Traveling through Oslo Airport and need to drop your bags for a few hours or a couple of days? You are not alone. Many travelers plan a layover in Oslo, squeeze in a quick trip to the city, or head straight to the fjords and want to ditch heavy suitcases first. This is a practical guide to storing luggage at Gardermoen, written by a local who has been using the airport for decades.
Yes, you can store your luggage at Gardermoen using self-service lockers at the airport, and there are reliable alternatives in and around Oslo if the airport options do not fit your plans. Expect card payments, simple instructions in English, and flexible storage windows that work for everything from a short coffee run to an overnight adventure.
If you are planning a quick Oslo visit, arriving early for a late flight, or carrying ski gear in winter, this guide walks you through how it works in practice, what it costs, what you can and cannot store, and a few local tricks to keep your day smooth. Let’s take a closer look at luggage storage at Gardermoen and the easy alternatives nearby.
How Luggage Storage Works at Gardermoen
Oslo Airport’s luggage storage is built around self-service lockers located on the public side of the terminal. That means you do not need a boarding pass to access them. Everything is automated: choose a locker size, pay by card, close the door, and you are done. You get a receipt and retrieval code to open the locker later.
The system is designed for short and medium stays. You can usually pay for a set number of hours or for a 24-hour period, then extend if needed. Keep your receipt and code secure and take a photo of the locker number with your phone. If you misplace the code, airport staff can help, but it will take time and ID checks.
Where to Find the Lockers at Oslo Airport
The main bank of lockers is in the arrivals area where both domestic and international passengers exit to the public hall. Signage is clear in English, and the units are grouped by size. If one bank is full, follow the signs to the next closest set. In practice, I see the biggest rush midday during peak travel season, while early mornings and late evenings are quieter.
If you are connecting between flights and want to store something landside, you must exit through arrivals to reach the public hall. Give yourself buffer time to re-clear security for your next flight.
Prices, Sizes, and Time Limits
Locker sizes are typically small, medium, and large. As a rule of thumb:
- Small fits a daypack or briefcase.
- Medium handles a standard carry-on.
- Large swallows a big suitcase or two smaller soft bags.
Pricing is per hour or per 24 hours, with the large units costing more. Norway is card-first, so expect to pay with a debit or credit card. Cash is not standard. If you run over your paid time, the system adds the extra when you reopen the locker. If you plan to leave the bag overnight, paying for a full day up front is usually better value than hourly.
A practical tip from experience: if you are traveling as a pair, one large locker often costs less than two mediums, and it is easier to manage a single retrieval code.
How to Use the Lockers Step by Step
- Choose the locker size that fits your gear without forcing the door. If the door needs a shove, go one size up.
- Follow the on-screen instructions in English, then insert or tap your card.
- Place your items inside, closing the door firmly until it latches.
- Take the receipt or note the code. I always snap a photo of the code and locker number.
- When you return, enter your code, settle any extra time, and collect your bag.
If you have a problem with the touch screen or a payment error, look for the help button on the terminal or walk to the nearest information desk in the arrivals hall. Norwegians are practical about this, and staff will get you sorted.
Oversize Items and Special Cases
Norway means outdoor gear. If you have skis, a hard-shell bike case, fishing tubes, or a cello, the standard lockers may be too small. In that case:
- Ask at the airport information desk about oversize storage options. Availability fluctuates with season, especially winter sports months.
- Consider storing oversize gear at your Oslo hotel even if you are not staying the night. Many hotels will keep items for the day for a small fee if you are a guest either before or after.
- For bike boxes, some travelers flatten the empty cardboard and store only wheels and components, but do this only if you are comfortable re-packing later.
Alternatives Near Gardermoen and in Oslo
If the airport lockers are full, or you prefer to leave bags in the city, you have a few solid options.
Hotels near the airport
Airport hotels at Gardermoen often store luggage for guests. If you are checking in later or already checked out, ask the front desk. It is simple, safe, and sometimes cheaper than multiple large lockers. I use this when I have an early flight and want to sleep near the terminal after a bag-free afternoon in Oslo.
Oslo Central Station lockers
If your day involves the city, lockers at Oslo S are a good hub. The Flytoget express train and local trains deliver you straight to the station in about 20 minutes. You can drop bags at Oslo S, walk to the Opera House, Karl Johans gate, or the Munch museum, then pick everything up on your way back to the airport. The station layout is straightforward, and the locker areas are well signposted.
