"Christer's Oslo Page" a Oslo Travel Page by Christer81

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<b><a href="http://www.oslo.kommune.no">Oslo</a> - My City ;)</b> (above picture: my garden summer 2000)
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<b>Intro:</b>
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This page will give you general tips about Oslo, I hope you find it handy.

I am sure i experience the same problem now as many of you others have experienced before me; Where on the earth shall I start writing about my own country?

I Was born in <a href="http://www.alesund.kommune.no">Ålesund</a>, a fairly small town (population around 40.000) on the westcoast of Norway (between Bergen and Trondheim).
At an early age I moved to Oslo and have stayed here since that, but I still have alot of family and friends in Ålesund, and internet has also helped me getting in contact with people from there.

Today I consider myself as a 100% Oslo inhabitant - I speak the Oslo dialect, I know the city, I work and study here and I am proud to talk and show my city to people from both other parts of Norway and other parts for the world.
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<b>HISTORY:</b></font> (taken from my own case study called "Reasons for the names on places in Oslo" (HS-project)

It has lately been quite alot of discusstions about when Oslo was founded, when Oslo in 1950 AC celebrated its 900th years the scientists were convinced that this happened in 1050 AC, but as time passed by they found evidence that it had happened earlier, and estimated it to around year 1000 AC. That's why Oslo in 2000 celebrated its 1000th year.

When Oslo was founded around year 1000 AC by the Viking king Harald Hårfagre it was given the name Oslo. In 1536 Denmark and Norway became one country under the Danish crown, so after the great fire in 1624 it was more natural for the Danish king (Christian IV) to choose the name Christiania for the new buildt city around Akershus Festning.
The name Christiania survived over 300 years, even the Union with the Swedes from 1814 till 1905, but the distance from the Danish crown had become longer and the people was generally fedup of these unions and choosed to call their city Kristiania from around 1860 -1870. (Writing it with a K instead of CH was looked at as more "Norwegian")
When Norway had freed itself from Sweden in 1905 (Celebrating 100 years as a free nation in <a href="http://www.norge2005.no">2005!!</a>) a discussion begin about the name of the city. Now that we again where one independent country, wouldn't it be more natural to go back and use the name our predecessors had used when they founded it?
After 20 years as a free nation Norway changed the name back to Oslo the 1st of January 1925.

While the name Christiania was in directly connection with the Danish King's name (Christian 4th), was Oslo a Norse name from the Viking periode (ie: 800 - 1100)
There are disagreements about what Oslo really means, most scientists agree that the last syllable (LO)means "meadow by the water", but the first syllable (OS)is not so clearly, and there are 3 points of view that dominate:

<b>1) Simply meaning the same as the norwegian word os means today: mouth of a river
2) A rewriting of the norwegian word ås (hill) - aiming at the ekebergåsen just behind the old Oslo.
3) A tribute to the Viking God "As".</b>
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<b>Helpful info:</b>
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Most info about Oslo can be found at <a href="http://www.oslopro.no">Oslo Promotion</a>
You find the infocentre just outside the Cityhall/Akerbrygge (tram #10 and #12)
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<b>How to get to Oslo:</b>
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<b>Flying</b>

Lot's of European airliners offer flights from various destinations to Oslo. Unfortunally SAS stoped their direct connection Oslo - New York last year, so if you are flying in from USA you would have to change plane in another european city that is in connection with Oslo.
The cheapest way to get to Oslo is currently with <a href="http://www.ryanair.com">Ryan Air</a>, flying from either London, Glasgow or Frankfurt.
<b>NB: Ryan air uses Torp (outside Sandefjord) as their norwegian base.</b>

As mentioned <a href="http://www.scandinavian.net">SAS</a> is another alternative, not to forget the norwegian airliner <a href="http://www.braathens.no">Braathens</a>.
Other airlines I know fly to Oslo is: <a href="http://www.klm.com">KLM</a>, <a href="http://www.britishairways.com">British Airways</a>, <a href="http://www.lufthansa.com">Lufthansa</a>, <a href="http://www.brussels-airlines.com">SN BrusselsAirlines</a>, <a href="http://www.airfrance.com">Air France</a> and <a href="http://www.finnair.com">Finnair</a>

Resently a few new airliners has started up aswell:
<a href="http://www.norwegian.no">Norwegian Air Shuttle</a>, <a href="http://www.goodjet.com">Goodjet</a> and <a href="http://www.sterling.com">Sterling</a>

<b>Airport Transport:</b>

When arriving in Oslo by plane you easily find transportation to Oslo (I assume that's the place you want to go? :) )

A taxi tour from the airport to Oslo cost from 475 - 625 NOK depending on where in Oslo you are going.
Visit <a href="http://www.airport-taxi.no">Airport Taxi</a>

Taking the airport express train is of most people in Oslo considered to be the best and easiest way to get to and from the airport. The tour from Oslo centralstation to the airport takes only about 20 minuttes and cost 140 NOK.
Visit <a href="http://www.flytoget.no">Flytoget</a>
PS: It is not needed/possible to make reservations.

