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Back to Askim

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Voykit pocket guide · Norway

Askim

Skip Askim unless you need a stop on the E18 between Oslo and Sweden: one hour is enough for the hydropower dams and the indoor water park.

Askim is a small industrial town on the Glomma river, 50 km southeast of Oslo. Its three hydropower stations (Solbergfoss, Kykkelsrud, Vamma) and the Østfoldbadet water park are the main draws. Most travellers pass through on the E18 without stopping; half a day covers the centre.

OsloÅlesundÅlgårdAltaÅndalsnes and Romsdal…ArendalÅsAskøyAureAverøyBalestrandBardufossBarentsburgBåtsfjordAskim500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Norway
Best months
May–Sep
Avoid
Nov–Feb (cold, short days)
Stay
0 nights

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
NOK
Money
Currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK, kr); the euro is not used. About 11.5 NOK to €1 — check.
Daily spend
Budget kr 600–1,000 excl. bed · Mid kr 1,000–1,800 excl. bed · High kr 1,800+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
EEA roaming applies: EU and EEA SIMs work at home prices.
Emergency
Police 112 · Fire 110 · Ambulance 113 · Out-of-hours doctor 116 117
Plugs
Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
Tipping
Restaurant: Included; round up or add 5–10% for good service.; Café and bar: Nothing expected.; Taxi: Round up.; Guides: Optional.
Water
Tap water is excellent; streams in the mountains are usually drinkable, but avoid water below farms and grazing.
Toilets
Free or card-paid (NOK 10–20) in towns; trailheads often have pit toilets.

Get in

By air

OSL · Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
About 1 h 15 min by car or train via Oslo
RYG · Moss Airport, Rygge
About 40 min by car; check seasonal flights

Typical fares

Train Askim → Oslo
about kr 200–300, about 50 min (check)
Bus Askim centre → Østfoldbadet
about kr 40–60 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

The centre is walkable. For the hydropower stations or Østfoldbadet, take a local bus or drive; the E18 runs through town.

See and do

Known for

  • Solbergfoss, Kykkelsrud and Vamma hydropower stations
  • Østfoldbadet indoor water park
  • Askimtorget shopping centre (former tyre factory)
  • Glomma river

Day trips

WhereHowTime
SarpsborgE18 east, about 20 min by car; train from Askim station about 30 min30–40 min
FredrikstadE18 east then south, about 30 min by car; train via Sarpsborg about 1 h40 min–1 h
MossE18 west, about 25 min by car; train about 30 min30–40 min
HaldenE18 east, about 35 min by car; train about 40 min40–50 min
HvalerE18 east then south, about 45 min by carAbout 1 h
OsloE18 west, about 40 min by car; train about 50 min50 min–1 h

Sleep

Askim centre
A few hotels and guesthouses near the E18; walkable to the shopping centre and river.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHeihay
Thank youTakktahk
How much?Hvor mye?vor mee-eh
Where is the bus stop?Hvor er busstoppet?vor er boos-stop-et
Can I pay by card?Kan jeg betale med kort?kan yai be-tah-leh meh kort

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake, first names; avoid: Small talk that is too personal
  • Nature: Greet other hikers, close gates, carry litter out; avoid: Loud music on trails
  • Home visit: Shoes off; bring flowers or chocolates; 'takk for maten' after the meal; avoid: Arriving late
  • Conversation: Modest, factual, humorous; avoid: Showing off wealth — Norwegians are rich but understated
  • 17 May: Dress up, join the crowds, wave a flag; avoid: Treating the parades as a tourist show
  • Queues: Take a number; avoid: Pushing in

Scams and watch-outs

  • The hydropower stations are working plants: check if guided tours are available before visiting.
  • Østfoldbadet hours vary by season; confirm on their website.
  • E18 tolls are billed by plate (AutoPASS); rental cars include the billing.

Askim is a safe small town. The main risks are traffic on the E18 and slippery riverbanks near the dams.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Askim yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Solbergfoss, Kykkelsrud and Vamma hydropower stations
  • Østfoldbadet indoor water park
  • Askimtorget shopping centre (former tyre factory)
  • Glomma river

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Askim

Til denne adressen, takk

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

English is widely spoken; these phrases are for courtesy.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/askim). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.