Oslo-Gardermoen International Airport

Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is Norway's main international airport and the primary gateway to the Norwegian capital, located approximately 47 km north of Oslo city center. The airport serves as the main hub for Norwegian Air Shuttle and SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), handling over 28 million passengers annually.

The airport features a single terminal with a distinctive Nordic design, organized into domestic and international piers:

• Domestic Pier (North): Gates A1-A22 for domestic flights within Norway
• International Pier (South): Gates B1-B44 and C1-C9 for European and intercontinental flights
• Central Area: Check-in, security, and main shopping/dining area

All gates are connected airside after the single centralized security checkpoint, making transfers efficient. The terminal's open, light-filled design features extensive use of wood and Norwegian materials, reflecting Scandinavian architectural principles.

Important note for budget travelers: Some low-cost carriers (notably Ryanair and Wizz Air) operate from Sandefjord Torp Airport (TRF), located 110 km southwest of Oslo. Despite marketing as "Oslo Torp," this airport requires a separate 2-hour journey to reach Oslo city center.

Oslo Airport is located 47 km north of Oslo city center, but excellent high-speed rail connections make it one of Europe's most accessible airports.

Typical travel times:

• Oslo Central Station (Oslo S): 19-22 min by Flytoget, 23-27 min by VY train
• Oslo city center by taxi: 35-50 min (traffic dependent)
• Drammen: 45 min by train
• Lillehammer: 1.5 hours by train

The airport has a dedicated railway station directly beneath the terminal, accessible via escalators from the arrivals hall.

Uber

Uber operates at Oslo Airport with pickup at designated areas.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup in the parking structure
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber XL
• Fares to Oslo city center: NOK 700-1,000 (EUR 60-85 / USD 65-95) depending on destination and demand

Bolt

Bolt is also available as an alternative to Uber with similar pricing.

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals hall. All Oslo taxis are metered and accept credit cards.

Destination	Fare	Time
Oslo Central Station	NOK 900-1,200 (EUR 75-100)	35-45 min
Oslo city center	NOK 900-1,300 (EUR 75-110)	35-50 min
Drammen	NOK 1,500-1,800 (EUR 125-150)	50-60 min

Tip: Taxi fares in Norway are among Europe's highest. The Flytoget airport express or regular train offers far better value for reaching central Oslo.

Flytoget Airport Express

The Flytoget is a high-speed train connecting the airport directly to Oslo Central Station in just 19-22 minutes.

To Oslo Central Station (Oslo S):

1. Follow signs to "Flytoget" in arrivals
2. Purchase tickets at machines, online, or via the Flytoget app
3. Board any Flytoget train (distinctive white trains)
4. Exit at Oslo S (first stop)

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult	NOK 220 (EUR 18.50 / USD 20)
Single student/senior	NOK 110
Return adult	NOK 400
Group (3+ traveling together)	NOK 150 per person

Frequency: Every 10 minutes (peak) / Every 20 minutes (off-peak) Operating hours: 05:35-00:45 daily

Flytoget continues beyond Oslo S to Drammen (additional stops: Nationaltheatret, Skøyen, Lysaker, Sandvika, Asker, Drammen).

VY (Norwegian State Railways)

Regular VY regional trains offer a more economical option.

To Oslo Central Station (Oslo S):

1. Follow signs to "Tog/Train" in arrivals
2. Purchase tickets from VY machines or the VY app
3. Take the R10 or R11 regional train
4. Journey time: 23-27 minutes

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult	NOK 116 (EUR 10 / USD 11)
Children (6-17)	NOK 58
With Ruter period ticket	Included

Frequency: Up to 6 trains per hour during peak times Operating hours: 05:00-01:00

Note: VY trains make several stops before Oslo S and may be more crowded during rush hours.

Bus Services

Flybussen (SAS Bus) and Nor-Way Bussekspress operate airport buses, but trains are faster and often more economical.

• Flybussen to Oslo Bus Terminal: NOK 169, approximately 45-60 min
• Useful for destinations not served by direct rail

Oslo Airport offers multiple parking options with online booking discounts.

