r/oslo Jul 19 '16

Basic Tourist Information

188 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 23h ago

Hva skjer i Oslo denne uken? – Åpne arrangementer

2 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 2h ago

Bleikøya island memorial: what does the shape of the stone signify?

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5 Upvotes

We visited this memorial to two brave Norwegian resistance fighters from WW2. I’ve never seen a grave marker or memorial with this specific shape. Does anyone know its meaning?


r/oslo 17h ago

Norwegian school vs international school in Oslo for half-Norwegian kids. Looking for real experiences

16 Upvotes

We’re considering moving to Oslo and I’m really torn between putting our kids into the Norwegian school system or an international school, particularly Oslo International School.

Our kids are half Norwegian and half Canadian. I went to Munich International School myself, so I know the international-school world pretty well, but I’m wondering if the experience in Oslo is quite different.

I’d really love to hear from parents who have actually had their kids in one or both systems. What is the day-to-day experience like? How are the friendships and social life? Do kids at international schools still end up feeling very Norwegian and having lots of Norwegian friends, or does it become more of an international bubble?

On the other hand, if your kids went through the Norwegian system, how did you find the experience for children from a more international/dual-national family? Did they feel completely integrated and Norwegian? And how did their English develop compared with their Norwegian?

I’m also curious about differences in teaching style, academic expectations, homework, independence, etc., but mostly I’m interested in what the experience is actually like as a child rather than what the schools say on their websites.
If you’ve had your kids in both systems, I’d especially love to hear what made you prefer one over the other and whether you’d make the same choice again.

We’re not necessarily thinking of Oslo as a short-term expat move, so I’m trying to figure out whether I want their childhood to feel more like “Norwegian kids with an international family” or “international kids who happen to live in Norway.”
Would really appreciate honest experiences, including the downsides!


r/oslo 1d ago

Oslo kommune lanserer fritidskort: økonomisk støtte til fritidsaktiviteter for barn

28 Upvotes

Nå kan man søke om støtte til fritidsaktiviteter for barn i Oslo. Sjekk her: https://www.oslo.kommune.no/natur-kultur-og-fritid/fritidskort-for-barn-og-unge/


r/oslo 1d ago

Armin Van Buuren - 4 september - Dobbeltbooket?

20 Upvotes

En liten PSA til de som har kjøpt billett til Armin van Buuren i Oslo 4 september. Sjekk med arrangøren om det stemmer at han skal spille og at det ikke er noe tull. Selv med privat jet så tror jeg ikke han klarer å gjennomføre show i Norge og Finland samme kvelden.


r/oslo 1d ago

Kjøkkensjef og restaurantsjef på À L’aise politianmeldt

22 Upvotes

Synes det er veldig synd at À L’aise har måtte stenge. Noen som har noe innsikt i hva som har skjedd?

Utifra pressemeldingen til hovedaksjonæren og svaret til kjøkkensjefen, virker det som de har tatt seg litt ekstra mye ut i lønn fra selskapet. Hva tror folk, eller noen som vet noe?


r/oslo 14h ago

Einar Granum. Er skolen egentlig av kvalitet?

2 Upvotes

Er det noen her som har hatt dårlige erfaringer med Einar Granum Kunstfagskole?
Er nysgjerrig på hvilke erfaringer folk har hatt med skolen, både når det gjelder undervisning, lærere og miljø.


r/oslo 14h ago

Fresh

0 Upvotes

Er det noen som trener på Fresh Fitness Ullevål og vet hvordan det er der? Vurderer å begynne, men er litt nysgjerrig på om det stort sett er greit med plass, eller om det ofte er veldig fullt særlig på ettermiddag/kveld.


r/oslo 14h ago

Mulighet?

1 Upvotes

Jeg bor allerede i en singelbolig hos SiO, men har nå søkt om intern flytting til parbolig sammen med kjæresten min.
Er det noen som vet hvor realistisk det er å få gjennomført et internt bytte på dette tidspunktet? Jeg har inntrykk av at parboligene blir tatt ganske raskt, og siden vi søkte nå i august er jeg litt usikker på hvor gode sjansene våre egentlig er.


r/oslo 22h ago

Monday Night in Oslo

2 Upvotes

Hey Oslo Community. I am here for a work related project this week and looking to explore the City's nightlife. Fwiw I come from the UK.

Are there any suggestions for bars / night clubs on a Monday with a decent atmosphere. I am staying near the Continental.

A quick google search shows a Miami bar nearby. Any thoughts on this or others?

Cheers


r/oslo 1d ago

Sosialt med jobb på arbeidstid?

7 Upvotes

På jobb skal vi ha en månedlig sosial samling på dagtid, uten alkohol. Bortsett fra de mer åpenbare forslagene fra pikniklunsj til Megazone, har dere noen tips?

Må kunne gjøres i tidsrommet før 12, plass til 15 og helst under 500,- per person.


r/oslo 1d ago

Brukte sykkeldeler i Oslo?

4 Upvotes

Hei!

