Oslo (Norway): Airport to city center travel information

If you landed at Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL), the default best option is the Flytoget Airport Express to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) because it is fast and frequent. The trade-off is price versus regular trains and some buses.

Oslo also has a second airport used by many low-cost flights: Sandefjord Airport Torp (TRF). TRF is much farther from central Oslo, so transfers are longer and your late-night options are more limited.

Last updated: 2026

Quick overview and key details

Quick overview

• OSL: fastest is Flytoget (19 min, every 10 min); best value is usually a Vy regional train (23 min).

• TRF: simplest is Torp-Ekspressen coach (about 1:35); alternative is Vy train plus a shuttle bus to the terminal.

• If you want to continue on Oslo local transport after arrival, a multi-zone Ruter ticket can matter more than the train brand.

• With heavy luggage, choose the mode that drops you closest to your hotel, even if it is a bit slower.

Key facts

• OSL is about 50 km northeast of Oslo; Flytoget markets 19 minutes to Oslo city center and departures every 10 minutes.

• Flytoget single adult fare shown for OSL → Oslo Central is 258 NOK; tickets are shown as valid for 90 days from purchase.

• Flytoget normally runs with a last departure from OSL at 00:50 and first at 05:30.

• Vy estimates OSL ↔ central Oslo at 23 minutes, with trains from Oslo S every 10 to 20 minutes between 05:54 and 23:54.

• Flybussen Connect published adult fares of 259 NOK online or at ticket machines, and 309 NOK onboard (table valid from 1 Feb 2025).

• TRF pages describe downtown Oslo as about 1½ hours away; the shuttle bus from TRF to Torp Station is about 4 minutes.

• Vy states Oslo → TRF by train (R11) plus shuttle bus is about 1 hour 45 minutes, and notes the shuttle bus is not included in the train ticket.

• Torp-Ekspressen states a central Oslo travel time of about 1:35 and that departures are coordinated with Ryanair and Wizz Air flights.

• Avinor recommends using the taxi booking machine outside the terminal at OSL to compare prices before you ride.

Which airport did you land at?

• OSL (Gardermoen): use the OSL sections below.

• TRF (Torp): jump straight to the TRF coach and train notes in each section.

Ways to get in (train, bus, taxi, rideshare, transfer)

For OSL, train is the default because the rail station is at the airport and it takes roughly 20 minutes to reach the city by rail options listed by Avinor.

Flytoget (Airport Express): Best for time-sensitive arrivals, short trips, and anyone heading to Oslo S or the inner-city rail corridor. Not ideal for strict budgets, because the fare is higher than regular trains and some bus tickets.

Vy regional/local trains: Best for budget and for travelers who want to use a ticketing setup that also helps with onward travel. Not ideal if you are arriving very late, because the last departures from Oslo S are earlier than Flytoget’s late-night pattern.

Airport buses (Flybussen / Flybussen Connect): Best when your hotel is closer to a bus stop than to Oslo S, or when you prefer a one-seat ride to areas like Majorstuen. Not ideal when traffic is heavy or when you want the most predictable journey time.

Taxi and rideshare: Best for door-to-door simplicity, families with lots of luggage, or addresses far from train stations. Not ideal at peak times due to cost and variable journey time. At OSL, Avinor points travelers to the taxi booking machine outside the terminal so you can see prices before you commit.

For TRF, the trade-off is simple: you either take a direct coach into Oslo or you accept an extra transfer to reach the rail station.

Torp-Ekspressen coach: Best for simplicity because it is a direct bus to central Oslo and coordinated to flight arrivals. Not ideal if you miss the coordinated departure window and want maximum flexibility.

Vy train plus shuttle bus: Best if you prefer rail and your final destination is closer to an Oslo rail stop than the bus terminal. Not ideal with heavy luggage because you must connect between the terminal and Torp Station, and Vy warns the station-to-airport road is not suitable for walking.

Tickets and where to buy (avoid common mistakes)

For OSL, decide first whether you want a ticket that is only for the airport transfer or one that also supports onward travel within Oslo.

If you choose Flytoget, buy in the Flytoget app or ticket shop and keep an eye on fare types and validity rules. Flytoget displays tickets as valid for 90 days from purchase, which is helpful if your plans shift.

If you choose Vy, start in the Vy journey planner so you see the exact train that stops at Oslo Airport (Gardermoen). If you plan to transfer to metro, tram, or bus in Oslo, check whether a multi-zone Ruter ticket is the better fit, since VisitOSLO notes the airport sits in a different zone (often described as zone 4N for OSL).

