I’ll be passing through Oslo in early May of next year, and I’ll have the chance to spend a few days in Norway. Can anybody offer advice about lodging/things to see? One recommendation I’ve gotten is to take the train from Oslo to Bergen and then take the ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour back to Oslo.
I’m interested in arctic history, so I’m planning on visiting the Fram/Gjoa museum, the folk museum, and maybe the natural history museum in Oslo. I was surprised to see that many places close at 3 or 4 in the afternoon - what do people do with the rest of their days there?
How can I keep my costs down? Oslo seems very expensive.
I made a thread in 2011 I think. I can’t search easily right now. Apologies if something is out of date. Some locals in there to ask. The visitors’ bureau has day or multiple day passes that get you into the museums and transport and such.
When I tried the transport website didn’t accept my US credit card but gave no explanation. No problems using it otherwise.
Hotel or hostel?
No, you cannot keep costs down just be as frugal as you can. Planning (as you are doing) helps.
It’s not arctic history, but when you’re seeing the Fram it’s not very far to the Kon Tiki raft, and there’s also a Viking ship museum nearby. I think I got a ticket that covered entry to all three. I got there by taking a ferry across the harbour, but the bus might be a little cheaper.
Another thing that stuck in my mind from years ago is the Vigeland Installation (Over 200 big outdoor sculptures) in one of Oslo’s large parks. Nice park, whether you like the art or not. Image search results
If you’re pining for the fjords, skip the Oslofjord. Well actually you will probably see the tip of it, but don’t make a specific trip. It’s just a bay. No cool cliffsides with statues of ancient Numenoreans. Vigeland/Frogner is an interesting trip.
ETA: And I’m told Jotunheimen has only like, 6, Frost Giants.
Trains in Norway generally pass through beautiful scenery and are very peaceful and comfy (unless stuff breaks down, which it does whenever polish people steal the wires, and I’m not even kidding about that. Rare though).
Bergen is beautiful and well worth the visit. Go see the fishmarket and take the cable train to the very top (watch out for trolls).
In Oslo, DO NOT MISS THE VIKING SHIP MUSEUM. It has real, actual viking ships. That actual vikings used for viking stuff. It’s next door to the folk museum, which you are planning to visit anyway. If you happen to be there on the first sunday in a particular month, you just might see people in costume beating the crap out of each other in the nearby field known as the kings’ muster field.
As for what people do the rest of the day, well everything else is still open. Just not shops and museums. We go to the cinema and eat out and play in the parks and spend time with out families. (and the typical working day ends at 3-4 anyway.)
It is very expensive. Take plenty of folding stuff.
See Gukumatz- he is marvellous company.
Take the train to Flam. It is spectacular, although in May you won’t have the snow etc.
The Thon hotels are as good as any I stayed in there.
Oslo itself is not large so don’t expect to have museums and palaces everywhere.
In Oslo, the public transport system is very good and easy to get around on.
Also, look up Isango and see what trips they offer. If you book online you may get discounts.
Finally, Norwegian people to us- were very friendly. Some language difficulties, but far more to the North than Oslo. And alcohol laws need a lot of understanding. Mainly booze is expensive and unavailable at certain times.
You could fly to Tromsø and visit the arctic museums there. It’s a very nice town, and the surroundings are spectacular. Direct routes from Oslo.
If you go to Bergen, don’t bother with the fish market. It’s mostly crap and the locals hate it. The fish is questionable and costs more than plutonium. You can, however, hop on a bus tour from there which is a good starting point.
I spent two weeks in Trondheim back in '92. Can’t tell you a thing about Oslo or Bergen, but I can confirm that it’s very expensive there. Beer was around US$5 at the time, and everything else was in scale t that five-dollar beer. (I can’t stand beer - I was drinking Irish coffee, at US$9.50 a cup. 22 years ago.)
