Getting Around Oslo

Oslo is a small city by international standards, and most of the town centre is easily reached by foot.

The public transport system is good, with buses, trams, ferries and tube all sharing the same ticket system.

As opposed to most large cities on the continent services even run normally when there's snow!

The Oslo Pass

A good way to get around is to buy the Oslo Pass, which in addition to free travel will give you free entry to most museums and attractions in Oslo, as well as other discounts.

The card costs 230NOK for 24 hours (100NOK for children), 340NOK (120NOK) for 48 hours, and 430NOK (160NOK) for 72 hours.*

With a single tube fare costing from 25NOK, and the entry to top attractions such as the Viking Ship Museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum costing between 50 and 100NOK per person, the savings quickly clock up.

The card also gives you discounts on several restaurants and also include free and discounted guided tours, such as free guided winter walks and a free 1.5hour “hop on-hop off” boat cruise in the Oslo fjord (only available with 72hr passes).

You can buy the cards at the Tourist Information centres and in most hotels in Oslo.

Travel Cards

If you're not planning to visit any museums during your stay in Oslo, but still want to be able to travel around on public transport, a day pass might be a better option.

You can bay these at any station and costs 65NOK (35NOK cons.)* for 24 hours.

A really good thing about these passes are that they are valid for 24 hours from the time of purchase, which means if you buy it in the evening, it will still be valid most of the next day.

A 7-day pass costs 200NOK (100NOK cons.)*.

Tubes, Trams, Buses and Ferries in Oslo

You can easily reach any place of interest in Oslo through the public transport system, from the top of the Holmenkollen, with great views of the city, to the beaches and museums of Bygdøy.

The services are regular, efficient and nearly always run on time. However, some services may only run a couple of times per hour, so check the timetables to avoid being left out in the cold.

Most tube, tram, ferries and regular bus services run until just after midnight, but there are many night buses which can take you home after a late night out.

Timetables and maps can be found at www.trafikanten.no.

City Bikes

Like many other european cities, Oslo have now got public bikes available for hire around the city.

You need and electronic smartcard to use the bikes, which you can buy from the tourist office for 80NOK per day.*

This is a great way to see Oslo, as there are plenty of excellent really good separate off street cycle lanes. It is an excellent way to get to places like Bygdøy, to the beaches and the museums there.

Bike stations are placed all over the city, and you can find maps at www.oslobysykkel.no.

Walking in Oslo

Oslo is a small city and most people will find that walking is the best way of getting around.

Most central hotels, the parliament building, the royal palace, the opera, the Karl Johan shopping street and Aker Brygge are all within 30 minutes brisk walk of each other.

The only time you might need to get on a bus or tube is if you wish to see the museums at Bygdøy or go up to the Holmenkollen area for amazing views of the city.

*Prices from January 2010, may be subject to change