Oslo Travel Tips

This beautiful city is full of historic sites, museums, parks, restaurants serving authentic food, and hotels. It is famous for its outdoor activities like ice skating, kayaking, cycling, hiking, sailing and skiing.

Oslo, the capital city of Norway, is not just rich in its diverse cultural existence but is also known for its beautiful scenery, green forests and snowy mountains. Most important, do not forget to pick up ski boots or snowboarding boots when you plan to visit Oslo's biggest ski centre.

Get in

By Air: Oslo can be reached by three airports - Oslo Airport, Sandefjord Airport and Moss Airport. However, Oslo Airport is the largest airport in Norway. Flights by more than 30 airlines make Oslo's airports easily accessible from most of the world.

By Train: Oslo lies in the heart of Norway's railway lines, and all the lines end at Oslo S. The Oslo Central Station is located on the eastern side of the city centre, and the railways are well connected to places from all over the country. International daily rail services are also available to and from countries like Sweden, Denmark, etc.

By Car: You can also reach Oslo by car by following the International highways E6 from Malmö and E18, which goes from Saint Petersburg. However, you will have to pay a road tax to reach Oslo.

By Bus: The city of Oslo is well-connected by bus routes all over Europe. Various bus operators manage deluxe as well as inexpensive bus services.

By Boat: Oslo can be reached by ferry from Denmark and Germany, and many companies operate car ferries and high-speed boats from various places.

City Transport

Oslo is the biggest city in Norway and offers a variety of public transportation systems to explore the famous tourist attractions in and around the city. It is easy to travel via bus, metro and tram as it is operated by Ruter, a common management company for public transport.

The main Oslo Central Station and Bus terminal are located near Jernbanetorget, so it is easy to access any public transportation system. There is also the most extensive metro system (referred to as T-bane), with six different lines connecting the downtown area with the city's outer regions. Oslo's port serves ferry boats, cargo and cruise ships.

Like other European capitals, Oslo city offers a special pass known as the Oslo Pass to travel free on all public transport within the city limits. It also allows free entry to the museums, attractions, and discounts on sightseeing, car rental, restaurants, shops, ice skates and ski rental.

Safety

In spite of being one of the largest European capitals, Oslo is a very safe city with an incredibly low crime rate. However, keeping an eye on the pickpockets in crowded areas and outdoor festivals is necessary. Keeping wallets and valuable items in safe and secured bags is advisable. For travellers, it is safe to use public transportation at any time. It is also safe to explore the famous streets, especially at night. However, places like the areas surrounding the Central Station, bars, and cafes should be avoided late at night.

Tipping

Additional tipping is not expected, as service charges are always included in the restaurant and bar bills. It is good to appreciate the services offered by the staff members in the form of tips (around 5 to 10% of the bill amount). Usually, taxi drivers round up the fare as a tip for their service.

Smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited at Oslo airport, similar to other European airports. The same goes for no smoking in all public areas like restaurants, bars and pubs. In addition, Norwegian law forbids smoking on public transportation.

When to Travel

The best time to travel to Oslo depends upon the choice of the tourist, whether they wish to experience skiing during the winter or beach activities in summer. During the summer season, the weather is mild and pleasant. The city of Oslo is considered to be one of the driest and warmest cities in Norway. In winter, snow is expected from mid-October, and the whole city gets covered with snow after Christmas. Though it is a famous winter destination for skiing, it significantly experiences a warmer climate than other European cities.

Winter: November–March
Spring: April–May
Summer: June–August
Autumn: September–October

Emergency numbers

• Calling Code: +47
• City Code: 2
• Police: 112
• Fire: 110
• Ambulance: 113

Important Phrases

• Hello: Hallo
• Good morning: God morgen
• Good evening: God kveld
• Good night: God natt
• Excuse me: Unnskyld meg
• Yes / No: Ja / Nei
• Please: Vær så snill
• I am sorry: Jeg beklager
• Thank you: Takk
• What is your name?: Hva heter du?
• Can you help me: Kan du hjelpe meg
• Do you speak English?: Snakker du engelsk?
• Pleased to meet you: Hyggelig å treffe deg