OSLO, NORWAY

Norway’s capital is Scandinavia’s third largest city behind only Stockholm and Copenhagen. That really isn’t saying all that much though; it doesn’t even crack the top 500 most populous cities in the world. What it lacks in population, it makes up for with rich history, lush nature, and a quirky personality! And with a nickname of “The Tiger City”, how could you not be intrigued?

Attractions:

“Norway in a Nutshell” Fjord Cruise: Norwegian fjords are mainly found on the western side of the country but can accessed from Oslo. The most popular tour option, Norway in a Nutshell, is 10-12 hours long and costs 1,920 NOK ($225 USD). You have the option of returning back to Oslo at the end of the day or continuing on to Bergen. I used this tour as a way to take the “scenic route” to Bergen which I recommend! Based on your budget and time restrictions, there are many cruise options to choose from. More details can be found on my Bergen page!
Vigeland Sculpture Park: This is one of the most unique parks you’ll ever visit! All 212 bronze and granite sculptures are compliments of Norwegian artist, Gustav Vigeland. Humans are at the epicenter of his work here whether they’re contorting their bodies, performing everyday interactions, or playing out socially-enforced gender norms. The park is open 24/7 and free to enter. From downtown Oslo, take metro line 2 or 3 to the Borgen stop (10 minutes; 37 NOK).
Vettakollen Hike: Looking for some great views of Oslo? This 30-minute, 1-mile long trek is your best bet. It is steep at parts, but overall, not very strenuous. Once at the top, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of Oslo’s fjord, the city itself, and Holmenkollbakken (a large ski jumping hill featured in the 1952 Winter Olympics)! From downtown Oslo, take metro line 1 to the Vettakollen stop (25 minutes; 37 NOK). After getting off the train, you’ll see plenty of signage pointing you in the direction of the hike.
Oslo Opera House: Located right on the harbor, this building is created in the likeness of an iceberg emerging from the water. Visitors are encouraged to take the 5-minute climb up onto its roof for a nice panorama of Oslo. If you are interested in the interior and learning more about its many performances, the opera house offers 50-minute guided tours for 120 NOK ($14 USD).
The Royal Palace & Palace Park: This area is a popular spot to spend a few relaxing hours. Queen’s Park (a portion of Palace Park) is frequented by the royal family and open to the public from May 18-October 1. Tours of the Royal Palace are offered daily from late June to mid-August for 120 NOK ($14 USD).
Karl Johans Gate: Oslo’s main pedestrian walkway is roughly 2/3 of a mile in length and runs from Oslo Sentralstasjon to the Royal Palace. This quaint, cobblestone street is a perfect embodiment of what Oslo is all about.
Akershus Fortress: Originally built in the late 1290s to protect the city and royal residence, this medieval fortress now serves as a place for visitors to get a glimpse into Oslo’s past. It is free to enter and is located on the banks of Oslofjorden. From May-December, it is open daily from 6:00am-9:00pm. During the winter months, it is only open on weekends.
Viking Ship Museum: Be dazzled by some of the world’s best-preserved Viking ships dating back to the 9th century! The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm and costs 120 NOK ($14 USD).
Other attractions include: Munch Museum, Palace Park, Huk, Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and Oslo Cathedral.

Accommodation:

Saga Poshtel Oslo Central: In 2020, Hostelworld.com named Saga Poshtel “Best Hostel in Norway”! This hostel has a trendy, homey feel fit with modern art and plenty of social space to meet fellow travelers. It is located in the city center 10 minutes walking from Oslo S and 15 minutes walking from Oslo Bus Terminal.

Transportation:

Oslo’s main train station is Oslo S (Oslo Sentralstasjon); all trains below leave from here. The main bus station is Oslo Bus Terminal; all buses below leave from here.

Stockholm, Sweden is 5.5 hours by train from Oslo and costs 409 NOK ($48 USD). The bus ride is 7.5 hours and costs 389 NOK ($46 USD). The flight is 1 hour and costs 550-800 NOK ($65-$94 USD) on Norwegian Air or SAS.
Trondheim is 6.5 hours by train from Oslo and costs 739 NOK ($87 USD). The bus ride is 8.5 hours and costs 269 NOK ($32 USD). The flight is 1 hour and costs 400-800 NOK ($47-$94 USD) on Widerøe, Norwegian Air or SAS.
Bergen is 7 hours by train from Oslo and costs 399 NOK ($47 USD). The bus ride is 9.5 hours and costs 752 NOK ($88 USD). The flight is 1 hour and costs 800-1,150 NOK ($94-$135 USD) on Norwegian Air or SAS.
Copenhagen, Denmark is 8 hours by train from Oslo (indirect) and costs 849 NOK ($100 USD). The bus ride is 8 hours and costs 449 NOK ($53 USD). The flight is 1 hour and costs 700-900 NOK ($82-$106 USD) on Norwegian Air or SAS.

Oslo Airport (OSL) is 50km (31 miles) outside the city center and accessible via train, bus, and taxi. Below are the options for getting to downtown Oslo/Oslo S from least to most expensive.

Regional Train: The R10, R11, or L12 regional trains get you to Oslo S in 23 minutes and cost 109 NOK ($13 USD); these trains run every 10-20 minutes on Track 4.
Flybussen: The airport bus option isn’t great. It is longer and more expensive than the regional train. Line FB2 runs every 30 minutes and makes 10 stops before arriving at Oslo S. The ride is 1 hour and costs 179 NOK ($21 USD).
Flytoget: The high-speed shuttle train gets you to Oslo S in 20 minutes and costs 199 NOK ($23 USD); trains leave every 10 minutes from 5:30am-12:30am.
Taxi: The 45-minute taxi ride costs 600-750 NOK ($71-$88 USD) depending on the time of day.

Thank you, Adam, for being such a wonderful host during my two stops here!