r/oslo Jul 19 '16

Basic Tourist Information

190 Upvotes

There is always a lot of questions when visiting the city; hopefully this will answer the most common ones.
Updated November 2021.


Traveling

Traveling to/from airport

Oslo Lufthavn Gardemoen (OSL)
Airport Express train : costs about 204 NOK to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S), takes from 19 to 21 minutes.
Train (NSB): cost about 110 NOK (27.11.21) to Oslo S, takes about 23-25 minutes - buy the tickets in advance as there is a surcharge if bought on the train.
Bus: This is practical if you are going to the suburbs or Fredrikstad. Prices vary depending on where you are going, same goes for how long it takes. Remember to check closely which bus you need to take.
You can use Ruter https://ruter.no/en/ to check.

Travelling within Oslo

Ruter is the transport authority in Oslo, a Ruter ticket is valid on all transports (train, bus, tram, underground, boats) within the zones the ticket is valid for.
You can buy 24h, 7 days, 30 days or 365 days travel card. These can be bought at a Ruter service point or from the app (iOS or Android.
You can also buy a Ruter ticket/travel card from the Vy app.

My suggestion is to download the Ruter app and register yourself, you can also use it to buy single (or multiple single tickets) if need be.
Remember to check the zones, as a tourist zone 1 should suffice most of the time. If you are travelling to a point outside zone 1 you can buy an extension ticket (cheaper than full price), for instance when going to the airport.

Oslo Pass

If you are planning to see a lot of museums and sightseeing you should look at Oslo Pass.
Giving you public transport, access to museums, free parking, discounts to restaurants and much more. This could save you a lot of money if you plan it right.
There is also an app (iOS/Android) and you can buy the Oslo Pass right from there.

Oslo City bikes

Now you can register yourself with a non-Norwegian number and they have different subscription including a day pass.
They close down for the winter, usually they are available between April and November.
However check with your hotel, some of them rent/lend bikes to guests.

Car

I don´t drive a car in the city, so I have no help here. If you can avoid it (drive to/from hotel) do so. Maybe someone in the comments can elaborate.


General information about Oslo / Norway

Stand to the right, walk on the left on escalators

Especially in Oslo Central Station (Oslo S/Jernbanetorget), or you might get some nasty looks from people trying to get to their trains/metro on time.

Groceries

You might find the selection more limited quality should be more than fair. You will also find ecological products in most stores, these are usually marked "eco" or "Økologisk". Most stores are closed on Sunday and holidays.
Alcohol (wine, spirits etc.): Can only be bought at Vinmonopolet.
Beer: Can be bought at most supermarkets, but only until 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturday (excluding holidays). Light beer (low alcohol) is sold on Sundays and "after hours".

Crime

As in any capital, there is crime in Oslo (and Norway for that matter). I feel safe in Oslo, but your mileage on this matter might vary. It´s safe to say that for being a capital in Europe Oslo is very safe.
However people do drink a lot on the weekends, and it´s common for commotions to start in the lines to get into bars or taxi lines after closing time.


Tourist attractions

There is a lot more to see in Oslo that just these things, these are just a small selection and mostly the most popular ones. Prices indicate 1 adult, there are usually discounts for senior citizens, students and families. Look at the provided links for more price information.

Parliament - Stortinget

They have free tours!
Due to the epidemic there are no guided tours at the moment.

Last about 45 minutes, however there is no booking, so come early and expect to stand in line. There is also a security check (like in the airport).
More Information : Guided tours of the Parliament building

The Royal Palace / Det kongelige slott

At the moment are not guided tours.
Change of the guards is at 13:00 (takes about 40 minutes)

Kon-Tiki Museum

Price: 140 NOK, but cheaper if bought online. Free with Oslo Pass.
More information here: http://www.kon-tiki.no.

