Oslo Airport, Gardermoen Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL  ^IATA) is the main airport serving Oslo (the capital of Norway) and most of East Norway. The airport is at Gardermoen about 40 km north of Oslo about 20 minutes by train. The main railway line south-north runs through the terminal and the main road south-north runs close to the terminal. European route 16, the east-west route Bergen-Oslo-Sweden is connected directly to the terminal.

Oslo airport is the most important gateway to Norway by air and a hub for all of Norway. This is the airport of choice for visits to areas north of Oslo, that is Hedmark and Oppland, as there are no main airports between Oslo and Trondheim. It is also the airport closest to Oslo and most of its suburbs and nearby towns in the Oslo region including Ringerike and Hønefoss. Drammen is however halfway between Oslo airport and Sandefjord airport.

Norway's largest airport and the country's main international gateway. It is officially called just "Oslo Airport" (in Norwegian: "Oslo lufthavn"), but in practice "Gardermoen" is often added to the name. This is to prevent confusion with the other airport serving Oslo: Sandefjord Torp Airport) and the airport in Fornebu, which closed in 1998. The airport is at Gardermoen, an unincorporated area within Akershus, 37 km north-northeast of Oslo. It is very well connected by ground transport and the terminal is very efficient, but because it is large, allow some time to transfer.

In May 2017 a new northern pier was put into service followed by the extension of the eastern pier in 2022. This significantly increased the capacity of the airport.

The airport is a secondary hub for the joint Danish-Swedish-Norwegian flag carrier SAS Scandinavian Airlines.

A large number of flights arrive and depart from the airport. Many airlines operate flights to and from international destinations. Most domestic flights within Norway are operated by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe. In 2020 Wizz Air challenged them by launching their own domestic flights within Norway.

There are flights to 112 international and 30 domestic destinations in Norway. There is a large number of intercontinental connections to the airport, as well as a dense network of short-haul connections to destinations throughout all of Europe, especially the Nordic countries. Several airlines operate direct flights to UK, Ireland and USA from Oslo Airport. There are around 30 airlines that operate at the airport that do have international flights. If you are transferring at Oslo, don't pick a flight with a too short connecting time.

The train is fast and convenient; buses may be cheaper but have more destinations. Taxis are sometimes terribly expensive. The Oslo Airport website provides information on getting to and from the airport.

If you are unsure how to get to a destination by public transport in the Oslo area, click here.

60.19287711.0966371 Gardermoen Station (Oslo Airport) is located in the basement of the airport terminals. The first trains arrive and depart at 05:00.

• Vy (formerly Norwegian State Railways or NSB) operates trains from Gardermoen from or to all stations on the Norwegian railway network. There are trains both southwards towards the capital of Oslo and northwards towards stations such as Hamar, Lillehammer and Trondheim. Where there are no direct trains from the station, you have to change trains at Oslo S (Central Station). Vy trains to Oslo are slightly slower than the Airport express train, though the difference in travel time is only a few minutes considering the distance. From Oslo Central Station: kr 124 (one-way), 23 min. The one-way ticket includes about two further hours of transfer to Oslo's public transport network, Ruter.
• Flytoget (The Airport Express Train). The fastest option by train from or to Gardermoen towards Oslo S, F2 on to Nationaltheateret, Asker and Drammen. It costs more than Vy trains but runs more often. The simplest way to pay for the fare is to swipe a debit/credit card at the faregate's reader (found at the airport station). Alternatively, one can purchase a ticket online or using the mobile app and scan the barcode at the faregate reader. The website and app are also useful for creating an account and registering discounts one is eligible for (e.g. student, senior age fare). From Oslo Central Station: kr 240 (concession kr 120), 19-22 min. (Up to six trains an hour at peak times; first train from the airport at 05:30, last train 00:50.) Minutes waiting for the next train departure is displayed at the entrance to the platform. (updated Mar 2024)

To the airport: It is easy to get to the Gardermoen from the E16 or the E6 motorway (a four-lane slip road right up to the Airport Terminal). Follow the signs to Gardermoen on the E6 until the exit for RV 174. Follow the signs to Terminal all the way to the airport.

Close to the terminal, the ground traffic area is for arrivals, the upper is for departures. There is a 7-minute limit to stay in the dropoff area for free, enforced with camera-operated licence plate readings. Long-term parking areas are west of the runways (see map).

