About Oslo Airport
Just 19 miles from the City of Oslo, the Oslo Airport is the largest airport in Norway, serving almost 30 million passengers per year. It was first used for the Norwegian Army in the 1940s but was revamped as a major commercial airline port in 1998. It was modeled after the airport in Atlanta, Georgia with only one terminal, two runways, and 72 gates covering over 2.8 million square feet.
If you get hungry, Oslo Airport has you covered with more than 30 eateries divided between the domestic and international areas. You can also find food products as well as souvenirs and gifts at over two dozen shops and boutiques around the airport. Even if you are just looking for a newspaper or some aspirin, you can find it all here.
As the capital of Norway, Oslo is the perfect place for this airport. It is considered a world center or alpha city, and was ranked the Beta World City in 2008, best quality of life in Europe in 2012, and one of the most livable cities in the world in 2019. Built during the Viking period, it was founded in 1049 by the King of Norway, Harald Sigurdsson.
Fun Fact: Education is free in Oslo – including college.
Things to do in and near Oslo Airport
Don’t know what to do with yourself while waiting for your flight? There is plenty to get into in and around the Oslo Airport. You will want to drop off your luggage with one of Bounce’s affiliates, so you don’t have to drag it along and worry about it. No matter whether you have an hour or 12 hours, you will find something to spark your interest here. Bounce has some suggestions to keep you busy for a while.
- Get something to eat at Bølgen og Moi Food Garage just so you can tell people you ate at a food garage. According to those who have eaten there, it is quite good, and many recommend the Norwegian burger.
- Have a drink at one (or more) of the bars in the airport. Bar Oslo is an excellent choice in the Non-Schengen area as is the Aquavit Bar by Gate E2. O’Leary’s Sports Bar by Gate E8 is also a great place for a beer and some food.
- Visit the Ullensaker Museum nearby, a tribute to war history.
- Hit the Tax-Free Shop in the arrivals hall at the Non-Schengen Area.
- Head to the Tanum Book Store where you can find both English and Norwegian books including best sellers and new releases.
- Gamle Hvam Museum displays and explains how farmers lived 300 years ago.
- The airport has two hotels you can rent for just the day. Take a nap, watch a movie, or just chill out in peace for a few hours at the Park Inn Radisson or the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Transit Options in Oslo Airport
- Flytoget Airport Express Train
- VY Trains
- Ruter Bus
- SAS Flybussen Airport Express Coach
- Flybussekspressen Nor-way bus Airport Coach
- OSL Ekspressen
- Nettbuss
Luggage Storage Near Oslo Airport
Have you just touched down and are anxious to head into Oslo? Or does a long layover permit you to see the sights of the city? Take one of the many transit options and make your way to Oslo. Find a Bounce location and spend the day seeing this fun and charming city.
Luggage Storage Options Near Oslo Airport
- Ullensaker Museum: About three miles to the southwest, the Ullensaker Museum is on Gardermoen, which is actually on airport property. Take a guided tour and learn the history of the Trandum Forest as well as many other exhibitions. They even serve waffles and coffee. Don’t bring your bags, though. Leave them with a Bounce affiliate nearby.
- SAS Museum: Another museum on airport property right nearby, this one is all about the history of Scandinavian Airlines. With a huge display of pilot and crew uniforms going back 70 years, you will want to get a selfie or two with some of the unique styles they wore. They also have a display of airplane models and a cockpit simulator you can use.
- Kvennavegen: How about a walk around a roadless community? Can you imagine a village with no roads? What a fantastic idea! And it’s only 20 minutes from the airport. The area has spectacular views of the Argehovd mountain farm and the foothills of the Hardangervidda plateau.
- Limastranda Beach: Want to have a walk on the beach? Less than 10 miles to the north on highway 120, the Limastranda Beach on the 7,980-acre Hurdalssjoen Lake is a great place to spend a couple of hours. Leave your suitcases at a Bounce location nearby so you can enjoy a walk on one of the wooded trails while you are there.
- Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology: About a half-hour to the southwest, the Teknisk Museum has been open since 1932 and has a ton of interesting exhibits. Learn about the history of Norway and its machines and technology.
- Gamle Hvam Museum: Drop off your bags with a Bounce partner nearby before heading to Gamle Hvam Museum so you can enjoy a tour of the grounds. Less than a half-hour from the airport, the farm was established way back in 300 to 400 AD, with the owners running it for more than 1,500 years. The county bought the farm in 1908 and built a school on the property. Then in 1915, it was preserved and opened as a museum. Today it boasts a gift shop, guided tours, and a café.
- Bjerkedalen Park: You will want to get your camera out before you leave your luggage at Bounce so you can enjoy this award-winning park. Only about 25 miles from the airport on Refstadveien, they have a duck pond where you can get some awesome photos. They also have a café. Eat at one of the benches as you watch the ducks play.