Review is indicated in RED, wrote it after traveling. Black one is planning, wrote before traveling.
Money
as of 27-Jun-2015.
Credit Card could be used almost everywhere, so I didn't use a lot of cash.
ATM is everywhere too.
Phone
Buy Telenor at the airport. You should be able to pick up a Pay-as-you go SIM card in both the kiosk or Computer/Phone shop (this shop is next to the car rental desks), and get it activated.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g190455-i550-k5097573-Cell_Phone_coverage_and_Prepaid_SIM_card-Norway.html
Do
Norway in Nutshell
Scenic trip, from Oslo to Bergen, using varieties of transport tool.
Oslo-Myrdal by local train
Myrdal-Flam by touristic Flam Railway
Flam-Gudvangen by Fjord cruise
Gudvangen-Voss by bus
Voss-Bergen by local train
Bought the ticket in website, had to exchange in Oslo Central station.
There was no guide, we just ride on the right transport using the given tickets.
I don't know whether it is cheaper to travel by this, or buying alone separately.
But it is a nice day trip, enjoyed beautiful scenery areas, including snow area and fjords.
Oslo Pride
http://www.oslopride.no/?lang=en
Pride park at Spikersuppa in to a great lhbtiq village, 24-26 June.
Parade, 27 June 13:00 - 15:00, started in the district Grønland, ends up in Pride Park.
Parade Show, after the parade at Pride park, 16:00-17:00.
The Closing Party June 27, 22:00- at Rockefeller Music Hall.
City and Place
Oslo
http://www.visitoslo.com/
The older or historical part of the city, may less spectacular and less beautiful than Stockholm and Copenhagen, but Oslo boasts spectaculars new areas with spectacular architectural buildings.
Bought the Oslo Pass that includes entrances to most museums and public transportation, including the ferry to Bygdøy Peninsula.
Karl Johan Gate
The main pedestrian street, stretched from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace.
The Norwegian National Opera & Balled (Oslo's Opera House)
http://operaen.no/en/
Guided Tour: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=247070&Guided-tour-of-the-Opera-House-Eng-
Very nice and cool architectural building in the waterfront.
Enjoyed sitting and watching people here.
Nobels Fredssenter
Not included in Oslo Pass.
Loved this place better than Nobel Prize Center in Stockholm.
Akershus Fortress
Changing of the guard at 13:30. Only small / few number of guards, better watch at the Royal Palace.
Nice old fortress in the waterfront next to the City Hall park.
City Hall and its waterfront park
A nice place to relax, remind me of Yokohama Yamashita Park.
Akershus Fortress is in on one edge and Nobel Peace Center is on the other edge.
The ferry for Bigdoy Peninsula (Oslo Pass can be used, but no Ruter Pass) departs from here.
Admission NOK 120 (free with Oslo Card)
Spectacular architectural work, a bit far from the center, but easily reached by train.
Located in a quite and nice neighbourhood.
From the station need to walk uphill about 20 minutes.
There is ski museum inside.
The view from the top is nice, could see the sea.
There is ski simulator, but it was so so, not that thrilling.
Vigeland Park
Very big and nice park, full of bronze statues of naked people from all ages.
The most famous of all statues is the crying boy statue.
There is a tall magnificent obelisk.
Royal Palace
Joined the official guided tour inside the palace. Bought the ticket in Seven Eleven in front of the main station.
The tour was full of interesting information and fact and history on Scandinavia.
The changing of the guard in front of the palace is interesting, but also boring since the duration is too long.
Barcode
A nice modern area with nice architectural buildings.
(from Wikivoyage)
(Bjørvika, Dronning Eufemias gate, Located between the Central Station and the Opera). Barcode defines a new waterfront in the Bjørvika area. The plan for the new structures was adopted in 2003, and as of 2015 nine buildings are finished, and two are under construction. Three more are planned. While the buildings contribute to a spectacular waterfront, viewed from the seaside, they also block much of the sea-view from the other side, and therefore their contribution to the concept of "Fjordbyen", the initiative of the Oslo City Council to make the entire waterfront from Frognerstranda (west), to Bekkelaget (south-east) available for public recreation, is disputed. The buildings are mostly inhabited by actors in the financial and consulting business (PWC, KLP, Deloitte etc.), while the MAD building holds private apartments.
