Visiting Oslo on a Pass Review

One thing that’s for sure is that Oslo Pass includes the most searched for attractions in the capital. The pass takes you from art to maritime museums, through castles, parks and islands, while facilitating the transport between all these locations.

30 free Oslo museums and sights, more or less, depending on the day or time of the year.  That is why, while planning your trip to Oslo, don’t forget to carefully check the opening hours and availability.

The free attractions list includes mostly museums connected to Norwegian art, maritime history and Viking legacy. The best of the best Norway had to offer.

I would start with Vigeland. Vigeland is the most famous Norwegian sculptor, who gave his life work to the city of Oslo. His statues are completely naked and, therefore, timeless. Nonetheless, frozen in their emotions, feelings, gestures, expressing human nature beyond a certain era.

Apart from the park exhibition, his former house, present on the City Pass free attractions list, gives a deeper insight on the way the sculptor lived and his creative process. A visit to Vigeland museum is a must!

Vigeland Museum & Munch Museum in Oslo, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Nonetheless, you should not miss the Scream of Munch. Even if it is iconic, I’ve never associated this painting with Norway.

But it is an awkward feeling watching it like that, placed on a dark wall. Most compelling evidence of anxiety that controls and surrounds, a silent scream  penetrating the nature. And if you think about it, the first version EVER of The Scream, the 1895 one, is just a pastel on a cardboard….

And last, but not least, one my favorites, the Kon-Tiki Museum.

It is the remaining proof of one of the craziest 20th century expeditions: a raft of balsa wood belonging to the Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl. He used this improvised raft to cross the Pacific Ocean, from Peru to Polynesia, in 1947. He wanted to prove a theory according to which Native South Americans were early inhabitants of Polynesia. Unquestionably, it is really worth and fun exploring it, as well as many other museums from the list below.

The lovely places that I would always go back to, included in the Oslo Pass:

• 🏠 the house and workshop of Gustav Vigeland;
• 😱the impressive building hosting The Scream by Edvard Munch. And The Scream itself;
• 🚢 the Kon Tiki Museum, memories of an unbelievable expedition.

🎟️ Oslo Pass includes a series of free guided tours are organized by Oslo Guidebureau – Oslo City walks.

There are available multiple free Oslo themed tours that let you explore a different face of the city:

• A first one guides you though the amazing central area and offers insights on the must-see attractions (Nobel Peace Center, The Cathedral, Karl Johan gate and more).
• A second tour takes you on Akerselva river banks and unravels the history of industrialization (parks and natural trails).
• A third tour of Oslo is about the rapid urban development and shows you the old and the new architecture (the Barcode area is impressive).
• Last but not least, a tour of the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park.

Otherwise, these guided tours would cost 230 NOK (~€19 | $24) /tour.

All Oslo City Walks are led by a team of several authorized guides with a variety of backgrounds (teachers, architects, artists). Tours usually last about two hours and run on set days throughout the week, starting from the Oslo Visitor Centre (except Vigeland, which begins at the park itself).

To be honest, I used very little the discounts part, as I was more keen on visiting the museums. But discounts up to 20% are available for various activities like guided city tours or fjord sightseeing cruises, for various themed parks or cultural institutions, for a series of restaurants, and from time to time, for shops.

One place where we had the opportunity to use the discounts of Oslo Pass was Den Glade Gris, a cute and tiny, rustic-style, Norwegian restaurant.

We entered there by chance and we were lucky enough to get a table without without reservation. Firstly, the food is extraordinary and drinks are quite affordable. Secondly, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. So, the Oslo Pass discount comes as a much appreciated bonus. Still, I advise to book in advance!

Den Gladen Gris Restaurant in Oslo, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Full price of a 3-course menu: 495 NOK | ~ €42 | $50; With pass: 20% discount. In the picture, their specialty: “Grilled pork knuckle, mashed potato, rustic vegetables & mustard sauce”. Since recently, this specific restaurant is not included in the pass anymore, but serves as a good example for prices.

A second place to use Oslo Pass discounts was the Viking Planet. Not to be confused with Viking Ship Museum.

The Viking Planet is a fully-digitalized entertainment space, with a lot of information (maybe too much) about the Vikings and their heritage presented through VR, holograms or interactive displays. You can see the way they dressed, read about the fights, play games connected to their gods. A bit boring for me, but overall, it is an interesting experience.

I admit I fell asleep during the VR movie, but at least I woke up in time to take some nice Viking selfies before closing. (Price without Pass: 265 NOK |~ €23 | $27; With pass: 15% discount).

Initially, Oslo Pass used to give access to unlimited travel by metro, bus, tram and local trains in the Oslo area, covering Zones 1 & 2 (Oslo, Lillestrøm, Nittedal, Asker, Ski, Nesodden and Drøbak), which are actually the most important for tourists.

More recently, they have included unlimited travel on Ruter’s public transport system in zones 3, 4V and 4N.

Which means you can now get to Oslo Airport Gardermoen using the pass, but only with local trains operated by VY. The Oslo Pass can’t be used for Flytoget (the airport express train), VY buses, or Flybussen services.

Additionally, the City Pass covers the ferry boats that head to the islands inside Oslo fjord. Sadly, some ferry routes do not work in winter. The ferry heading to Bygdøy Island is included and it leaves from City Hall Pier 3 every 30 minutes startting 9:55 AM until 5:25 PM. A second ferry Ferry leaves from MUNCH to Bygdøy, every hour, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Honnørbrygga Oslo, Pier Area, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com

Without the pass, the price per 24 hours for urban transport is 127 NOK | €11 | $13 for 1 zone, and 291 NOK | €25 | $29 for all zones. The ferry ride would be separate and cost about 115 NOK / | €10 | $12 / day.