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Getting There & Away
International airlines link Oslo with most major European cities. Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim also have international airports. There is no departure tax when leaving Norway. Trains run daily from Oslo to Copenhagen in Denmark and to Helsingborg and Stockholm in Sweden. There are also trains to Stockholm from Trondheim and Narvik. Numerous highways and secondary roads link Norway with Finland and Sweden. A bus and a catamaran service link Kirkenes in northern Norway with Murmansk in Russia. There are also ferries to/from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
By Air
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Oslo Airport is 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Oslo.
By Bus
Flybussen (tel. 67/59-62-20; NKr35; to Oslo weekdays and Sun. 7:30 AM-11:30 PM, Sat. 7:30 AM-11:00 PM; to Fornebu weekdays, 6 AM-9:40 PM, Sat. 6 AM-7:40 PM, Sun. 6 AM-9:50 PM) departs from its terminal under Galleri Oslo shopping center every 10-15 minutes and reaches Fornebu approximately 20 minutes later. Another bus departs from the SAS Scandinavia Hotel. Between the two buses, there are stops at the central train station as well as at Stortinget, Nationaltheatret, and near Aker Brygge. Another alternative is Suburban Bus 31, marked "Snarшya," which stops outside the Arrivals terminal. On the trip into town it stops on the main road opposite the entrance to the airport. You can catch this bus at both the central railway station, Jernbanetorget, or at Nationaltheatret. The cost is NKr20.
By Taxi
There is a taxi line to the right of the Arrivals exit. The fare to town is about NKr130. All taxi reservations should be made through the Oslo Taxi Central (tel. 22/38-80-90; dial 1 for direct reservation) no less than 20 minutes before pickup time.
By Boat
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Several ferry lines connect Oslo with the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. Color Line (tel. 22/22-94-45-70) sails to Kiel, Germany, and to Hirtshals, Denmark; DFDS Scandinavian Seaways (tel. 22/41-90-90) to Copenhagen via Helsingborg, Sweden; and Stena Line (tel. 22/33-50-00) to Frederikshavn, Denmark.
By Bus
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The main bus station, Bussterminalen (tel. 22/17-01-66), is under Galleri Oslo, across from the Oslo S Station. Tickets for long-distance routes on Nor-Way Bussekspress (tel. 22/17-52-90, fax 22/17-59-22) can be purchased here or at travel agencies.
By Car
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Route E18 connects Oslo with Gцteborg, Sweden (by ferry between Sandefjord and Strцmstad, Sweden); Copenhagen, Denmark (by ferry between Kristiansand and Hirtshals, Denmark); and Stockholm directly overland. The land route from Oslo to Gцteborg is the E6. All streets and roads leading into Oslo have toll booths a certain distance from the city center, forming an "electronic ring." The toll is NKr12 and was implemented to reduce pollution downtown. If you have the correct amount in change, drive through one of the lanes marked "Mynt." If you don't, or if you need a receipt, use the "Manuell" lane.
By Train
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Long-distance trains arrive at and leave from Oslo S Station (tel. 22/17-14-00), whereas most suburban commuter trains use Nationaltheatret or Oslo S. Commuter cars reserved for monthly pass holders are marked with a large black "M" on a yellow circle. Trains marked "IC," or InterCity, offer such upgraded services as breakfast and "office cars" with phones and power outlets, for an added fee.
Traveling from Britain to Norway by train is not difficult. The best connection leaves London's Victoria Station (tel. 0171/928-5100) at noon and connects at Dover with a boat to Oostende, Belgium. From Oostende there is a sleeping-car-only connection to Copenhagen that arrives the next morning at 8:25. The train to Oslo leaves at 9:45 AM and arrives at 7:42 PM. A number of special discounted trips are available, including the InterRail Pass, which is available for European residents of all ages, and the EurailPass, sold in the United States only.
Getting Around
Norway's main domestic airlines - SAS, Braathens SAFE and Widerшe Norsk Air - fly to nearly 50 airports scattered across the country. Distances are great in Norway, which means air travel should be considered even by budget travellers. Norway also has an extensive bus network, with routes connecting every main city as well as more remote areas. The national rail system is good, though somewhat limited, with main lines running from Oslo to Stavanger, Bergen, Еndalsnes and Bodш. Major car-rental companies have offices at airports and city centres but rates are expensive. Given its great distances, hilly terrain and narrow roads, Norway is not ideally suited for cycling. The one bonus for cyclists is that traffic is very light. A far-reaching system of ferries and express boats link Norway's offshore islands, coastal towns and fjord districts. For more than a century, the coastal steamer Hurtigruten has been the lifeline linking the tiny fishing communities scattered along the northern coast. A ship heads north from Bergen every night calling at 33 ports on the six-day journey to Kirkenes. Local transport in the cities and towns is generally efficient and served mainly by public buses. Oslo also has an underground rail system, trams and ferries.
GETTING AROUND
By Car
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If you plan to do any amount of driving in Oslo, buy a copy of the Stor Oslo map, available at bookstores and gasoline stations. It may be a small city, but one-way streets and few exit ramps on the expressway make it very easy to get lost.
