FROM THE AIRPORT – Oslo Lufthavn Gardermoen
The airport express train – Flytoget
The train departs every 10 or 20 minutes depending on the time of travel and arrives at Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) at the city centre in ca. 20 minutes. The cost for an ordinary ticket is NOK 196 (ca. $22), while students aged 21-31 with a valid ID get a discounted ticket at NOK 98 (ca. $11). There is no discount for return journeys. This is the most straightforward option, but not the least expensive.
Tickets can be bought in advance here: https://flytoget.no/en/, or at the entrance to the station.
Norwegian State Railways – NSB
All regional Norwegian State Railway trains on the route to Skien-Oslo-Lillehammer-Trondheim as well as various NSB local trains go via Oslo Airport Gardermoen. They arrive at Oslo in approx. 23 minutes and depart at various times throughout the day. The cost is NOK 105 (ca. $12) for ordinary tickets and there is no discount for return journeys. This is the best and cheapest alternative, but not as frequent as the express train.
Tickets can be bought in advance here: https://www.nsb.no/en/frontpage, or at the train station.
Shuttle busses
Shuttle busses connect the airport to the main bus terminal, located at the city centre (very close to Oslo S and several major hotels). The journey takes between 40 minutes to an hour, and the ordinary tickets cost NOK 179 (ca. $20) with discounted price for students aged 21-31 at NOK 95 (ca. $11). Unlike the trains, the buses operate during the night.
Tickets can be bought in advance here: https://www.flybussen.no/?dir=from, or on the bus.
Taxi
We would not recommend taking a taxi as this is quite expensive, not as comfortable and takes longer than the trains.
FROM THE AIRPORT – Torp Sandefjord Lufthavn
Train
A shuttle bus service transfers passengers from the airport to the train station, from where they continue to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). The journey takes about 1,5 hours, with trains departing usually once per hour. An ordinary ticket costs NOK 273 (ca. $33), while the student ticket costs NOK 205 (ca. $25).
Tickets can be bought in advance here: https://www.nsb.no/en/frontpage, or at the train station.
Torp Express bus service
The Torp Express bus service corresponds with most international flights to/from the airport. Buses arrive at Oslo bus terminal in approx. 2 hours. The ordinary ticket costs NOK 260 (ca. $31) with a discounted price for students at NOK 200 (ca. $23), while various discounts apply for web and return tickets.
Tickets can be bought in advance here: http://torpekspressen.no/index.php/torp_eng, or on the bus.
DOWNTOWN OSLO
Downtown Oslo is rather small and walking around or biking using the public bicycle sharing system is the most enjoyable way to explore it. Information about the bicycle sharing system (Oslo bysykkel) can be found here: https://oslobysykkel.no/en.
Despite the fairly short distances, the urban area is quite hilly and getting to the Blindern University Campus would be more comfortable if using the well-developed and convenient public transportation system.
(Photos: VisitOSLO/Sabine Zoller)
All public transportation is part of the same ticket/price system operated by Ruter, which means that tickets are valid for buses, trams, the subway, ferries and local trains. Downloading the Ruter mobile application (RuterBillett) makes it easy to check times and purchase tickets. A number of outlets all around the city such as Narvesen, 7-Eleven, and Deli de Luca convenience stores, as well as automated ticket machines sell tickets. Participants are advised to purchase a 7-day ticket, which costs NOK 285 (ca. $33) and gives unlimited access to all means of public transportation within Oslo.
Information about the RuterBillett app, as well as other travel information can be found here: https://ruter.no/en/buying-tickets/mobile-ticket-app/.
Two tramlines (17 and 18) and two subway lines (4 and 5) stop in the vicinity of the conference venue, and get there in less than 20 minutes (tram) and 10 minutes (subway) from Oslo S, respectively. The extensive bus system will also bring participants to a number of museums and attractions around the city. Oslo´s iconic forest area, seaside and lakes are all accessible by public transportation, which makes the use of private cars or taxis redundant.
Taxi
Oslo taxi: +47 02323
Norgestaxi: +47 08000
Fredrikstad´s Old Town and Hvaler
Fredrikstad´s Old Town, about an hour south east of Oslo, was founded in 1567 by King Fredrik II according to Dutch architectural models, with wide water-filled moats and high earth ramparts. It is the best preserved fortified town in the Nordic region and offers wonderful views to the whole area. Today it is home to Fredrikstad´s historical museum, many art galleries, eclectic shops and cosy restaurants and cafés. During the summer months there is also a large flee-marked every weekend.
Further south, the Hvaler islands offer many opportunities for outdoor recreation and experiencing a diverse coastal landscape with more than 800 islands and skerries. This is the sunniest arear in Norway and visitors can enjoy fishing, bathing, paddling and sailing, or simply relax, sunbathe and taste the local cuisine. The scenic Ytre Hvaler National Park consists of muddy seabed and rocky sea bottoms with its rich underwater ecosystem containing corals and kelp forest. People have used the area for thousands of years and many of the prehistoric house sites may date back to the Late Bronze Age.
Drøbak and Oscarsborg
Drøbak, located on the east side of the Oslo Fjord, is a short half hour ride from downtown Oslo. Once a flourishing and prosperous centre for exporting timber and ice, this little town is now worth a visit for its picturesque small wooden houses and narrow streets filled with little galleries, shops and restaurants. In the centre of Drøbak, the visitors will be amazed at Santa´s Post Office, Norway´s biggest permanent Christmas exhibition open all year round.
A short ferry trip from Drøbak takes visitors to the Oscarsborg fortress, situated on two small islets in the middle of the Oslo Fjord. The fortress forms part of Norway´s contemporary history and is known from the sinking of the German cruiser Blücher on the 9th of April 1940, a feat which delayed the German invasion and allowed enough time for the King and government to escape from Oslo.
From Oslo to Bergen: Norway in a nutshell
This legendary tour takes visitors through Norway´s most awe-inspiring UNESCO-protected fjord and mountain scenery, including the scenic railway route from Oslo to Bergen and the spectacular step train journey from Flåm.
The western city of Bergen is not only the gateway to the fjords of Norway, but a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, offering its visitors the best of nature, culture, and history, as well as an exciting urban life. The visitors can enjoy walking around the narrow streets of Bryggen with preserved architecture from the Middle Ages, a whole range of museums, exhibitions and performances, including a boasting music scene, and the culinary delights that earned Bergen the 2016 UNESCO City of Gastronomy title.