Further to Oslo: Travellers to the capital of Oslo are advised not to bring a car to central parts of the city. There are few and expensive parking spaces and a very well functioning public transport system.

Like any other modern airport, Oslo Airport has a huge car park facility, ranging from cheap long-term spots connected with a free shuttle bus, to expensive parking house right next to the terminal, as well as a valet service on the departures. These facilities are operated by Avinor, the airport owner.

In addition, several independent car park operators in the area also offer free shuttle buses to the terminal:

• 60.18730111.0694241 Gardermoen Parkering AS
• 60.19948511.0718962 Flight Park AS
• 60.19403511.0684523 Dalen Parkering ANS

Oslo Airport has several large car rental operators. They are to be found in the parking garage which you can walk to from the arrivals area of the airport.

Price comparison website.

• Avis Bilutleie Oslo Lufthavn
• Budget Bilutleie Gardermoen
• Europcar Bilutleie Gardermoen
• Hertz Bilutleie Gardermoen
• Rent a wreck, Gardermoen
• Sixt Bilutleie Gardermoen lufthavn^{[dead link]}

Rent a motorhome

• Benzini Campers
• McRent, Jessheim
• Cabin Campers

Buses that stop just outside the airport:

The taxi stops are to the south, right outside the terminal building. Taxis in Norway can be extremely expensive. Airport hotels are served by shuttle buses. Downtown Oslo is faster and cheaper by train.

60°11′35″N 11°5′48″E

Map of Oslo Airport, Gardermoen

The halls for arrival and departure at the terminal are relatively compact, but due to the size of the airport the distances may seem great. As in any big airport travellers need to allow generous time for moving around inside the terminal. However, it is quite easy to orient yourself in the terminal area.

The terminal area consists of four floors:

• The railway station is in the basement.
• The arrival terminal is on the ground floor.
• The departure terminal is on the first floor.
• The second floor of the departure terminal (some domestic flights)

In the first floor, there is only one, huge 60.19432911.0988654 check-in-hall. (Connected to the security area)

There are three "piers", all consisting of a number of gates:

• 60.19519411.0927395 The west pier (Domestic flights (Norway)). 
• 60.19610711.1005356 The north pier (The newest pier; opened in May, 2017). The international departure section (D gates) of this pier is on the first floor and connected with the east pier. The north pier part of the domestic terminal (C gates) is on the second floor. (updated Sep 2019)
• 60.19416911.1023047 The east pier (international flights). The E gates are for Schengen flights. The F gates (on the extreme east) are for non-Schengen flights. (updated Sep 2019)

There are a large number of restaurants and shops both in the arrivals hall and within the security check in the departure hall. The floors in the airport terminal outside the security control are connected with stairs, escalators and lifts. The check-in hall is well signposted. Baggage trollies are available.

In the vicinity of the airport, buses are the cheapest and best option.

• Parking companies have free shuttle service to the parking areas.
• Free or low-fare buses to hotels.

Walking to the hotels or other facilities that are in quite close proximity to the airport will not take long.

The hotels, the long-term-car-parking-spaces and the museums west of the airport's runways or the hotels southeast of the airport are further away, so it is not recommended to walk there if you are carrying heavy luggage. Use a shuttle bus instead.

Oslo Airport has three lounges. Access policy can be decided from based on your ticket and membership status. Most lounges includes comfortable seating and a buffet.

• The OSL lounge is accessible to anybody, for a fee of kr 400. It is free for status holders with some Oneworld and Skyteam airlines. Opening hours are 05:45-20:30. Located after the large tax free shop on International departure.
• The SAS Lounge International which is free for any traveller holding a Star Alliance Gold card, or that are travelling on business class on these airlines. Other Star Alliance ticketholders can purchase access. Same location as OSL Lounge.
• The SAS Domestic Lounge has the same rules as SAS Lounge International, and are near gate A2.

For a complete overview, click here.

• Several kiosks sell simple food, soft drinks and coffee.
• Both hotels at the airport have a breakfast buffet. See Sleep section, below.
• Free water drinking and bottle filling stations available several places in the terminal. Don't drink water from toilet sinks.

• Peppes Pizza (The arrivals hall), ☏ +47 2222 5555. M-F 09:00-23:00, Sa Su 10:00-22:00/23:00. Norway's largest pizzeria chain (American style and Italian style pizza) with take-away service only.  

