Nordic Countries - Family of 4 (or 5) in Oslo....

Right now we are looking at accommodation in Aker Brygge private high rise apartment) or Sonja Henies, Oslo (Radisson Blue Plaza).

Does anyone know the area? We will be spending part of a day at the University of Oslo, other than that we have no set schedule. We will be there for what we think right now is five nights, although it may be six nights.

So with 2 adults, 2 17 year old's and a 14 year old, which area might be better? The apartment would obviously give us a greater amount of room... Prior stops include Bergen for a night or two, the train from Bergen to Oslo, Copenhagen for night and day, London for a night and day and Ireland for six days....

Any ideas? We still don't have our accommodation for Copenhagen, most places are running quite high for a room greater than a double... and what I have found is that most hotels (if we pick one central to what we will be doing, a morning canal cruise and ???) will hold our luggage for us.

Oslo is a small city so wherever you stay you won't be far from anywhere you want to visit. Although some areas are nicer than others, there are not really any no-go areas. Aker Brygge is a lovely area, especially in the summer and close to all the ferries. In the winter it is a little quieter and if the fjord is frozen up the ferries won't run. The Radisson Blu Plaza is in the heart of the city and next to the railway station.

When is your trip planned for?

Hi,

Thank you. We are staying in July.

Can you give me an idea of what it would cost for an average (nice) dinner out for five people? Do you know the area? The apartment is quite a lot more than the Radisson, but I'm wondering if we could make up some of the difference that way (by eating dinner in, lunches out)

Are there any ferries that run for leisure out of that area?

Right now we are looking at accommodation in Aker Brygge private high rise apartment) or Sonja Henies, Oslo (Radisson Blue Plaza).

Does anyone know the area? We will be spending part of a day at the University of Oslo, other than that we have no set schedule. We will be there for what we think right now is five nights, although it may be six nights.

So with 2 adults, 2 17 year old's and a 14 year old, which area might be better? The apartment would obviously give us a greater amount of room... Prior stops include Bergen for a night or two, the train from Bergen to Oslo, Copenhagen for night and day, London for a night and day and Ireland for six days....

Any ideas? We still don't have our accommodation for Copenhagen, most places are running quite high for a room greater than a double... and what I have found is that most hotels (if we pick one central to what we will be doing, a morning canal cruise and ???) will hold our luggage for us.
I'd go for Aker Brygge in your situation. As a place to live permanently, it is one of the most expensive places in Oslo as apartment prices are very high, but it is also a very popular place for eating/ entertainment with a huge selection of restaurants in the area. Not necessarily the best or the cheapest, but a good selection for a family. Other restaurants (as well as several cinemas and theatres) are five minutes walk away. Subway to the university at Blindern is less than ten minutes walk away, and the scheduled ferries for local runs in the Oslofjord leave from Aker Brygge. Self catering is no problem as there are supermarkets at Aker Brygge

The Radisson Blue Plaza (usually called just Oslo Plaza) is next door to the Central Station (and thus even better connected to public transportation), but the area immediately around the hotel is not the best. It is safe enough, but it is one of the areas downtown where one is most likely to get harassed by beggars.

Norway is an expensive country for eating out. I would not count on getting a meal at restaurants for a family of five for less than NOK 250/ person.

Norway is an expensive country for eating out. I would not count on getting a meal at restaurants for a family of five for less than NOK 250/ person.

That is expensive KSU... typically we spend just a bit less than that, perhaps 35-40 USD per person... would lunches be less?

If we didn't take the apartment in Aker Brygge (although I'm leaning that way) would there be a Radisson or other hotel in that area?

Can you tell me about the scheduled ferries for local runs in the Oslofjord? I've tried to find them online but with little luck.

Thanks so much!

That is expensive KSU... typically we spend just a bit less than that, perhaps 35-40 USD per person... would lunches be less?

If we didn't take the apartment in Aker Brygge (although I'm leaning that way) would there be a Radisson or other hotel in that area?

Can you tell me about the scheduled ferries for local runs in the Oslofjord? I've tried to find them online but with little luck.

Thanks so much!
NOK 250 is around USD 43, you'll get food for less, especially at local chains. Also remember that tax/tip is included in Norwegian restaurant prices. Waiters expect that Americans tip, but it is not compulsory. I tend to round up to the nearest NOK 50/100 depending on the size of the check (i.e total check of NOK 1250, total 1300 would be fine). Lunch will probably only be cheaper at the most expensive places (most Norwegian don't eat lunch at restaurants: we eat packed sandwiches from home!)

Aker Brygge as such doesn't have any hotels, but there are a number between Aker Brygge and Karl Johan. The Doubletree is not too far away (have never stayed there). If you prefer Radisson, the Scandinavia is in a much better area. Arorund 15 minutes from Aker Brygge, but in a much better area. Rooms are smaller though.

