Cheap flights to Oslo depart from Manchester Airport, and Heathrow and Gatwick Airports near London. Other flights to Oslo may be available from some regional airports around the UK. Flights to Oslo will arrive at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen. The Oslo Airport Station is located beneath the airport terminal, and offers train connections to Oslo Central Station. Tickets can be purchased from the vending machines or ticket desks in the station. Airport Express (also known as SAS Flybussen) operates frequent bus services between the airport and Oslo city centre. Tickets can be purchased online through the Flybussen website, or from the booking desk at the airport. Taxis can be booked through the reservation desk in the Arrivals Hall, or flagged down at the taxi ranks outside the terminal.
The bus, tram and metro systems are all overseen by Ruter and the same tickets are used on all three forms of transport. Local ferries are also available for trips to the islands around Oslo. Check the Trafikanten website for more information on routes, timetables and fares. Single tickets can be purchased from the bus driver, or from ticket machines and convenience shops such as 7-Eleven. Purchase an Oslo Pass for free travel on all public transport within the city, as well as free entry to a number of museums and attractions. Oslo Passes are available for 24, 48 or 72 hours and are valid from the time they are first stamped. They can be purchased from the Visit Oslo website, all three Tourist Information Offices, hotels and some attractions. Taxis are readily available throughout Oslo, but fares may be quite expensive.
Norway’s capital is a favourite city break destination for visitors from the UK. Make good use of the Oslo Pass and enjoy a circuit of the city’s museums, which include the Nobel Peace Centre, the Kon-Tiki Museum, Munch Museum and Henrik Ibsen Museum. The open-air Norwegian Folk Museum features exhibits of traditional and regional buildings gathered from around Norway. Akershus Castle is unmissable, due to its proximity to the city centre. Explore the medieval fortress and catch a glimpse of Oslofjord from within its walls. Oslofjord itself offers many scenic spots for picnics and hikes. Stroll through Frogner Park and contemplate the sculptures in the Vigeland Sculpture Park.
The glamorous GlasMagasinet department store offers an array of high street fashion chains, as well as specific sections focusing on kitchenware, home décor and crystal products. Sift through the numerous bric-a-bracs and antiques at the Vestkanttorvet Flea Market to discover up a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Hot dogs are sold from stands all over the city, and provide a quick, inexpensive snack. Visit Stortorverts Gjaestgiveri both for its ambience and to sample Norwegian cuisine. Oslo’s oldest restaurant offers delicacies including roast reindeer and a variety of openfaced sandwiches. Enjoy a trip back to the 1950s at Teddy’s Soft Bar, which has kept its décor unchanged since 1958 (it even has an original Wurlitzer jukebox).