Cheap city break Oslo

When is the best time to go?

May to August is the season for fjord trips, terraces and the midnight sun: pleasant temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees, the longest days. June is the sweet spot: warm enough, not yet busy. December and January offer a real chance of snow and northern lights in the surrounding area (Lillehammer, 3 hours by bus). Avoid November and March: grey, wet and little going on. Christmas in Oslo is expensive but atmospheric with markets at Youngstorget.

Best neighbourhoods in Oslo

• Sentrum The heart of Oslo, with Karl Johans gate as the main street. Close to the Palace Park and Historical Museum. Practical for first-time visitors.
• Grunerlokka Trendy neighbourhood with the best coffee shops in the city, vintage stores, street art and a lively market in Birkelunden Park. Ideal for accommodation.
• Tjuvholmen Modern architectural neighbourhood by the water, home to the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art. Terrace with fjord views.
• Frogner Green and quiet, right next to Vigeland Sculpture Park. Elegant streets with art nouveau buildings and good restaurants.
• Bjørvika (Barcode) The new business district with the spectacular Opera House (climbable roof, free), the futuristic Deichman Library and the new National Museum.

Top 5 things to do in Oslo

• Vigeland Sculpture Park (Frognerparken) The 212 bronze, granite and cast-iron sculptures by Gustav Vigeland are accessible 365 days a year, 24 hours, for free. The Monolith (17 metres, 121 intertwined human bodies) is the absolute highlight. Take tram 12 to Vigelandsparken.
• Munch Museum (MUNCH) The most complete collection of Edvard Munch in the world: The Scream, Madonna and more in an impressive new building by the Oslofjord. Admission around 24-25 euros (280 NOK). Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00.
• Oslo Opera House (Operataket) The sloping roof of the opera building runs down to the fjord and is free to walk on: the best view over Bjørvika, the skerries and the bridge to Nesoddtangen. Always open.
• Fjord cruise from Aker Brygge A 2-hour cruise past the islands of the Oslofjord costs around 40 euros and departs several times daily. Jump on the hop-on/hop-off ferry to the islands Hoyskolen, Nakholmen and Hovedoya (around 9 euros day pass).
• Holmenkollen Ski Jump On the hill above the city, reachable by metro line 1. Entry jump and museum around 20 euros (235 NOK). On a clear day you can see far across the fjord from the top. Combine with a walk in the Nordmarka, the forest directly behind the city.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

Schiphol has daily direct connections to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) with KLM and SAS, flight time around 1 hour 50 minutes, return from around 90 euros. Transavia flies 3 times a week direct from Eindhoven to Oslo, also return from around 90 euros. Want cheaper? Ryanair sometimes flies to Oslo Torp (TRF), 110 km further south, but factor in the bus journey (2 hours). The Flytoget airport train takes 19 minutes to the central station, around 20 euros. Budget alternative: the regular Vy train stops at more stations, runs just as fast to the centre and costs around 10 euros.

What does a city break to Oslo cost?

Oslo is one of Europe's most expensive cities, but with planning it's manageable. Hostels from 35 euros per night, mid-range hotels 150 to 220 euros. Food: a pølse (hot dog) 4 euros, lunch 18 to 22 euros, dinner 35 to 50 euros, a pint of beer 11 to 13 euros. Save on transport with the Oslo Pass: 24 hours 49 euros, 48 hours 72 euros, 72 hours 85 euros. Included is unlimited public transport, free entry to 30+ museums and fjord cruises. Without the Oslo Pass, a Ruter train or bus ride costs around 3.80 euros (single; cheaper with a day card at 14.80 euros). Three days including a direct flight: around 600 euros per person.