Getting Around

By Public Transportation

Oslo has an efficient citywide network of buses, trams (streetcars), and subways. Buses and electric trains take passengers to the suburbs; from mid-April to October, ferries to Bygdøy depart from the harbor in front of the Oslo Rådhuset (City Hall).

Discount Passes -- The Oslo Pass can help you become acquainted with the city at a fraction of the usual price. It allows free travel on public transportation, free admission to museums and other top sights, discounts on sightseeing buses and boats, a rebate on your car rental, and special treats in restaurants. You can purchase the card at hotels, fine stores, and tourist information offices; from travel agents; and in the branches of Sparebanken Oslo Akershus. Adults pay 210NOK ($32/£17) for a 1-day card, 300NOK ($46/£25) for 2 days, and 390NOK ($60/£32) for 3 days. Children's cards cost 90NOK ($14/£7.40), 110NOK ($17/£9.05), and 140NOK ($22/£12).

By Bus, Tram & Subway -- Jernbanetorget is Oslo's major bus and tram terminal stop. Most buses and trams passing through the heart of town stop at Wessels Plass, next to the Parliament, or at Stortorvet, the main marketplace. Many also stop at the National Theater or University Square on Karl Johans Gate, as well as stopping through Oslo's suburbs.

The subway (T-banen) has four branch lines to the east. The Western Suburban route (including Holmenkollen) has four lines to the residential sections and recreation grounds west and north of the city. Subways and trains leave from near the National Theater on Karl Johans Gate.

For schedule and fare information, call Trafikanten (tel. 81-50-01-76; www.trafikanten.no). Automated machines cancel tickets. Drivers sell single-trip tickets for 30NOK ($4.60/£2.50); children travel for half-fare. An eight-coupon Flexi card costs 160NOK ($25/£13) and is half-price for children. Maxi cards can be used for unlimited transfers for 1 hour from the time the ticket is stamped.

By Taxi

If you need a taxi, call tel. 23-23-23-23, available 24 hours a day. Reserve at least an hour in advance.

Hiring a taxi is very expensive in Oslo. Tariffs start at 30NOK ($4.60/£2.50) for hailed taxis in the streets or at 50NOK ($7.70/£4.10) if you summon one in advance. In addition to regular fares, there are lethal surcharges between 5 and 10pm costing 110NOK ($17/£9), or between 10pm and 4am costing 210NOK ($32/£17). All taxis have meters, and Norwegian cab drivers are generally honest. When a cab is available, its roof light goes on. Taxis can be hailed on the street, provided they're more than 91m (298 ft.) from a taxi rank. The most difficult time to hail a taxi is Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 10am and 3 to 5pm, and Saturday from 8:30 to 10am.

By Car

Driving is not a practical way to get around Oslo because parking is limited. The efficient public transportation system makes a private car unnecessary. You can reach even the most isolated areas by public transportation.

Among the multistory parking lots in the city center, the best is Vestre Vika Bilpark, Dronning Mauds Gate (tel. 22-83-35-35). The cost of parking a car in a public garage is 48NOK ($7.40/£3.95) per hour or 175NOK ($27/£14) for 24 hours. Illegally parked cars are towed away. For car problems, call the NAF Alarm Center (tel. 22-34-14-00), available 24 hours a day.

By Ferry

Beginning in mid-April, ferries depart for Bygdøy from Pier 3 in front of the Oslo Rådhuset. For schedules, call Båtservice (tel. 23-35-68-90). The ferry or bus to Bygdøy is a good choice because parking there is limited. Other ferries leave for various parts of the Oslofjord. Inquire at the Tourist Information Office, Fridtjof Nansens Plass 5, N-0160 Oslo (tel. 24-14-77-00).

By Bicycle

Den Rustne Eike, Vestbaneplassen 2 (tel. 22-83-52-08), rents bikes at moderate rates, complete with free maps of interesting routes in Oslo and its environs. The cost ranges from 270NOK to 280NOK ($42-$43/£22-£23) per day or 900NOK ($139/£74) per week, with a 1,000NOK ($154/£82) deposit required. It's open May to October daily 9am to 9pm; in the off season, it's open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm.