Oslo Transportation Tips by marielexoteria

Flexikort

We decided to buy the Flexikort (flexicard) because we weren't sure of how much public transportation we were gonna use, plus the Oslo Pass wasn't gonna save us some money on this visit.

The Flexikort has 8 coupons that you stamp on entering the subway or getting on the boat/tram/ferry and can be used by several people by stamping one field of the card per person. It will give you unlimited access to all forms of SL public transportation in Oslo (up until and including Lilleström and Skedsmokorset) within an hour.

As of Sept 2009 the cost of this card is 180 NOK for adults and 90 NOK for children.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Subway/Metro

Website: http://www.trafikanten.no

Oslo Pass

This card includes all means of transportation within Oslo (up to zone 4) on NSB (the Norwegian railways) and SL (Stor-Oslo Lokaltrafikk). If you choose to get around by car, you can park for free with this card. The card comes in 24, 48 and 72 hours, and must be validated on the first use.

I find that this card will give you the most value for your money if most of the sights you're seeing are covered by it. The first time I visited Oslo, it definitely paid off to have one.

Buy it online in the comfort of your hometown, print the voucher you get on your e-mail and pick it up at Trafikanten at Karl Johans gate, the Tourist Information Centers or at some of the hotels as of visitoslo.com.

Edit Sept 2009: A map of Oslo's transport zones can be found here (PDF file). Note that the card includes transportation up until (and including) Lilleström and Skedsmokorset, and from there you pay the fare to/from Gardemoen airport.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/the-oslo-pass.49104.en.html

Stena Line

I liked the experience of taking a boat that cruised the other side of Sweden. Stena Line is nice, but I found it expensive when it comes to the food aspect. And you gotta eat, right? I enjoyed their little movie theater (kino) :)

Going to Oslo we didn't rent any cabin, and it was so beautiful to see Norway on one side and Sweden on the other. The only bad thing is that the wind was cold! Also, the harbor is at walking distance from Trafikanten (about 20 minutes), where you can buy your tram tickets, get free maps and info about the city.

Oddly enough, from DK we weren't allowed to book the meals at the times we wanted to eat them so we had to book them at the boat after leaving the harbor (but it looks like now you can do that).

Going back to Denmark was another story hehe. The water was hitting the boat hard! But then that's what happens on that part of the world, and I was used to the tranquil waters between SE and FI.

Mode: TO

Type: Ship/Boat

Website: http://www.stenaline.com

General information: Trafikanten

Trafikanten is the place to go if you have questions about how to go where you want to, buying tickets or picking up (or buying) your Oslo pass. They're very friendly and helpful.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus

Website: http://www.trafikanten.no