Oslo City Break

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Oslo  

Upon arrival in Oslo Gardermoen airport we suggest taking the Flytoget Express train to city centre. Trains operate every 10 minutes and the journey is only 20 minutes long. Accommodation in Oslo at a hotel of your choice.

Days 2 – 3: Free time in Oslo

Breakfast at the hotel followed by free time to explore the city. The Norwegian capital is beautifully situated at the head of the Oslo Fjord and surrounded by forested ridges. The arable fields, vast forests and untouched nature areas surrounding the city are only twenty minutes from the centre. They provide recreational opportunities that are frequently taken advantage of by the city’s inhabitants, as well as by visitors.
Oslo offers many well-known sights such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Viking Ship Museum, and the Munch Museum.

Day 4: Departure from Oslo

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and take the Flytoget Express train back to the airport. Return flight.

Optional Sightseeing & Tours:

The Oslo Card

The easiest way to appreciate Oslo, is by the Oslo card – with the card you can benefit with free entrance to the museums and enjoy free public transportation and so much more… With the Oslo pass, you cannot miss the important sights and the best attractions that the city has to offer.
Price: 24 hours card £37 per adult. 48 hours card £55 per adult

PRIVATE SIGHTSEEING:

Walking tour of Oslo

A local guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you for a 3-hour walking tour through the city centre of Oslo and down to the harbour. Sights of interest include the Royal Palace, the Parliament Building (Stortinget), the National Theatre, City Hall, Akershus Fortress and Aker Brygge Harbour. From the harbour you will continue by boat to the Bygdøy peninsula where a visit at the Viking Ship Museum is included. Afterwards you will return to the city centre by bus.
Price: £245

Explore Oslo with private guide and driver

A private guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel for a 3-hour private sightseeing tour of Oslo. The guide will show you around Oslo, offering you a glimpse of what Oslo can offer. You will receive tips on where to shop and where to eat. The freedom of having your own car and you own driver during your visit to Oslo is wonderful! You can decide yourself which sights and museums you would like to visit.
Prices: By sedan, max 3 persons £550. By van, max 6 persons £565

NON-PRIVATE SIGHTSEEING:

Mini Cruise Hop On Hop Off

A 1,5 hr sightseeing by boat, where you will pass the ancient fortress of Akershus and many picturesque islands in the inner part of the Oslo Fjord. Available daily all year; 10:00 – 16:00hrs. Several departures per day from the City Hall, the Opera House, Tjuvholmen and Bygdøy. Ticket valid 24 hours. Valid from May 2nd to October 26th 2014
Price: £23 per adult, £10 for child under 12 year old

Fjord Sightseeing

This 2-hour tour with classic Oslo Fjord Sightseeing. From the boat you will have great view of the harbor and the green hills surrounding the city. You will also pass through narrow sounds, idyllic bays and through a maze of islands with small summer houses. You will be able to buy refreshments on board. Tour valid from April 4th to September 28th – Several departures per day
Price: £32 per adult, £14 for child under 12 year old

Oslo Selected highlights

Oslo selected highlights is a 3,45-hour sightseeing tour by coach and boat visiting the Oslofjord, the Vigeland sculpture park, the Holmenkollen ski jump with the ski Museum, the Viking ships and the Kon-Tiki raft. Available daily, all year (except on May 17th and Dec 24th and 25th) at 10:30.
Price: £45 per adult, £22 for child under 12 year old

Grand Tour of Oslo

The Grand Tour is a 6-hour tour which starts with a 2-hour tour in the fjord by boat and continues by coach. In addition, you will visit the polar ship Fram and the Viking ships. This tour includes a Photo stop at the opera. You will also visit one museum among Munch museum, National Gallery or Ibsen Museum depending on the opening hours. Available daily 4th April to 28th September (except on May 17th). Departure every day at 10:30.
Price: £77 per adult, £36 for child under 12 year old

Norwegian Evening on the Fjord

Enjoy a 3-hour evening cruise on board a traditional wooden sailing ship passing through maze of green islands. A Norwegian prawn buffet is included in the price. Daily departures from 21st June to 7th of September at 19:00.
Price: £46 per adult, £23 for child under 12 year old

Jazz Cruise

Enjoy 3 hours of fantastic live music on board a traditional wooden sailing ship on the inner Oslo Fjord. You will pass by the Opera House, Akershus fortress and through a maze of green islands. During the cruise, a snack of shrimps will be offered. Available on Wednesdays at 19:00 from 25th June to 13th August.
Price: £50 per adult, £25 for child under 12 year old

Bike tour: Oslo Highlights

During this approximately 3-hour tour, you will bike along car-free paths, parks, hidden back streets, and the fjord. Discover all of the major sites in a fun and relaxed manner. There is plenty of time for stops and pictures, and no specific fitness level is required. The guides will reveal the stories behind the monuments, such as the medieval castle, the Royal Palace and the world-famous Frogner sculpture park. Daily departures from April to October, time in request.
Price: £36 per person

Bike tour: Midnight Sun tour

Summer in Scandinavia means nearly endless days and a city that seems to never sleep. Experience the unforgettable feeling of riding along the fjord as a bright red sky brightly illuminates your path … at night! Our guides will not only show you the Opera House at sunset, but they will share the best places to go out and grab a late meal or drink while watching the magic of the Oslo summer nights. Available in June and July. Times on request.
Price: £36 per person

Zipline at Holmenkollen

Want to feel how it is like to jump in Holmenkollen? Try Holmenkollen`s zipline. It takes you from top of the ski jump to the bottom of the hill, 361 meters! You will follow the same route as the ski jumpers and you can enjoy Oslo`s best view while you`re flying down the hill. Available from April to September. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Price: £100 per person

This map uses Google Maps, so you can zoom and interact with it as we hope it is familiar to you.

