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| City Guide - Oslo - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport Oslo has a comprehensive and efficient public transport network of trains, buses, trams, ferries and an underground, mostly operated by Oslo Sporveier (tel: 2208 4000; fax: 2208 4030; website: www.sporveien.oslo.no). Trafikantenb (tel: 2217 7030), at Jerbanetorvet 1, is a one-stop shop for information about all public transport in and around Oslo. Public transport runs 0530-2400, with additional night services on certain routes at the weekends. Some 20 separate bus lines and eight different tram lines cover the city. These can be boarded opposite Oslo S Station on Jerbanetorvet with tickets available from the driver. The Oslo T Bane consists of seven underground lines. The entire public transport network is detailed on a free map, which is available from Trafikanten, all post offices and most stations. Tickets for single journeys cost NOK18 irrespective of the mode of transport. Various passes are available, including a Flexikort, costing NOK100, which lasts for ten trips. A Dagskort allows unlimited travel in a 24-hour period for NOK40. Båtservice (tel: 2220 0715) operates seasonal ferries (April-September) from Pier 3, in front of the City Hall, to Bygdøy, where most of the museums are situated. Other small ferries operate from Vippetangen, just behind Akershus Slott, to all the harbour basin islands. Taxis Taxi ranks can be found throughout the city, mainly near the shopping centre, city squares and outside Oslo S Station. When it is very busy and late at night, long waits may be experienced at ranks. All cabs are controlled from a central office (tel: 2238 8090), through which advance bookings can be made anytime from 20 minutes to 24 hours in advance but in peak travel periods they may take up to 30 minutes to arrive. Hailing on the streets is possible but not within 100 yards of a registered taxi rank. If the light is on, it is indication that the taxi is available for hire. Initial charges start at NOK24 with each subsequent kilometre being metered at NOK12. Rates are higher at nights and on the weekend. Generally, it is considerably less expensive to pick up a cab at a rank or hail it on the street than to order one by telephone. Limousines Providers include: Ruud's Limousinservice (tel: 2226 5141), Oslo Limousinservice (tel: 2215 1141; e-mail: oslolimousin@online.no; website: www.oslolimousinservice.no) and Lincoln Limousine Service (tel: 9155 8059; website: www.lincoln-limousine.com). Stretch limos with seating for nine people start from about NOK3600 per day. Driving in the City Driving in Oslo is fairly straightforward. However, the city is relatively small and has an excellent public transport system, so a car is really unnecessary unless planning longer trips. Rush hours (0700-0900 and 1500-1800) should certainly be avoided and navigating can be difficult as there is a complicated one-way system that can cause problems until it has been mastered. The Stor Olso map, available from petrol stations, should help, if studied carefully in advance. Another reason for taking public transport is that parking is a nightmare, with many places having a one-hour maximum stay. Illegal parking or overstaying the allotted time is dealt with severely. Once a parking spot has been found, a ticket must be obtained from the on-street ticket machine and displayed in the vehicle windshield. City controlled street parking spots are free to Oslo Card holders (see the Passes section). There is a 24-hour private car park at Tevlingv 1. Car Hire The major providers are Avis (tel: 2323 9200; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 2316 3240; website: www.budget.no) and Hertz (tel: 6481 0550; website: www.hertz.no). The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years and a credit card will be required as a deposit. Insurance is mandatory and tends to be included in the cost of the hire. Rates start from NOK1000 per day. Bicycle Hire Information about cycling can be obtained from Syklistenes, Landsforening, Storgata 23c (tel: 2247 3030). Machines can be rented from Rent A Bike, Brynjulf Bulls plass 2 (tel: 2283 5208). |
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