Auto Europe
Car hire in Oslo – Gateway to Norway
Surrounded by hills and mountains, Oslo (the capital of Norway) sits uniquely at the top of the Oslofjord, giving it a green and airy appearance. Visitors are urged to explore the harbour-front area which offers some wonderful views and is home to many local shops, bars and restaurants, or take a stroll through the city and visit the famous Norwegian National Opera and Ballet building. If you venture further from the city centre, you can visit the Kon Tiki museum dedicated to Thor Heyerdahl, a world-renowned scientist. Alternatively, why not take a stroll through the exquisite sculpture park of Vigeland displaying over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. On your return to the inner city, pay a visit to Norway Designs which hosts a variety of exhibitions during the year and offers a unique opportunity to view many of the country's most innovative styles.
Once back in the city, you can hop into your car hire in Oslo and drive to Drobak just 30 minutes to the south-west, where you can experience the city's picturesque 18th- and 19th-century streets and numerous wooden houses. Drobak also hosts Norway's permanent Christmas display, made even more special by the issue of a unique Santa Claus stamp. From here you can also take the ferry to Oscarsborg Fortress where the entrance is free of charge. Another option is a trip to Fredrikstad to visit one of the well-preserved Nordic fortresses harbouring buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. From Oslo you can also enjoy the best of Norway with extended road-trips to Bergen (west of the capital) and Trondheim to the north.
Auto Europe offers convenient pick-up locations throughout Oslo, including Oslo Gardemoen and Sandefjord Airport, as well as the central train station, and always at the most affordable prices. Use our simple and very secure booking engine today to find and compare rates for your car hire in Oslo in three very easy steps. Should you need any assistance with your booking or have questions regarding our car hire conditions, then please feel free to contact our experienced rental agents who can be reached for assistance. Alternatively you can consult our car hire reviews in Oslo page to gain an insight into what previous clients have experienced while booking a car rental through us in the city of Oslo.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Oslo, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car hire in Oslo
Auto Europe is proud to work with all the world's top car hire companies, including Sixt, Alamo, Europcar, Budget, Avis, National, Dollar and Hertz. In turn, we are able to offer our customers the possibility to pick up their vehicle in the heart of Oslo city centre (including the main train station) or at the airport and be on their way in just a few minutes. In order to help travellers make the right choice for their next car hire, our high-tech booking engine allows them to make an extensive search to find the best vehicle and the most suitable pick-up point for their trip simply by keying in their dates, after which an interactive map will come up with all the available locations for cheap car hire in Oslo.
Oslo International Airport
Oslo Airport (also known as Oslo Gardermoen Airport) is a major international air transportation hub serving the Norwegian capital and elsewhere in the south of the country. Located in Gardermoen, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north-east of the city, it is a base various low-cost airlines, including Flyr, Norse Atlantic Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, Winderøe, Norwegian Air Shuttle and Wizz Air. All the world's leading car hire companies (plus a few local providers) are represented at the airport and their reception desks can be found in close proximity to the arrivals area at P10. To find it, just turn right at the arrivals hall and follow the Car Rental signs, and please have all your documents ready before arriving at the recepetion desk.
Oslo Airport (OSL)
Website: avinor.no
Address: Edvard Munchs veg, 2061 Gardermoen, Norway
Telephone: +47 64 81 00 00
Torp Sandefjord Airport
One of two airports serving the Norwegian capital (along with Oslo Gardermoen Airport), Sandefjord Airport is located close to the sea about 80 kilometres to the south-west of the city in the picturesque Vestfold og Telemark region. The airport serves an extensive range of European destinations, including International Alicante, Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Florence, Gdansk, Gran Canaria, Katowice, Krakow, London, Lublin, Malaga, Mallorca, Manchester, Milano, Nice, Poznan, Riga, Skopje, Szczecin, Tirana, Vilnius, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Vienna. The airport has its own small car rental centre close to the main terminal building where you can pick up your vehicle after checking at the main desk in the terminal building.
Sandefjord Airport
Website: torp.no
Address: Torpveien 130, 3241 Sandefjord, Norway
Telephone: +47 33 42 70 00
Oslo Central Train Station
Oslo Train Station is a stylish and partly historic building located on the east side of the city centre. Known as Oslo Sentralstasjon or Oslo S locally, it is conveniently situated within easy reach of many of the capital's most popular tourist attractions, namely Oslo Cathedral, the Royal Palace and the National Theatre. The train station is just one part of this impressive transport complex, in additiona to Jernbanetorget metro station, Oslo Bus Station and a variety of local tram and bus and tram services. You can pick up a car rental at Oslo Train Station either inside the building itself (such as hertz and Thrifty) or from one of the ther companies operating in a street close by.
