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Any suggestions for Oslo itinerary, ferry, and taxis?


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Hello!

 

We will be in Oslo on a cruise and dock at 10:30 am.

 

Our tentative plan is to take the ferry over to the Viking Ship Museum (can we buy tickets on the ferry or before we go?)

 

Then take a taxi from the Viking Ship Museum to Vigeland Park. (Are taxis readily available?)

 

Then taxi to the pier. (Again, are taxis readily available?)

 

I know we can take public transportation but there are 4 of us and we have a Segway tour booked for 2:00 pm so we need quick transportation.

 

Should we try that in reverse? Taxi to Vigeland, then taxi to the Viking Ship Museum, then ferry to the pier?

 

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

Kelly

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We have been to Oslo a few times and have done quite well using a combination of the ferry and local buses/trams. They sell ferry tickets at a kiosk right at the ferry dock (never had a problem). I think we just used Tram #12 to get over to Vigelandspark and we truly love that park (as long as the weather cooperates). The sculptures are simply amazing...and the park is beautiful and perfectly maintained. We also strongly recommend the Viking Ship Musuem. If you want a shock in Oslo, take a look at some restaurant menus. Even TGI Friday charges nearly $30 for a burger!

 

Hank

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We have been to Oslo a few times and have done quite well using a combination of the ferry and local buses/trams. They sell ferry tickets at a kiosk right at the ferry dock (never had a problem). I think we just used Tram #12 to get over to Vigelandspark and we truly love that park (as long as the weather cooperates). The sculptures are simply amazing...and the park is beautiful and perfectly maintained. We also strongly recommend the Viking Ship Musuem. If you want a shock in Oslo, take a look at some restaurant menus. Even TGI Friday charges nearly $30 for a burger!

 

Hank

 

Wow! Thanks for the info! That's a crazy price for a burger!

 

Do you buy a combo pass for the ferry and local buses/trams? I think there is one you can get that is just for transportation that is not the Oslo Pass.

 

Did you go to Oslo on a cruise ship?

 

If so, did you go from the ship to Vigeland?

 

Thanks Again!

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  • 8 months later...

If your ship docks at 10.30 I'm not sure that you would have time to do both these locations, or at least to do then justice. They are both amazing places, which are worth while spending time in, particularly if the weather is reasonable. When we were there traffic was quite heavy, so allow plenty of time to get back for your other tour.

Maybe you could do the Viglan Park afterwards, if the ship doesn't sail until evening?

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Agree that you won't have time to do the Viking Ship Museum and the Park before your Segway tour. But the Viking ship museum is easy to do from the ships berth - take the small ferry over the fjord from near where the ship docks. (It also goes to the Folk Museum.) We paid on the ferry - all very easy. I'm not sure you would get your money's worth from a pass but could be wrong. Agree with Hank that the price of food/meals can be eye watering so be prepared!

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We will be in Oslo on a cruise and dock at 10:30 am. Our tentative plan is to take the ferry over to the Viking Ship Museum (can we buy tickets on the ferry or before we go?) Then take a taxi from the Viking Ship Museum to Vigeland Park. Then taxi to the pier. Kelly

 

Lots of very good options in Oslo. Glad you are considering a taxi to be more efficient with your limited time there in this city. Public transportation can be nice, but it is not aways as quick and easy. We had a ship tour to get up and back from wonderful Vigeland Park, plus see "The Scream", etc.

 

Below are some added ideas, options, etc. in visual form from my camera, to consider for in and around the main downtown. Much depends on how long you have in this port, how much you are interested in art, where your ship will be docked, number of ships in port that day, etc. Keep up the good researching and planning.

 

People will sometimes ask how Oslo compares to Stockholm and Copenhagen. Much of the difference is about the contrast of Oslo's more contemporary great art/design . . . versus . . . the more significant depth of history/design and royal background associated with both Copenhagen and Stockholm. Both of these capitals of Sweden and Denmark have had much longer recent histories of power and wealth, while Oslo is "newer" in many ways.

 

More on Vigeland/Oslo art: Gustav Vigeland's astonishing figures show the whole range of human life presented in stone and metal. There are nearly 200 sculptures, comprising 600 granite or bronze figures, in the park's large landscapes. All were designed by the Norwegian artist, whose museum, with over 1600 more statues (and his ashes) is just five minutes' walk away. Vigeland also designed the park's layout and setting. He was described as versatile, obsessive and abrasive. It took years of debate before Oslo Municipal Council, in 1922, approved plans for a sculpture park which would express the struggles and aspirations of humanity from birth to death as the artist desired. The result is astonishing in concept, amazing in execution and setting. Walk through the big iron gates and you're on a broad avenue leading to a bridge on whose parapets are mounted. The children shown are more conventional and appealing. Across the bridge rises a big fountain, in the middle of which a ring of giants supports a huge bronze bowl. Like everything else in the park, it's large in scale. From its center soars the monolith, a nearly 40'-high slab of Norwegian granite weighing 180 tons. The 121 writhing, creeping, struggling figures on its surface took three carvers 15 years to complete. There's no denying the drama here.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 209,579 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

This picture shows the main, historic Akershus Fortress/Castle next to where many cruise ships dock in Oslo. The fortress construction started around the late 1290’s. It successfully survived all sieges, primarily by Swedish forces. It surrendered without combat to Germans in 1940 when the Norwegian government evacuated the capital in the face of the German invasions of Denmark and Norway. The very interesting and moving Norwegian Resistance museum can be visited there. Norwegian Royalty have been buried in the Royal Mausoleum in the castle. A portion of this fortress was replicated at the Norway pavilion at Disney’s Epcot Center.:

 

1A-Oslo-Harbor-OldFortress.jpg

 

 

At the National Museum in Oslo, there is Munch art, including one of his two famed Scream painting that are in this Norway capital. At the separate Munch Museum, just a little distance away from central Oslo, there is the other Scream painting in Oslo. There are many other of his painting at this museum by the famed artist.:

 

1A-Oslo-NatGalMunch.jpg

 

 

Vigeland Park has a wide variety of outdoor sculptures in a super, wonderful setting that is a highlight for Oslo. There is a wide variety of art, water features, spectacular settings, etc. Its admission is free and the views and art are "priceless". It is open 24/7, so hours are not an issue.:

 

1A-Oslo-VigelandPk.jpg

 

 

1A-Oslo-VigelandParkFount.jpg

 

 

Here is Oslo’s City Hall exterior and one of its large interior spaces where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually on December 10 each year. This structure houses the city council and city administration, plus art studios and galleries. The construction started in 1931 with the main structure completed in 1936. The German invasion of Norway in 1940 caused construction to stop, and it was not resumed until 1947. This City Hall was official opened in 1950. Its characteristic architecture, artworks and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony makes it one of Oslo's most famous buildings. The roof of the eastern tower has a 49-bell carillon which plays every hour. This City Hall is situated in central downtown Oslo dramatically overlooking the scenic harbor area.:

 

1A-Oslo-CityHallExt.jpg

 

 

Sailing out from Oslo with the red brick City Hall in the background and the surrounding areas and “hills” showing around this so-called “fjord”.:

 

1A-Oslo-SailingOut.jpg

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