Basic Tourist Information
There is always a lot of questions when visiting the city, hopefully this will answer the most common ones.
#Traveling
####Traveling to/from airport
Oslo Lufthavn Gardemoen (OSL)
Airport Express train : costs about 180 NOK to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S), takes from 19 to 21 minutes.
Train (NSB): cost about 92 NOK to Oslo S, takes about 23-25 minutes - buy the tickets in advance as there is a 50 NOK surcharge if bought on the train.
Bus: This is practical if you are going to the suburbs, Moss (including Moss Airport) or Fredrikstad. Prices vary depending where you are going, same goes for how long it takes. Remember to check closely which bus you need to take.
You can use Ruter https://ruter.no/en/ to check
####Travelling within Oslo
Ruter is the transport company/authority in Oslo, a Ruter ticket is valid on all transports (train, buss, tram, underground, boats) within the zones the ticket is valid for.
You can buy 24h, 7 days, 30 days or 365 days travel card. These can be bought at a Ruter service point or from the app (iOS, Android or Windows Phone).
You can also buy a ruter ticket/travel card from the NSB app.
My suggestion is to download the Ruter app and register yourself, you can also use it to buy single (or multiple single tickets) if need be.
Remember to check the zones, however as a tourist zone 1 should suffice. If you are travelling to a point outside zone 1 you can buy an extension ticket (cheaper than full price), ex. if you are going to the airport with the train (NSB).
####Oslo Pass
If you are planning to see a lot of museums and/or sightseeing you should look at Oslo Pass.
Giving you public transport, access to museums, free parking, discounts to restaurants and much more. This could save you a lot of money if you plan it right.
There is also an app (iOS/Android) and you can buy the Oslo Pass right from there.
####Oslo City bikes
Now you can register yourself with a foreign number, however they have only one subscription (from what I found out) and it´s 299 NOK.
However check with your hotel, some of them rent/lend bikes to guests.
####Car
I don´t drive a car in the city, so I have no help here. However if you can avoid it (drive to/from hotel) do so. Maybe someone in the comments can elaborate.
#General information about Oslo / Norway
####Stand to the right, walk on the left on escalators
Specially in Oslo Central Station (Oslo S/Jernbanetorget), or you might get some nasty looks from people trying to get to their trains/metro on time.
#####Groceries
You might find the selection more limited, however quality should be more than fair. You will also find ecological products in most stores, these are usually marked "eco" or "Økologisk". Most stores are closed on Sunday and holidays.
Alcohol (wine, spirits etc): Can only be bought at Vinmonopolet.
Beer: Can be bought at most supermarkets, but only until 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturday (excluding holidays). Light beer (low alcohol) is sold on Sundays and "after hours".
#####Crime
As in any capital there is crime in Oslo (and Norway for that matter), personally I feel safe in Oslo. Your milage on this matter might vary, however it´s safe to say that for being a capital in Europe Oslo is very safe.
However people do drink a lot on the weekends, and it´s very common for commotions to start in the lines to get into bars or taxi lines after closing time.
#Tourist attractions
There is a lot more to see in Oslo that just these things, these are just a small selection and mostly the most popular ones.
Prices indicate 1 adult, there are usually discounts for senior citizens, students and families. Look at the provided links for more price information.
#####Parliament - Stortinget
They have free tours!
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Summer 2016 : 27th of June - 12th of August from 10:00 & 13:00 weekdays
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Autumn 2016: every Saturday from 27th August – 10th December (except 3rd September, 24th September and 1th October).
Last about 45 minutes, however there is no booking, so come early and expect to stand in line. There is also a security check (like in the airport).
More Information : Guided tours of the Parliament building
#####The Royal Castle / Det kongelige slott
There are tours (paid) during the summer. They last about 1 hour.
You can find more information here: The Royal House of Norway - Guided tours of the Royal Palace
I have never taken the tour, but been inside several times and don´t expect Buckingham Palace style to the place, but still unique.
Change of the guards is at 13:00 (takes about 40 minutes)
#####Kon-Tiki Museum
Price: 100 NOK, but cheaper if bought online. Free with Oslo Pass.
