Since I am in Oslo several times a year, I would like to create a small travel guide for this city. It will take a while, but I will try to keep adding to the article.

Pictures from Oslo:
www.ipernity.com/doc/2220246/album/980900 (my album)
www.ipernity.com/group/oslo (Oslo group)

Arrival at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL)

OSL offers duty free on arrival, even if you travel from within the EU. Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes are significantly cheaper than in local stores.

If you want to buy alcoholic beverages and/or tobacco products, watch out for the quota as it is somewhat complicated:

www.toll.no/en/goods/alcohol-and-tobacco/quotas

In addition, Freia chocolate and "Kvikk Lunsj" (the Norwegian version of "KitKat") are usually offered at attractive prices. Look out for Freia chocolate when available for 39 NOK (price in local stores 46 NOK or more), "Kvikk Lunsj" is sold as a pack of six while local stores only offer a pack of three.

To get to Oslo, you can either take the Flytoget or a regional train. The Flytoget runs more frequently but tickets are more expensive compared to regional trains. However. the journey time is largely identical. Regional trains depart from platform 4 at xx:03, xx:13 and xx:43.

Public transport

Check out ruter.no/en and install the Ruter app on your smartphone. You can buy tickets via the app.

Ticket prices current as per 26OCT2024 in zone 1 for adults are as follows: single ticket 42 NOK, 24-hour ticket 127 NOK, 7-day ticket 352 NOK. If you stay in Oslo for at least 72 hours, the 7-day ticket might be the cheapest option.

For further information about ticket prices see: ruter.no/en/buying-tickets/tickets-and-fares.

Grocery stores / supermarkets

Major store chains are Coop, Kiwi, Meny and Rema 1000. Prices are quite high with Kiwi and Rema generally cheaper than Coop and Meny.

These stores are open from Monday to Saturday.

Opening times are usually marked above or near the entrance in big numbers like e.g.:

7-22 (8-21)

This means that the store is open from 7am to 10pm from Monday to Friday and 8am to 9pm on Saturday.

Significantly smaller Bunnpris and Joker stores are open on Sundays as well but
do also have rather high prices.

The cashier will almost always ask you for "kvittering?" -> "do you want the receipt?" and "polser?" -> "do you need a bag?"

If you use self service checkout, be aware that you need the receipt as it has to be scanned to pass the exit gate (you might know this but is uncommon in Germany).

Coffeetime

Norwegians love to drink coffee so you will find a bunch of coffeehouses around town.

Major chains (beside Starbucks) are Espresso House and Kaffebrenneriet.

You should also check out the local bakery chain Baker Hansen.

A nice location a bit outside the city centre is Apent Bakeri Tranen at Waldemar Thranes gate.

When it comes to super confectionery, go to Skoyen and visit Fjaer Konfekt: www.fjaerkonfekt.no.

Restaurants

(not mentioning tourist spots)

Genji: www.genji.no - nice Japanese restaurant
Lofotstua: no homepage - fish restaurant close to Vigelandsparken
The Thief: www.thethief.com/en/eat-drink/foodbar
Monsun: www.monsunrestaurant.no

Streetfood

Oslo Street Food: www.oslo-streetfood.no
Barcode Street Food: www.barcode-streetfood.no
Mathallen [Link to be added]

[07DEC2024, to be continued]