🧭 Travel Tips

Oslo is a vibrant, historic city that blends great restaurants, fantastic shopping, world-class museums, rich culture, and easy access to skiing—plus summer water activities like canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. It’s a year-round destination with something for every kind of traveler.

I suggest booking your accommodations well in advance.
VRBO is a good choice if you plan to stay outside the park for more than a few days.
Cell phone service is excellent, though you should check with your carrier to see if they have international coverage or just roaming. If not, I suggest looking into e-SIM cards.
In Oslo, electric vehicles dominate thanks to strong incentives and excellent charging infrastructure. EVs now outnumber gas cars and make up nearly all new sales. Charging instructions at street-side EV stations are often only in Norwegian, while hotels and dedicated fuel/charging stations provide instructions in both Norwegian and English.
visitacity is an excellent website for exploring Oslo’s attractions, tours, and sightseeing options. It includes an easy-to-use map with tour pricing, and for budget-minded travelers, it’s also perfect for simply seeing where all the main sights are located.
The Oslo Metro, or T-Bane, is the quickest way to get around the city and a dedicated line to the airport.
To get Oslo tram schedules, use the official Ruter app or website (ruter.no), which provides real-time departures, route planning, and ticketing for trams ("trikken"), metro, buses, and ferries in Oslo and Akershus. Trams run frequently, especially on weekdays in the city center, with varying frequencies on weekends and later at night, typically starting early morning until around midnight. Purchasing tickets can be a bit tricky, so follow the instructions carefully. How to Find Schedules & Plan Trips:

Download the Ruter App: The easiest way for real-time info and tickets.
Visit Ruter.no: Use their website for trip planning and schedules.
Check Frequencies: Expect frequent service (every 5-10 mins) during peak weekday hours, less frequent (every 30 mins) evenings/weekends, according to Introducing Oslo.

🍽️ 🛍️ Restaurants and Shopping

Oslo offers a wide range of dining, from gourmet restaurants to traditional Norwegian fare and lively food halls like Mathallen. The city is also a shopper’s paradise, with everything from Scandinavian design and Sami crafts to souvenirs along Karl Johans gate as well as high-end luxury, around malls like Oslo City and Paleet, and in charming specialty shops. Don't forget looking at some Dale sweaters, and who doesn't want to take home a little Norwegian troll? 😂

For a guide to shopping in Oslo, VisitOslo is a great website that highlights everything from local boutiques and designer stores to markets and malls, helping you plan the perfect shopping itinerary.
Google offers a handy map of dining options throughout Oslo, making it easy to find everything from local favorites to gourmet restaurants. Check it out here.
Here’s another handy Google map, this time showing shops along Oslo’s bustling Karl Johans Gate.
🇳🇴 As a tourist in Norway, most goods and services include a Value Added Tax (VAT). You can claim a refund on eligible purchases when leaving the country, but it can be a bit tricky—make sure to get a receipt for everything. Food and services aren’t VAT-free; instead, they’re subject to reduced VAT rates compared to the standard rate. Norway uses a tiered VAT system rather than offering a general exemption. For more details, check out this helpful guide: Shopping in Norway – VAT for Tourists.
🍻 Oslo has a thriving craft beer scene, with breweries and brewpubs scattered throughout the city. From small microbreweries to larger, well-known names, there’s something for every beer lover. Many breweries focus on traditional Norwegian styles, while others experiment with international and seasonal flavors. VisitOslo is an excellent website for exploring all of Oslo’s craft beer options.

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