The airport express busses are maybe the cheapest form for transportation. The prices are around 140 NOK depending on where you are going.
NB: The busses goes other places than just to the centre of Oslo, so watch out where you end up :)
Visit <a href="http://www.scandinavian.net/travel/no/flybussen/hoved.asp ">flybussen</a>(to the centre of Oslo)

and/or

<a href="http://www.flybussekspressen.no">Flybussekspressen</a> (Oslo suburbs)
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<b>Where to stay in Oslo:</b>
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<b>Hotels:</b>

I have never slept on a hotel in Oslo, so unfortunally I can not recommend anyone :),but the Zip code for the centre of Oslo is 01XX, so it might be a good tip to look for hotels with zipcodes starting on 01 if you want to be close to the centre.
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<b>Campingsites:</b>

There are 3 major camping sites inside the boarders of Oslo. <a href="http://www.bogstadcamping.no">Bogstad camping</a>, <a href="http://www.ekebergcamping.no">Ekeberg camping</a> and Fjord camp. I have not yet been at Fjord Camp, but I can surely recommend the two other.
I live close to Bogstad camping myself, it is situated at the west end of Oslo, surrouded by huge areas of forest and only a 5 minuttes walk to a nice (but small) bathing place. I would say that Bogstad camping is more suitable for families and older people due to the long distance from the city centre (tho it got an own pub)
Ekeberg camping is found on the eastern part of Oslo, on the top of the Ekeberg hill. This camping also got some beautiful nature close to the site, but not even close to what Bogstad camping got. Ekeberg is on the other hand closer to the city centre and I would therefor recommend it for younger people or others that want to check out the nightlife in Oslo.
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<b>How to get around in Oslo</b>
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<b>Public Transports:</b>
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See a <a href="http://www.sporveien.no/archive/images/01/04/OsloR029.gif">map</a> of all railbound systems in Oslo.

Public transports are O.K. in Oslo. It might not be the most modern, and it might not be the fastest or most reliable, but most tourists find it easy to understand.

The price system is atleast very easy: Busses, Trams, Metros, Localtrains and ferrys = <b>ONE ticket</b>

Visit <a href="http://www.sporveien.no">Oslo Sporveier</a> under the section <i>Visitors guide</i> for updated price info.
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<b><a href="http://www.sporveien.no/archive/images/01/04/Metro032.gif ">Metro:</a></b>

The Metro system consist of 5 main lines (#1,#2,#3,#4 and #5) going both west and east compared to the city centre.
Between the stations Tøyen and Majorstuen all lines operate on the same stations, so whatever #line you are on - you will get to the city centre.

The Metro operate from about 5am till 1am, 30 minuttes frequency during evenings and weekends, while its 15 minuttes frequency during daytime and even more often during the rush hours.

<b>Line #1 - Westbound</b> - The metroline with the most beautiful scenery. It takes you the famous skijump: Holmenkollen, the great viewpoint Tryvann/Frognerseteren and during wintertime it is a great place to start your crosscountry or downhill skiing.
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<b><a href="http://www.sporveien.no/archive/images/01/04/Tramw033.gif">Trams:</a></b>

The Tram system in Oslo is numbered from #10 - #19 and operate mainly only in the city centre.
You fast around taking the tram, and they operate with the same frequency as the metro.
Famous places as Vigelandsparken/Frongerparken can be easily reached with tram #12 and #15 (westbound)
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<b><a href="http://www.sporveien.no/archive/images/01/05/Bussl053.gif ">Buses:</a></b>