Oslo Train Station
Website: oslo-s.no
Address: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo, Norway
Telephone: +47 815 00 888
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Oslo
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Oslo
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Oslo. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Oslo?
Yes. Drivers who book a car hire in Oslo will be expected to present a valid credit card in their name when they arrive to collect their vehicle. The reason for this is that that the local provider will need to block a security deposit which is promptly returned to the card once the car has been delivered back to the rental station undamaged. Please note that cash, debit and pre-paid cards are not acceptable, which often comes as a surprise to customers so please make sure you are fully aware of all the credit card rules and regulations relating to your booking before finalising the booking to avoid disappointment.
You can easily access all the necessary credit card details for low-cost car rental in Oslo when making a quick search through the Auto Europe booking engine. It's a simple case of clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) in the car details and the required information will pop up, including the amount of security, etc. It is therefore very important that you make sure that you have a valid credit card with enough balance prior to pick-up. Should you not, then the supplier might ask you to pay for additional insurance coverage or even refuse you the vehicle completely, which could ruin your trip. For more in-depth information, please follow the link to our credit cards and deposit FAQ page for a general overview on how it all works.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Oslo?
One of the advantage of booking a cheap car rental in Oslo through us is that our rates always include the minimum amount of legally-required car hire coverage in accordance with Norwegian law. This comprises Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), third-party liability (TP), fire and theft protection (TP). It's important to take into account the fact that CDW will not cover you against damage to all parts of the vehicle, such as tyres, glass, mirrors, etc, for which we recommend Auto Europe's popular Full Damage & Theft Protection Package at a very affordable price, which will cover you for everything.
Please also be aware that the staff of the local car rental supplier might offer you additional coverage when you arrive to collect your vehicle, such as PAI(Personal Accident Insurance), PEC (Personal Effects Coverage, Super CDW, Seguro Relax Insurance, Road Assistance and more. These are completely optional and Auto Europe will not be able to give you a refund for any locally-purchased insurance charges/fees even if the policy deemed unnecessary once you have returned the car at the end of the rental period. If you need to make a claim, please note that you must pay the car rental supplier first then claim the amount back from Auto Europe. When making a claim, it's essential that you provide all the required documents in order to receive your refund as quickly as possible.
You will find all the relevant information relating to car hire coverage on the Auto Europe website simply by making a quick search on the booking engine and then clicking on the blue and white info (i) icon to access all the relevant details. This information can also be found in the the Terms and Conditions section at the time of making an enquiry or confirming your booking. For more information about Auto Europe’s excellent coverage policies, please contact our rental specialists for assistance and they will be happy to provide you with all the information you need.
How is the traffic in Oslo?
The traffic in Oslo is generally quite light with most drivers very well disciplined and law-abiding. In the city centre and elsewhere in the Norwegian capital, traffic jams might occur during the rush-hour but usually the roads are quite clear at other times of the day. The roads in Oslo are amongst the safest in Europe with a low accident rate because the local driving rules are strictly enforced. The give-way rule is universal; all drivers must yield to traffic approaching from the right-hand side if signs do not indicate otherwise and headlights are mandatory 24 hours a day all year round. As a rule, the speed limit is 49 miles per hour except in built-up areas or town centres where it is 31 miles per hour, unless otherwise indicated. Please note that it can be as low as 18 miles per hour in some residential areas and as high as 68 miles per hour on specific dual-carriageways and motorways. For more information on driving in Oslo and other parts of the country, please consult our Norway Driving Guide.
Where can I park my car hire in Oslo?
Finding a free parking space in the heart of the city centre can sometimes be a little tricky when you rent a car in Oslo. Options include leaving your vehicle in a hotel car park (check that your hotel has parking spaces available when booking your accommodation). As a rule, on-street parking in Oslo is operated by the council but many of the car parks are privately run. In the city centre you always have to buy a parking ticket Monday–Saturday from 9am–8pm but at other times it is usually free of charge. Away from the city centre you will find both free zones and pay zones, so please take heed of those. Payment must be made as soon as you park and pay stations will accept most credit cards as well as Norwegian currency. It is possible to use the Bil I Oslo (Car in Oslo) app for easier payments if you don't need a receipt. Most public parking spaces have a maximum parking duration which is displayed on the traffic signs.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Oslo?
