Before you go
Oslo is a city that requires entirely different planning and packing depending on what time of the year you choose to visit and what you wish to experience. You can opt for an urban, big-city experience with shopping, museums and food, a weekend of nature
When to go?
In short, all year long. Norway is a long country with several different climates. The western parts are cooler and wetter than the east, and the north is colder than the south. Oslo, despite being located by a fjord, is sheltered from the wild and wet coastal climate of the west due to the large mountain chains in the middle of the country. The summers tend to be warm and dry, with the odd heatwave or cool spell and occasional rain showers. The winters are cold and dark, but its location by the fjord leaves Oslo with a milder climate than further north or in inland towns and cities. Still, the temperate can plummet to -10°C and snow is not uncommon. Spring tends to be sunny and mild, whereas autumn brings a bit of everything, meaning it’s not at all uncommon to have sun, rain and snow in the same day. But Norwegians are used to the vastly different seasons, and there is no such thing as downtime. Winter brings skiing, winter sports and Christmas markets; summer brings festivals, hiking and beach life. Spring has celebrations and sunsoaking activities, and autumn brings indoor cosiness.
As Norwegians say, ‘Det finnes ikke dårlig vaer, bare dårlige klaer’ (‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’), so if a trip in the wintertime is on the cards, pack layers, woollen clothes and good boots, and you’re good to go. Make sure your boots have proper soles that will grip onto snow and ice, rather than patternless ones that will make them as slippery as ice skates. For summer trips, it’s still advised to bring layers as the nights, though bright, can get quite cool, but also pack sun cream, swimwear and sunglasses. The summers can get hot, and the sun doesn’t set until late in the evening. Norwegians are fond of comfortable clothes and footwear, so focusing on comfort and quality won’t make you stand out among the locals. Oslo is relatively safe, but as is always the case in a city with lots of people in the same place, it might be a good idea to bring a backpack or handbag with zippers, to make sure you leave with the same amount of belongings you arrived with.
What to book?
Oslo does have a reputation for being an expensive city, but public transport is quite cheap compared to many other capitals, and with extra offers in place for tourists to get as much out of their money as possible. Ordinary tickets can be bought at ticket machines and in kiosks all over the city, but for good deals on transport and experiences, buy an Oslo Pass lasting 24, 48 or 72 hours. The pass includes travel on all public transport across the city as well as suburbs and districts (Oslo as well as Lillestrøm, Nittedal, Asker, Ski, Nesodden and Drøbak), and includes free access to several museums and attractions, as well as discounted restaurants, sightseeing and activities. The pass
is available online and at several outlets in Oslo. (http://www.visitoslo.com/no/aktiviteter-og-attraksjoner/oslo-pass)
If you’ve got your eyes on a specific restaurant, particularly those with Michelin-stars, booking in advance is a good idea, even though Norwegians tend to eat an early dinner, usually straight after work, around 5 to 6pm. For guided tours at the Royal Palace, booking in advance might also come in handy, and most restaurants, experiences and tours are available for booking online. Big sporting events tend to sell out, so keep an eye on when tickets go on sale to make sure to get the ones you want.
How to get there?
Oslo has Norway’s biggest international airport, OSL Gardermoen, making it an easy city to fly into from all over the world. Norwegian Air, RyanAir, SAS and British Airways are among the airlines offering direct flights from the
UK to Oslo. From the airport, there are local and regional Vy-trains, taking you straight into central Oslo in 23 minutes, as well as the slightly quicker but also more expensive airport express train, Flytoget. There are also airport buses, with stops in central Oslo as well as the suburbs.
There is also a smaller airport further south along the coast, Torp Sandefjord Lufthavn, offering flights to London and Manchester, albeit with a slightly longer journey into Oslo.
Where to stay?
Oslo has hotels for every price category and every need. If you want to splash out for luxury and fjord views, book a room at award-winning design boutique hotel The Thief, located at Tjuvholmen, offering built-in sound systems, themed suites, a spa, and restaurant/bar. Prices start at 2,960 NOK. At the other end of the scale, there’s City-box, located 250 metres from Oslo Central Station, with simple comfort and prices starting at 650 NOK. Or why not opt for Airbnb to see how the locals live? The quality of housing is generally high, and many locals will offer their guests advice on what to see, where to go, and how to get there.
Cash or card?
Norway is essentially a cash-less society. Most shops and restaurants still accept cash in one till, but people are encouraged to always pay by card or other contactless solutions. Note that public transport does not accept cash payments. This, in turn, saves tourists the exchange fee but might be challenging for those used to paying with cash everywhere in their home country. It often results in tourists running around with big wads of cash they’re trying to get rid of before leaving the country. For those staying longer, it’s also worth noting that more and more places accept payment through Norwegian payment app Vipps, for which you need a Norwegian bank account and phone number.