Oslo City Guide - Getting Around

Oslo has a comprehensive and efficient public transport network of trains, buses, trams, ferries and underground (T-Bane), mostly operated by Oslo Sporveier. Trafikanten, Jerbanetorget 1 (tel: 177; website: www.trafikanten.no), is a one-stop shop for information on all public transport in and around Oslo, and is located in front of the Central Station.

Some 50 separate bus lines and eight different tram lines cover the city. These can be boarded opposite Oslo S station on Jerbanetorget, with tickets available from the driver. The Oslo T-Bane consists of five underground lines. Tickets are available from vending machines at the various stations. The entire public transport network is detailed on a free map, which is available from Trafikanten, post offices and most stations.

Båtservice Sightseeing A/S (tel: 2335 6890; website: www.boatsightseeing.com) operates seasonal ferries (Apr-Oct) from City Hall to Bygdøy Island, where many museums are situated. Other small ferries operate from Vippetangen, just behind Akershus Slott, to all the harbour basin islands.

Taxi ranks can be found throughout the city, mainly near the shopping centre, city squares and outside Oslo S station. When it is very busy or late at night, long waits may be experienced at ranks. Cabs are operated by Oslo Taxi (tel: 02323; website: www.oslotaxi.no) and Norges Taxi (tel: 08000; website: www.norgestaxi.no) and advance bookings can be made at any time. However, in peak travel periods, taxis may take up to 30 minutes to arrive. Hailing on the streets is possible, although not within 100m (110 yards) of a registered taxi rank. If the light is on, the taxi is available for hire.

Driving in Oslo is fairly straightforward. However, the city is relatively small and has an excellent public transport system, so a car is really unnecessary, unless longer trips are planned. Rush hours (0700-0900 and 1500-1800) are best avoided and navigating can be difficult, as there is a complicated one-way system. The Stor Olso (Greater Oslo) map, available from petrol stations, should help, if studied carefully in advance.

Another plus point for public transport is that parking is a nightmare in Oslo, with many places having a one- or even half-hour maximum stay. Illegal parking or overstaying the allotted time is dealt with severely – fines start at NOK500. Once a parking spot has been found, a ticket must be obtained from the on-street ticket machine and displayed in the vehicle windscreen. Controlled city centre street parking spots are free to Oslo Card holders (see Sightseeing). There are daytime car parks at C J Hambros Plass, Prinsens gate, Chr. Krohgsgate, Oslo Plaza, Asker Stasjon and Skøyen Stasjon.

The major car hire providers are Avis, Munkedamsveien (tel: 8153 3044; website: www.avis.no), Budget, Munkedamsveien (tel: 8156 0600; website: www.budget.no), and Hertz, Holbergsgate (tel: 6716 8000; website: www.hertz.no). The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years and a credit card will be required as security. The driver must have a national driving licence (in Roman script), which he/she has held for a minimum of one year. Insurance is mandatory and tends to be included in the cost of the hire.

Information about cycling can be obtained from Syklistenes Landsforening, Storgata 23d, Operapassasjen (tel: 2247 3030; website: www.slf.no). Bicycles can be rented from A/S Ski Service, Voksenkollen Stasjon (tel: 2213 9504).