For a larger version of this map which opens in a new window, click here

The lines shown give you an indication of our destinations and are not the exact route used.

You'll see...

• Alesund »
• Alta »
• Eagle Watching / Bird Watching In Norway »
• Famous Glaciers Of Norway »
• Famous Norway Waterfalls »
• Fjords of Norway »
• Flam Railway »
• History of Norway »
• Oslo – Attractions »
• Oslo – History »
• Pulpit Rock, Norway »
• Trondheim »
• Weather In Southern Norway »
• Munch Museum »
• Whale watching attractions in Norway »
• Cycling in Norway »
• Hiking in Norway »
• Horse Riding »
• Nordic Walking »
• The Oslo Opera House »
• Traveling Around Norway – Train, Ferry, Car, Hurtigruten »
• Vigelandsparken, Oslo »
• Oslo Håndverksdestilleri »

Will I see the Northern Lights?

Please scroll down to see the specifics for the country you wish to visit:

Iceland:
The Northern Lights are in the Northern sky from September through April but are only visible when the sky is clear and free of clouds. Like many of natures wonders, it’s ephemeral – they may be visible, they may appear for a bit and then be gone. But it’s worth it to be patient. Because they’re a winter event, you need to be prepared to wait outside, while looking for them. It’s best to dress very warmly, in layers, with good footwear, gloves, hats and whatever else will make you comfortable while you await this truly amazing event. The Northern Lights can be pretty spectacular, and for the best photos we recommend using a tripod. Much of Iceland offers a very a good chance to see the Northern Lights when conditions are right. Remember – the Northern Lights are natural phenomena, not guaranteed, but appreciated all the more for their elusive qualities.

Norway:
Northern Norway is one of the world's best places to experience the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). In Northern Norway, Northern Lights occur in up to 90% of every clear night in the period from late September to late March. Most Northern Lights occur in the time span from 6pm to slightly after midnight, with an absolute peak at around 10-11pm. 

In Norway, the area north of the Arctic Circle is prime aurora territory. The various destinations in the High North have a distinct personality, and are well worth exploring. Major places in Northern Norway are Tromsø, Kirkenes, Alta, Bodø, Lofoten and Vesterålen Islands and Svalbard.

Finland:
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the Northern Lapland region, which is almost entirely located within the realm of the Arctic Circle. During the dark winter months here, when the sun rarely peaks its head over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October. The most common colours of the Northern Lights are greenish-yellow and red.

The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowy fell landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.

As mentioned, Lapland is the best place to see the Finland Aurora Borealis, with the Kilpisjarvi area offering the most abundant opportunities. The best time of the day to see the Finland Northern Lights is between 9 pm and 11:30 pm, though they are certainly not restricted to this time frame.

Sweden:
In Northern Sweden, the Northern Lights usually occur during the winter months through late March or early April, but they can be spotted as early as September in the Northernmost parts. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights, which dilute the effects of these natural phenomena, so head out into the countryside. On clear nights, the Northern Lights can be visible from most locations in Swedish Lapland, occurring between 6 pm to and 2 am, with the strongest shows happening between 10 pm and 11 pm. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations in Swedish Lapland for viewing these phenomena:

Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park, a couple of kilometers north of Kiruna, is a prime location for viewing the Northen Lights. The scientifically proven “blue hole” — a patch of sky over the Torneträsk lake that usually remains clear despite overcast weather in surrounding areas — gives Abisko its own micro-climate, which is suitable for catching the lights.

Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley
Not only does the village of Jukkasjärvi (population roughly 541) boast the world’s first ice hotel (rebuilt ever year from Torne River ice), it’s also one of the best regions to view the Northern Lights. ICEHOTEL organizes guided tours for guests which takes the to the Esrange Space Center located 30 minutes from Kiruna. You can dine at a wilderness camp and get the chance to scan the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis.

Other regions in Swedish Lapland
As mentioned earlier, if weather conditions are just right (clear, dark, cold, and cloudless), you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights from any location within subarctic and arctic Sweden — even close to larger towns such as Luleå, Jokkmokk, Arvidsjaur, and Gällivare.

Greenland:
The northern lights - or Aurora Borealis as it is officially known - actually occur all year round, but cannot be seen during the summer months in Greenland due to the midnight sun. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April. If you are travelling during this period, you can see the Northern Lights from anywhere in the country, whilst in South Greenland the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August.

Car Rental

You can rent a car, as long as you have a valid EU or international driver's license. Most cars will have manual transmission.

Transportation

Railway mostly serves domestic routes and is used as an easy and quick way to get from the capital to major cities of the country. There are some international routes, like to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but time spent on the way will be quite long.

Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel between the Baltic States. Eurolines will get you between Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn. One way tickets will cost £ 15 - £ 20 and approximate travel time is 5 hours between the cities. Ticket reservations in advance are recommended.

Taxis are the quickest and most convenient way of travelling round the city. You'll find them located close to the main hotels. Usually it's quite easy to catch a taxi on the street, however, it's much better and safer to order one by phone. Taxi costs in all of the Baltic countries and Poland are approximately the same and a ride in the centre of the city will cost you approx £ 5 - £ 7.  Taxis in Finland and Russia are considerably more expensive.  It is always a good idea to get your hotel to book a taxi for you and ask approximately how much the trip will cost before you get in.

We would not recommend you to take public transportation within the city, as it's usually crowded and it may cause you unnecessary anxiety about where to stop.