Yes. There are many toll booths in and around the Oslo area, almost all of which are automatic. All drivers, regardless of nationality, must pay Norwegian road tolls. With Alamo, all vehicles are equipped with a toll device at no extra charge. Please note that tolls cannot be paid directly at the toll booth and any tolls incurred are billed directly to the customer, in addition to a set admin fee per rental. With Keddy and Europcar, the client can choose to pay a set fee per day that covers most toll roads with an unlimited number of toll-passings included. When driving your car hire in Oslo, you are going to pass one or more toll booths, and it should be noted that that it is more expensive to pass through them during rush-hour (6.30–9am and 3–5pm). It's also worth taking into consideration the fact that tolls are more expensive with a diesel vehicle, cheaper with electric cars and totally free with hydrogen-driven cars, while regular prices apply to gasoline and hybrid vehicles. The toll areas in Oslo are divided into three sections; in the outermost section you are only charged for entering the city and in the two inner sections you'll have to pay every time you pass the toll booth. Oslo's toll areas are automatic and you do not need to stop when passing through them. When you rent a car, suppliers usually provide the vehicle with a toll device set at a flat rate and will charge you for the tolls when you drop off the vehicle. When collecting your car rental in Oslo, please check if the car is equipped with this toll device and ask about the payment conditions. If you want more detailed information about tolls, then please feel free to call our reservation agents any time.
Do I need extra equipment for my car hire in Oslo during winter?
Yes. In Oslo and the rest of Norway, winter tyres are required from 1 November until the end of April, with a thread depth on the tyres of 3mm or more. You can also use studded tyres during this period but the studs must be applied to all four tyres. There are three counties, namely Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, where it is possible to use studded tyres from 16 October onwards. Of course, if the weather conditions require it, studded tyres or even chains should be used outside this period. From 1 November until 30 April, car rental rates for Oslo always include the winterisation fee with all the suppliers, which encompasses winter tyres and sometimes an ice scraper. The exact periods and conditions depend on the supplier and in the booking engine (by clicking the blue and white info icon (i) you can find all the necessary details. If you need extra winter equipment such as chains or ski racks, please bear in mind that this is only on request and not supplied automatically. During the booking process, you can ask for these items and our reservation agents will check the availability and book it with the supplier.
Can I hire a campervan in Oslo?
For a different way of travelling and discovering one of Europe's most scenic countries, why not rent a motorhome in Oslo? A campervan will grant you more freedom on your travels and get you much closer to nature. Check out what we have on offer for RV rentals in Oslo and pick the one that best suits your requirements.
Oslo Travel Guide
One of Europe's most stylish and popular tourist destinations, Oslo is a green city with a host of top-notch art galleries and other first-rate cultural attractions. This forward-thinking capital also excells in fine-dining establishments plus some of the world's most compelling architecture, such as te amazing National Museum and Munch-museet dedicated to the life and work of the country's greatest artist, Edvard Munch (1863-1944).
Best day trips with my car rental in Oslo
You can't really go wrong if you decide to book a car hire in Oslo and discover its surrounding areas by heading out on the road. All across this stunning country you will find breathtaking landscapes and nature. A day-trip is a great way to discover other parts of the country, along with neighbouring Sweden. One of the great advantaged of booking with Auto Europe is our regular Free Additional Driver which means you can share the driving with friends or a family member. For added convenience, you can also pick up your vehicle in one place and drop it off somewhere else with one of our special one-way car hire offers. Plan your journey with our best day-trip suggestions from Oslo;
Lillehammer
Best known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics, today Lillehammar is one of Norway’s most popular ski resorts. You can see the old Olympic Games facilities like the Lysgardsbakkene Ski Jump, Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track, and learn more about the 1994 Winter Games at the Norwegian Olympic Museum. Another highlight is the Maihaugen open-air museum where you can visit traditional Norwegian homes, some of which date back to the 13th century. Located just 120 miles from Oslo via the E6 road, it is always worth a visit in summer as well as winter.
TusenFryd Family Park
Located just 15 miles from Oslo, this park is perfect for a change of pace. With more than 40 attractions, numerous games and plenty of live entertainment, lots of fun is guaranteed for the whole family. Rides range from gentle merry-go-rounds for the kids to something more frenetic like the dizzying SpinSpider carousel and the Speedmonster roller coaster. Some rides have a bit of Norwegian flavour to them, like the Ragnarok raft ride and Thor’s 4D Hammer experience. To mix things up, don’t miss the Burnout Stuntshow or the BadeFryd water park in summer.
Karlstad, Sweden
About two and a half hours from Oslo, just over the border in Sweden but a manageable day-trip from the Norwegian capital, lies the city of Karlstad. Proudly known as the sunniest place in Sweden, many locals go there to relax at Lake Vänern. Begin your visit at Stora Torget and take a walk through the city centre to admire its mix of classic and modern architecture. Along the way, take a look inside Karlstad Cathedral to see its ornate chandelier. Be sure to visit the Värmlands Museum where a comprehensive collection of fine art and culture can be seen, all housed inside a historic building inspired by the architecture of Chinese temples. You can also learn about Sweden's Cold War history with a trip to the Brigadmuseum.
