moderately priced accommodation in Oslo & Bergen

Hostels are the most economical. The Thon hotel chain offers clean and functional budget rooms: http://www.thonhotels.com/hotels/
I've stayed at the Thon Astoria in Oslo. Close to Central S and city center sights. Check the RS guide for other suggestions.

Thanks for the Thon hotel recommendation. We've been looking at these as a possibility. A.

This perhaps isn't the cheapest option in Oslo, but you can't beat Hotel Continental's location. It sits right across the street from a Flytoget station, and a 5 minute walk away from the city hall, royal palace and harbor.

Angela, I just returned from Norway and other places. I stayed at the Ellingsens pensjonat. It sort of NW of city center, but there is a tram that stops about 50 feet away at this time. They are doing some construction so im sure that route will change when they are done. i cant remember the exact price at this time, but im not one of the 1% so im on the cheap side. I do remember no ensuite bathroom, but it did have a sink. I was on teh ground floor near in the back and the bathroom/toilet/shower was just outside my door. its close to the frogner park and within walking distance (for me) to city center. there were also restaurants (which i didnt have a chance on trying) but i did get some icecream. There is also a laundry cafe about 2 or 3 blocks away too. they had offered breakfast, but i skipped on that. happy trails.

thanks to both the Hüttenfeld and Portland contributors for their suggestions. It's good to get a variety of choices based on first hand experience. Angela

Hi Angela! I'll also recommend the Thon Hotel chain - they're more of a business hotel and less busy during the summers, which translates into great deals. Look on their website for offers and subscribe to their newsletters. The rooms are nicely decorated and clean, and the service is great. I stayed at the Rosenkrantz while I was in Bergen a couple of years ago, and it is fabulously located a block up from Brygge. It was about $300 for two nights in late July. In Oslo, I stayed at the Stefan - it was $300 for three nights. It's in a very quiet side street and a five-minute walk from Karl Johans gate, the main drag. I only used the Fjord Pass to travel from Bergen to Oslo (and see the fjords, of course), as I was able to find better priced and located hotels than they were offering at the time. One tip - pack a jacket for the day, just in case. Even though it was late July when I went, the day I did the fjords it was super foggy and only 6C. Seriously. Although the jacket I bought at one of the touristy shops along the way is one of my favourite (and most expensive) travel souvenirs to date. Hope this helps! Julie

Julie, Great advice...lots of details to help us plan for next year. This sounds like it might be a repeat of our Iceland trip a few years ago, weather-wise, except we went late May. Had hoped for warmer weather this time but it helps to be prepared.
A.