In general you can say that the busses operate all the places that doesnt have a metro or tram connection. All busses are numbered from #20 ---> and is operated by different companies.
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<b>What to do in Oslo?:</b>
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Under this presentation you will find several pictures of places I recommend going if you are going to Oslo. The ones I mention with pictures are typical tourist attractions, but you can not really say you have been to Oslo without visiting atleast some of them.
Ofcourse there are other things to spend your time on in Oslo aswell, such as:
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<b>I<a href="http://www.netcafeguide.com/">Internet Cafes:</a></b>
I know there are several, but I have only been to one of them myself. I got a friend working at that one, a friendly cafe with about 20 computers and a nice fast connection. You find it in the cellar of the bar named "Studenten" - on the main road called Karl Johans gate 45, just between the palace and the parlament.
Since this cafe is in the cellar of a bar it also serves different kind of drinks.
The price might have changed since last time I was there, but back then it was 25 NOK for 30 minuttes.
Visit <a href="http://www.studenten-cafe.no">Studenten Internet Cafe</a>

2 others are located at the central station. one next to the arrival/departure board in the main hall, another one is found at the north exit, next to the subway station.
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<b>Cinema:</b>


There are many cinemas in Oslo, but the quality vary alot. What you might find handy tho is the fact that all of them are operated by the same company - so you can buy a ticket to any of them at the one closest to your hotel. I recommend Coloseum cinema if you want a real film experience, it's faboulous with the THX sound system. (see picture below)
The price is 60 NOK, unless it is one of the first showings of the film, then it is 75 NOK.
Visit <a href="http://program.filmweb.no/oslokino/Oslo.asp">this</a> page to see what films that are beeing shown in Oslo at this moment.
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<b>Bar's, Pub's, Resturant's:</b>


There are many, and very hard to recommend some over others. I recommend that you stick to the main road (Karl Johans gate) and the area around it, you find something for everyone there.
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<b>Museums:</b>


Besides the Viking, Kon-Tiki and nationalart museums that of most tourists is considered to be a MUST SEE, I find this link handy: <a href="http://museumsnett.kulturnett.no/museumskatalogen/engelsk/index.html#sok">Link to listing of all museums</a>

There you can search for museums all over Norway, either by name, county, category, or description and it will even show you how to get there!
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<b>Prices:</b>
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One thing that obviously many have heard about Norway is that the pricelevel is extremely high here.
It might be, but then I can try to help you to atleast avoid the most expensive places. If you are in Oslo a warm summer day and need a Coke or a pack of cigs, do not go to kiosks such as "Narvesen" or "7-eleven", they are way over priced and you will probably pay about twice the price for those products at those places than you really need to pay. Try to find stores such as "Rimi", "Rema", "Kiwi" or other colonialstores, they have a more reasonable pricelevel and are found all around Oslo, even in the centre.

If you are going out in the evening for some beers, you are asking for high prices if you go to bars such as the one in the top of Hotel Radisson or "Lipp". You can have just as fun at bars east of the city centre for half of the price. Bars such as "Den baren" or "Choice" serv beer to 29 NOK for 1/2L and even cheaper during weekdays!

Souvenirs is not so easy to find cheaper one place than another. As long as you do not buy them at typical tourist places I guess you will save some money, or even better: just take pictures of them in the stores =)

I often hear that tourist comment the price on camera film. Here applies the same rule as for coke and smoke, try to find a Colonialstore and avoid the kiosks, I payed 93! NOK for 1 film at Narvesen myself and I saw it to 32 NOK at Rema the following day.

But is the pricelevel so much higher than in contries you can compare Norway with? I am neither going to deny or agree on that statement since it has to do with the normal income for a person living in the country.

I thought it would be ok to show some examples of prices you can expect to find here. Ofcourse the prices vary from store to store and I have tryed to pick prices not found at the most expensive places. These prices are not exact prices.

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$1 = ca. 8 NOK

Coca-Cola (0,5 litre): 10 NOK
Coca-Cola (1,5 litre): 12 NOK
Small meny at Mc.Donalds: 45 NOK
Pack of Cigaretts (20): 55 NOK
Cinema ticket: 60 NOK
Large Pizza at a resturant: 170 NOK
Renting a movie: 40 NOK
Metro/bus/tram ticket: 22 NOK
1 litre of milk: 9 NOK
Bread: 10 NOK
Beer in stores (0,5 litre): 20 NOK
Beer out (0,5 litre): 25 - 60 NOK
Litre of petrol: 9 NOK
Litre of diesel: 8 NOK
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NB: be aware that the prices vary alot from colonial stores to kiosks (at some products you can double it)
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I hope you found this helpful, I will do my best to answer with additional information if you have any questions or want more tips.
Feel free to contact me at <a href="mailto:chly@chello.no">chly@chello.no</a>

Christer