I’ve messed up with the holiday I’ve booked

The thing is, that type of cold is not wet, and the streets of Copenhagen and Oslo are not going to be like wading through deep snow. She isn't likely to get wet at all. We wore jeans in the winters of Western Canada and were fine.

im looking around for a coat but obviously don’t want something I can’t use again in the UK!
Whacoat do you normally where in winter?

-30 was a freakishly cold snap in 2024. The norm is more likely to be around -5 which is perfectly manageable if you wrap up!

Jeans are not great if they get wet. Wear thermal long johns and thick tights under winterweight trousers. Add extra socks on your feet. Two pairs of gloves or mittens and a woollen hat under a hooded coat.

The average for Oslo in Feb is 0 to –7. It's not going to be –30. Are you sure you weren't reading something in Fahrenheit?

I've been to Oslo in late February 2019 - there was still snow on the hills around the city, but none within the city itself. The fountains on the main street were still frozen and you could rent ice skates. It was possible to alpine and cross country ski near Holmenkollen, but the snow was very mashed potato as it was in a melt during the day/freeze overnight cycle.

The temperatures were at worst -10 overnight, and in the lovely sunshine days I had, it was up to above freezing during the day. I remember being too warm at times in the sunshine. I was wearing a 'normal' winter coat (one of those 2 layer waterproof/fleece things) and had gloves/hat etc for wandering round on an evening.

I have a friend who lives in Copenhagen and I have been to visit many, many times at all times of year. Yes, it’s cold in the winter but it’s lovely. Take a warm coat, hat and snuggly scarf and you’ll be fine. You don’t need to sit in your hotel! What do you think people who live there do in the winter?! When you’re walking around outside you’ll soon warm up, and all the buildings are so warm inside.

OP you'll be fine! I spent some months in Russia in winter, similar temperatures. I had a great winter parka, think it was stuffed with goose feathers (borrowed off my mum, I was a student) and that thick lining was detachable. If you find something similar, you could use it easily in the UK.

Lots of us students were out there at the time, you just want to wear lots of layers. I used to do tights under my jeans, socks over the top, some alpaca wool socks over those and boots. Two tops, two jumpers and one scarf round my neck, one round my head and face under my parka, gloves. Then I'd take most of the layers off once I got inside somewhere.

It's actually not horrible cold in those temperatures and layers because it was dry cold. Once you're bundled up, you don't feel it. I actually preferred it to the horrible wet cold we have in winter in the UK.

I think it sounds like a fabulous trip. If you're wanting to spend a lot of time walking, your walking boots will be fine but go to a proper hiking shop (not mountain warehouse) and get one or two pairs of real mountaineering socks. They allowed me to manage -25 in bad weather in Kilimanjaro. Do not do what I did when my then new boyfriend took me to New York for New Year when it was -10 and I wanted to look stylish so wore high heeled boots, a tailored wool coat and leather gloves. I have never been so cold. Go for proper technical gear.

Thermal leggings or long johns under trousers/joggers is fine denim gets cold as a material .. but dh was ok with thermal leggings underneath...in Iceland i wore under normal walking trousers... I did buy a pair of winterlined walking trousers i think in mountain warehouse sale ... And they were very cosy..
Other than that warm hat and socks made the most difference
I have a didrikson coat with thermal lining anyway for winter here... Took a uniqlo gilet but didn't need it with my other layers (i have for camping)
Dh wore Uniqlo lightdown jacket under regatta/decathlon waterproof.. heat tech is great but think my leggings were lidl..

My best investment was a cashmere v neck jumper so warm so light ... Also felt nice enough to wear on its own... I waited til the sales and think it was house of bruar... Didn't like the Uniqlo cashmere as much ..

What about putting a message on facebook and seeing if you have any friends that could lend you a coat or similar?

Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much. You won't be tramping across the arctic tundra. You'll be nipping from building to building, and it will probably be similar temps to a cold winter day in the UK.

Not been to Oslo. As it seems the least appealing Scandi capital and is super expensive but Copenhagen is amazing and is probably my favourite city full stop. If we were still in the eu and I had the money id seriously think about moving there! I'm sure you'll have a fab time in Oslo too though. There's loads of musuems there, so you can keep warm going in and out of them, along with coffee shops(The scandis love their coffee).