Museums at Bygdøy Peninsula
Fram Museum
Oslo Pass.
Features the vessel Fram, the worlds first ice breaker and the last polar expedition ship made of wood, and presents a history of polar exploration.
Kon Tiki
Oslo Pass.
Displays Tor Heyerdahl's balsa raft Kon-Tiki, and Ra II, as well as some other artefacts from Easter Island.
Vikingskipshuset
Oslo Pass.
There are 3 viking ships inside. Not that big ship.
Oslo new neighborhood
Tjuvholmen
(from VisitOslo.com)
The area known as Tjuvholmen is a recent addition to Oslo's varied collection of boroughs. The buildings that make up the area are drawn by some 20 different architects, creating a concentrated display of current trends in architecture.
Tjuvholmen is also characterised by elaborate outdoor spaces, including several humorous outdoor artworks.
At the point where Tjuvholmen meets the fjord you find one of Oslo's new main attractions, master architect Renzo Piano’s Astrup Fearnley Museum.
Loved this pretty area, with modern and cool buildings. A lot of restaurants and drinking places.
Vulkan
(from VisitOslo.com)
At the once industry-heavy bank of the river Akerselva, one of Oslo’s most interesting new city development projects, called Vulkan, has come to life. Innovative, eco-friendly architecture defines this neighbourhood, which, among other sustainable features, has a local energy centre with 300-metre deep geothermal wells, and an office building with an exterior that is visually defined by its extensive solar water heating system.
Vulkan brings together a multitude of people and enterprises, and the area comprises two hotels, schools, Oslo's first food hall, office spaces, cultural venues, restaurants, and apartments. In 2014, Vulkan also welcomed urban bees to two large beehives designed by Snøhetta architects.
There was a nice walking path along the small river.
Bergen
http://www.visitbergen.com/en/
Took the cable car to the top.
Nice view of the city.
Can be visited by hiking, but missed it.
Bryggen
UNESCO World Heritage site for its colorful wooden houses.
I think only the waterfront stretch of buildings are pretty.
Inside still many constructions were ongoing.
Eat
Oslo
Tekehtopa
a former pharmacy.
Visited. Near the National Museum.
Apent Bakeri
LP author's choice. cheapest breakfast
Lofotstua
Seafood restaurant. Not far from Vigeland Park.
As per LP, run by a family from Lofoten Islands.
In the menu, per fish per sheet.
Not bad.
Bergen
Pingvinen
www.pingvinen.no
Highly recommended by Lonely Planet and Wikitravel.
Went there at about 22:00.
Beer Hansa Pilsner 40cl, NOK 66; Lapskaus (stew), NOK 129, not bad.
Place a bit dark.
Godt Brød Marken
Had nice breakfast at this place.
We can customize the burger.
Located between the cable car station and the harbour.
NOK 89.
Stay
Oslo
Oslo Hostel Central
https://www.hihostels.com/hostels/oslo-central
Chose due to its location.
Booked at Hostelworld.com at NOK 325 per night per bed.
Bergen
Marken Gjestehus
http://marken-gjestehus.com/
Chose due to its location and review.
Booked directly at its website for NOK 270 per night per bed.
Transportation
Oslo Airport
The trains can obviously take you from the airport to Lillestrøm S and Oslo S as well.
https://www.nsb.no/en/9908/oslo-gardermoen
Ruter's Ticket
https://ruter.no/en/buying-tickets/tickets-and-fares/
24 hours = NOK 90
Ruter's tickets can be used on the Metro, trams, buses, ferries and trains in Oslo and Akershus, but are not valid on airport shuttle buses, the Airport Express Train, TIMEkspressen or the Bygdøy ferries.