As for the local scheduled ferries, they are intended as, and priced as other local mass transit. A map of the routes is here:http://trafikanten.no/Gallery/1-GalleryRot/30-linjekart/31-2010/33-Oslo/linjekart%20b%c3%a5t.pdf

Nesodden is an important commuter line, the boats from Vippetangen are more for recreational trips.

The timetables are here: http://trafikanten.no/no/reiseplanlegger/rutetabeller/baat/

NOK 250 is around USD 43, you'll get food for less, especially at local chains. Also remember that tax/tip is included in Norwegian restaurant prices. Waiters expect that Americans tip, but it is not compulsory. I tend to round up to the nearest NOK 50/100 depending on the size of the check (i.e total check of NOK 1250, total 1300 would be fine). Lunch will probably only be cheaper at the most expensive places (most Norwegian don't eat lunch at restaurants: we eat packed sandwiches from home!)

Aker Brygge as such doesn't have any hotels, but there are a number between Aker Brygge and Karl Johan. The Doubletree is not too far away (have never stayed there). If you prefer Radisson, the Scandinavia is in a much better area. Arorund 15 minutes from Aker Brygge, but in a much better area. Rooms are smaller though.

As for the local scheduled ferries, they are intended as, and priced as other local mass transit. A map of the routes is here:http://trafikanten.no/Gallery/1-GalleryRot/30-linjekart/31-2010/33-Oslo/linjekart%20b%c3%a5t.pdf

Nesodden is an important commuter line, the boats from Vippetangen are more for recreational trips.

The timetables are here: http://trafikanten.no/no/reiseplanlegger/rutetabeller/baat/

Thanks KSU, based on what you said I went ahead and booked the apartment even though it is significantly more.... roughly double, but we'll have full apartment amenities and more room, which will be nice for everyone. I'm a little worried about being away from all the tourist attractions, will it be a long walk?

About the ferry service to Vippetangen? Would you recommend it and what should we expect from it? I saw it made several stops.

On an aside, have you ever taken the express ferry to flam from Bergen? Would you recommend it if you have or is the train sufficient in sight seeing?

Thanks KSU, based on what you said I went ahead and booked the apartment even though it is significantly more.... roughly double, but we'll have full apartment amenities and more room, which will be nice for everyone. I'm a little worried about being away from all the tourist attractions, will it be a long walk?

About the ferry service to Vippetangen? Would you recommend it and what should we expect from it? I saw it made several stops.

On an aside, have you ever taken the express ferry to flam from Bergen? Would you recommend it if you have or is the train sufficient in sight seeing?
You'll probably save quite a bit on self catering, having an apartment! A tip: eat like Norwegians! We tend to eat only one warm meal a day, eating sandwiches (cheese, cold cuts) for the other meals. There are several bakeries in and around Aker Brygge, and there is a good variety of fresh bread, usually around NOK 30 for a loaf.

I do not live in Oslo, so I must confess that I have never taken the ferry from Vippetangen, only the one from Aker Brygge to Nesodden. The Vippetangen ferry is, AFAIK, very much a daytripper ferry, taking people out to nice islands for picknicking and swimming. In July (especially during the weekends), the Oslo fjord is VERY busy, with sailboats and all kinds of activity, so just the cruise should be very fine as well.

You will be very much in the centre of Oslo if you stay at Aker Brygge. The City Hall is just across the square. The old fortress (Akershus festning) is nearby. The Royal palace is 10 minutes walk, the new opera house is around 15 minutes walk (it is next to the central station). The museums at Bygdøy (Viking ships, Kon Tiki) has a ferry from Aker Brygge.

For other sights (Holmenkollen, The Munch Museum at Tøyen), you'll have to walk to Nationaltheatret T-bane (subway, near the Royal palace) 10 minutes away, or take the tram. From Aker brygge there is a direct tram line to Vigelandsparken, probably Oslo's most famous sight.

I'm in Oslo every other week, and tend only to use public transportation. It is of high quality, and reliable. Subways run every 15 minutes +/-, trams anything between every 5 - 20 minutes. Day/ weekly passes are reasonable.

I have not travelled by the express boat from Flåm to Bergen (I tend to drive through that area, as I live further to the north in the West country). I have travelled on the "sister service" from Florø to Bergen though. The boats are comfortable, but if I were to choose one I'd go by train. If you can do the Norway in a nutshell, you'll get to do both, but the train is the famous one! But I would do both if I could if I were you.

You'll probably save quite a bit on self catering, having an apartment! A tip: eat like Norwegians! We tend to eat only one warm meal a day, eating sandwiches (cheese, cold cuts) for the other meals. There are several bakeries in and around Aker Brygge, and there is a good variety of fresh bread, usually around NOK 30 for a loaf.