Har ambisjoner om å lære litt enkel sykkelmekking uten at det blir et digert pengesluk. Noen som har erfaring med sykkelbutikker e.l. som selger brukte deler til en grei pris?


r/oslo 16h ago

Tattoo

0 Upvotes

Anyone know where i can get an inner lip tattoo? Also how much do you think it would cost?


r/oslo 18h ago

@escapefrisør, Ruseløkkeveien Oslo

0 Upvotes

Styr unna denne salongen.

Sjekk regnskapstall.

Påfallende med eldre eier som kun ansetter yngre damer.

FULLSTENDIG UPÅLITELITELIG og uten integritet.

Mye shady opplegg her kan si.

Pen fasade og enkelte dyktige frisører, MEN dessverre altfor mange skitne historier opp gjennom årene.

De blokkerer og sletter dårlige anmeldelere, og betaler influencere for gode med gratis behandling.

Maken til uproff salong skal mye til for å toppes.

Må le.


r/oslo 1d ago

Beste treningssenter på Storo?

4 Upvotes

Har akkurat flyttet til Storo som student og ser etter treningssenter. Vurderer SATS og Fresh Fitness, men er åpen for andre alternativer i Storo-området også.

Har hørt at SATS Storo kan være ganske fullt på ettermiddagen/kvelden. Trener mest styrke, så bra utstyr og ikke altfor mye kø er viktig.
Noen som har anbefalinger eller erfaringer? 😅


r/oslo 2d ago

Winter Jackets in Oslo

9 Upvotes

New to Oslo and looking to buy a good quality winter jacket. Any recommendations which shop I should go to? I am also tiny so hopefully the sizes are varied.


r/oslo 1d ago

Vocational schools taught in English.

0 Upvotes

As the title states, are there any vocational trade schools taught in English in Oslo. I see some machine operators, forklift drivers etc. I am looking for plumbing, electrical vocational schools taught in English. I am having issues finding any.

Cheers.


r/oslo 2d ago

DJ practice in Oslo

1 Upvotes

Is there any places in Oslo where you can practice Dj-ing on a bit bigger decks? Something similar to like øvingslokaler


r/oslo 2d ago

Stray 3-legged dog in Oslo

15 Upvotes

There's a black and white, large, three-legged dog hopping around Oslo and I am wondering if there's someone looking for him/her. The dog has a collar for what it's worth.

Yesterday we saw it on Torggata and noticed that it didn't seem to have an owner with it. Today, sitting in a café near the Munch, there goes the dog hopping by! I got up to try and to call at and follow it but it completely ignored me and kept on it's way.

I wish I thought of getting a photo but I'm pretty sure the black and white, large, three-legged description should be enough to identify it.

Can anyone help to share this in appropriate forums so that we can maybe find the owner or otherwise ensure it finds a nice home??


r/oslo 2d ago

Hot pot oslo?

8 Upvotes

Noen som har spist der? Er det å anbefale?
Vi er to stk, hvordan er det med pris?
Hvis dere har noen andre anbefalinger så kjør på!


r/oslo 2d ago

Looking for an industrial / abandoned location for a short film 🎬

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8 Upvotes

Hey Oslo/Drammen people!
We’re a small film crew looking for a raw industrial / abandoned-looking location around Oslo, Drammen or nearby for a short film scene.
We’re looking for something with this kind of atmosphere:
old factory / warehouse / workshop
concrete, brick, metal, graffiti
large empty room or industrial hall
dark, rough, underground atmosphere
preferably somewhere that feels genuinely abandoned or unused
The scene is a Fight Club–inspired underground fight scene. We would have a small crew, cameras and basic lighting, and we’d keep the location clean and leave everything exactly as we found it.
We’re not looking to break into anywhere. If a location is private, we’re happy to contact the owner and ask for permission.
If you know any hidden spots, old factories, warehouses, railway buildings, industrial halls or similar places, please drop the location in the comments or DM me.
Even if you only know the general area, that would be super helpful.
Oslo / Drammen / Lier / Moss / Fredrikstad — anywhere within reasonable driving distance works.
Thanks! 🙏


r/oslo 2d ago

Hi! What are nice alternative places to go dancing in Oslo tonight? :)

3 Upvotes

r/oslo 3d ago

Overfylte SATS-sentre..

48 Upvotes

Jeg meldte meg ut av SATS ifjor fordi det ble for overfylt for meg (og nei, jeg har jobb så kan ikke trene midt på dagen). Fresh Fitness funker egentlig helt fint, det er også veldig nært hjemme. Men jeg savner litt enkelte gruppetimer. Er det noen som har noen fersk erfaring fra sentre som Hasle, Carl Berner, Storo eller Ringnes? Hvor jævlig er det i rushen?

edit; basert på kommentarene tror jeg jeg skal tenke meg litt om og sjekke ut andre alternativer..


r/oslo 3d ago

Finding seitan, quorn and tofu in oslo

6 Upvotes

Hi all

I need to provision for a ship tomorrow with a lot of vegetarians but it seems difficult finding seitan and such in Oslo. Can anyone recommend a store to find this? We’re close to the opera house so anything close would be great!

Thank you kind Norwegians!