Last Updated: August 9, 2022
Oslo Airport To City Center: By Train, Car, Bus & Taxi
Traveling to Oslo and you’re not sure how to get from the airport to the city center? You’re in luck because that’s exactly what we’ve explored in this detailed guide!
Trains, buses, taxis, and rentals are all an option for reaching downtown Oslo from the airport, and we’ll tell you all you need to know about travel times and ticket prices. So, keep reading if you want to know how all the ways you can get from Oslo airport to the city center and see what the best option is!
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About The Oslo Airport
The only international airport near Oslo is the Oslo Gardermoen Airport. It’s situated about 45 kilometers away from the Oslo city center, and it’s well connected with Oslo city via public transport.
It’s possible to purchase tickets for your chosen mode of public transport at ticket machines at the airport. You can also buy express train, regional train, and bus tickets online – the prices are the same, so really it’s just a matter of personal preference.
By Oslo city center, we mean the central area around the city’s main train station. This is also where the main bus station in Oslo is, and it’s generally considered the central part of Oslo. If you’re trying to travel to a different neighborhood, you can still do it with most transport options here, but you will need to check for ticket prices.
By Airport Express Train (Flytoget)
The fastest way of traveling from the Oslo Gardermoen Airport to the city center is by the airport express train. There is a train every 20 minutes, and it takes about 20 minutes to arrive at the Oslo Central Station in the city center.
This is by far the fastest and most convenient way of traveling between the airport and downtown Oslo, and it’s the best option for all travelers who are just looking for a hassle-free solution.
You can download the Flytoget app to see train departure times and purchase tickets. Children under the age of 16 can ride the express train for free, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult. Also, young adults between the age of 16 and 20, students, and the elderly over the age of 67 can get tickets for half the price, if they just present a valid ID.
Ticket prices for the Flytoget express train service range from 164 NOK to 256 NOK, depending on which station you’re heading to. It’s 210 NOK from the Oslo Lufthavn station to the Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) in the city center, which is approximately $20, depending on the exchange rate.
The tickets are a bit pricey for a 20-minute ride, but worth every penny if you’re just looking for the easiest way of traveling between the airport and the city center.
Also, it’s worth noting that the airport express train offers a non-stop service during the summer months. That means that there are trains every 20 minutes continuously, from late June until mid-August. So, even if you arrive at Oslo airport in the middle of the night, you should still be able to board the train.
The 24-hour service is a thing only during the summer. Outside the peak tourist season, the airport express trains don’t run during the night. There usually aren’t any trains between midnight and 5 AM, so keep that in mind when planning your trip to Oslo.
By VY Train
All VY regional trains stop at the Oslo airport, and they’re the cheaper option for traveling from the airport to the Oslo Central Station. Train tickets are about half the price of express train tickets, with an adult ticket costing just some 114 NOK ($12).
VY regional trains depart every half an hour, and they only run during the day. There aren’t any trains between midnight and 5 AM, so keep that in mind. Also, it’s worth noting that the regional trains aren’t that much slower than the express train. Travel time is approximately the same from the airport to the Oslo S train station.
We’d recommend the regional trains as the best option for traveling from Oslo airport to the city center. They’ve got the cheapest tickets, they’re just as fast as the express trains, and they’re just as common as the express trains, at least in the off-season.
But consider the express train if you’re arriving at Oslo in the dead of night and you just don’t want to sit around for hours, waiting for a different train just to save $10.
By Rental Car
Renting a car as soon as you arrive in Oslo is a good option if you want the freedom of being to travel wherever you want. However, in terms of traveling between the airport and downtown Oslo in a car, I have to point out that this is neither the cheapest nor the fastest solution.
It takes about 40 minutes to drive from the airport to the Oslo city center, and that’s only if there isn’t a lot of traffic on the roads. Driving is not much faster than taking the bus, simply because of the speed limits on the road.
Renting a car is also a lot more expensive than any public transport ticket. It’s about $100 per day for the cheapest rental cars, but it does get a bit better the longer you’re renting it. But, even if you are traveling with four other people, the price of a day of car rental is about the same as the price of five express train tickets. Keep in mind that’s the pricier of the two trains.
If you’re thinking it’s a good idea to rent a car so you can drive around Norway, it’s really not. All the major cities in Norway are connected by trains, which are a lot faster than cars. Renting a car makes sense only if you want the freedom of a car trunk, and the ability to drive to a village off the beaten path.
But if you’re considering it just to get from the airport into town, it’s a sound option only if you like wasting money for no reason.
By Bus
It is possible to travel from the airport to the Oslo city center by bus, but we only recommend this if the trains stop working for some reason. There’s a dedicated bus service that transports passengers between the Oslo airport and the downtown area, and there are five different lines.
This is actually pretty good because you can travel directly to your accommodation in Oslo, even if it’s not exactly in the city center. The five bus lines cover all the major neighborhoods in Oslo, so you can actually save some time by getting on the bus.
There’s also a bus line that will take you to the Oslo Bus Terminal, which is just a few meters away from the Oslo Central train station. The only difference between buses and trains is that buses take nearly three times longer than trains to reach downtown Oslo from the airport.
You’d think that tickets would at least be cheaper, right? And you would be somewhat right – an express coach ticket from the airport to the Oslo Bus Terminal is 199 NOK ($20.5) for adults, so just some 11 NOK cheaper than the express train ticket. Even the VY trains are faster and cheaper, so definitely consider all your other options first, before getting on the bus.
By Taxi
If you want to convenience of traveling in a car but without having to rent one and drive yourself, consider getting a taxi transport. It’s still a waste of money compared to how much the train tickets cost, and it’s as slow as the bus.
Taxi will take about 40 minutes to drive you from the Oslo airport to the city center because of the speed limits. There’s only one main road that leads from the airport into town, and it takes some 40 minutes to cover the almost 50-kilometer distance from the airport to the city center. That’s if the traffic conditions are normal, the weather is fine, and there aren’t any major accidents.
Taxi fare from the airport to Oslo center depends on the time of day. It’s more expensive at night, but it’s a difference of just some $10. The average taxi fare for a ride from Oslo Lufthavn to the Oslo city center is about 610NOK during the day and 720 NOK at night, so at least three times as much as the express train tickets.
And, allow me to remind you that the express train tickets cost twice as much as the regular train tickets.
Taking a taxi makes sense if you’re traveling with other people and you’ve got a lot of luggage that you don’t want to carry yourself. Also, the main advantage of taking a cab is that they offer door-to-door service, meaning that they will drop you off right in front of your accommodation.
But if you’re trying to be fiscally responsible, it’s a lot cheaper to just ride the VY train into town and then get a cab at the train station.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
