Maps | Addresses | How to get there
By: Plane Train Subway
Tram Bus Car Taxi Boat Bicycle
Foot
Getting from the
airport to the student residences
If you are coming to the University of Oslo for the first time, don’t be afraid to ask for directions. Most Norwegians speak English well and will usually help a person in need of directions. Be sure to look after your belongings during your journey; Crime rates are relatively low in Norway, however, every rule has its exceptions. Out of principal and practical consideration, pay the correct fare on all journeys via public transport. Be aware that time table changes and route changes based on construction are posted in Norwegian only, so in need of information contact the local transport personnel. In France, they say "bon voyage"; here in Norway, the expression is "god tur"!
Most international flights arrive at the relatively new outlying airport called Gardermoen. There are several ways of getting from Gardermoen to Oslo. The first is the airport express train (Flytoget) which has quite an expensive travel fare, but will bring you to Oslo’s central train station in about 20 minutes. There are also regular local trains that can transport you to the centre of town, these have cheaper fares, but take considerably longer time. Airport buses (Flybussekspressen) have cheap travel fairs as well and stop at a number of Oslo destinations. The estimated time of travel on an airport bus is 45 minutes from Gardermoen to The Oslo Bus Terminal. Finally, if you like to travel in style, taxis are plentiful but prices are steep; these will take you wherever you want to go. From downtown Oslo, follow the directions below to get to either the downtown (law school) or Blindern campuses.
Norway’s efficient train network brings you to the heart of Oslo quickly and fairly cheaply. Travellers headed for Blindern should get off at the central station (Oslo S, or Sentralstasjon) to switch to other means of transportation (below) to complete their journey. Those wanting to get to the Faculty of Law downtown should detrain at the National Theatre station (Nationaltheatret); the law school is on Oslo’s main boulevard (Karl Johans gate).
You will find underground railway stations by looking for white signs with a blue encircled T ("t-bane" in Norwegian).
All lines stop at Nationaltheateret (west bound), which is closest to the buildings in Karl Johans gate, and Tøyen (east bound), which is the closest to the museums and institutes at Tøyen. To get to the University campus at Blindern choose west bound line 3 Songsvann, 4 Ringen or 5 Storo to Blindern station. The University is situated on the little hill top strait forth as you depart the train. The red brick buildings should be easy to spot.
Both line 17 Rikshospitalet and 18 Rikshospitalet will stop at Universitetet Blindern, which is at the back of the University campus on Blindern. For travellers arriving by train, the no. 18 line is convenient, as it will pass by the Oslo Central Station.
Newcomers to Oslo should probably rely on other means of getting to the university – particularly the Blindern campus – than the bus system. Bus numbers 20, 25 and 46 all drive near this campus. Get off at "Vestre Aker Kirke" and head west; you will pass first the white buildings of the Faculty of Theology and then the black colossus that is the University Library. Outside Oslo, bus number 335 from Nannestad in the west and bus number 363 from Lillestrøm in the east all go straight to the university.
Long-term visitors should consult the public transit system’s information resources ("Oslo Sporveier" or "Trafikanten") to learn more about the offerings.
We encourage people to use either bicycles or public transportation to get to the university, particularly our students and staff. If you have to drive a car, here is one of the easier ways (among many possibilities) to get to Blindern. One way or another, get to Oslo’s major circuit – Ring 3 – and drive towards Ullevål Stadion north-west of Oslo. Turn towards the city centre and then follow the signs to the university. Once you see the red-brick buildings, cross your fingers and start looking for a parking space. Even those who know the university’s secrets think parking is a nightmare.
Never a cheap alternative (particularly in Norway), taxis are plentiful and one of the most painless ways to get wherever you want to go. All taxi drivers are familiar with the main university areas and the vast majority speak (enough) English. Just make sure your journey starts in the approximate vicinity of your destination, or you could end up spending an arm and a leg. Your taxi should have a taxi sign (indicating that it is official and registered) on top to ensure your security and that you are not gouged. Tipping is not necessary.
A number of cruise operators offer trips from German, Danish and Swedish ports in to Oslo. From the port, either take a bus or taxi the short distance to the central train station and then follow other surface directions. Pleasure-seekers are encouraged to try this option.
As with cars or buses, the newcomer to Oslo is recommended to seek another transportation option. Over longer stays (study or work), however, the bicycle becomes one of the best means to commute. Informal tests have shown that bicycles are the fastest way to get around central areas of Oslo. Norwegians are proud of an atmosphere of law and order; sadly, this does not include two-wheeled property. Buy a good lock and use it.
If you are nutty enough to walk great distances to come to the university for the first time from abroad, then you are probably nutty enough to knock on enough doors to find your way without our help. Walkers from warmer climes should keep in mind that progress in snow can be slow and troublesome.
Oslo Airport-Gardermoen is located 50 kilometres from downtown Oslo.
To Sogn studentby
We suggest taking the bus (Airport express
bus) towards Bekkestua/Røa and get off at Ullevål stadion. The bus
costs approx. NOK 120,-. Travel time is about 45 minutes. From here
it is about a 10 minutes walk to Sogn Studentby.
To Kringsjå studentby
We suggest taking
the train towards Oslo and get off
at Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). From there you can take No. 3
subway towards Sognsvann. Get off at Kringsjå. Travel time is about
18 minutes.
Taxi
Depending on which taxi company you choose, a taxi from
the airport may cost from approx. NOK 400,- upwards to NOK 600-700,-. If
you share your taxi with others, this may be the cheapest and simplest
solution. A taxi from the Central Station to Kringsjå Student housing is
about NOK 200,-.
Get in touch with the University of Oslo