By Foot: This is an easy place to go it on foot. If you want to wander farther afield, say to the Munch Museum or Holmenkollen Ski Jump, it is very easy to follow the bus/tram/subway system. Ticket kiosks accept local coins or credit cards. By Car: Taxis are available just outside the pier area and throughout the city. Drivers generally speak English, but conversational skills may vary. All taxis accept credit cards but typically do not accept foreign currency. By Bus: There is a hop-on, hop-off bus service that departs every 30 minutes from the cruise terminal. The buses are red double-deckers, and they have multilingual narration and free Wi Fi. They accept credit cards and any major currency. By Boat: There is a ferry service (Ferry No. 91 at Pier 3) that takes passengers to the Bygdoy peninsula, which houses the well-regarded Viking Ship, Kon-Tiki and Fram museums, among others. The ferry ride takes 10-15 minutes.

THE 25 BEST Cruises to Oslo 2024 (with Prices) - Oslo Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic

About Cruising to Oslo

Compared with other Scandinavian capitals, Oslo is a cozy, somewhat provincial city. Fewer tourists come here than, say, Copenhagen, but that doesn't mean tourists won't find plenty that delights. Located on the Aker River at the head of the Oslo Fjord, Norway's capital has modern architecture, hundreds of lakes, lots of parks, world-class museums and public statues nearly everywhere (including a lot of notoriously naked ones).

Oslo covers 175 square miles within its city limits and ranks as one of the world's largest capitals. However, with a population of 600,000, it is the least densely populated capital city in Europe. Norway was once part of Denmark and later part of Sweden, and many of Oslo's buildings -- including the Royal Palace and House of Parliament -- stem from Swedish rule. The country became independent in 1905. Later, Norway was occupied by German forces for five years during World War II (the Nazi history is something Norwegians are now willing to talk about, which may be of particular interest to World War II buffs). Traveling there, you'll notice the high standard of living (and that things aren't exactly cheap). It's so expensive, in fact, that many Norwegians go to Sweden to shop. Still, Norway is one of the richest countries in the world, thanks in no small part to its North Sea offshore oil.

Oslo residents are big on nature and proud of their pristine forests and fjord. For cruise passengers, the ship's approach and departure through the Oslo Fjord provide fine views of the natural scenery and small fishing villages. Cameras ready! Find upcoming cruises to Oslo on our Norway cruise itineraries.

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More about Oslo

Why Cruise to Oslo?

Pros:

Visitors will find a plethora of parks, museums and scenic lakes

Cons:

The weather can vary significantly on any given day; layers are essential

Bottom Line:

Oslo is a nice change from some of the more remote ports on Norway itineraries

Oslo Cruise Port Facilities?

At the cruise ship terminal, there are souvenir shops, a coffee shop and a tourist information booth that offers free maps and sightseeing tours. The terminal has Wi-Fi and a currency exchange.

Good to Know?

The weather in Oslo can vary a lot in a single day. It's best to dress in layers and carry an umbrella. (The rainiest month is August.)

Getting Around?

By Foot: This is an easy place to go it on foot. If you want to wander farther afield, say to the Munch Museum or Holmenkollen Ski Jump, it is very easy to follow the bus/tram/subway system. Ticket kiosks accept local coins or credit cards.

By Car: Taxis are available just outside the pier area and throughout the city. Drivers generally speak English, but conversational skills may vary. All taxis accept credit cards but typically do not accept foreign currency.

By Bus: There is a hop-on, hop-off bus service that departs every 30 minutes from the cruise terminal. The buses are red double-deckers, and they have multilingual narration and free Wi Fi. They accept credit cards and any major currency.

By Boat: There is a ferry service (Ferry No. 91 at Pier 3) that takes passengers to the Bygdoy peninsula, which houses the well-regarded Viking Ship, Kon-Tiki and Fram museums, among others. The ferry ride takes 10-15 minutes.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK). The cheapest way to get money is to use your debit card at one of the plenty of ATMs. For updated currency-conversion figures, visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Language?

Norwegian, though most folks speak English.

Where You're Docked?

The city features two cruise ship docks, and both are centrally located on either side of the Akershus Fortress. They are within easy walking distance of downtown attractions and Oslo's exciting harborfront. The most you'll have to walk is 20 minutes (if you are at the closest dock, you are about five minutes from City Hall).