Bergen Airport
At the airport the Airport Bus is waiting for you outside the arrival area. The airport is located about 15 kilometers south of Bergen and the journey takes about 30 minutes.
Weekdays the Airport Bus runs every 15 minutes from the center between the hours 06.15 to 20.30. The bus also has frequent departures Saturdays (every 20 minutes) and Sundays (every 15 minutes).
When you arrive at Bergen Airport Flesland outside of these hours there is always a bus waiting for you just outside the arrival hall both weekdays, weekends and holidays. This is for scheduled flights only. (Not charter flights.)
Both to and from the Airport the bus stops at the following places: Lagunen
Shopping Center, Bergen Bus Station platform N (next to the train station), Radisson Blu Hotel Norge, Fish Market and Radisson BLU Royal Hotel at Bryggen. All stops are announced. Please signal when you wish to depart.
Money
| NOK 1 | USD 0.13 | JPY 15.18 |
Credit Card could be used almost everywhere, so I didn't use a lot of cash.
ATM is everywhere too.
Phone
Buy Telenor at the airport. You should be able to pick up a Pay-as-you go SIM card in both the kiosk or Computer/Phone shop (this shop is next to the car rental desks), and get it activated.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g190455-i550-k5097573-Cell_Phone_coverage_and_Prepaid_SIM_card-Norway.html
Do
Norway in Nutshell
Scenic trip, from Oslo to Bergen, using varieties of transport tool.
Oslo-Myrdal by local train
Myrdal-Flam by touristic Flam Railway
Flam-Gudvangen by Fjord cruise
Gudvangen-Voss by bus
Voss-Bergen by local train
Bought the ticket in website, had to exchange in Oslo Central station.
There was no guide, we just ride on the right transport using the given tickets.
I don't know whether it is cheaper to travel by this, or buying alone separately.
But it is a nice day trip, enjoyed beautiful scenery areas, including snow area and fjords.
Oslo Pride
http://www.oslopride.no/?lang=en
Pride park at Spikersuppa in to a great lhbtiq village, 24-26 June.
Parade, 27 June 13:00 - 15:00, started in the district Grønland, ends up in Pride Park.
Parade Show, after the parade at Pride park, 16:00-17:00.
The Closing Party June 27, 22:00- at Rockefeller Music Hall.
City and Place
Oslo
http://www.visitoslo.com/
The older or historical part of the city, may less spectacular and less beautiful than Stockholm and Copenhagen, but Oslo boasts spectaculars new areas with spectacular architectural buildings.
Bought the Oslo Pass that includes entrances to most museums and public transportation, including the ferry to Bygdøy Peninsula.
Karl Johan Gate
The main pedestrian street, stretched from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace.
The Norwegian National Opera & Balled (Oslo's Opera House)
http://operaen.no/en/
Guided Tour: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=247070&Guided-tour-of-the-Opera-House-Eng-
Very nice and cool architectural building in the waterfront.
Enjoyed sitting and watching people here.
Nobels Fredssenter
Not included in Oslo Pass.
Loved this place better than Nobel Prize Center in Stockholm.
Akershus Fortress
Changing of the guard at 13:30. Only small / few number of guards, better watch at the Royal Palace.
Nice old fortress in the waterfront next to the City Hall park.
City Hall and its waterfront park
A nice place to relax, remind me of Yokohama Yamashita Park.
Akershus Fortress is in on one edge and Nobel Peace Center is on the other edge.
The ferry for Bigdoy Peninsula (Oslo Pass can be used, but no Ruter Pass) departs from here.
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
09:00
-
20:00
09:00-20:00Admission NOK 120 (free with Oslo Card)
Spectacular architectural work, a bit far from the center, but easily reached by train.
Located in a quite and nice neighbourhood.
From the station need to walk uphill about 20 minutes.
There is ski museum inside.
The view from the top is nice, could see the sea.
There is ski simulator, but it was so so, not that thrilling.
Vigeland Park
Very big and nice park, full of bronze statues of naked people from all ages.
The most famous of all statues is the crying boy statue.
There is a tall magnificent obelisk.