• Humle & Malt : Beer, Norwegian craft brewery traditions.
• Bølgen & Moi Food Garage: Specialities: Komper (Rutabaga and salted lamb) and a rare creamy fish soup.
• Two Tigers: Asian flavours and specialties. On the menu there are sushi, sashimi and noodles.
• TGI Fridays: Authentic American cuisine and drinks.

• Norwegian Aquavit Bar
• Real American Sportsbar!
• Kon-Tiki Kitchen (International terminal), ☏ +47 64811616. Serves some pre-made hot meals for kr 119 (small portion), kr 159 (huge portion). Not too tasty, but it works. On the second floor there's power and free internet (ask the cashier for username/password). 
• Havsalt (International terminal). For those who love Norwegian seafood or trying it for the first time. 
• Hunter Bar. The menu is based on good Norwegian ingredients from the inland, including finnbiff (reindeer), reindeer wrap, moose burger and Norwegian moose breadwurst. 

See also: Duty free shopping

• At the duty free shops^{[dead link]} in the International terminal or the International arrival area of ​​the airport, before passing the customs control.

Note: In Norway, both alcohol and tobacco are very expensive, but stick to the strict duty free quotas. Then you'll avoid having trouble with the customs office.

• Apotek1, Oslo Lufthavn (Pharmacy at the arrival hall)
• Rolling Luggage (Arrival hall), where you find bags, suitcases as well as all the travel accessories you need.
• Æra Dame (International terminal) offers trendy fashion as well as simple, classic and timeless garments, bags, shoes, accessories and clothes for ladies, while Æra Men/Æra Active nearby offers finer gentlemen's tipping.
• Tanum (International and domestic terminal) sells Norwegian and English books, including new releases, bestsellers, classics, fiction and travel guides.
• Way Nor (International terminal) offers a wide range of Norwegian souvenirs and tourist gifts.
• Elkjøp Travel (International and domestic terminal) offers electrical components and information technology.
• Fine Food - Salmon House (International terminal) offers Norwegian salmon, cheeses, game products, seafood and cured meats.
• Ting (International terminal) offers brand-named Norwegian and Scandinavian design.

Save your money: don't take a cab. Virtually all hotels here have pick up services, sometimes for a small fee. Just give them a call on arrival.

There are two hotels at the airport

• 60.19063111.1021671 Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport, ☏ +47 67 02 40 00, [email protected]. Next to the airport. Breakfast buffet from 05:00 to 09:30 (Sa Su until 10:30): kr 150 (June 2017). (updated Jun 2017)
• 60.19235511.0942832 Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardermoen, Hotellvegen (connected to the airport by a covered pedestrian bridge), ☏ +47 63933000, [email protected]. Breakfast buffet from 05:00 to 09:30 (Sa Su until 10:30): kr 195 (June 2017). Five hundred guest rooms and suites. Well-equipped meeting facilities. (updated Jun 2017)

• 60.19235811.0686073 Clarion Hotel & Congress Oslo Airport, Hans Gaarders vei 15, Gardermoen (west of the airport), ☏ +47 64 00 45 00. One of the largest conference hotels in Norway. 
• 60.19327911.0716424 Comfort Hotel RunWay, Hans Gaardersvei 27, Gardermoen (West of the airport runways), ☏ +47 63 94 88 88. Convenient and comfortable hotel. 
• 60.21117611.0762165 Gardermoen Hotel B&B, Gardermovegen 42, ☏ +47 63 93 00 50. An airport hotel that is a 10-min drive from the airport. You can book a pick-up and drop-off service separately for kr 45/person. 
• 60.18730211.0659826 Gardermoen Airport Hotel, Ravineveien 11 (3.5 km from the terminal), ☏ +47 6394 0800, [email protected]. Free Wi-Fi and airport shuttle bus at least once an hour. Single from kr 700. 
• 60.18799311.067727 Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport Hotel West, Museumsvegen 26 (airport shuttle bus S33), ☏ +47 63 94 95 00, [email protected]. This hotel west of the runways is adapted to travellers who will stay for a few days. Courses and conferences. (updated Oct 2020)
• 60.18566811.0645098 Scandic Oslo Airport, Ravinevegen 15, Gardermoen (West of the airport), ☏ +47 23 15 59 00. Hotel and conference facilities. 
• 60.16741611.1463089 Thon Hotel Gardermoen, Balder Allé 22, Gardermoen (7 km from Oslo Airport), ☏ +47 64 00 45 00. 
• 60.16511711.15502810 Thon Hotel Oslo Airport, Balder Allé 2 (Close to Thon Hotel Gardermoen), ☏ +47 63 92 94 00. A modern conference and business hotel. 

