Practical info

Oslo Airport (OSL, Gardermoen) is the main one, about 50 km north. Two trains run to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S): the Flytoget airport express, and ordinary Vy regional trains. Both take roughly 20–25 minutes; the ordinary train is cheaper and, for most people, just as good. There's also an airport bus, which is slower.

⚠️ Watch out: some budget airlines sell flights to "Oslo" that actually land at Torp or Rygge, which are around 100 km away. Check which airport your ticket says before booking a hotel or a transfer.

Oslo's metro, trams, buses and local ferries all run on one ticketing system (Ruter). A single ticket is valid across modes for its duration, so you can change from metro to tram on the same fare. Buy tickets in the Ruter app rather than hunting for a machine.

The centre is genuinely walkable — many visitors overspend on transport for distances they could walk in 15 minutes. Public ferries to the nearby fjord islands are part of the normal transport system, not a separate tourist boat.

Norway is effectively cashless. Cards work essentially everywhere, including small kiosks, buses and market stalls — you can visit for a week without touching a banknote.

Tipping isn't expected. Service staff are paid a normal wage. Rounding up or leaving ~10% for genuinely good restaurant service is plenty; nobody will chase you for it.

Beer and cider are sold in ordinary supermarkets, but only until a fixed time in the evening, and not at all on Sundays — after the cut-off the till simply refuses to sell it.

Wine and spirits are sold only at Vinmonopolet, the state off-licence, which keeps shop-like hours and closes Sundays. If you want wine for Sunday dinner, buy it by Saturday afternoon.

Drinking out is expensive. This is not a myth.

Dress in layers and assume rain is possible in any season — the weather turns quickly. Waterproof shoes matter more than a heavy coat for most of the year.

Daylight is extreme in both directions. Midsummer evenings stay light very late, which is wonderful. Midwinter days are short and dark, which catches people out when planning sightseeing — in December, plan outdoor things around the middle of the day.

Tap water is excellent. Buying bottled water is a waste of money. Carry a refillable bottle.

Sundays are quiet. Most shops close. Museums, cafés and restaurants generally open, but don't plan a shopping day.

Right to roam (allemannsretten) means you may walk and camp in open countryside, including the forest right behind Oslo — with obligations to leave no trace and keep clear of homes.

If you plan to visit several museums plus use transport a lot, look up the Oslo Pass and do the arithmetic for your actual itinerary. It pays off for museum-heavy trips and not otherwise.

May 17— Constitution Day. The children's parade takes over the centre, everyone is in bunad, and it's the best free spectacle of the year. Book any restaurant plans well ahead and expect shops closed.

August— Øya, the city's big music festival in Tøyenparken, fills hotels for its week. Check dates before booking accommodation either way.

December— Christmas markets and the skating rink at Spikersuppa along Karl Johan; short days, lit streets. Dates and line-ups move around — check each event's own site.