Royal Palace
Joined the official guided tour inside the palace. Bought the ticket in Seven Eleven in front of the main station.
The tour was full of interesting information and fact and history on Scandinavia.
The changing of the guard in front of the palace is interesting, but also boring since the duration is too long.
Barcode
A nice modern area with nice architectural buildings.
(from Wikivoyage)
(Bjørvika, Dronning Eufemias gate, Located between the Central Station and the Opera). Barcode defines a new waterfront in the Bjørvika area. The plan for the new structures was adopted in 2003, and as of 2015 nine buildings are finished, and two are under construction. Three more are planned. While the buildings contribute to a spectacular waterfront, viewed from the seaside, they also block much of the sea-view from the other side, and therefore their contribution to the concept of "Fjordbyen", the initiative of the Oslo City Council to make the entire waterfront from Frognerstranda (west), to Bekkelaget (south-east) available for public recreation, is disputed. The buildings are mostly inhabited by actors in the financial and consulting business (PWC, KLP, Deloitte etc.), while the MAD building holds private apartments.
Museums at Bygdøy Peninsula
Fram Museum
Oslo Pass.
Features the vessel Fram, the worlds first ice breaker and the last polar expedition ship made of wood, and presents a history of polar exploration.
Kon Tiki
Oslo Pass.
Displays Tor Heyerdahl's balsa raft Kon-Tiki, and Ra II, as well as some other artefacts from Easter Island.
Vikingskipshuset
Oslo Pass.
There are 3 viking ships inside. Not that big ship.
Oslo new neighborhood
Tjuvholmen
(from VisitOslo.com)
The area known as Tjuvholmen is a recent addition to Oslo's varied collection of boroughs. The buildings that make up the area are drawn by some 20 different architects, creating a concentrated display of current trends in architecture.
Tjuvholmen is also characterised by elaborate outdoor spaces, including several humorous outdoor artworks.
At the point where Tjuvholmen meets the fjord you find one of Oslo's new main attractions, master architect Renzo Piano’s Astrup Fearnley Museum.
Loved this pretty area, with modern and cool buildings. A lot of restaurants and drinking places.
Vulkan
(from VisitOslo.com)
At the once industry-heavy bank of the river Akerselva, one of Oslo’s most interesting new city development projects, called Vulkan, has come to life. Innovative, eco-friendly architecture defines this neighbourhood, which, among other sustainable features, has a local energy centre with 300-metre deep geothermal wells, and an office building with an exterior that is visually defined by its extensive solar water heating system.
Vulkan brings together a multitude of people and enterprises, and the area comprises two hotels, schools, Oslo's first food hall, office spaces, cultural venues, restaurants, and apartments. In 2014, Vulkan also welcomed urban bees to two large beehives designed by Snøhetta architects.
There was a nice walking path along the small river.
Bergen
http://www.visitbergen.com/en/
At
the once industry-heavy bank of the river Akerselva, one of Oslo’s most
interesting new city development projects, called Vulkan, has come to
life. Innovative, eco-friendly architecture defines this neighbourhood,
which, among other sustainable features, has a local energy centre with
300-metre deep geothermal wells, and an office building with an exterior
that is visually defined by its extensive solar water heating system.
Vulkan brings together a multitude of people and enterprises, and the area comprises two hotels, schools, Oslo's first food hall, office spaces, cultural venues, restaurants, and apartments. In 2014, Vulkan also welcomed urban bees to two large beehives designed by Snøhetta architects. - See more at: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=554752&Vulkan#sthash.ICIOOe6g.dpuf
Vulkan brings together a multitude of people and enterprises, and the area comprises two hotels, schools, Oslo's first food hall, office spaces, cultural venues, restaurants, and apartments. In 2014, Vulkan also welcomed urban bees to two large beehives designed by Snøhetta architects. - See more at: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=554752&Vulkan#sthash.ICIOOe6g.dpuf
At
the once industry-heavy bank of the river Akerselva, one of Oslo’s most
interesting new city development projects, called Vulkan, has come to
life. Innovative, eco-friendly architecture defines this neighbourhood,
which, among other sustainable features, has a local energy centre with
300-metre deep geothermal wells, and an office building with an exterior
that is visually defined by its extensive solar water heating system.
