Oslo Transport

Oslo is one of the easiest cities in Europe to get around, thanks to its excellent public transportation network. Buses, trams and subways provide access to all parts of the city and are integrated into a single ticketing system, with a variety of ticket options.

By Metro

The city’s metro is called the T-banen and it has seven lines, which all converge at Stortinget Station in the heart of the city. Four lines serve the east of the city and the other lines runs westward, serving the residential and recreation areas to the north and west. Trains run from 05:30 to around midnight daily, but single-trip tickets are fairly expensive.

By train

The train station in Oslo only handles trains coming in and out of the city from the suburbs and regional cities. There is no rail service within the city itself.

By bus

The main bus and tram station in Oslo is the Jernbanetorget, across from the Oslo S train station. About 50 bus lines, including 16 night buses which run on weekends, serve the city. Tickets can be bought from the driver and are good for up to 1 hour of travel on all subway, tram and bus routes. A good ticket deal is the Oslo Pass, which can be bought at hotels, travel agents and tourist offices.

Taxis

Hiring taxis in Oslo is an expensive endeavor. In addition to the regular high fares, there are huge tariffs between 17:00 and 22:00 and between 22:00 and 04:00. All taxis are metered and Norwegian taxi drivers are typically honest and friendly, but it really does cost a lot to take a taxi in Oslo. Taxi stands can be found all over the city or you can telephone for a pick up at an additional surcharge.

Tourist services

The Oslo Pass is an excellent bargain for visitors who want to explore the city and save money. The cards, which can be bought for 1, 2 or 3 days worth of use, are very affordable. They include free travel on public transport, free admission to museums and other attractions and discounts at many other places around the city. The Oslo Card can be bought at hotels, travel agencies and tourist offices.

From the airport

There are several quick, convenient ways to get from the airport to the heart of Oslo. Frequent bus service from SAS departs for downtown Oslo every 20 minutes or so, stopping at the central train station and all of the SAS hotels within the city. The last scheduled departure from the airport leaves at 01:00. Flybussekspressen is another airport bus, which makes 120 stops in and around the Oslo area.

An even better way to get downtown is on the Airport Express Train, called Flytoget (tel: +47 815 00 777). It takes just 19 minutes to reach the central train station and the fare is quite reasonable. Trains depart the airport every 10 minutes from 04:40 until 01:16. All regional trains on the Skien-Oslo-Trondheim route also stop at the airport, but the Flytoget is by far the most convenient option.

Taxis are available outside the Arrivals Hall, but the fare into Oslo is astronomical. They have fixed rates to various points around the city and you can also hire one at the Taxi Information desk in the Arrivals Hall. Driving from the airport to Oslo takes about 50 minutes via the E6 motorway, which runs straight into the city.