Parking is very difficult in the city--many places have one-hour limits and can cost up to NKr17 per hour. Instead of individual parking meters in P-lots, you'll find one machine that dispenses validated parking tickets to display in your car windshield. Travelers with disabilities with valid parking permits from their home country are allowed to park free and with no time limit in spaces reserved for the handicapped.
Oslo Card holders can park for free in city-run street spots or reduced rates in lots run by the city (P-lots), but pay careful attention to time limits and be sure to ask at the information office exactly where the card is valid.
REQUIREMENTS
Your own license is acceptable during brief visits to Norway. All vehicles registered abroad are required to carry international liability insurance and an international accident report form, which can be obtained from automobile clubs. Collision insurance is recommended.
Driving is on the right. The speed limit is 90 kph (55 mph) on highways, 80 kph (50 mph) on main roads, 50 kph (30 mph) in towns, and 30-40 kph (18-25 mph) in residential areas. The use of headlights at all times is mandatory. For assistance contact Norges Automobil Forbund (NAF)--the Norwegian Automobile Association (Storgt. 2, 0155 Oslo, tel. 22341400). It is important to remember to yield to the vehicle approaching from the right. Passing areas on narrow roads are marked with a white M (for mшteplass) on a blue background.
CAR RENTAL
The major car-rental companies represented in Scandinavia are Alamo (tel. 800/327-9633; in the U.K., 0800/272-2000), Avis (tel. 800/331-1084; in Canada, 800/879-2847), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; in the U.K., 0800/181181), Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000; in the U.K., where it is known as Eurodollar, 0990/565656), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3001; in Canada, 800/263-0600; in the U.K., 0345/555888), and National InterRent (sometimes known as Europcar InterRent outside North America; tel. 800/227-3876; in the U.K., 0345/222-525).
By Mass Transit
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Tickets on all public transportation within Oslo cost NKr18 without transfer, whereas tickets that cross communal boundaries have different rates. It pays to buy a pass or a multiple travel card, which includes transfers. A one-day "Tourist Ticket" pass costs NKr40, and a seven-day pass costs NKr120. A "Flexikort," purchased at post offices, tourist information offices, T-bane stations, and on some routes, is good for 10 trips with free transfer within one hour and costs NKr100. Oslo Sporveier operates most modes of transport in the city, including tram, bus, underground, train, and boat. Trafikanten (Jernbanetorget, tel. 22/17-70-30 or 177), the information office for public transportation, is open weekdays 7 AM-11 PM, weekends 8 AM-11 PM.
The Oslo Card offers unlimited travel on all public transport in greater Oslo as well as free admission to museums, sightseeing attractions, and the race track, as well as discounts at various stores and cinemas (May-July). A one-day Oslo Card costs NKr130, a two-day card NKr200, and a three-day card NKr240. It can be purchased at tourist information offices, hotels, and central post offices.
Most public transportation starts running by 5:30 AM, with the last run just after midnight. On weekends there is night service on certain routes.
BUS
About 20 bus lines, including six night buses on weekends, serve the city. Most stop at Jernbanetorget opposite Oslo S Station. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.
FERRY
A ferry to Hovedшya and other islands in the harbor basin leaves from Vippetangen, behind Akershus Castle (take Bus 29 from Jernbanetorget or walk along the harbor from Aker Brygge). These are great spots for picnics and short hikes. From April through September, ferries run between Rеdhusbrygge 3, in front of City Hall, and Bygdшy, the western peninsula, where many of Oslo's major museums are located.
STREETCAR/TRIKK
Eight trikk lines serve the city. All stop at Jernbanetorget opposite Oslo S Station. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.
SUBWAY/T-BANE
Oslo has seven T-bane lines, which converge at Stortinget station. The four eastern lines all stop at Tшyen before branching off, whereas the four western lines run through Majorstuen before emerging above ground for the rest of their routes to the northwestern suburbs. Tickets can be purchased at the stations. Get a free map, "Sporveiens hovedkart," of Oslo's extensive public transportation system at post offices, Trafikanten, and most centrally located stations. It is undoubtedly the best public transport map of Oslo for tourists.
By Taxi
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All city taxis are connected with the central dispatching office (tel. 22/38-80-90), which can take up to 30 minutes to send one during peak hours. Cabs can be ordered from 20 minutes to 24 hours in advance. Special transport, including vans and cabs equipped for people with disabilities, can be ordered (tel. 22/38-80-90; then dial 1 for direct reservations, 2 for advance reservations, 3 for information, and 4 if you have special needs). Taxi stands are located all over town, usually alongside Narvesen kiosks, and are listed in the telephone directory under "Taxi" or "Drosjer."
It is possible to hail a cab on the street, but cabs are not allowed to pick up passengers within 100 yards of a stand. It is not unheard of to wait for more than an hour at a taxi stand in the wee hours of the morning, after everyone has left the bars. A cab with its roof light on is available. Rates start at NKr18 for hailed or rank cabs, NKr55 for ordered taxis, depending upon the time of day.
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