There are also hotels with shuttles in the nearby Jessheim and Eidsvoll. Within the city boundary of Oslo, farther away from the airport, there are a lot of accommodations.

• 60.1634511.1608911 Quality Airport Hotel Gardermoen, Jessheim Nord, Jessheim, ☏ +47 63926100. 5 minutes to Oslo Airport by shuttle bus. 

There is free access to Wi-Fi at the airport and at the hotels nearby.

Static internet kiosks are also available at some departure gates. Payphones are located at various points. There are also wireless phone charging points in the terminal. Fax and photocopying services are provided at the information desk in the arrivals hall.

For more information on coping in the city of Oslo, see the Oslo#Cope article.

Most people you meet at the airport will respond in English. Also airport signage has an English version.

There is a staffed information desk in the arrivals hall which offers airport information, hotel reservations and tourism information.

The airport is well-suited for disabled people. If any disabled person needs extra assistance, it can be arranged in advance.

Showers are available for free in the toilets close to gate A2. If you're travelling internationally this can be accessed before going into the international zone.

Loomis operates many ATMs (in Norwegian: Minibank) throughout the airport which allow you to withdraw a number of currencies. It also has a booth with exchange service in the arrivals hall. All shops and eateries accept payment cards.

If you are looking for even more information about the airport than you have already found on this page, an own app is available for download.

For airport security information, click here.

• Police, ☏ 112. 
• Fire, ☏ 110. 
• Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance), ☏ 113. 

If you are unsure which emergency number to call, 112 is the central for all rescue services and will put you in contact with the correct department.

For non-emergencies, the police is to be called on 02800 or Gardermoen Police Station at ☏ +47 64 81 95 00 (responsible for the border control at the airport). The police post in the Arrivals Hall is open 24/7.

• Medical Assistance, ☏ 113 (Emergencies only). 
• Doctor (at Jessheim), ☏ +47 63974000, 116 117 (in country only). 
• Apotek1, Oslo Lufthavn (Pharmacy), at the main entrance of the arrival hall on the ground floor, ☏ +47 63980020, [email protected]. Daily 07:00-21:00. Contact the pharmacist for any questions regarding access to prescription medications. (Smart thing to do before arrival from abroad). If you are traveling by ground transportation to the airport, you do not need a security check to get to the pharmacy, which means that customers who live in the area next to the airport can also use the pharmacy. 

• Jessheim is the closest city (bus 420-440-450).
• If you have more than a couple of hours between flights, Oslo is within reach via the Airport Express Train.
• A somewhat closer, and cheaper, option is Eidsvoll, a lakeside town where the Norwegian constitution was drafted.
• 60.15162511.096671 Ullensaker Golfklubb, Sjøkjosveien 32 (between the airport and Jessheim), ☏ +47 63984030, [email protected]. Proshop: M-F 10:00-19:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00. For golf enthusiasts, this 9-hole course is best way to shorten the wait. 
• Ski Hurdal (local bus 815 to Hurdal skisenter), ☏ +47 63920200. If you want to spend the wait skiing, the nearest ski resort is in the neighboring municipality Hurdal. Ski equipment rentals, alpine and cross country skiing. 

Close to the airport

• 60.1893511.07011 The Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection (Forsvarets flysamling på Gardermoen), Museumsvegen 35 (in a modern building southwest of Oslo Airport), ☏ +47 64 93 67 85. Sa Su 12:00-16:00. Offers insight into the cost and sacrifices of securing peace and freedom during Norway's modern history.  
• 60.19105511.0694852 Ullensaker Museum, Tunvegen, Gardermoen (by one of the oldest drill grounds in Norway, Lilleplassen), ☏ +47 66 93 66 47. Local museum with a focus on this area, which has played a central role in the Norwegian military history and related to the development of the main airport. 

• Sandefjord Airport, Torp (TRF ^IATA) is the next other international airport, 10 km from the city of Sandefjord, 118 km southwest of Oslo and 155 km (96 mi) from Gardermoen.

Trondheim ← Lillehammer ←	N  S	→ Oslo → Göteborg
Bergen ← Hønefoss ←	W  E	→ Kongsvinger → Gävle