Entering Norway
In order to enter Norway, all foreign visitors are required to have a valid passport. Nordic visitors and visitors of the Schengen area are exempted from this rule, but as they still have to produce a valid ID, we recommend that they bring their passport.
In addition, a number of foreign visitors need a visa to enter Norway. Visas must be obtained before departure and applications should be made to the nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate or a travel agent in the country of residence, taking into account the length of notice for obtaining a visa.
If a visa is required please request a formal invitation from the host by filling out the relevant section of the pre-registration form. Please see more information on Visa under Helpful information.
Arriving in Oslo by plane
Oslo Airport Gardermoen is located 47 kilometres north of Oslo. Visitors can travel by train, bus or taxi from the airport to the centre of Oslo. Additional information is available at the info-desk in the arrival hall.
For environmentally friendly reasons we recommend that you use public transportation from the airport.
From the airport by train
The Airport Express Train (Flytoget) is the easiest and fastest means of transport from the airport to the centre of Oslo. The ride takes 27 minutes, and a single ticket costs NOK 170. Tickets can be purchased from designated vending machines, from ticket counters or one can pay for the journey by credit card by swiping the card through a card reader in the Arrival hall before the stairway to the train platform (NOTE – forgetting to swipe the card can result in a ticket price of NOK 250). Receipts for payment via credit card can be obtained by registering the credit card at www.flytogetkvittering.no. For most of the hotels, including the venue hotel, we recommend travelling by trains bound for Drammen and get off at National Theatre (Nationaltheatret) which is the nearest station, or at Oslo Central Station (Oslo S).
It is also possible to travel by local or regional trains from the airport to the centre of Oslo, the National Theatre (Nationaltheatret) or Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). The ride takes between 37 and 41 minutes, and the fare is lower (NOK 110) than that of the Airport Express Train.
Additional comment: If you want to travel by taxi from the station to your hotel, it is often easier to get a taxi outside the Oslo Central Station than outside the National Theatre.
From the airport by bus
The SAS Airport Bus from the airport takes approx. one hour, and the fee is NOK 140. The bus terminal is in front of the Radisson BLU Scandinavia Hotel. Return ticket is cheaper than one-way fare (NOK 240).
From the airport by taxi
It is recommended to take the Airport Taxi rather than haul a taxi outside the airport. The Airport Taxi charges a fixed price whereas other taxi fares can vary depending on the time of the day. Passengers should go to the Taxi Information Desk in the Arrival hall.
Prices vary depending on the individual taxi company, but a taxi seating up to 4 passengers will cost a minimum of NOK 500.
Arriving in Oslo by boat
There are three different ferry services:
a) Kiel, Germany - Oslo (ferry company Color Line)
b) Copenhagen, Denmark - Oslo (ferry company DFDS Seaways)
c) Fredrikshavn, Denmark - Oslo (ferry company Stena Line)
The DFDS Seaways and Stena Line ferry terminal is located close to the city centre, just a couple of blocks from the central station (Oslo S), whereas the Color Line ferry terminal is located in the Western part of the city centre. The city centre may be reached by taxi or one of the local buses (short ride) from either of the terminals.
For information on timetable and fare prices, please visit the Web sites at:
Color Line
DFDS Seaways
Stena Line
Arriving in Oslo by train
The Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) is located in the city centre. Travellers may arrive by international trains from Stockholm (Sweden) or Gothenburg (Sweden). Trains from Gothenburg have connections from Malmö (Sweden) and Copenhagen (Denmark).
For more information on time tables and prices, please visit the web site of the Norwegian national railway company NSB.
(All prices given in the text above are per April 2010.)