Terminal Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
P1 Arrival/Departure (short-term)	Adjacent to terminal	NOK 60/hour, max NOK 540/day
P2 Terminal Parking	Connected to terminal	NOK 35/hour, from NOK 295/day (online)
P10 Long-term	Free shuttle (5 min)	From NOK 195/day (online)
P11 Economy	Free shuttle (8 min)	From NOK 145/day (online)

Tips:

• Book online at avinor.no for significant discounts (up to 50% off)
• Electric vehicle charging available in P1 and P2
• First 15 minutes free in P1 for drop-off/pickup
• Winter: All parking facilities are heated or covered

Oslo Airport offers a strong selection of Scandinavian and international dining, reflecting Norwegian culinary traditions.

Arrivals/Departures (Landside)

• Starbucks: Coffee and light snacks
• Burger King: Fast food, extended hours
• Brasserie X by Fursetgruppen: Traditional Norwegian dishes

Domestic Pier (A Gates)

• Grab: Quick-service sandwiches and salads
• Odin's Plass: Norwegian comfort food
• Bit: Coffee and pastries

International Pier (B/C Gates)

• Oslo Street Food: Multiple food stalls with international options
• Olivia: Italian cuisine
• Cafe Opus: Norwegian cafe with baked goods
• Sushi Yama: Japanese cuisine
• Jamie's Deli: Fresh sandwiches and salads

Budget tip: Deli de Luca and Narvesen kiosks throughout the airport offer affordable sandwiches and snacks. Prices at the airport are high even by Norwegian standards.

Free WiFi is available throughout Oslo Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Avinor Oslo Lufthavn
Registration	Accept terms (no email required)
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Good for browsing, streaming, and video calls

Faster WiFi connections are available in airline lounges.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though prices are higher than in the city.

Airport Locations

• Telia Store (Departures): Norwegian carrier, prepaid SIMs
• Telenor Store (Arrivals): Major Norwegian carrier
• Narvesen/7-Eleven kiosks: Basic prepaid SIM options

Pricing

Provider	Price	Data
Telia	From NOK 199	10 GB
Telenor	From NOK 199	10 GB
Lycamobile	From NOK 99	5 GB

Note: EU roaming rules do not apply in Norway (not an EU member), though most Norwegian SIMs include EU roaming. For better prices, visit Telia, Telenor, or Ice stores in central Oslo.

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in both landside and airside areas. Major Norwegian banks (DNB, Nordea, SpareBank 1) have machines available.

Currency

• Norway: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 EUR = 11.8 NOK, 1 USD = 10.9 NOK

Currency Exchange

Forex Bank counters are located in arrivals and departures. Airport exchange rates include significant markups.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw NOK from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Norway is highly cashless; contactless cards accepted almost everywhere
• Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates

Tip: Credit and debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Norway, including small purchases. Cash is rarely necessary.

Oslo Airport offers extensive duty-free shopping, a major attraction given Norway's high domestic prices on alcohol and tobacco.

Duty-Free

• Heinemann Tax Free (Main Duty-Free Hall): Extensive selection of spirits, wine, cosmetics, and confectionery
• Savings: Up to 40-60% below Norwegian retail prices on alcohol
• Allowances: Non-Norwegian residents can bring in 1L spirits + 1.5L wine + 2L beer duty-free

Norwegian Products

• Husfliden: Traditional Norwegian handicrafts, knitwear, bunad accessories
• Dale of Norway: Iconic Norwegian wool sweaters
• Moods of Norway: Contemporary Norwegian fashion
• Norwegian Icons: Trolls, Viking souvenirs, national items
• Brunost (brown cheese): Available at food shops

General Shopping

• Clas Ohlson: Swedish hardware/gadget chain
• Narvesen/7-Eleven: Convenience essentials
• Apotek 1: Pharmacy

Tip: Duty-free liquor at Oslo Airport is significantly cheaper than in Norway. Arriving passengers can also purchase from the duty-free shop upon landing (unique to Norway).

Oslo Airport has several lounge options, with SAS operating the primary lounges as their hub.