More information here: http://www.kon-tiki.no/en/.
#####Norsk Folkemuseum
Price: 125 NOK (adults), you can find more price information online. Free with Oslo Pass.
More information here: http://norskfolkemuseum.no/en
#####The Viking Ship Museum
Price: 80 NOK. Free with Oslo Pass.
More information: http://www.khm.uio.no/english/visit-us/viking-ship-museum/
#####Vigelandsparken / Frognerparken
Not the only park in Oslo, but the most famous one. Take a walk and look at all the statues or bring some food and spend a day lazying around the park (granted this is more of a summer thing).
#####4000 stops with hidden gems
There is a lot to see and do in Oslo and Ruter has made a crowdsourcing site were people put in their recommendations on things to do in Oslo. All of the tips are in connection with a public transport stop (get it now?).
It´s in Norwegian, but with some ingenuity and Google translate you should be fine (or just ask here in Reddit).
#Dinning
You are in luck, Oslo has an excellent selection of restaurants in all price ranges. However you do have to remember they are still Norwegian prices, so if we say a place is "cheap" we mean "cheap for being Oslo".
Here is a small selection of places that stand out. But it´s a subjective list, you can also use Google or TripAdvisor to find a good place.
#####Olympen (aka Lompa)
It might look a bit run-down, however the main floor is actually a preserved site (has been a theatre and a brewery). Lompa has a good selection of beers. They also have a terrace with a grill menu.
Food: Modern Norwegian / European
Price range: inexpensive
#####Illegal Burger
This is a rock solid burger joint, in the last years there have been a lot of burger places popping up all over the place. However Illegal is still a solid choice. However there is limited seating in Møllergata, they have opened a new branch in Grünerløkka with better seating options.
Food: duh! Burgers!
Price: inexpensive
#####The Kasbah
Recommended in another Reddit thread, this place has many vegetarian options.
Food: Middle-eastern
Price: inexpensive
#####Pinerolo Americano
Excellent restaurants (been to both branches) and have yet to be disappointed. Good place for an special occasion.
Food: Modern American
Price: expensive
#####Alex Sushi
Not been there myself, but always is mentioned when talking about the best sushi in Oslo.
Guy Kawasaki was a fan
Food: Sushi
Price: expensive
#####Gamle Major
I was surprised by this gastropub, the food is good and so is the beer selection. Situated near Majorstuen underground station.
Food: Bistro / gastropub
Price: inexpensive
#Things to try out
#####Soft-is
Nothing better during summer than being outside eating a soft-is. They can be bought everywhere. The most common is getting one with chocolate sprinkles and in a cone.
#####Walk around Grünerløkka (aka Løkka)
I know many people call this "hipster-central", however there is little to contradict the fact that there are a lot excellent eateries and shops in this neighbourhood.
#####Mathallen
This food hall has a lot to offer. there are some good places to eat and shop for food. You can buy food from different places and eat it in the common area. There are also several good restaurants nearby.
Food: All types
Price: expensive (for groceries)
#####Sunday market near Blå
There is a artisan market near Blå. It´s every Sunday between 12 and 17. It season runs from the 3rd of January to the 27th of November.
More information: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=178086
#Winter is coming - Things to try out
#####Luge in a park
Buy a cheap luge at a sporting store and find a park and have som fun.
If it´s the conditions are right, there will be many others with the same idea.
u/lightwrangler suggest Korketrekkeren.
Warning This activity requires snow (just saying)
#####Ice skating
During winter there are two skating rinks in Oslo, in Spikersuppa and Frogner.
You can rent some skates and enjoy a cold evening out.
More information here
#More information about Oslo
Visit Oslo : http://www.visitoslo.com/en/
edit 190716: Added some more places and spelling.
edit 190716: Added "Winter is coming" after request from u/boJmoT, more spelling errors (both removed and introduced).
edit 200716: spelling, added some more information and fixed some formatting
Posted Jul 19, 2016, 9:45 AM UTC · edited