City luggage services
In Oslo’s center you will also find luggage storage partners operating through booking apps that use cafes, shops, or kiosks as drop points. This can be convenient if you want storage right by a museum or neighborhood you are exploring. Check opening hours carefully so your pickup is not after closing time.
What You Cannot Store and Security Basics
Some items are not allowed in lockers. As a rule, no hazardous materials like fuel canisters, camping gas, fireworks, or anything that could trigger a security alert. If you are carrying outdoor gear:
- Empty and air out camping stoves before packing.
- Knives and tools should be safely sheathed and placed deep inside the bag to avoid accidental damage when you retrieve items.
- Alcohol is fine to store, but watch the customs allowances if you are arriving from abroad and plan to exit the airport before your onward flight.
Remember that police and airport security patrol public areas. Norway is safe, and theft at the airport is uncommon, but it still makes sense to avoid leaving high-value items loose. Lock cameras and laptops inside your main bag, and keep passports and medicine with you.
Using Storage for a Quick Oslo Visit
A classic Gardermoen move is to land in the morning, store your bag, and take the train into the city for a few hours. Here is a simple plan that I use when friends visit:
- Drop the big suitcase in a large locker at the airport.
- Take Flytoget or a regular Vy train into Oslo S.
- Walk to the Opera House and climb the roof for a view of the fjord.
- Stop by the Munch Museum or the National Museum depending on your tastes.
- Lunch at a bakery or a simple seafood place near Aker Brygge.
- Train back to Gardermoen, pick up your bag, and continue your journey.
With tight layovers, set a personal cutoff time for returning to the airport: I aim to be back at the terminal at least two hours before a non-Schengen flight and 90 minutes for domestic or Schengen. Trains are frequent, but padding your schedule beats sprinting through security.
Winter, Summer, and Busy Periods
Season matters in Norway. In winter, you will see more skis and oversize gear, which fills lockers faster. In summer, there are more cruise passengers and long-haul visitors passing through, which also bumps demand. If you are traveling in July, August, or around Christmas and Easter, grab a locker early in the day or consider the Oslo S option.
Weather plays a role too. If you are storing a winter coat or boots, I pack a thin compressible layer in my daypack for city walks. In summer, bring a light rain jacket even on sunny days. Oslo can flip from blue sky to a quick shower, and you will enjoy your bag-free day more if you are not soaked.
Payment, Extensions, and Receipts
All standard cards work. Contactless tap is widely supported. Keep your email receipt if the machine offers to send one. If you decide to extend storage, you normally do it when you return and open the locker, at which point the system calculates the extra time and charges your card.
If your travel changes suddenly, for example a delayed train back from the city, do not panic. The locker does not auto-open when your time runs out. It simply adds the extra hours when you unlock it. That said, do not leave bags for multiple days without checking on them, as overlong storage can trigger a manual review and extra fees.
Local Tips From A Norwegian
- Photograph everything: locker number, receipt, and the bag inside the locker. If the code goes missing, that photo helps the staff verify the bag is yours.
- Avoid hard deadlines: when planning city time, set a quiet alarm 30 minutes before you intend to head back to the airport. It is a gentle nudge that saves stress.
- Think strategically: if you will return to Oslo later in the trip, leave a small stash at your hotel rather than dragging it north. Norwegians are used to guests doing this, and it makes the rest of your journey lighter.
- Pack for security: keep electronics and liquids in your daypack so you can breeze through security after retrieving your bag.
- Use the train app: check live train times before you leave a museum or cafe. If a delay pops up, you will catch it early and adjust.
FAQs
Is there a time limit for storage at Gardermoen?
Storage is set up for hours or days, not long term. If you plan to leave something for more than a couple of days, use a hotel or city service and confirm their maximum duration.
Can I pay with cash?
Plan on card only. Cash is unusual at Norwegian airports.
What if the lockers are full?
Try another bank of lockers in the arrivals hall, store at Oslo Central Station, or use an airport hotel if you are a guest.
Is it safe to leave electronics?
Yes, but put them inside your main bag and lock the locker properly. Norway is safe, and the airport is well supervised.
What about skis or a bike box?
Check with the information desk for oversize options, or arrange storage with your hotel. In winter, oversize capacity fills quickly, so have a backup plan.
With a little planning, storing your luggage at Gardermoen is simple, quick, and lets you enjoy Oslo or a calm airport layover with light shoulders. Norway rewards travelers who keep it uncomplicated, and this is one of the easiest wins in your day.