Flights to Oslo — What to Expect
Most international flights into Oslo land at Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL), located about 50km north of the city centre — the main hub and by far the busiest airport in Norway. A smaller option, Oslo Torp (TRF) near Sandefjord, handles some budget carriers but adds significant travel time to Oslo itself, so factor that in before booking. Flights to Oslo from London typically range from €60–€160 return on budget carriers in shoulder season, rising to €200–€350 in peak summer. From continental Europe — Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin — expect €80–€220 return depending on how far out you book and what month you're flying.
Norwegian Air Shuttle and SAS are the dominant carriers on routes from Oslo, with SAS offering the most comprehensive European network out of Gardermoen. Ryanair operates flights to Oslo Torp from various UK and European cities if you're hunting cheap flights to Oslo on a tight budget. British Airways and Lufthansa serve the route from London Heathrow and Frankfurt respectively, with more comfort but higher price tags. Wizz Air and easyJet also cover several European city pairs. For Oslo flight deals, booking 6–10 weeks out tends to hit the sweet spot between availability and price — last-minute rarely works in your favour here.
Best Time to Visit Oslo
The honest answer is that Oslo is worth visiting year-round, but the experience varies dramatically by season. Late May and June are arguably the best months — the city feels alive, daylight stretches to nearly 19 hours, temperatures are comfortable in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius, and you avoid the full crush of July and August crowds. Prices for accommodation are noticeably lower than peak summer too. July and August bring the warmest weather (20–25°C), Oslofjord swimming, and a packed festival calendar, but hotel prices spike and popular attractions like the Vigeland Sculpture Park and the Fram Museum get crowded. Worth it if you plan ahead. September and October are genuinely underrated — autumn colours in Nordmarka, crisp mornings, shorter queues everywhere, and some of the most photogenic light Oslo gets all year. September in particular still has enough warmth to sit outside. Winter (December–March) is cold, often below freezing, with snow and limited daylight — but it has a real charm. This is skiing season, and if you want any realistic shot at seeing the Northern Lights near Oslo, October through March is your window. Some outdoor attractions scale back hours, but museums thrive. When to avoid: Easter week sees strong domestic travel demand and hotel rates jump. Late July is genuinely hectic if crowds bother you.
Getting Around Oslo
From Gardermoen, the Airport Express Train (Flytoget) is the fastest option — around 22 minutes to Oslo Central Station, running every 10 minutes. A single ticket costs roughly NOK 220 (€19). Slower but cheaper, the regular NSB regional train takes about 23–25 minutes and costs around NOK 114 (€10). Taxis from the airport run NOK 700–900 (€60–€80) and aren't worth it unless you're travelling in a group with heavy luggage. If you flew into Torp, a coach service connects to Oslo but takes 1.5–2 hours. Within the city, Oslo's public transport is excellent — T-bane (metro), trams, buses, and ferries all run on the same Ruter ticket system. A 24-hour pass costs around NOK 117 (€10) and covers almost everywhere you'll want to go, including the ferry to Bygdøy peninsula. The city is also extremely walkable between the main neighbourhoods.
Where to Stay in Oslo
Oslo is not a cheap city for accommodation — set expectations accordingly. Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen are the premium waterfront areas, home to design hotels and good restaurant access, ideal for first-timers who want to be in the thick of it. Expect NOK 1,800–3,500 (€160–€310) per night for a decent hotel. Grünerløkka is the city's coolest neighbourhood — indie cafés, vintage shops, a younger crowd — and slightly more affordable, with boutique options around NOK 1,200–2,000 (€105–€175). It's also a 15-minute walk or one tram stop from the centre. Majorstuen suits travellers who want easy access to Frogner Park and Vigeland without paying central prices. For budget travellers, Oslo has a handful of decent hostels in Grønland and near the central station, with dorm beds from €30–€50 a night. Airbnb fills gaps in the mid-range, particularly useful for longer stays or groups.
Top Things to Do in Oslo
- Vigeland Sculpture Park (Frognerparken): 214 bronze and granite sculptures spread across 80 acres — completely free to enter and genuinely one of Europe's most striking outdoor art spaces.
- The Fram Museum (Bygdøy): The actual polar exploration ship Fram sits inside this remarkable museum. The story it tells is extraordinary. Combine it with the Kon-Tiki Museum next door.
- Akershus Fortress: Medieval castle on the waterfront — free to walk the grounds, modest entry fee for the interior. Great views over the Oslofjord.
- Munch Museum (MUNCH): The new waterfront building opened in 2021 holds the world's largest collection of Edvard Munch's work, including multiple versions of The Scream. Worth every krone.
- Hiking in Nordmarka: The forest starts at the end of the T-bane Line 1 — you can be in proper wilderness 30 minutes from the city centre. Trails suit all levels.
- Mathallen Food Hall (Vulkan): Oslo's best indoor food market — local cheeses, open-faced smørrebrød, great coffee. A solid stop for lunch without blowing the budget.
Practical Travel Tips
Visa: EU and EEA citizens need only a valid ID or passport. UK citizens can visit Norway visa-free for up to 90 days (Norway is part of Schengen). US and Australian passport holders are also visa-free for 90 days. Currency: Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK) — not the Euro. Cards are accepted almost universally, including at small cafés and market stalls. Carrying cash is rarely necessary but keep a small amount for emergencies. Cost of living: Oslo is expensive. Budget around NOK 150–200 (€13–€18) for a simple lunch, NOK 100–120 (€9–€11) for a beer in a pub. Cooking in your accommodation or hitting a grocery store (Rema 1000, KIWI, or Coop Extra for cheapest options) saves serious money. Tipping: Not mandatory or culturally expected the way it is in the US — rounding up or leaving 10% at a sit-down restaurant is plenty and always appreciated. Safety: Oslo is one of the safer European capitals. Standard urban awareness applies around Oslo Central Station and Grønland late at night, but serious issues are rare.
FAQ — Flights to Oslo
How much do flights to Oslo cost?
Return flights to Oslo from European cities typically range from €80 to €350 depending on origin, airline, and season. From the UK, budget carriers like Ryanair (to Torp) and Norwegian can dip below €80 return in off-peak months. From central Europe, expect €100–€200 return as a realistic midrange. Summer and school holiday periods push prices toward the top of that range, so booking 6–10 weeks in advance is the reliable way to find Oslo flight deals without gambling on last-minute drops.
Which airlines fly to Oslo?
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) and Norwegian Air Shuttle are the two dominant carriers with the widest networks into Gardermoen. British Airways flies from London Heathrow, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, and KLM from Amsterdam. For budget options, Ryanair connects multiple European cities to Oslo Torp, and Wizz Air and easyJet cover various routes to Gardermoen. If you're flying from outside Europe, United, American, and several Gulf carriers operate connections through their hubs.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Oslo?
January and February are statistically the cheapest months for flights from Oslo — demand is low, it's deep winter, and airlines discount heavily to fill seats. November and early December also offer lower fares before the Christmas travel surge. If you want cheaper flights but still reasonable weather, late April or early October hit a reasonable middle ground — not yet peak season pricing, but more usable conditions on the ground than January.
How long is the flight to Oslo from main European hubs?
Flights from London to Oslo take approximately 2 hours. From Amsterdam it's around 1 hour 50 minutes, Frankfurt roughly 2 hours, Paris about 2 hours 20 minutes, and Madrid around 3 hours 30 minutes. Oslo's position in northern Europe means direct connections from most major European cities are short — one of the easier long-weekend destinations from the UK and continental Europe without burning a full day travelling.