Oslo
Oslo airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Take the airport train: Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) to Oslo Central in about 20 minutes, so it beats a taxi for almost every solo traveller and couple. Choose the bus if your hotel is near a bus stop and your flight lands late; choose a taxi only with three or more people, heavy bags or a 04:00 arrival.Take the airport train: Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) to Oslo Central in about 20 minutes, so it beats a taxi for almost every solo traveller and couple. Choose the bus if your hotel is near a bus stop and your flight lands late; choose a taxi only with three or more people, heavy bags or a 4:00 AM arrival.
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GuideOslo
Key facts
- Airportcheck
- Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), about 47 km north-east of the centre
- Fastest option
- Airport train to Oslo Central, about 20 minutes
- Cheapest optioncheck
- Local train on the same line, roughly NOK 100–130
- Taxicheck
- Roughly NOK 700–1,200 to the centre; agree the price before you get in
- Payment
- Card and phone payment work everywhere, including taxis and ticket machines
- Last traincheck
- Trains run late into the evening but not all night; check your arrival time
- Best for families
- Taxi or pre-booked transfer when you have luggage and children
Compare your options
Four ways cover almost every arrival: the airport train, the local train, the airport coach and a taxi. The table below is the short version; the detail follows.
| Option | Time to centre | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport train (Flytoget) | About 20 min to Oslo Central | NOK 200–250 | Speed, solo travellers, city-centre hotels |
| Local train (Vy) | About 23–30 min | NOK 100–130 | Lowest fare, same stations |
| Airport coach (Flybussen, Vy buss) | About 40–50 min | NOK 150–250 | Hotels away from the station, late arrivals |
| Taxi | About 40–50 min in traffic | NOK 700–1,200 | Three or more people, heavy bags, night arrivals |
Fares are 2026 estimates and vary by operator, ticket type and time of day (check).
The detail
The airport train is the default. It runs from the terminal to Oslo Central (Oslo S) in about 20 minutes, with departures every 10–20 minutes through most of the day. It costs more than the local train for a few minutes saved, which is a fair trade if you are heading straight to a hotel near Karl Johans gate or the opera.
The local train on the same line is the value pick. It takes a few minutes longer and stops more often, but the fare is roughly half, and it also calls at Oslo Central. If you are staying near Nationaltheatret or Skøyen, check which station is closer to your hotel before you buy.
Airport coaches run to several stops in the centre and to some hotels, which saves a walk with luggage. They are slower in rush hour and less frequent late at night. For a hotel on the ring road or in a district away from the station, the coach can be the simplest door-to-door option.
Taxis wait outside arrivals. Fares vary a lot between companies, and the difference between the cheapest and most expensive is large enough to matter. Ask the driver for the fixed price to your address before you get in, or book through an app so the price is set in advance. At night, when trains thin out, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the practical choice.
- Buy train and coach tickets in the app or at the machine before boarding; there is a surcharge for buying on board (check).
- Oslo Central is the main hub; most city hotels are a 5–20 minute walk or one metro stop away.
- Allow 40–50 minutes by road in weekday rush hour, longer in winter snow.
What it costs
Budget roughly NOK 100–250 per person for rail or coach, and NOK 700–1,200 for a taxi to the centre. A family of four usually pays less in a taxi than four train tickets, which is the main reason to skip the train.
Everything is cashless in practice: cards, phones and travel apps cover trains, coaches and taxis. You do not need kroner for the transfer, though a small amount is handy for toilets and lockers.
| Traveller | Cheapest sensible choice | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, city centre | Local train | NOK 100–130 |
| Couple, city centre | Airport train | NOK 400–500 total |
| Family of four | Taxi | NOK 700–1,200 total |
| Late-night arrival | Taxi or pre-booked transfer | NOK 700–1,200 |
2026 estimates; check current fares and any night surcharge.
Tips that save time
Gardermoen is a large airport, so add 10–15 minutes to walk from the gate to the station or taxi rank. Trains leave from directly under the terminal, which makes the rail option faster than it looks on paper.
If you are continuing straight to Bergen, Flåm or Trondheim, buy the onward ticket at the same time; Oslo Central is where the Bergen Line starts, and summer seats sell out. For a first trip, two nights in Oslo before the mountains is the usual pattern.
Download an eSIM before you fly so you can book a taxi or check departures the moment you land. In winter, snow can add 20–30 minutes to any road transfer, so leave slack before a same-day connection.
- Trains and coaches: buy before boarding to avoid the on-board surcharge (check).
- Taxis: confirm the fixed price to your address before departure.
- Winter: allow extra time by road, less by rail.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Oslo airport to the city centre?
Take the airport train from Gardermoen to Oslo Central, about 20 minutes. The local train is cheaper and a few minutes slower; coaches serve more stops; taxis cost roughly NOK 700–1,200 and suit groups or late arrivals.
How much is a taxi from Oslo airport?
Roughly NOK 700–1,200 to central Oslo in 2026, depending on company, time and traffic. Fares vary widely between firms, so ask for the fixed price before you get in or book by app.
Is there a train from Oslo airport?
Yes. The airport train runs to Oslo Central in about 20 minutes, and the local train covers the same route for less. Both leave from under the terminal; services run late but not all night, so check your arrival time.
What is the cheapest way into Oslo from the airport?
The local train, at roughly NOK 100–130. The airport coach is similar in price and drops at more central stops. For three or more people travelling together, a taxi can work out cheaper per person.
Do I need cash for the transfer in Oslo?
No. Cards and phone payments work on trains, coaches and taxis, and ticket machines take cards. A small amount of kroner is only useful for toilets, lockers and the odd small kiosk.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialAvinor – Oslo Airport Gardermoen
- officialFlytoget – airport train
- officialVy – trains and buses in Norway
- officialEntur – public transport journey planner
- officialVisit Norway – Oslo
- secondaryWikivoyage – Oslo