Vulkan brings together a multitude of people and enterprises, and the area comprises two hotels, schools, Oslo's first food hall, office spaces, cultural venues, restaurants, and apartments. In 2014, Vulkan also welcomed urban bees to two large beehives designed by Snøhetta architects. - See more at: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=554752&Vulkan#sthash.ICIOOe6g.dpuf
Mount FløyenVulkan brings together a multitude of people and enterprises, and the area comprises two hotels, schools, Oslo's first food hall, office spaces, cultural venues, restaurants, and apartments. In 2014, Vulkan also welcomed urban bees to two large beehives designed by Snøhetta architects. - See more at: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=554752&Vulkan#sthash.ICIOOe6g.dpuf
Took the cable car to the top.
Nice view of the city.
Can be visited by hiking, but missed it.
Bryggen
UNESCO World Heritage site for its colorful wooden houses.
I think only the waterfront stretch of buildings are pretty.
Inside still many constructions were ongoing.
Eat
Oslo
Tekehtopa
a former pharmacy.
Visited. Near the National Museum.
Apent Bakeri
LP author's choice. cheapest breakfast
Lofotstua
Seafood restaurant. Not far from Vigeland Park.
As per LP, run by a family from Lofoten Islands.
In the menu, per fish per sheet.
Not bad.
Bergen
Pingvinen
www.pingvinen.no
Highly recommended by Lonely Planet and Wikitravel.
Went there at about 22:00.
Beer Hansa Pilsner 40cl, NOK 66; Lapskaus (stew), NOK 129, not bad.
Place a bit dark.
Godt Brød Marken
Had nice breakfast at this place.
We can customize the burger.
Located between the cable car station and the harbour.
NOK 89.
Stay
Oslo
Oslo Hostel Central
https://www.hihostels.com/hostels/oslo-central
Chose due to its location.
Booked at Hostelworld.com at NOK 325 per night per bed.
Bergen
Marken Gjestehus
http://marken-gjestehus.com/
Chose due to its location and review.
Booked directly at its website for NOK 270 per night per bed.
Transportation
Oslo Airport
Get from Oslo to Gardermoen Airport in 23 mins, for half the price. NSB has 50 departures from Oslo to Gardermoen every day.
Our trains run on the same railway as Flytoget but the tickets
are only 90 kr. If you start your journey at Lillestrøm to
get to to Oslo Airport Gardermoen, you only pay 70 kr. You can
get to Oslo Airport Gardermoen from Oslo in less than half
an hour with NSB.
The trains can obviously take you from the airport to Lillestrøm S and Oslo S as well.
https://www.nsb.no/en/9908/oslo-gardermoen
Ruter's Ticket
https://ruter.no/en/buying-tickets/tickets-and-fares/
24 hours = NOK 90
Ruter's tickets can be used on the Metro, trams, buses, ferries and trains in Oslo and Akershus, but are not valid on airport shuttle buses, the Airport Express Train, TIMEkspressen or the Bygdøy ferries.
Bergen Airport
At the airport the Airport Bus is waiting for you outside the arrival area. The airport is located about 15 kilometers south of Bergen and the journey takes about 30 minutes.
Weekdays the Airport Bus runs every 15 minutes from the center between the hours 06.15 to 20.30. The bus also has frequent departures Saturdays (every 20 minutes) and Sundays (every 15 minutes).
When you arrive at Bergen Airport Flesland outside of these hours there is always a bus waiting for you just outside the arrival hall both weekdays, weekends and holidays. This is for scheduled flights only. (Not charter flights.)
Both to and from the Airport the bus stops at the following places: Lagunen
Shopping Center, Bergen Bus Station platform N (next to the train station), Radisson Blu Hotel Norge, Fish Market and Radisson BLU Royal Hotel at Bryggen. All stops are announced. Please signal when you wish to depart.
