Oslo Airport sits at Gardermoen, about 50 kilometres north of the city. That sounds far, but the trip into town is one of the easiest airport transfers in Europe, because trains run straight from the terminal to Oslo S in around 20 minutes.
The catch is choice. Two train operators, several airport bus lines and a row of taxis all compete for the same arriving passengers, and the price gap between them is bigger than most visitors expect.
Here is how the options compare, what they cost and which one fits your bags, budget and arrival time. Prices were checked against the operators’ own pages in October 2026. Fares change, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
The quick answer
For most travellers, the train is the right call. It is fast, frequent and leaves from directly below the arrivals hall.
The Vy regional train is the cheapest way from Oslo Airport to the city, at NOK 134 for an adult single to Oslo S. It takes about 23 minutes.
Flytoget, the Airport Express Train, costs NOK 276 and takes 19 to 22 minutes. You pay more mainly for frequency, with up to six departures an hour.
Flybussen coaches cost from NOK 279 and take longer, but they can drop you closer to some hotels. A taxi is the most comfortable and by far the most expensive choice.
Taking the train from Oslo Airport to the city centre
The train station is under the terminal. After baggage claim and customs, follow the train signs. Both Vy and Flytoget leave from the same station, but they use separate tickets, so check which one you have bought before you walk to the platform.
Vy regional and local trains
Vy runs the R10 and R11 regional trains and the R12 local train between the airport and Oslo. The trip to Oslo S takes about 23 minutes, with a stop at Lillestrøm on the way.
On weekdays Vy has more than 60 departures from Oslo each day. From the city, the first weekday train leaves at 04:54 and the last at 00:24, with a later start at weekends. Check the journey planner for the night you arrive, since holiday timetables and engineering work can shift things.
Within Oslo and Akershus, Vy trains use Ruter’s zone tickets. You can buy one in the Vy or Ruter app, and the price is set by the zones you pass through. The useful part is that a Ruter ticket also covers buses, trams and the metro in those zones while it is still valid, so the ride from Oslo S to your hotel is often included.
Children under six travel free on Vy, and older children travel on a discounted fare.
Flytoget, the Airport Express Train
Flytoget is the dedicated airport service. Direct trains reach Oslo S in about 19 minutes, while those stopping at Lillestrøm take about 22. Many trains continue west to Nationaltheatret, Skøyen and beyond, which helps if you are staying on the west side of the centre.
An adult ticket from the airport to Oslo S or Nationaltheatret costs NOK 276. Youths aged 16 to 20, students, seniors aged 67 and over and military personnel pay half price with valid ID. Children under 16 travel free with an adult, which narrows the price gap for families.
You can buy a ticket in the Flytoget app, online or at the machines, or simply tap a contactless bank card at the ticket gates. A Flytoget ticket is not valid on Ruter’s buses, trams or metro, so budget for a separate city ticket if you need one.
Flytoget also offers a travel guarantee in the other direction. If the train reaches the airport more than 30 minutes late and you miss your flight as a result, it covers the cost of the next available flight. Vy has a similar guarantee with its own conditions.
One change is coming. Flytoget became part of the Vy group in 2025, and its departures are due to be folded into Vy’s regular regional trains by 2028 at the latest. Until then, the two run as separate brands with separate fares.
Vy or Flytoget: which train should you take?
If you are watching your budget, take Vy. The journey is only a few minutes longer, and an adult saves NOK 142 each way.
Flytoget makes more sense when you land with a tight evening plan or want the shortest possible wait on the platform. Families should run the numbers too, since children under 16 ride Flytoget for free.
Oslo Airport to the city centre by bus
Flybussen Connect runs three airport lines into Oslo. The one most visitors want is FB5, which goes to the city centre via Helsfyr, Hasle and Bislett. FB1 serves Majorstuen through Torshov and Sagene, and FB3 heads west to Radiumhospitalet via Storo, Tåsen and Smestad.
An adult single costs NOK 279 online, NOK 289 at the airport ticket machine and NOK 319 if you pay on board. The machines are in the information area at domestic arrivals and outside at platform 11. Up to two children aged 6 to 17 travel free with a paying adult, and children under six are always free.
Tickets are flexible within a 24-hour window, which takes the stress out of a delayed landing. Expect a journey of roughly 40 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and your stop.
The bus is rarely faster or cheaper than the train. It wins when your hotel is next to a bus stop and far from a station, or when you would rather not drag cases through Oslo S. Other operators also run airport buses, including OSL-ekspressen to the eastern suburbs, so check the stop closest to where you are staying.
Taking a taxi from Gardermoen
Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall, and most companies offer fixed prices to Oslo when you book through their app or website. As one example, Norgestaxi listed a daytime fixed fare of NOK 799 between Gardermoen and central Oslo for up to four people in October 2026. It adds NOK 200 at night and at weekends.
Prices vary by company and by where in Oslo you are going, so agree the fare or see it in the app before you get in.
The drive takes around 40 to 50 minutes in normal traffic. A taxi earns its price when you land after the last train, travel with a lot of luggage or need door-to-door help. Split four ways, a daytime fixed fare can even undercut four adult Flytoget tickets.
The cheapest way from Oslo Airport to the city
The cheapest way from Oslo Airport to the city is the Vy train with a standard ticket bought in the app before you board. If you already hold a Ruter 24-hour or 7-day ticket, you may only need to add the airport zones rather than buy a full fare.
A few habits keep costs down. Buy before boarding, since paying on board is more expensive on several services. Check whether children travel free on the service you choose, because the rules differ between Vy, Flytoget and Flybussen. And remember that Flytoget and Flybussen tickets generally do not include onward city transport.
Late arrivals and early departures
Trains run from early morning until after midnight, but a late inbound can still leave you stranded after the last departure. If your landing time is close to the end of service, check both the train timetable and your flight’s status before you board.
The live Oslo airport arrivals board shows when your flight is expected to land, so you can judge whether you will make the last train or need a taxi. If a delay pushes you into a late night, keep the first day light. Our first day in Oslo after Gardermoen has a calm plan for the hours after you reach town.
For the return trip, allow time for security and the long walk to the piers. The Oslo Airport guide covers the terminal, baggage and what to expect when you get back to OSL.
A simple way to decide
- Travelling alone or as a couple on a budget: take the Vy train.
- In a hurry, or travelling with children under 16: take Flytoget.
- Staying next to a Flybussen stop with heavy bags: take the bus.
- Landing after the last train, or sharing between four: take a taxi.
Whichever you choose, buy your ticket before you board, keep your hotel address saved on your phone and give yourself a moment at Oslo S to get your bearings. The airport may be 50 kilometres away, but on a normal day you will be in the city before your coffee has cooled.