I do not live in Oslo, so I must confess that I have never taken the ferry from Vippetangen, only the one from Aker Brygge to Nesodden. The Vippetangen ferry is, AFAIK, very much a daytripper ferry, taking people out to nice islands for picknicking and swimming. In July (especially during the weekends), the Oslo fjord is VERY busy, with sailboats and all kinds of activity, so just the cruise should be very fine as well.

You will be very much in the centre of Oslo if you stay at Aker Brygge. The City Hall is just across the square. The old fortress (Akershus festning) is nearby. The Royal palace is 10 minutes walk, the new opera house is around 15 minutes walk (it is next to the central station). The museums at Bygdøy (Viking ships, Kon Tiki) has a ferry from Aker Brygge.

For other sights (Holmenkollen, The Munch Museum at Tøyen), you'll have to walk to Nationaltheatret T-bane (subway, near the Royal palace) 10 minutes away, or take the tram. From Aker brygge there is a direct tram line to Vigelandsparken, probably Oslo's most famous sight.

I'm in Oslo every other week, and tend only to use public transportation. It is of high quality, and reliable. Subways run every 15 minutes +/-, trams anything between every 5 - 20 minutes. Day/ weekly passes are reasonable.

I have not travelled by the express boat from Flåm to Bergen (I tend to drive through that area, as I live further to the north in the West country). I have travelled on the "sister service" from Florø to Bergen though. The boats are comfortable, but if I were to choose one I'd go by train. If you can do the Norway in a nutshell, you'll get to do both, but the train is the famous one! But I would do both if I could if I were you.

Thanks so much for all the information! Good to find someone who knows the area.

We are going to try to do the Norway in a nutshell if we can figure out how to book the tickets... it's not really all that clear, some tickets you can buy in advance, other tickets we have no idea! But that's the plan anyhow....

Aker Brygge is a good choice, it's lovely in the summer. As KSU says, for lunch just go to the supermarket and stock up on bread, cheese and cold meats. There's a really good quality supermarket ICA Gourmet located in the heart of Aker Brygge.

I've been on the Bergen to Flåm boat and the Flåmbane twice, it's a great experience. Bear in mind the Oslo - Bergen - Flåm - Oslo is going to use up about two days of your trip. Let me know if I can help you more with this

Aker Brygge is a good choice, it's lovely in the summer. As KSU says, for lunch just go to the supermarket and stock up on bread, cheese and cold meats. There's a really good quality supermarket ICA Gourmet located in the heart of Aker Brygge.

I've been on the Bergen to Flåm boat and the Flåmbane twice, it's a great experience. Bear in mind the Oslo - Bergen - Flåm - Oslo is going to use up about two days of your trip. Let me know if I can help you more with this

Thanks Chris, I'll take you up on that help! We are actually flying into Bergen, so we are going from Bergen to Oslo in some capacity that I can't quite seem to wrap my head around... I had thought to take a late day ferry out of Bergen to Flam, but it turns out the hotel is 550 for the night so more than I want to pay.... So now I'm just thinking we will leave first thing the next morning after we arrive in Bergen to try and complete the Norway in a Nutshell.... but there are so many trains, boats and busses that I'm quite worried I will miss some crucial step and we will be completely out of luck stuck in the wilderness somewhere! If you could give me step by step instructions on how to do this that would be most reassuring! And, how to buy tickets? apparently some can be purchased online, but others can't? What do you do in that case?

The first thing we will have to do at Aker Brygge is find a good coffee shop :D

The summer timetables haven't been published yet but the trip from Bergen would be something like:

Leave Bergen 08.00 by express boat and arrive at Flåm approximately 5 1/2 hours later.
http://www.fjord1.no/en/default.asp?menu=1533&page=538

The train on the Flåmsbane from Flåm to Myrdal takes about 50mins.
http://www.flaamsbana.no/eng/Index.html

The train from Myrdal to Oslo S takes about 5 hours.
http://www.nsb.no/?lang=en_US

I guess you would arrive in Oslo at about 22.00 - 23.00

I think it's possible to tie these three journeys together but I can't be sure until the timetables are published.

It's a very long day but well worth it as the scenery is spectacular

I was in Oslo and Bergen last summer. For eating out, I'd say the prices are about 2X those in Washington, D.C. For example, I had a glass of house wine at a moderate quality bar and grill place -- it was $15. At the main train station in Oslo, a 20oz Diet Coke (Cola Light) was 28 NOK, about $5, at a convenience kiosk.

Though somewhat smaller than Oslo, I found Bergen to be quite charming and in a number of respects, I liked it more than Oslo.

I also did Oslo to Bergen via Flam. Maybe I had read too much hype, but I thought the Flam railroad trip was just ok. I mean the area is pretty, but didn't live up to the hype. For example, Yellowstone and Yosemite are much more impressive IMHO.