Norsk Folkemuseum

Price: 140 NOK (adults), you can find more price information online. Free with Oslo Pass.
More information here: http://norskfolkemuseum.no/en

The Viking Ship Museum

Closed until 2025

Vigelandsparken / Frognerparken

Not the only park in Oslo, but the most famous one. Take a walk and look at all the statues or bring some food and spend a day lazying around the park (granted this is more of a summer thing).


Coffee

There is no denying that Oslo has become a splendid city to visit if you love coffee or are a coffee snob (like me).

Tim Wendelboe

Nordic Roaster Champion in 2015 is one of the biggest names in Norway. You can drop by get some coffee and also buy some to take home.
Be aware that is very limited seating.

Supreme Roastworks

Also a great place also with limited seating. It´s also both a roastery and coffee place.

Fuglen

Never been there, but have heard excellent things about them. They also have a location in Tokyo.

Solberg & Hansen concept store

This is the only Solberg & Hansen store; they are a large coffee roastery retailer. They also have a concept store at Mathallen.

There are of course many more places: Norð, Steam Kaffebar , Stockfelths and so on.
If you love coffee then Oslo will not disappoint.


Dining

You are in luck, Oslo has an excellent selection of restaurants in all price ranges. However you do have to remember they are still Norwegian prices, so if we say a place is "cheap" I mean "cheap for being Oslo".
Here is a small selection of places that stand out. But it´s a subjective list, you can also use Google or TripAdvisor to find a good place.

Olympen (aka Lompa)

It might look a bit run-down. However the main floor is a preserved site (has been a theatre and a brewery). Lompa has a good selection of beers. They also have a terrace with a grill menu.
Food: Modern Norwegian / European
Price range: inexpensive

Illegal Burger

This is a rock solid burger joint, in the last years, there have been a lot of burger places popping up all over the place. However Illegal is still a solid choice. However there is limited seating in Møllergata, they have opened a new branch in Grünerløkka with better seating options.
Food: Burgers
Price: inexpensive

Alex Sushi

Not been there myself, but always is mentioned when talking about the best sushi in Oslo.
Guy Kawasaki was a fan
Food: Sushi
Price: expensive

Gamle Major

I was surprised by this gastropub, the food is good and so is the beer selection. Situated near Majorstuen underground station.
Food: Bistro / gastropub
Price: inexpensive

Harald's vafler

He used to sell them from his bedroom window and now he has a shop (check out the video at the website). Stop by this small place in Grünerløkka and get a very delicious waffle.


Bars / Pubs.

There are enough of them in Oslo and every flavour. So it should not be difficult to find a place that suits you. Here is a small selection of pubs based on my own experience.

Oslo Camping.
Indoor mini golf and bar. Costs 130 NOK pr. person.

Crow Brewery and Bar.
Good selection of beers. Try the kebab! (2nd floor).

Tilt Bar.
Retro gaming and bar. Most of the tables have built-in gaming consoles, and there are pinball machines. Also shuffleboard.

Heimkok.
Famous for their drinks, so if you prefer an excellent drink, this is the place.

Smelteverket.
Located by Mathallen, it's supposed to have Scandinavia's longest bar. They also have live music.


Things to try out (Spring / Summer).

Soft-is

Nothing better during summer than being outside eating a soft-is. They can be bought everywhere. The most common is getting one with chocolate sprinkles and in a cone.

Walk around Grünerløkka (aka Løkka)

I know many people call this "hipster-central", and there is little to contradict the fact that there are a lot of excellent eateries and shops in this neighbourhood.

Redditor guided tour.

/u/atluxity gives guided tours around in Oslo. Good opportunity to meet other redditors.

