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Oslo, Norway

Oslo City Hall

Introduction

Oslo is the capital of Norway and the second most expensive city in the world after Tokyo. Additional port guide here - http://www.cruise-norway.no/Ports/Oslo/

Where You're Docked

Cruise ships can dock at several piers in central Oslo including Akershus Fortress (1/4 mile southeast from City Hall), Revierkaia (near Opera House), Filipstadveien (1/2 mile west of City Hall), or Vippetangen (south of Akershus). Akershus has a small cruise terminal building with some shops and a snack bar. The tourist info booth was closed in 2014 so you will need to go the the main office at Central Station. You can check the cruise schedule here (Port Info -> Cruise List) http://www.oslocruisenetwork.no/ or http://www.oslohavn.no/en/passengers/passenger_traffic/cruise/

Cruise Ship Docked at Akershus Fortress

Money and Tipping

Norway's currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Euros may be accepted at tourist friendly shops. Tipping is generally not expected in Norway. Small change is typically left when dining at restaurants (5-10%). Maid staff in hotels and taxi drivers do not need to be tipped.

Local Transportation

A 24 hour transit pass covering bus, tram, metro (T-bane) and ferries in Zone 1 (Oslo) is 117 NOK (Jul 2022) and can be purchased at 7-Eleven, Narvesen convenience stores, or ticket machines by the stops. You can also purchase tickets with the RuterBillett mobile app. There is a Ruter Trafikanten (customer service kiosk) on the pier at Aker Brygge. Ticket machines may require chip and pin credit cards for payment. Within zone 1, single fares are 39 NOK prepaid with a 20 NOK surcharge for onboard payments. They are good for all journeys within an hour after first use. You may only need to take public transport if you want to go to Vigeland Sculpture Park, Holmenkollen Ski Jump or the Viking Museum. Most other sights are within walking distance of City Hall. Oslo transit website in English here https://ruter.no/en

With the high prices on everything, consider buying an Oslo pass which give you free entrance to most museums and a public transit pass. This pass can be purchased from the Tourist Info Center (corner of Central Station). An adult pass is 445 NOK. Discounts for cruise passengers are no longer offered. http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/

City Sightseeing and Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing run hop on, hop off (HOHO) buses with a stop at Akershus Cruise Terminal. Tickets are approx 400 NOK for a 24hr pass. https://city-sightseeing.com/en/69/oslo https://hopon.no/hop-on-hop-off-sightseeing-oslo/

Hotels

Search hotels in Oslo here

Must See Sights

• Royal Palace - Guided tours available in the summer but you can watch the changing of the guard for free.
• City Hall (Radhuset) - You can visit the hall where the Nobel peace prize is awarded. Free entry.
• National Museum - Opened in June 2022 on the waterfront between City Hall and Aker Brygge. Edvard Munch's most well known version of his scream paintings has been relocated here. https://www.nasjonalmuseet.no/en/visit/locations/the-national-museum/
• National Gallery - The National Gallery closed its doors in January 2019 with the collection moved to the new National Museum. https://www.visitoslo.com/en/articles/munchs-art-in-oslo/
• Opera House - This modern building looks like a big wedge. Tours available inside. South of train station by the water.
• Vigeland Sculpture Park - One of Oslo's top tourist attraction and free (check opening times). Make sure you find the crying baby statue. Take tram 12 from Aker Brygge or Radhusplassen stops behind City Hall to Vigelandsparken. Distance from City Hall is about 3km if you decide to walk instead (40 min by foot). http://www.vigeland.museum.no/
• Viking Ship Museum - ***UPDATE-CLOSED UNTIL 2026 *** Small museum containing the remains of three Viking ships (only one fully intact). A few other museums are nearby including the Kon Tiki and Fram Museum. To get to the area, take the ferry from Pier 3 by City Hall (free with Oslo Pass, transit pass no longer valid). http://www.khm.uio.no/english/visit-us/viking-ship-museum/index.html http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=181623
• Astrup Fearnley Museum - For fans of modern art or architecture, this brand new private museum opened just west of Aker Brygge. http://afmuseet.no/en
• Munch Museum - A new museum opened in 2021 by the opera house. https://munchmuseet.no/en/

Oslo's main street, Karls Johan Gate runs from the Royal Palace to the train station passing City Hall, the National Gallery, and the Parliament. It becomes pedestrian only east of the Parliament.

Aker Brygge is a new development with a waterfront promenade west of City Hall.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump is a manmade facility and free with the Oslo Pass. A little bit out of the way but you can easily take the T-Bane from Nationaltheatret station using line 1. Fare is the same as other transit options and Holmenkollen station is within transit zone 1.

Restaurants

• Kaffistova - Norwegian comfort food served cafeteria-style
• Stortorvets Gjaestgiveri - Traditional Norwegian dishes served in a historic building
• Vaaghals - Norwegian food served in a trendy, modern setting near the Opera House
• Gamle Raadhus - Fine dining near Akershus Fortress

Post Office

There is a post office inside Central Station.

Internet

Try cafes and restaurants for wifi though coffee will be expensive. Burger King may also have free wifi (Aker Brygge or Karls Johan Gate pedestrian section). The tourist info office at Central Station has free wifi as well.

Maps (right-click to save)

Tram Routes

Weather

Oslo Weather Forecast

Suggested Port Guides

• Saint Petersburg
• Stockholm
• Tallinn
• Warnemunde
• Copenhagen

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