For Flybussen Connect, the published price table shows a clear online versus onboard gap for adults. If you are arriving with a group, buying online reduces the chance of paying the higher onboard fare and speeds up boarding.

For TRF, Torp-Ekspressen sells cheaper fares online and states that online purchases come with a seat guarantee; onboard sales are only at available capacity. If you go by train, remember Vy’s note that the station shuttle bus is not included in your train ticket.

Micro-checklist

• Screenshot your ticket QR code or keep the app open before you reach barriers.

• If you want one ticket for city transport after arrival, confirm zones in the Ruter app before you buy.

• If you land at TRF, buy Torp-Ekspressen online if you want a seat guarantee.

• If you use the TRF train option, buy the shuttle bus ticket separately.

Late-night arrivals, luggage, and accessibility

For OSL, late arrivals are usually manageable by rail, but last departures still matter. Flytoget notes its normal last departure from OSL is 00:50 and first is 05:30, and Vy lists Oslo S departures to OSL between 05:54 and 23:54. If you land after the last practical train or a disruption hits the rail line, you are pushed toward an airport bus (if running) or a taxi.

For TRF, late-night planning is more fragile because schedules are tied to flight patterns and the distance to Oslo is larger. Torp-Ekspressen states departures are coordinated with Ryanair and Wizz Air actual arrival times, and the bus departs no earlier than 45 minutes after arrival. If your flight is delayed, that coordination helps, but if you miss the last coach, the remaining options can be expensive.

Accessibility and luggage tend to favor the simplest route. With strollers, large suitcases, or limited mobility, prefer the option with the fewest transfers: Flytoget at OSL, and Torp-Ekspressen at TRF.

Costs and time trade-offs

If minutes matter (OSL), choose Flytoget: it advertises 19 minutes to the city center with departures every 10 minutes. The price trade-off is real, with the ticket shop showing 258 NOK for an adult single from OSL to Oslo Central.

If price matters (OSL), the Vy regional train is usually the value play, with Vy estimating 23 minutes to central Oslo. The catch is that “cheapest” depends on ticket type and whether you also need a Ruter ticket for onward transport.

If hotel proximity matters (OSL), a bus can win even if it is slower, because it may stop closer to where you are staying. The Flybussen Connect price table also shows that buying online can be meaningfully cheaper than paying onboard.

If you landed at TRF, decide whether you want the simplest direct ride or a rail-based trip. Torp-Ekspressen claims about 1:35 to central Oslo, while Vy describes a 1:45 journey by train plus shuttle bus. The extra transfer for the train option is the main trade-off.

Practical tips that actually change the day

• If you are staying near Oslo S or Bjørvika, pair your arrival plan with the Oslo travel information basics so you do not overpay for zones.

• For museum-heavy days, use your transfer to decide if you will start at MUNCH Museum or keep it flexible.

• If you are aiming for outdoor time, check how far your hotel is from Vigeland Sculpture Park before choosing bus versus train.

• If you want door-to-door, compare addresses and costs first on Avinor’s taxi guidance, then commit.

• Landing at TRF? Buy Torp-Ekspressen online if you want a seat guarantee.

FAQ Oslo airport to city center

What is the fastest Oslo airport to city center option from OSL? Flytoget advertises 19 minutes to Oslo city center, with very frequent departures.

Is Flytoget worth it? It is usually worth it when time, frequency, and simplicity matter more than saving money.

What is the cheapest way from OSL to Oslo S? Often a Vy train, but the cheapest ticket depends on fare type and whether you also need a multi-zone Ruter ticket for onward travel.

Does a Ruter ticket work from Oslo Airport (OSL)? VisitOSLO describes the airport in a different zone than central Oslo (commonly referenced as zone 4N), so you must buy the correct zones in the Ruter app.

Where do I get the Flybussen price? Flybussen Connect publishes a price table showing online and onboard fares; online is lower for adults.

How do I get from Torp (TRF) to Oslo without changes? Torp’s airport site and Torp-Ekspressen describe a direct coach to Oslo.

How long is Torp (TRF) to Oslo? Torp-Ekspressen states about 1:35, while Vy lists about 1:45 for train plus shuttle bus.

Can I walk from Torp Station to the airport? Vy warns the road is not suitable for pedestrians because there is no pavement.

What if trains are disrupted between OSL and Oslo? Switch to an airport bus if available, or use the taxi booking machine at OSL to compare prices before you ride.

Which Oslo station should I aim for? Most visitors use Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) because it connects easily to the rest of the city.