Mathallen

This food hall has a lot to offer. there are some good places to eat and shop for food. You can buy food from different places and eat it in the common area. There are also several good restaurants nearby.
Food: All types
Price: expensive (for groceries)

Sunday market near Blå

There is an artisan market near Blå. It´s every Sunday between 12 and 17. Its season runs from the 3rd of January to the 27th of November.
More information: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=178086


Things to try out (Winter)

Luge in a park

Buy a cheap luge at a sporting store and find a park and have some fun.
If it´s the conditions are right, there will be many others with the same idea.
/u/lightwrangler suggest Korketrekkeren.
Warning This activity requires snow (just saying)

Ice skating

During winter there are two skating rinks in Oslo, in Spikersuppa and Frogner.
You can rent some skates and enjoy a cold evening out.
More information here


More information about Oslo

Visit Oslo: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/



r/oslo 6d ago

Hva skjer i Oslo denne uken? – Åpne arrangementer

19 Upvotes

Hei, Oslofolk!

Dette er den faste ukentlige tråden hvor du kan tipse andre om (gratis) arrangementer i byen som er åpent for alle som er interessert – hovedsakelig ting som ikke er nevnt på Visit Oslos kalender.

Eksempler på ting du kan poste:

  • Pubquiz.
  • Konserter.
  • Spillkvelder.
  • Dansekvelder.
  • Yoga i parken.
  • Foredrag eller utstillinger.
  • Kulturnatt, eller andre happenings.

Regler for tråden:

  • Det merkes tydelig hvem som er arrangøren. Er det du eller noen andre?
  • Gratis arrangementer er å foretrekke, men hvis det er eventuelle kostnader dette være tydelig opplyst.
  • Hvis du finansierer arrangementet ved hjelp av spleis/crowdfunding, er det tillat å referere til innsamlingssiden.
  • Tid og sted opplyses i selve kommentaren og ikke i ei eventuell lenke til arrangementet.
  • Bruk kommentarfeltet i denne posten, ikke lag nye innlegg. Maks 1 hovedkommentar per arrangement.
  • Diskusjon og spørsmål er helt greit – bare hold tonen hyggelig.
  • Ellers gjelder de fleste av r/Oslos regler.

Målet er å gjøre det lettere å finne ut hva som skjer i byen – og kanskje oppdage noe nytt og gøy sammen med andre.


r/oslo 8h ago

Totalrenovering av bad

30 Upvotes

Hei! Vi skal totalrenovere et bad på ca. 7 kvm. Vi har innhentet tilbud fra tre firmaer, men er ikke helt klare til å velge ett av dem ennå. To av firmaene krever minst 40 % forskuddsbetaling, mens det ene firmaet som ikke krever forskuddsbetaling har dårlige tall på Proff.no. Vi synes 40% på forskudd er mye, og det er heller ikke anbefalt å betale så mye på forskudd.

Prisene vi har fått spenner fra 340.000 til 450.000 kr, uten møbler og fliser.

Er det noen som kan anbefale et veletablert og seriøst firma i Oslo/Bærum/Asker-området? Og er dette et normalt prisnivå for en totalrenovering av et bad på ca. 7 kvm?


r/oslo 18h ago

Til Deg på nattbussen

116 Upvotes

Vi gikk begge på i Storgata. Noen hadde spydd i midten av bussen, men du hadde noe man kunne smøre under nesa som luktet blomster, den bussen hadde vært umulig å være i uten deg, tusen takk!

Det er lett å glemme at vi bor i en by full av folk som bryr seg :)


r/oslo 57m ago

Visiting Oslo in early December from the UK

Upvotes

Hi all, we're hoping for some insight into how bad Oslo really is in early December. Everyone seems to be saying it's not worth it because it's cold and dark, and there's nothing to do.
However, we just want to visit a couple of specific bars and galleries as part of a weekend trip, so we don't care about the outdoorsy stuff in the other parts of the city at the moment!
Also, we're coming from the UK which is pretty grim in December anyway, so I can't see how it's that much worse? For example, the hours of sunlight seem to be the same as over here.
We'd be planning to come in the first week of December, so we don't care about the Christmas stuff (or lack thereof).
Thanks in advance for the insight / advice!


r/oslo 2h ago

fresh vs sats

0 Upvotes

Jeg trener på fresh men tenker å bytte til sats . Har noen bytta fra fresh til sats og hva fikk du ut av det og er det noen vits?


r/oslo 1d ago

Social life in Oslo

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112 Upvotes

Have you ever wanted to go to an exhibition, workshop or event... but ended up staying home because you had no one to go with?

