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Getting around Oslo

Public transport: 

Oslo has a comprehensive and efficient public transport network of trains, buses, trams, ferries and underground (T-Bane), mostly operated by Oslo Sporveier. For more information on all public transport in and around Oslo visit Trafikanten, Jerbanetorget 1 (tel: 177; website: www.trafikanten.no), located in front of the Central Station.

Some 50 separate bus lines and eight different tram lines cover the city. These can be boarded opposite Oslo S station on Jerbanetorget, with tickets available from the driver. The Oslo T-Bane consists of five underground lines. Tickets are available from vending machines at the various stations.

Båtservice Sightseeing A/S (tel: 2335 6890; website: www.boatsightseeing.com) operates seasonal ferries (April-October) from City Hall to Bygdøy Island, where many museums are situated. Other small ferries operate from Vippetangen, just behind Akershus Slott, to all the harbour basin islands.

Taxis: 

Taxi ranks can be found throughout the city, mainly near the shopping centre, city squares and outside Oslo S station. When it is very busy or late at night, long waits may be experienced at ranks. Cabs are operated by Oslo Taxi (tel: 02323; website: www.oslotaxi.no) and Norges Taxi (tel: 08000; website: www.norgestaxi.no) and advance bookings can be made at any time.

Driving: 

Driving in Oslo is fairly straightforward. However, the city is relatively small and has an excellent public transport system, so a car is really unnecessary, unless longer trips are planned. Rush hours (0700-0900 and 1500-1800) are best avoided and navigating can be difficult, as there is a complicated one-way system.

Another plus point for public transport is that parking is a nightmare in Oslo, with many places having a one- or even half-hour maximum stay. Illegal parking or overstaying the allotted time is dealt with severely - fines start at NOK500. Once a parking spot has been found, a ticket must be obtained from the on-street ticket machine and displayed in the vehicle windscreen. Controlled city centre street parking spots are free to Oslo Card holders (see Sightseeing). There are daytime car parks at C J Hambros Plass, Prinsens gate, Chr. Krohgsgate, Oslo Plaza, Asker Stasjon and Skøyen Stasjon.

Car hire: 

The major car hire providers are Avis, Munkedamsveien (tel: 8153 3044; website: www.avis.no), Budget, Munkedamsveien (tel: 8156 0600; website: www.budget.no), and Hertz, Holbergsgate (tel: 6716 8000; website: www.hertz.no). The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years and a credit card will be required as security. The driver must have a national driving licence (in Roman script), which he/she has held for a minimum of one year. Insurance is mandatory and tends to be included in the cost of the hire.

Bicycle hire: 

Information about cycling can be obtained from Syklistenes Landsforening, Storgata 23D, Operapassasjen (tel: 2247 3030; website: www.slf.no). Bicycles can be hired from A/S Ski Service, Voksenkollen Stasjon (tel: 2213 9504).

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