. Mountain Views
Escape the big city buzz and marvel in the magnificent Norwegian landscapes. In winter time sheets of snow fill the streets and mountains all around in a land nothing short of paradise.

2. Out Of Town Location
Hostel Montana is out of the town centre and for this reason, it’s a more budget friendly option. You don’t have the temptation to go out to the bars and restaurants. There is a cheap local supermarket nearby and being a massive mountain hostel, prices are much more reasonable too. The only negative aspect is that the bus service to the city centre of Bergen is 35 NOK a ride (about 3.5 Euros).

3. Massive Buffet Breakfast
The Hostel Montana has a massive buffet breakfast including Norwegian fish dishes, cereals, salad, fruit, yoghurt, juices, tea, coffee and more.

4. Free Coffee and Cookies
As well as having free tea and coffee, every night they have a get together for chatting over a coffee and some free cookies for guests and volunteers at the hostel. But only between 17.30 – 18.30 so don’t miss it!

5. Spacious Rooms and Social Space
As it’s out of the city, the Hostel Montana is huge. There is so much space here to relax and chill in from the lounges to the gardens to the dining room to the bedroom.

So if you’re backpacking in Norway and you want a cheap option in Bergen, head out here:
Montana Family & Youth Hostel
Johan Blytts vei 30
5096 Bergen
Norway
Phone 55 20 80 70
Fax 55 20 80 75
E-mail [email protected]

Here are some videos I made at the Hostel Montana in Bergen, Norway: