20 Oslo Travel Tips for the First Timer
Last summer, I went on my first trip to Norway. I’ve never fallen in love with a destination as much as I fell in love with Oslo. A first time trip to Norway is the most exciting trip you can ever do for yourself in this lifetime. A taste of Oslo had me craving for what the rest of the country of Norway had in store for me.
I do have some family members in Leknes, so perhaps one day in the future I’ll go and visit them.
If you’re about to go on a trip to Norway for the first time and you’re wondering how much is a trip to Norway, what are the do’s and don’ts, and how to perfect your itinerary, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 20 Oslo travel tips for you to take note of!
Book Flights to Oslo + Get Cash Back
Before I get started, if you’re currently looking to book a trip to Oslo, I totally recommend looking for the best flight deals on Wayaway! Flights to Scandinavia can be pretty pricey, especially if you’re coming from the US, so it’s best to check Wayaway for the best deals.
20 Travel Tips for your First Trip to Oslo
1. Use Public Transport
Oslo’s public transportation is efficient and covers buses, trams, subways, and ferries. You can simply tap your credit card to the sensor before hopping on. The one thing about Scandinavia to truly love is that everything is literally tap and go. The go to app for navigating through Oslo with public transportation is Ruter.
2. Dress for the Weather
Always bring an umbrella with you at all times, even in the summer. Sometimes it’ll just start raining and get cooler by 10 degrees out of nowhere. While it’s beautiful to watch, it’s not fun to be running through the rain to get to your destination!
When it comes to the freezing winters, layer up!
3. Explore the Oslofjord
One of the best things you can do is take a boat trip around the fjord to see Oslo from a different perspective and enjoy some stunning scenery.
4. Swim in the Oslofjord
Another one of the best things you can do is to swim in the fjord! I recommend going to Oslo Badstuforening and having a self care day out on the fjord when you can.
5. Visit as many museums as you can
Many of Oslo’s museums actually offer free entry on specific days. Plan accordingly to save on entrance fees!
Oslo has some of the best art you’ll ever find. I could spend hours and hours at the National Museum. Some of the pieces brought me to tears.
You can also learn about Oslo’s history by checking out the Viking Ship Museum, as well as the Edvard Munch Museum!
6. Budget Wisely
Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Setting up a spreadsheet, categorizing your expenses, and monitoring your spending is definitely a smart move to make. Be prepared for higher-than-average prices for dining and entertainment.
Send me an email at nica@bynicalina.com for a link to my budgeting spreadsheet! I’d be more than happy to pass it along to you for free!
7. Take full advantage of the water
One thing I miss about Olso is the water! The tap water in Oslo is the cleanest in the world and safe to drink, so refill your bottles and stay hydrated. I recall a man telling me in his home town, he can swim in a lake and drink the water at the same time because of how clean it was.
There’s nothing like bathing in Oslo, filling up your water bottle with its water, and staying hydrated. The water is seriously amazing.
8. Make use of the parks and public spaces
Oslo has many beautiful parks and open spaces. If you’re traveling solo, I have to mention that it’s also one of the safest cities I’ve ever been to. The parks are perfect for picnics, especially in the summer months.
9. Everyone speaks english, however it’s good to learn basic Norwegian phrases
While most people speak English, learning a few phrases in Norwegian can be helpful and is appreciated by locals!
I found myself saying “hei” for hello whenever I walked into a store, “ha det” whenever I was leaving a restaurant, “takk” when saying thank you to everyone, and “unnskyld” to say excuse me in public transit!
10. Of course, check out the Oslo Opera House
You can walk on its roof, sunbathe, have a snack or two while chatting it up with other tourists and locals, and just enjoy the views!
11. Visit the McDonald’s
This is a travel tip for any country, and something I always make sure to do. I love their mango shake and having the vegetarian burger, it’s so good. Not to mention, the sauces that they have?! So good. You won’t find it anywhere else. Truly.
12. Try Norwegian cuisine
Duh! Norway has the best seafood in the entire world. I also have to mention that it’s the number one leading exporter of salmon. You have to try the fish market and have the shrimp, salmon, and the herring. Another thing you have to do is visit Anne på landet (this is a MUST) and have the Norwegian waffles with brunost (brown cheese) and berry jam on top. Norwegian cuisine is top tier, so healthy, and sustainably sourced.
13. Get the Oslo Pass, aka the official city card
This will help you save so much money. You can get a 24H pass for 520 NOK ($50 USD), 48H pass for 760 NOK ($75 USD), and a 72H pass for 895 NOK ($90 USD). The Oslo Pass gives you free entry to over 30 museums and attractions, public transportation, parking, and even discounts at restaurants, making it a cost-effective way to explore the city.
14. You don’t need a car
Like I said, public transport is the go to. You really won’t even need an Uber or taxi. The only time we needed to use a taxi was to get to the train station (because we had our luggages!). You can explore by foot or bike. Oslo is a very bike friendly city.
15. Visit Bygdøy Peninsula
Bygdøy Peninsula is just a short boat trip from the city center, and it is not your usual tourist stop. It hosts several museums, including the Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum. Summertime is perfect for enjoying its beaches. Some other places worth mentioning for a day trip outside of Oslo are Drøbak, Asker, or the historical town of Fredrikstad!
16. Check out Grünerløkka
If you’re anything like me, you stay away from the city center/downtown and instead go to the trendiest, hippiest, coolest neighborhoods. One of the neighborhoods we loved was Grünerløkka. This is where we stayed in actually during our 7 day trip to Oslo. This area has some of the best bars, clubs, shopping, eateries, everything!
17. Cash is not a thing in Oslo
Ditch the cash. Everything is tap and go!
18. Sundays are for staying in
Many shops and restaurants are closed on Sundays. I recommend ordering McDonald’s and having a picnic at any one of the parks on Sundays. However, the Sunday market in Grünerløkka is worth checking out midday.
19. If you’re into tours, take a walking tour given by a local!
While many tourists opt for traditional guided tours, consider ones led by locals for a more personalized experience. Platforms like Showaround or Withlocals connect travelers with Oslo locals who can show you the city from their perspective! This is the best way to find hidden gems and get the best photos that aren’t too touristy.
20. Don’t have too strict of an itinerary
There’s so much to see and do in Oslo, but that doesn’t mean you should overwhelm yourself with a strict itinerary. I always travel with this mindset, This won’t be the last time that I’ll be here. I don’t need to do it all in one trip. It’s more of the reason to come back.
I do create curated travel itineraries, so if you need help with creating one, I’d be more than happy to be a part of your trip!
I hope these tips helped you on your first trip to Oslo, Norway! Tell me all about your travels when you go!
In the meantime, why not check out how much a flight is to Oslo right now?
