Landing at Oslo Airport Gardermoen feels refreshingly straightforward, and getting into the city is one of the easier airport transfers in Europe. You have several good options that balance speed, price, and comfort. Trains run directly from the terminal, airport coaches cover key hotel areas, and taxis or rideshares are simple if you’re carrying lots of luggage or arriving late.
If you want the quick answer: the train is usually the best choice. The airport express train Flytoget is the fastest and the simplest to use. The regular Vy trains are almost as fast and typically cost less. Airport buses are useful if your hotel is near their stops. Taxis are comfortable but the most expensive, and driving is rarely worth it unless you’re continuing beyond Oslo.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the options, with practical tips I’ve learned from years of meeting friends and family at Gardermoen and doing this trip more times than I can count.
Flytoget: The Airport Express Train
Flytoget is the slick, purpose-built airport express that runs straight from the terminal to central Oslo. Travel time to Oslo Central Station is about 20 minutes, and just a few minutes more to Nationaltheatret. Trains run frequently throughout the day. You’ll find the platforms directly below arrivals; follow the black-and-white “Tog/Train” signs, take the escalator or elevator down, and you’re on the platform in minutes.
What makes Flytoget so easy is payment and boarding. You can tap in with a contactless bank card or mobile wallet at the gate or buy a ticket at the machines. Onboard, there’s plenty of luggage space near the doors, overhead racks for smaller bags, and free Wi-Fi. If you’re new to Norway or just want the least friction possible after a long flight, this is the no-brainer option.
Local tip: If you’re staying west of Oslo Central Station, consider getting off at Nationaltheatret. It’s closer to many business hotels and neighborhoods like Aker Brygge and Majorstuen, which can save you a taxi hop at the end.
Vy Regional and Commuter Trains
Vy runs regular regional and commuter trains on the same line. They depart from the same station area under the terminal, but use separate platforms and branding. Travel time is usually around 23 to 25 minutes to Oslo S, and departures are frequent throughout the day. In practice, you might arrive at the platform and the next train happens to be Vy rather than Flytoget, which is fine as long as you buy the right ticket.
Vy is generally cheaper than Flytoget, which makes it a great pick if you’re traveling on a budget or with a group. Buy tickets in the Vy app or at the machines before boarding. Conductors do check, and the two systems are not interchangeable, so make sure you board the train that matches your ticket. If the screen on the platform says “Flytoget,” do not use a Vy ticket, and vice versa.
Local tip: The Vy app is straightforward and works well in English. I usually purchase as I’m walking to the platform. If you prefer a one-stop national app, the Entur app also sells tickets for these services.
Airport Buses: Handy for Specific Neighborhoods
The airport coaches connect Gardermoen with hotels and neighborhoods not right by the central train stations. They take longer than the train because of surface traffic and multiple stops, so plan for roughly 45 to 60 minutes depending on where you are going and the time of day. If your accommodation is right on one of their routes, the bus can be very convenient and save you a short walk or tram ride at the end.
You can buy tickets online in advance, at the airport machines, or from the driver. Luggage is stored under the bus, so it is a comfortable option if you have large suitcases. I tend to recommend the bus for travelers heading to areas like Bygdøy, the embassy district, or hotels with dedicated stops, or for very early or late trips when a direct bus fits your timing better than the next train.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing
Taxis line up outside arrivals, and several companies post fixed airport rates into central Oslo at the taxi rank. Ask for the fixed price before you get in and confirm which part of the city it covers. Prices vary by company and time of day, but this will be your most expensive option.
Ride-hailing services operate in Oslo with licensed drivers. Depending on demand, the price may be similar to a taxi. The experience is convenient if you have children in tow, heavy winter gear, or you’re arriving with skis and would rather avoid stairs and platforms. Expect 40 to 50 minutes into the city in normal traffic. During peak hours or snowy weather, give yourself extra time.
Local tip: If your hotel is near Barcode/Oslo S, the train plus a short walk usually beats a taxi on both time and money. If you’re staying in Holmenkollen, Grefsen, or suburban addresses, a taxi might be worth it to avoid multiple transfers with luggage.
Renting a Car and Driving
I only recommend renting a car at Gardermoen if you’re heading out of Oslo right away to places like Lillehammer, Trysil, or the fjords. For the city center, a car is a hassle. Parking is expensive, one-way systems can be confusing, and you will pay tolls on the way in. The drive is straightforward along the E6, and plan around 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic, but public transport is designed to make the airport-to-city leg painless without the overhead of pickup, tolls, and parking.
Local tip: If you must rent, consider picking up the car in the city the next day. You’ll avoid paying for an unused vehicle while you sleep and skip airport pickup queues.
Night and Early-Morning Travel
Early flights and late arrivals are common here. There is usually train service from very early morning until late at night, though frequencies can drop. If your timing falls into a quiet window or there are planned works on the line, the airport coach often fills the gap. Taxis are available around the clock.
My habit for red-eyes is simple: check the Flytoget and Vy apps on landing to see which train is next. If there’s a wait or a gap, I look at the airport bus. With winter weather or storms, having the bus as a backup is helpful.
Buying Tickets and Paying
Norway is almost entirely cashless for travel. Cards and mobile wallets are the norm and work everywhere. A few quick rules of thumb:
Flytoget
You can tap your bank card or phone at the gates. You can also buy a QR ticket at the machine or in the app. Keep the card or ticket handy in case of checks at the exit gates in the city.
Vy trains
Buy in the Vy app or at the ticket machines before boarding. If you use the national Entur app, it will also sell the correct Vy ticket. Screens on the platform and on the front of the train clearly show whether it is Vy or Flytoget. Match your ticket to the train brand to avoid a fine.
Airport buses
Tickets are sold online, in apps, at airport machines, or from the driver. I prefer buying ahead, especially when traveling with family, just to step straight on.
Public transport passes
Oslo’s Ruter tickets do not cover Flytoget. Rules for other trains and zones can be nuanced, and they change from time to time, so if you plan to combine an airport trip with local transit on the same ticket, verify in the relevant app first. When in doubt, buy a dedicated airport ticket.
Traveling With Kids, Skis, and Big Luggage
Traveling with family and gear is normal in Norway, especially in winter. Both train options have luggage racks by the doors and space for strollers. On busy winter weekends, stand near your bags if they’re on the floor racks. If you’re carrying skis, board early and use the vertical racks by the doors or lay them on the floor in a way that doesn’t block passages.
For babies and toddlers, I find the train plus a short walk beats wrangling everyone into a taxi, and station elevators in both the airport and the city are reliable. If you have a lot of checked luggage or multiple small children, a pre-booked taxi or rideshare can be worth the cost.
Which Option Should You Choose
If you value speed and simplicity, take Flytoget. If you want good value without much compromise on time, take a Vy train. If your hotel is right on an airport bus route or it’s a weird hour, the bus is convenient. If you have heavy gear, you’re traveling as a larger group, or you just want door-to-door service, a taxi or rideshare does the job.
As a local, my default is Vy if I’m not in a rush, and Flytoget when I want the smoothest experience. Either way, the airport transfer in Oslo is one of those small travel wins that lets you relax a bit after the flight and ease into the city.