Oslo is the gateway to Norway’s famous fjords and other natural attractions, so it’s a good thing that it’s usually not necessary to spend more than a day or two in the capital. Charming as it may be, Oslo is very expensive by nearly anyone’s standards, on a level near Stockholm, but without some of the obvious tourist attractions.
| Population | 900,000 |
| Area | 1,400,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| Currency | Norwegian kroner |
| Airports | Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL) |
The city is a business hub, however, so there are quite a few well-appointed hotels catering to the trade show and convention business. Prices at these Oslo hotels can vary from reasonable during slow periods to outrageous during Nobel Prize week and other busy times.
Oslo is more of a business city than a tourism city from a hotel standpoint, so things can be tough for travelers on a budget. The peak season is during Nobel Prize week in the autumn, when prices skyrocket. Oslo hotel prices are otherwise determined by which conventions and meetings are in town, so it’s always hard to predict. You can sometimes get good deals at nicer hotels on weekend as well.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 41.59 - 69.71 |
| 51.54 - 113.47 |
| 61.03 - 139.87 |
| 113.47 - 144.67 |
CityBox Oslo Doubles from €114/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Oslo |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 23.06 - 25.32 |
Saga Poshtel Oslo Central Beds from €42/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Oslo |
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Palace guided tour | For a couple months each summer visitors can tour the royal residency, though getting tickets isn't easy. | adults children seniors | 15.82 11.30 13.11 |
| Munch Museum | Edvard Munch's famous "The Scream" keeps getting stolen, but it's back. Another version is at the National Gallery. | adults | 14.47 |
| Viking Ship Museum | A bit outside the center you can visit some ships and other artifacts. | adults children | 17.09 13.47 |
| National Gallery | The National Gallery has a Munch room and much more so it's a bargain. | adults | 18.08 |
Food is quite expensive as well, and even fast-food options can cost more than a proper meal in southern European cities. Drinks are typically outrageous for Scandinavia, so consider the duty-free shops on the way in.
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget breakfast | Your hotel or hostel will probably include breakfast, but cheap options from bakeries or 7-Eleven are available if needed. | 6.78 - 9.95 |
| Budget lunch | Sit-down lunches start at the top end of this range, but you can buy sandwiches and other take-away meals for less. | 8.59 - 13.11 |
| Budget dinner | Sitting down for a traditional local meal can cost a fortune, but those on a budget can always find something. | 12.66 - 24.41 |
| Beer (pint) | Only at the cheapest places (Destiny Pub) can you find beer that doesn't seem outrageously priced in Oslo. | 6.78 - 9.95 |
| Beer .5L (retail) | Ringes is the popular local lager, and it's expensive even in supermarkets. Tuborg is the same price. | 2.53 - 3.62 |
| Sandwich | Pre-made sandwiches from 7-Eleven and Deli de Luca are pretty good budget lunch options. | 5.42 - 8.14 |
| Bottle of wine (retail) | Wine tends to be predictably pricey in restaurants, but in the state-run liquor stores it's a relative bargain. | 10.85 - 24.41 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 84.09 - 117.54 |
| Airport Express train to city center | 17.18 |
| Suburban train from airport to city | 8.14 |
| Airport express bus to city center | 13.56 |
| 3km taxi ride in Oslo | 11.30 - 13.56 |
| Metro/tram/bus/boat ride in Oslo | 3.07 - 5.24 |
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 | 20 | 1.9 |
| February | 30 | 20 | 1.4 |
| March | 38 | 26 | 1.9 |
| April | 48 | 33 | 1.6 |
| May | 60 | 44 | 2.1 |
| June | 69 | 51 | 2.6 |
| July | 71 | 54 | 3.2 |
| August | 68 | 52 | 3.5 |
| September | 59 | 46 | 3.5 |
| October | 49 | 39 | 3.3 |
| November | 38 | 29 | 2.9 |
| December | 31 | 22 | 2.2 |
Not surprisingly, summer is the best and most popular time to visit Oslo, as well as the various natural attractions to its north. Summer days long and almost always warm but rarely so hot that it becomes a problem. Spring and autumn can be okay, with autumn normally being much rainier. In winter the days are short and the city is often frozen for weeks at a time.
| 21 Mar | 6:17am | 6:34pm |
| 21 Jun | 3:54am | 10:44pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:59am | 7:21pm |
| 21 Dec | 9:19am | 3:12pm |