Oslo Favorites

Favorite thing: We hear this saying often when we're too stressed to appreciate the small things of life, but at Frognerpark/Vigelandspark I made this come true as I read what the roses are called. All those roses had different fragrances that were just simply unforgettable.

Favorite thing: Welcome to the country with many strange rules... ;) Many of the closingtimes can be a bit confusing, so I will try to give some general tips.

- Supermarkets:
They normally have to close at 20, but the last years many have been able to have open untill 23. On saturdays many close at 18 (sometimes 21), and sundays they are closed.

BUT (now comes the funny part) if the store is less than 100m2 they can have open untill 22 every day, including sundays... The chain called Bunnpris have mostly stores like this, and some others too.

- Buying alcohol:
Stores can not sell alcohol after 20 on a normal weekday, and after 18 on saturdays, even if the store is open longer. On holidays and electionday (!) they can't sell it at all. Some days that come before a holiday, they can only sell alcohol early in the day, (until 13-15). Normally they put up signs telling you when you can buy alcohol. Especially in Easter and Christmas you have to check out the times.

- Going out:
Most places downtown close at 3.00 - 3.30 in the night, a few have open untill 6 in the morning. But you can't buy alcohol after 3, no matter how long they are open. Almost all of the places that are not downtown close at 00.30 or earlier, which means that most people head downtown at the same time and it can be difficult getting a taxi. The same happens around 3 o'clock when everyone are going home again. So it might be better going out a bit earlier and heading home before 3 if you don't want to spend a lot of time in the taxi queue.

Favorite thing: Norway is a very expencive country! But there is no need to make it more expencive than you have to. Here are a few advices on how to keep the costs down:

- Alcohol and tobacco:
Don't buy it here! Bring it with you if you can. One packet with 20 cigarettes costs more here than a carton with 200 in Spain, and in other countries it's even cheaper, so bringing it along will save you lots of money. You could even sell and make a bit of money... ;)

- Stores:
There are many different kinds of supermarkets, but there is one general rule; big chains like Ica, Kiwi, Rimi, Rema 1000, Coop, Bunnpris and so on, are normally cheapest. Kiosks like Narvesen, Mix, 7-eleven and many others are more expencive, but open longer.

Check out the many foreign stores too. They are many places around the city, and especially in Grønland and Grünerløkka. Here you find lots of more exotic things, and most of them are a lot cheaper than in other places. Especially fruits and vegetables!

- Attractions
There are many attractions in the city which are free. Some of these places are: Akershus fortress, Vigelandspark (a must-see anyway!), Astrup Fearnley Museum of modern art, Armed Forces museum, Botanical garden, Medievalruins (Gamlebyen), National Gallery, Oslo Cathedral, Parliament and many more.

- Transportation:
First of all; buy your ticket before going on board, as it costs more from the driver. You can save lots of money on buying one of the many cards (read more on my transportation-tips) or an "Oslopass" which gives you free transportation, free entrance to museums and much more. Also remember that a ticket is valid for one hour after you bought or stamped it. In this hour you can travel as much as you like. Tickets are valid on all buses, trams, metros and ferries in Oslo.

- Eating and drinking:
You can find everything in the city; from the cheapest to the most expencive. More expencive don't necessarily mean better quality... Read more on another tip.

Favorite thing: Meeting New People and Seeing New Places

These tips are based on my last 8 weeks of traveling in Europe/Africa:

1. Buy/pre-order as many museum/attraction tickets online as you can.
2. Ask the taxi fare before taking off in a taxi, especially if it’s late at night or coming from an airport.
3. Charge your camera batteries every night.
4. If you have a Eurail pass and need to make reservation make them in Europe. It’s a lot less expensive.
5. If you’re climbing a few hundred steps up a tower, monument, etc. go only a clear, sunny day.
6. Learn at least Hello, Thank you, and Goodbye in the foreign language of the countries you are visiting.
7. Turn your cell phones off inside churches, museums, etc. If it rings and you must take the call, do it outside!
8. If there’s a running commentary (live or recorded), be polite and be quiet.
9. Dress appropriately and be respectful in churches.
10. If you’re traveling with children, don’t let them disrupt others around you. If they cry or throw a tantrum, take them outside.
11. If you have a complaint, do it reasonably without yelling and cursing.
12. Regarding pictures:
a. If there are signs saying “No pictures”, don’t take pictures! There’s a reason for the signs. Do you really, really need that picture of Mona Lisa to prove you’ve seen it?
b. Learn how to use your camera before the trip. If there are signs saying “No flash”, make sure you know how to use the camera without it.
c. If you see a couple or family with one person taking pictures of the other(s), offer to take a picture of both/all of them. Maybe they’ll reciprocate.
13. Check local holidays. Since many museums and stores will be closed, you’ll need to have other plans for the day. (Most stores throughout much of Europe are closed on Sunday.)
14. Don’t try to do too much. Leave some open time to just explore.
15. You’re on vacation so relax and have a good time!

Favorite thing: If you're trying to slam in as much as possible in a short time, the Oslo Pass is a bargain (at least for those not eligible for student or senior discounts). It allows free use of public transit including the T-Bane and the ferry to Bydoy and admission to virtually all museums. On a 24-hour version we visited the Resistance museum, the Norwegian folk museum, the Viking Ship Museum, the Frammuseet, the Kon Tiki museum, the Holmenkollen ski jump and museum and took two buses, two T-Bane rides and two ferries across the fjord.

For full information in English on what the Pass covers and current prices: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/the-oslo-pass.49104.en.html

For 2007 the adult Oslo Pass costs:
24-hour -- NK 210
48-hour -- NK 300
72-hour -- NK 390.

Favorite thing: While researching on Oslo I found this very informative website on services for the handicapped

It has information for visually handicapped, hearing impaired, allergy sticken and people with mobility impairment. Great service!

Favorite thing: In 2006 Oslo has been ranked the world's most expensive city in a survey by the global bank UBS - and expensive it is! If you want to get some tips on how to save a little money (or rather not spend a hilarious amount of money) in Oslo, do have a look at the website of the magazine Streetwise, which can also be downloaded!

1 more image

Favorite thing: Although our stay in Oslo was very short (only 2 days), the sunset on the first night, looking down on the city and the harbor from that old fort was very nice. We weren't alone -- I think lots of people like to walk around there and look around.