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Travel: Are ‘flexible tickets’ in Norway worth the extra money? 

The coronavirus pandemic has made it hard to plan ahead, especially in regards to travel. Flexible tickets allow you to change your ticket or get a refund if something goes wrong, but are they worth the extra cost?

Published: 28 May 2021 11:47 CEST
Updated: 13 June 2021 09:27 CEST
Travel: Are 'flexible tickets' in Norway worth the extra money? 
Should you opt for a flexi ticket? Photo by Darya Tryfanava on Unsplash

The ongoing pandemic has put a screeching halt on many of our travel plans.

Recently the Norwegian government has lifted the firm recommendation to forego unnecessary travel within the country’s borders.

Residents are cautiously starting to make summer plans to travel around Norway. But the overall increased level of caution has many travellers choosing to purchase a flexible ticket over a regular one. But is it worth the extra kroner?

What is a flexible ticket?

A flexible ticket is a more expensive ticket that you can change in or get a refund if you have cause to cancel the trip.

Andra Rado, the chief communication officer for Wizz Air explains why the demand for these types of tickets are growing. “Flexible tickets are extremely popular right now because it offers a flexibility that everyone is needing in these current times,” he told NRK.

The price difference

Taking a train or plane are two popular transportation methods used to travel around Norway.  Below are examples of the price difference for a regular ticket and flexible ticket both on the tracks and in the air, from broadcaster NRK.

Source:NRK

How much more are you actually paying?

Based on the information in the charts, you can see a flexible train ticket from Oslo to Bergen is nearly three times the price of a non-refundable one. And low-budget airline Widerøe requests 2,551 kroner (€256) extra for a flexible ticket from Oslo to Trondheim. 

“It is true that the difference can be big, because low-cost tickets can often be discounted, while there is never a discount on flexible tickets,” Dag Brekkan, a sales manager at Go-Ahead Norway told NRK.

It appears that on average, an upgrade to a flexible ticket for transportation by train will cost more than an upgraded flexible ticket via plane. 

It is important to note that you are not just paying extra for the assurance that you will get your money back or the option to change the ticket in case your trip is cancelled. A customer who has purchased a flexible ticket for a plane often enjoys the perks of free baggage, access to the airport lounge, and a fast track check-in, in addition to the money back guarantee.

Thinking it through

So, is it worth it? Many residents already have travel insurance that will refund a train or plane ticket should a trip be cancelled for any reason. 

In addition, many credit cards carry their own insurance on cancelled trips. It may be worth buying your transport ticket with your credit card over a debit card if your credit card company has such money-refunding insurances on travel purchases. 

Note that it is important to follow the national rules and regulations pertaining to the ongoing pandemic, as a lot of banks that offer insurance, such as Sparebank1, adjust their rules to fit  the current restrictions.  

The takeaway

To make the right choice between a flexible ticket versus a regular ticket, it is now more important than ever to check the terms of the ticket you would like to purchase. And if you do have travel insurance, stay updated on the company’s  policies concerning travel and COVID-19.

“When it comes to cancellation options for such trips, the individual must check their own travel insurance for which situations provide cancellation coverage through the insurance company,” Caroline Skarderud, a lawyer with  Consumer Council told DinSide.

“When it comes to insurance coverage during the trip, the individual insurance agreement will also decide, so you should also check with your own company,” she said.

If you’re not on a tight budget, and prefer to travel more comfortably, a flexible ticket may be the best choice for you both now, and in a post-pandemic future. 

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TRAVEL

Explore Austria: Mauer, a charming wine-hiking spot on Vienna’s outskirts

Catch the very tail-end of the wine season and autumn foliage in one of the lesser-explored corners of the Austrian capital: Mauer.

Published: 12 November 2021 17:03 CET
Updated: 24 September 2023 08:20 CEST
Explore Austria: Mauer, a charming wine-hiking spot on Vienna’s outskirts
Beautiful views and cosy taverns await you on the edge of Vienna. Photo: Catherine Edwards

Wine-hiking is an autumn must-do in Austria. There’s the official Wine Hiking Day (Weinwandertag) that usually draws in big crowds, but it’s also possible to follow the routes through beautiful scenery and wine taverns on your own.

Mauer in the southwest of Vienna is one of the routes that is mostly frequented by locals.


The footpath takes you through scenic vineyards. Photo: Catherine Edwards

You can reach this part of the 23rd district using Vienna’s public transport, and you have a few options. From the Hietzing station on the U4 line, you can take the tramline 60 or bus 56A. The former will take you either to Mauer’s central square or you can get off earlier at Franz-Asenbauer-Gasse to start the hike. If it’s too early in the day for wine just yet, you could start your day at the small and charming Designo cafe (Geßlgasse 6).

Otherwise, the residential area itself doesn’t have much to see, but keep an eye out as you wander between the taverns later — there are some beautiful buildings.

To start the hike, head west along Franz-Asenbauer Gasse, which will take you up into the vineyards, growing some red wine and Vienna’s specialty Gemischter Satz or ‘field blend’, which as the name suggests is a mixture of different types of grapes.

Photo: Catherine Edwards

The paved road takes a left turn, but the hiking route follows a smaller path further upwards. Here you’ll have magnificent views over the whole of Vienna.

If you stick to the official hiking route (see a map from Weinwandern here) you can keep the whole route under 5 kilometres. But more adventurous types don’t need to feel limited.

You can also follow the Stadtwanderweg 6 route (see a map here) either in full, which will add on a hefty 13 kilometres, or just in part, and venture further into the Mauerwald. If you do this, one spot to aim for is the Schießstätte, a former hunting lodge offering hearty Austrian meals.

EXPLORE AUSTRIA

In any case, you should definitely take a small detour to see the Wotrubakirche, an example of brutalist architecture from the mid-1970s built on a site that was used as a barracks during the Second World War.

Not far from the church is the Pappelteich, a small pond that is not only an important habitat for local flora and fauna, but a popular picnic spot for hikers. Its only water supply is from the rain, and due to climate change the pond has almost dried out in recent years, prompting the city to take action to boost its water supply by adding a permanent pipe.


The church is made up of over 150 concrete blocks. Photo: Catherine Edwards

What you really come to Mauer for, though, are the Heuriger or Viennese wine taverns. 

The most well-known is Edlmoser (Maurer Lange Gasse 123) which has previously been named as the best in Vienna. Note that it’s not open all year so check the website, but in 2021 it should be open between November 5th and 21st, and is also serving the goose that is a popular feature on Viennese menus this time of year.

Tip for translating Heuriger opening times: look for the word ausg’steckt, which is used by those taverns which aren’t open year round. They will also often show that they’re open by attaching a bunch of green twigs to the sign or front door.


Buschenschank Grausenburger. Photo: Catherine Edwards

Also worth visiting are cosy Buschenschank Grausenburger (Maurer Lange Gasse 101a), Heuriger Wiltschko (Wittgensteinstrasse 143 — located near the start of the hiking route, this is a good place to begin your tour) and Heuriger Fuchs-Steinklammer (Jesuitensteig 28).

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