SAS Lounges

SAS Lounge Domestic (Near Gate A):

• Access: SAS Plus/Business, EuroBonus Gold/Diamond, Star Alliance Gold
• Hours: 05:30-21:00
• Amenities: Buffet breakfast/lunch, coffee, working areas
• Quality: Comfortable Scandinavian design

SAS Lounge International (Near Gate B):

• Access: SAS Plus/Business, EuroBonus Gold/Diamond, Star Alliance Gold
• Hours: 05:00-21:00
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, full bar, showers, sleeping areas
• Quality: Larger than domestic lounge with more extensive offerings

Norwegian Lounges

Norwegian Premium Lounge (International):

• Access: Norwegian Premium Class passengers
• Hours: Varies with flight schedule
• Amenities: Light refreshments, coffee, basic seating

Priority Pass Lounges

OSL Lounge (Schengen, Pier South):

• Location: Near Gate B22
• Hours: 05:30-22:00
• Amenities: Hot food, bar, showers
• Notes: Compact but well-equipped

Pay-Per-Entry

Most lounges offer day passes for NOK 350-450 (EUR 30-40). Book online for discounts.

Several hotels are located at or near Oslo Airport.

At the Airport

Radisson Blu Airport Hotel

• Connected directly to the terminal via covered walkway (2-minute walk)
• 4-star, 500 rooms
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center, sauna
• From NOK 1,200/night (EUR 100)

Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport

• Connected to terminal (4-minute walk)
• 3-star, modern and affordable
• From NOK 900/night (EUR 75)

Near the Airport

• Scandic Oslo Airport: 5-minute shuttle, from NOK 1,000/night
• Comfort Hotel RunWay: Near terminal, from NOK 850/night
• Thon Hotel Oslo Airport: Short shuttle, from NOK 950/night

Transit/Nap Options

• Rest areas: Designated quiet zones in the terminal with recliners
• Sleeper cabins: Available through some lounges

Oslo is a compact, modern Scandinavian capital known for its fjord location, Viking heritage, world-class museums, and pristine natural surroundings. The city center is just 20 minutes from the airport by express train.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Oslo Opera House	20-25 min	Flytoget to Oslo S, 3 min walk
Vigeland Sculpture Park	30 min	Train to Nationaltheatret + 10 min walk
Viking Ship Museum	35 min	Train to Oslo S + bus 30 or ferry
Munch Museum	25 min	Train to Oslo S + 5 min walk
Aker Brygge waterfront	25 min	Train to Nationaltheatret + 5 min walk
Holmenkollen Ski Jump	45 min	Train to Nationaltheatret + T-bane line 1

Travel Tips

• Purchase an Oslo Pass for unlimited transit and free museum entry (24/48/72-hour options)
• The Ruter app is essential for public transit tickets in Oslo
• Oslo is highly walkable; most central attractions are within 30 minutes on foot
• Tipping is not expected in Norway; service charge is included
• Many museums are closed on Mondays
• Summer days are very long (near 24-hour daylight in June)

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Walk the Oslo waterfront from Oslo S to Aker Brygge, visit the Opera House rooftop
• 6-hour layover: Add the Munch Museum or Vigeland Park
• 8+ hour layover: Take the T-bane to Holmenkollen for panoramic fjord views, explore Grünerløkka neighborhood

Day Trips from Oslo

• Drøbak: 1 hour by bus, charming Christmas town, Oscarsborg Fortress
• Fredrikstad: 1 hour by train, Scandinavia's best-preserved fortress town
• Oslo Fjord cruise: 2-3 hours, departs from Aker Brygge
• Hadeland Glassverk: 1 hour by car, historic glassworks

Norwegian Specialties

• Smørbrød: Open-faced sandwiches on dense bread
• Brunost: Sweet brown cheese (Gudbrandsdalsost)
• Fårikål: Lamb and cabbage stew (national dish)
• Rakfisk: Fermented fish (seasonal, autumn)
• Aquavit: Caraway-spiced spirit
• Norwegian waffles: Served with sour cream and jam
• Fresh seafood: Salmon, shrimp, and fish soup