We went to Lofoten in May 2017.
If you’re going in the off season like us, (anytime other than June-August), you’ll realize bus and ferry frequencies are SUPER LOW to, from and in lofoten.
Car rentals are the best alternative. We did rent from Moskenes rent a car.
We saved money by sleeping in the car/airport/ferry terminal.
Bodo airport usually allows people to stay overnight, but we were unlucky and the guards on duty chased us out. So we slept at the ferry terminal instead.
To those who asked about the safety of sleeping in the car, we did not on the engine nor open windows. It was bright out due to the midnight sun and we felt safe being able to see everywhere. We wrapped ourselves in sleeping bags and blankets, as it was -2 degrees out, and hailing on some nights. I slept in the trunk while YF slept in the back seat of the car. It was too cold to set tent, and difficult to find flat ground that is partially sheltered by trees and not on private property (most flat grounds are fenced).
We saved money by grilling our own meal! They sell DIY BBQ grills called Pik-niq-grille. And it is a foil plate with charcoal and wax paper. By lighting the wax paper, we set the charcoal on fire easily, place the metal chicken wire on top, and can begin grilling whatever we bought! We bought mackerel, sausages, corn, pulled chicken. We used ready to eat marinated meat that are grill ready, as stated on the packaging.
We saved money by experiencing nature and not paying for any museum or attraction entrance, afterall, Lofoten is famous for its landscapes.
We saved money on no snacking and no alcohol. The only snack we bought was to try their salted licorice. An acquired taste and a first timer for us.
Read our itinerary here!