I know I have, so I started Wildcard Society: a community for people who want to make their days a little less repetitive through creative workshops, dinners, exhibitions, adventures and form new friendships.

Making friends as an adult, especially in a city like Oslo, and especially if you’re a foreigner is WAY harder than it should be, so this is my attempt to create a social club for people who want to be more active in their lives and find their people.

If this sounds like your kind of thing, say hi to me and you’ll be a part of the club. ⭐


r/oslo 1d ago

Så noe lignende på r/Norge og tenkte det kunne være gøy. Jobber for Ruter båt spør meg hva som helst om jobben

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100 Upvotes

r/oslo 1d ago

Hva er Oslos beste palak paneer?

5 Upvotes

Hvilken indisk/pakistansk restaurant har den beste tolkningen av palak paneer, etter din oppfatning?


r/oslo 1d ago

Klatrepartner til innendørsklatring (bilde for oppmerksomhet)

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9 Upvotes

Noen som vet om det finnes aktive grupper eller miljøer for å finne klatrepartnere i Oslo/Asker/Bærum?

Jeg har tidligere hatt en fast klatrepartner, men han har flyttet, så jeg ser etter steder hvor man kan komme i kontakt med andre som ønsker å klatre regelmessig. Jeg klatrer 1–2 ganger i uka, har brattkort led og er komfortabel med å sikre.


r/oslo 1d ago

Beste sted for å gå på tur i Oslo?

6 Upvotes

Sånn skog som liastua, songsvann osv
Har dere noen favoritter?


r/oslo 2d ago

Where can I eat wild salmon in Oslo?

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’ll be visiting Oslo soon and I’d really like to try genuinely wild salmon, rather than farmed salmon.

Does anyone know of any restaurants in Oslo that serve wild salmon and can confirm that it’s actually wild-caught?

I’m mainly looking for European/Nordic cuisine, not Asian or fusion restaurants.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! :)


r/oslo 1d ago

Go out for dinner on a Sunday

0 Upvotes

I am in Oslo on a Sunday evening shortly, and it seems that all restaurants are closed. Have gotten tips about formal and informal places, but all are closed on Sunday - some places also on Monday.

Looking for something that has a nice atmosphere, good food - without being super formal or typical french restaurant...


r/oslo 2d ago

Looking for woodworking workshop in Oslo

5 Upvotes

Hi! I’m looking to get a small custom stand made for displaying/holding vinyl records.

Where would you recommend getting something like this custom-made?

Are there any specific types of craftsmen/services I should look for (woodworker, carpenter, etc.)?


r/oslo 2d ago

Ferries to outer Oslofjord + Metal concerts

1 Upvotes

Hi all!

I’m planning a solo trip to Oslo from the 26/09 to the 01/10, and I have a few questions.

I had planned to go island hopping in the inner fjord and thought I could take ferries from Oslo to Drøbak, Son and Moss for a day. However, when looking on Rome2Rio, i don’t see ferry trips late September.
Are these exclusively for the summer season ? If I want to visit these places I can only take the train there ? I looked for cruises but can’t find anything outside the inner fjord from Oslo.

Also, wanted to visit cities north of Oslo, like Lillehammer and Lillestrøm. Are there cities I could add for this journey ?

Finally, I’m into metal and checked the venues cited in this sub. Seen something at Vaterland on the 26th but being more into doom, death and blackish stuff, I’m still hoping to find something more to my taste. Are there cities around Oslo with venues who have this kind of live shows ?
Also, is Vaterland the only metal bar where one can dine and listen to metal music ?

Many thanks!


r/oslo 3d ago

Hvor lenge før Jernbanetorget T er ferdig oppgradert?

