Overview
Oslo rewards travellers who like their cities compact, green and easy to navigate. Norway's capital sits at the head of a long fjord, framed by forested hills, with world-class museums, bold modern architecture and the outdoors never more than a short tram ride away. Direct flights from the UK take around two hours, so Oslo works just as well for a long weekend as for a longer Nordic trip.
Best time to fly to Oslo
Summer, from June to August, is the most popular time, with very long daylight hours, café terraces and temperatures often in the low twenties Celsius. Late spring and early autumn bring milder fares and thinner crowds while the weather is still pleasant. Winter is cold and frequently snowy, with short days, but it comes into its own around Christmas and for skiing and skating within the city limits. Prices tend to climb during school holidays and midsummer, so check the When to book chart above before you fix your dates.
Airlines and routes
Several carriers fly from the UK to Oslo Gardermoen non-stop. British Airways and SAS Scandinavian Airlines operate from London Heathrow, while easyJet and Norwegian serve the route from London Gatwick; seasonal departures are also available from airports such as Manchester and Edinburgh. Direct flights from London take roughly two hours, and a little under two hours from Manchester. Connecting options via hubs such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen or Frankfurt can occasionally undercut direct fares if you have time to spare.
Things to do in Oslo
Distances are short and much of the centre is walkable, with trams, buses and ferries filling the gaps. A few highlights:
- Vigeland Park: the largest sculpture park by a single artist, free to enter and open around the clock.
- MUNCH: the waterfront museum devoted to Edvard Munch, home to versions of The Scream.
- Oslo Opera House: walk up the sloping marble roof for wide views over the fjord and city.
- Holmenkollen: a celebrated ski jump with a ski museum and a viewing platform high above the tree line.
- Bygdoy peninsula: a cluster of museums including the Fram polar ship and the Kon-Tiki raft, reached by a short summer ferry.
At Oslo Airport (OSL)
Oslo Gardermoen lies about 47km north of the city centre. The quickest link is the Flytoget airport express train, which reaches Oslo Central Station in roughly 20 minutes. Vy regional trains cover the same route in a little more time for a lower fare, and airport coaches serve stops across the city. Taxis are available but expensive and can take 45 minutes or more in traffic. Trains run frequently from early morning until late at night.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Oslo
- Book roughly one to three months ahead for these short-haul European fares; last-minute prices to Oslo rarely fall.
- Fly midweek and steer clear of UK school holidays and the midsummer peak, when demand is highest.
- Use a flexible-date search to weigh a Tuesday or Wednesday departure against the weekend, and check the price charts on this page.
- Compare Gatwick and Heathrow departures, and weigh a low-cost carrier against a full-service fare once bags and seat selection are added.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism in Norway for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; a European travel authorisation (ETIAS) is expected to be introduced, so check the latest requirements before you book. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure and have been issued within the previous ten years. Norway uses the Norwegian krone rather than the euro, and card payment, including contactless, is accepted almost everywhere. No special vaccinations are required, and a UK GHIC or EHIC card covers state-provided medical care during your stay.
