Oslo Gardermoen Airport Mini Guide
Why do People Travel to Oslo?
Interestingly, Oslo is thought of as not being very attractive to tourists but there is much to recommend it. Destroyed and rebuilt in the 17th century, there aren’t many old buildings and those that remain are generally functional. Whereas many Scandinavian cities have an old heart of wooden buildings, Oslo’s experience with fire meant that wooden buildings were banned from the city centre. Places worth spending time at are the Royal Palace, the City Hall and several of the museums including the one dedicated to Norway’s best known poet and playwright, Henrik Ibsen.
How do I get Into Oslo?
Oslo has three airports, none of them very close to the city but Gardermoen is the closest at twenty miles away. It is Norway’s busiest airport handling just over 21 million passengers last year. Apart from being the closest to the city centre, it also has the easiest access with bus routes, car hire and a direct train route into the city. Flights come from all over Europe and the Middle East with BA and several Scandinavian operators offering flights from London airports.
What is the Airport Like?
The airport is very large and, like
Bergen Airport has flexi-gates to allow for changing domestic gates into international ones should demand require it. The terminal has concourse-like wings with the west dealing with domestic flights and the east wing accepting international ones. The airport has a mix of jet bridges and apron parking for flights but most international flights use the jet bridges. Unusually, the airport styles itself as a ‘silent’ airport and announcements are made only in the immediate vicinity of the intended hearer.
What Should I Expect When I Land at Gardermoen?
If arriving from abroad, you’ll almost certainly use a jet bridge to disembark whilst domestic arrivals may well have to walk to the terminal building. As well as departing passengers, arrivals also go through the duty free shop on the way to passport control. After checks, you’ll need to go down to baggage reclaim. In the arrivals hall you’ll find the help desk which can give you assistance on airport matters. There too, you’ll find a bank and several ATMs for quick cash. The car rental company desks are found there too and you’ll not miss their illuminated signs. The train into Oslo is accessed via the lower level as is other public transport.
What are the Facilities Like for Departing Passengers?
Oslo Gardermoen has a great range of restaurants and cafes as well as a significant number of shops for the departing passenger to browse through after check-in. The expected selection is there including electronic items, fashion, books and magazines and the largest duty free shop in Europe with a huge selection of alcohol, tobacco products, perfumes and gifts. Eating isn’t too upmarket with the food generally of the light snack variety. The food is good though with pizza, a seafood bar, a food court and the traditional Norwegian hotdog. When it’s nearly time for your flight, you’ll have just a little while to enjoy the free Wi-Fi available across the airport.