Is Oslo safe?
Very safe with normal city care. Pickpocketing around the station and drug dealing in a few spots are the main issues; violent crime against visitors is rare.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-07-05.
- Homicide rate in Norway: 0.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Norway: 2.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110.
Safety in Oslo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing at Oslo S, Karl Johans gate and on airport trains; bike and phone theft. Open drug dealing near Oslo S and Plata. |
| At night | The center is safe after dark and night buses and metro run on weekends. Bar streets get rowdy on Fridays and Saturdays. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Standard care late at night near the station and bars. |
| Other risks | Slippery pavements and ice Dec–Mar; Thin ice on lakes and the fjord edge; Cold-water shock when swimming |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Distraction theft at Oslo S and on the airport train
- Unlicensed taxis at the airport and train station quoting high fares
- Fake charity clipboards in the center
Take care
- Oslo S and Plata area at night: drug dealing and intoxicated people
- Some eastern suburbs at night: gang activity, mostly not aimed at visitors
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- The drink-driving limit is 0.2‰, and speeding fines are among Europe's highest.
- Open fires in or near forests are banned 15 April–15 September.
- Wine and spirits sell only at Vinmonopolet; supermarket beer sales stop at 20:00 (18:00 Saturday).
How Oslo compares in Norway
Quick answers
Is Oslo safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women; harassment is uncommon. Standard care late at night near the station and bars.
Is Oslo safe at night?
The center is safe after dark and night buses and metro run on weekends. Bar streets get rowdy on Fridays and Saturdays.
What is the crime rate in Oslo?
Pickpocketing at Oslo S, Karl Johans gate and on airport trains; bike and phone theft. Open drug dealing near Oslo S and Plata. Nationally, Norway records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Oslo?
Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110.
More about Oslo
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ruter
- Avinor Oslo Airport
- Visit Oslo
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.