I've been to Oslo several times mid winter - it's beautiful. The layering as you suggest will be fine. The National Museum is worth a visit - and it's fairly close to the Munch museum - these are right by the fjord so great views. Public transport in Oslo is good - lots of trams, buses and underground options - download the app Ruter to get routes and tickets. There are saunas by the fjord too. You will have a great time!

Last year there was a freak weather incident that caused a temperature drop for a specific short period. It’s certainly not normal and not average. You are likely to get -5 to +5 as an average while you are there. Also likely to get clear skies with bright sun. It’ll be beautiful!
Yes to a thermal layer under your clothing, and top layers that can be removed when you go inside, somewhere like a museum will be warm and you’ll want to easily unlayer. You’ll need decent footwear to avoid wet feet in the snow.
Dont cancel, and don’t stay in your room, you’ll have a wonderful time in two of the most amazing places!

Food will be expensive

If you need things that you won’t use again can you buy and then sell again on Vinted?

Sounds an amazing trip! As others have said, the coldest temperatures are taken in the middle of the night, at say 3am. The day temperatures will be warmer.

We went to New York and it was —6 in the day. Thermals will be your friend! Both longjohn type and vests! Then just layers and hat, scarf, gloves. We also bought the pocket warmers so you open the packet and it really warms up, we always had those in our pockets and they kept warm for a good few hours.

Take some books with you and enjoy relaxing and the sights!

I went to Copenhagen a few years ago in Feb and had a great time! It wasn’t that cold just the same as the UK and Tivoli Gardens was certainly open and still had all the winter/christmas decs - it was great!

Get some snow boots. Snood, ski gloves. Basically look at ski wear
If op is on a city break this is not needed.
I just wear my normal winter clothes.

She will look mad going round oslo as if she has just come of the piste!

I wear tights under jeans when it's cold, it works remarkably well.
If it's really cold, tights and long johns under my jeans.

Where are you looking to get that temperature. I thought you must have been getting °c and °f mixed up.

Sure it'll be cold, probably around 0° but everytime ive been in February and March, its been cold but plenty to do. I cant speak too much about Helsinki as I've only been once in February and that was a half term holiday but seriously you are definitely overthinking it. Sure, wrap up but layers are going to be better,especially if you are in and out of buildings.
If you won't need to buy specific clothes if you have winter clothes already.

I'm a Swede. It might be -30 in February, but my guess is not, and not for a long time if so. Found a chart that says average lowest temperature in Oslo in February is -7.2, which sounds more like it. That includes nights, obviously. For Copenhagen -1.

You'll be out and about and in and out of places, which is a bigger challenge to dressing tbh because you overheat indoors if you can't shed layers. So my tentative suggestion is to avoid tight thermals under jeans, because when you go indoors you'll want to claw your skin off. Generally speaking we use our central heating in Scandinavia ;) so indoors will be warm.

We've had several mild winters here (I'm in mid Sweden, not far from Stockholm) and I've managed fine with my almost ankle length down coat to cover my legs a bit, and I always wear wool socks and sometimes knee socks for extra gap protection. Plugging the gaps is the most important thing, like someone said! Windproof and layers.

You'll definitely get an authentic cultural experience that time of year! Enjoy yourself!

But there must have been choices beyond all inclusive surely? I would've thought the Canaries or Southern Spain would have been reasonable in February and certainly cheaper in terms of spending money than Scandinavia. And not -20 degrees either!

I've been to Oslo in winter a few times. It's fine, remember they're equipped for it as it always gets cold in winter, these aren't unusual temperatures for them.

I just wore thermals, wool and fleece, leather or wool gloves, a thermal or wool hat or earmuffs, and my Royal Mail walking shoes with spikeys (crampons) in my bag in case it was slippy (it rarely was). People suggesting you go in full ski gear are being a bit ridiculous, you're mostly going to be in heated buildings if you're there for the museums and the food, and it really doesn't feel as cold outside as you'd expect.

Take sunscreen and lots and lots of moisturiser, hand cream and lip balm.

I'll go! It sounds like an awesome trip.