Is it possible to visit Scandinavia on $50 a day?

Only if you couchsurf or work-trade (like WWOOFing). Otherwise, the baseline cost of food and transit in Norway or Sweden makes $75 a more realistic floor.

Should I buy a rail pass?

Check the price of point-to-point tickets first. Often, booking buses (FlixBus) or low-cost regional flights in advance is cheaper than a Eurail pass in Northern Europe.

How to Travel Northern Europe on a Budget

Prioritize grocery shopping for lunch and breakfast, use overnight ferries or buses for travel, and leverage free walking tours to minimize costs. Northern Europe is expensive, so keep your spending in check by avoiding alcohol in bars and focusing on city cards for transport and entry fees.

Choose the right cities. Stick to capitals like Tallinn, Riga, or Vilnius in the Baltics, or secondary cities like Bergen or Aarhus, where your money stretches further than in Stockholm, Oslo, or Copenhagen.
Master the grocery game. Shop at local discount supermarkets like REMA 1000 (Norway/Denmark), Netto, or Maxima. A prepared sandwich for lunch can cost $5, while a sit-down meal is rarely under $25.
Use public transit passes. Don't pay for single tickets. Buy a 24-hour or 72-hour pass as soon as you arrive, or use city-specific cards that include entry to museums to save on cumulative costs.
Travel by overnight ferry or bus. Use FlixBus for cross-country travel or overnight ferries (like the Tallinn-Stockholm route) to save on a night of accommodation while moving between regions.

Is it possible to visit Scandinavia on $50 a day?: Only if you couchsurf or work-trade (like WWOOFing). Otherwise, the baseline cost of food and transit in Norway or Sweden makes $75 a more realistic floor.
Should I buy a rail pass?: Check the price of point-to-point tickets first. Often, booking buses (FlixBus) or low-cost regional flights in advance is cheaper than a Eurail pass in Northern Europe.