Fredrikstad
This classic Oslo day-trip is a must for visitors to the city. Its impressive fortified Old Town - the Gamlebyen - is guarded by a total of five forts famous for being the only Norwegian fortifications still totally intact. This incredibly secure city was built on the banks of the Glomma estuary and surrounded by an impressive network of star-shaped moats. One of the most impressive facts about Gamlebyen is that its inhabitants have found a way to preserve and respect the city's historic importance while continuing to use the space, keeping the town alive without spoiling its old-world charm. Enjoy the historic ambience of shopping and dining along the cobblestone streets before heading to Fredrikstad Museum where there are exhibits and demonstrations on life in this fabulous fortress city.
Drobak
Just a short 50-minute trip from Oslo, there are few harbour towns in southern Norway quite as pretty as Drobak. Lying along the Oslofjord, what Drobak lacks in size it certainly makes up for in charm. The town is now dressed up as a year-round Christmas village which means that Christmas decorations can be seen in windows and there’s even a Santa Claus-themed post office. Drobak’s other big draw is that it’s just a short boat ride from the Oscarsborg fortress. Nestling on two islets, this World War II fortress delayed the German invasion in 1940 by sinking the heavy cruiser Blücher. On a visit there you’ll see the military batteries still stationed on the island, as well as all the natural beauty to be enjoyed on other parts of the islets.
Kongsberg
About an hour and a half’s drive from Oslo, Kongsberg is best-known internationally for its high-tech Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Company. Tourists come here for the skiing at Kongsberg Skisenter and to see the King's Mines, once the source of the entire kingdom's silver. In operation from 1623 to 1958, the Kongsberg Silver Mines consist of more than 200 individual mines extending for several miles into the mountain. For those who don’t suffer from claustrophobia, it's possible to venture down into the Kongsberg Silver Mines during the summer months when tours are available but be warned, it gets chilly down there!
What to do in Oslo
Oslo has a lot to offer but sometimes it can get a bit expensive, so for this reason the city sells the Oslo Pass tourist ticket which will give you free entry to most of the city's sights and museums, free travel on the public transport system throughout Oslo and its surrounding areas and discounts on sightseeing, restaurants and services. There is a paper version and a mobile version but both are valid for either 24, 48 or 72 hours. You can pre-order online or buy it directly through the Oslo Pass App. Below are some of the highlights of this lovely city;
- Akershus Fortress: This 13th-century fortress was originally built to protect the city. Nearly all of the sieges it faced were conducted by Swedish forces and it managed to withstand every attack. The surviving building we see today is from the reign of King Christian IV, who moved to Oslo to the north of the fortress after a fire in 1624. He modernised the defences and built an Italian-style Renaissance palace in the heart of the fortress, which served as a prison during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Frogner Park and the Vigeland: Frogner Park is a Baroque garden and part of the Frogner Manor estate, becoming a public facility in 1896. Covering 45 hectares, it is the largest park in Oslo and one of the city’s the most popular tourist attractions due to the fact that it is free to enter all year round. The Vigeland has 212 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland and is located in the centre of Frogner Park. Among its sculptures, there is a 46-foot monolith of 121 people stacked on top of each other in addition to many other interesting themes.
- Fram Museum: This popular museum pays tribute to the daring polar explorers of the 20th-century, namely Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen. The centrepiece is the Fram, a wooden ship that was used by the explorers in both the Arctic and Antarctic expeditions between 1893 and 1912. Aboard the Fram you can experience how humans and their dogs battled to survive in the most hostile conditions. The Gjoa is another of the museum’s most important exhibits, which carried Roald Amundsen along the north-west Passage for three years up to 1906. Don't miss the Northern Lights show and the interactive exhibits like the polar simulator.
- Holmenkollen National Ski Arena: Here you can enjoy the Ski Museum and Mjump Tower, shops, a café and a ski simulator. It was rebuilt in 2011 and inside the framework of the ski jump you’ll find a well-established ski museum with many interesting artefacts and 4,000 years of skiing heritage on display. Don't worry if you don’t enjoy skiing, the observation platform at the top of the tower provides you with a breathtaking panorama of Oslo.
- Viking Ship Museum: Home to the world's best-preserved Viking boat, a visit to this museum is a fantastic way to learn all about Norway’s history and heritage. It illustrates the discoveries made from the Gosksta, Oseberg and Tune ships along with a fascinating collection of small boats, sledges, a lovely cart, tools, textiles and household utensils.