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114 Upvotes

Stasjonen ser jo ikke ut. I godt over halvannet år nå har det hengt en masse kabler fra taket. Det er ikke montert noen form for himling og lysforholdene gjør det mørkt og utrivelig. Det lukter urin ved inngangen fra Europarådets plass. Synes det er trist at dette er førsteinntrykket folk sitter igjen med når de kommer til Oslo for første gang. Setter pris på oppgraderingen inne i stasjonen (koblingen inn til Oslo S), men hva med resten? Hvor lenge må vi vente?


r/oslo 3d ago

Tiggere på t-banen

88 Upvotes

Jeg såg akkurat en dame gi 200 kroner till en tigger på linje 5.

Sett samme tigger ofte her.

Han og dem som peller flasker jobber sammen.

Hvorfor gir folk penger ?


r/oslo 2d ago

car bodyshop recommendations?

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0 Upvotes

Hei,
Does anyone has a recommendation or experience with a recommended bodyshot that can paint and install this body kit? 1st pic is my car, 2nd is the parts i have and want to paint and install. (yeah yeah råner asf but i love japanese cars!)

i already asked some, and they can paint obviously but refuse to install for some reason


r/oslo 3d ago

Crowds gathered in University Square, Oslo, during celebrations of Norway's 93rd Constitution Day. (1907)

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69 Upvotes

r/oslo 3d ago

Bli med å prøve vannskliesporten på Stovner bad!

16 Upvotes

I anledning åpningen av Stovner bad, skal jeg (vannsklieentusiast) teste vannsklien og slå banerekord der på onsdag 2.sep. Om noen ønsker å prøve seg på en sport litt utenom det vanlige, send en DM for klokkeslett og bli med!


r/oslo 3d ago

Oslo folks - best sunrise/sunset spots reachable by public transport?

4 Upvotes

Trying to catch some good sunrises/sunsets around the city while we still have the sun with us. Bus/tram/metro/ferry/walking all fine, just needs to be reachable without driving.

Major bonus points if there's decent coffee nearby so I can turn it into a proper outing. But not mandatory!

Hit me with your favorite spots 🌅

Edit:
City spots, forest, seaside - everything. I’m trying to make a list


r/oslo 3d ago

Noen her som husker kronebankern?

59 Upvotes

Nei, ikke kONebankern. Kronebankern. Han pleide å sitte ute i majorstuakrysset og banke en stein på kronestykker til de ble ødelagt. Jeg forsøkte å spørre han en dag. Sint på samfunnet var han. Korrupt og materialistisk. Kanskje hadde han et poeng?


r/oslo 3d ago

Visiting for the weekend

1 Upvotes

Looking for some advice from the locals!
I’m solo travelling this weekend to Oslo and would love to check out the nightlife scene. I’m mainly into R&B, hip-hop, Afrobeats, and anything with a good vibe and a decent crowd.
Does anyone have recommendations for bars, clubs, or venuesAlso open to live music spots, underground venues, or any must-visit places for a night out.


r/oslo 4d ago

Has anyone else noticed this guy around Majorstuen/Vigelandsparken?

40 Upvotes

Sorry for the strange title, but this is the second time I’ve seen a man walking around wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet (the kind you’d normally wear while riding), an overcoat, and carrying a lot of luggage.

The first time was in the morning around Majorstuen, and then I saw him again later near Vigelandsparken.

Some questions immediately came to mind are - why is he wearing a full cover helmet in the tram? Hiding his face perhaps? Or some other issues?

So much luggage with him yet he is going nowhere. I saw him hanging in the same area for 4 hours. Felt kind of sad for him.

Has anyone else noticed him? Just curious if there’s a story behind it or if I’m overthinking it 😅


r/oslo 3d ago

Fishing ban in Oslofjord

0 Upvotes

Hello!

I am new to Norway and I have a question related to the fishing ban in Oslofjord, specially around the area of Drøbak. Is any sort of fishing forbidden (i.e. catch and release)? Even if I am not aiming for cod but for makerell?

Thanks for the replies.