Capital city, Norway
Oslo
Compact fjord capital with great museums, saunas, forests and ski slopes at the metro's end. Easy and safe for solo travelers but among the most expensive cities in Europe.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,910–4,370Comfortable, one person · kr28,000–42,000Details
- Value for money13/100Better value than 12% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 22°CDetails
- Air quality9 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet157 MbpsFixed broadband, Norway medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent tap water from lakes; refill freely and drink from public fountains.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$52–125Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessPractically cashless; cards and Vipps work almost everywhere, and some places refuse cash.Details
Where to stay in Oslo
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Grünerløkka | Cafés, vintage shops and nightlife; popular with young visitors |
| Sentrum and Bjørvika | Opera House, station and sights; central but pricey |
| Frogner | Upscale, quiet and polished; near Vigeland Park |
| St. Hanshaugen | Residential and central, with parks and good restaurants |
| Majorstuen | Metro hub and shopping; handy for the forest lines |
Apps that work in Oslo
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Messenger, WhatsApp
- Entur: National journey planner and train tickets
- Ruter: Oslo transit tickets
- Yr: Weather forecasts locals rely on
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and very expensive, with high night and weekend surcharges. Use apps or the Oslo Taxi app and avoid unlicensed touts.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Norway.
- Practically cashless Practically cashless; cards and Vipps work almost everywhere, and some places refuse cash. Carry a card.
- Currency: Krone (NOK). US$1 ≈ kr9.62 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are few; bank machines rarely add local fees. Decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Tipping: Service is included. Rounding up or up to 10% for great restaurant service is appreciated, not expected.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; Vipps needs a Norwegian bank account and BankID.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
- Svalbard is outside Schengen: if you need a Schengen visa, get a double-entry one to return to the mainland.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs (kontantkort) need ID registration; foreigners register with a passport in store. EU roaming rules apply here too. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Norway
Going to Oslo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Oslo meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.