Transport in Oslo

European routes E6 and E18 are the main highways entering Oslo. Many parts of these motorways are tunneled beneath the city center. A series of three ring roads encircle Oslo; the two innermost ring roads, Ring 1 and Ring 2, are surface city streets, while Ring 3 is an expressway. The construction of roads is partially supported through a toll ring. On Ring 1 and 2, you pay the toll every time you drive by a toll point. On Ring 3, however, you only pay when you're entering the city.[1] The toll ring also helps finance other public projects, like the Fornebu Line currently under construction.[2]

Two Tesla Models S charging at a Tesla Supercharger in Norway

Oslo has made an effort since the late 2000s in promoting the use of electric vehicles above fossil-fueled vehicles. Oslo has been called the electric vehicle capital of the world, as 41% of all registered cars in the municipality are fully electric.[3][4] In September 2021, the number of electric vehicles entering Oslo's toll ring was higher than the number of fossil-fueled vehicles.[5] The high amount of electric vehicles in Oslo can be attributed to cheaper tolls, no vehicle import tax, no VAT, free parking, and access to bus lanes throughout the city.[6][3]

Buses lining up on Jernbanetorget station

Oslo has a total of 50 inner-city bus lines, excluding buses that connect with greater Akershus.[7] These inner-city bus lines act as a final overlay of transportation in Oslo, after the metro and tram network, making travel by public transportation possible to every corner of the city. Some of the most trafficked routes can have departures almost every minute, like 31 Fornebu, which has around 50 departures towards the Fornebu peninsula every hour during peak times.[8]

The Oslo Metro (Norwegian: Oslo T-bane or simply T-banen) is the rapid transit network of Oslo. It operates five lines that cover the entire city. The Common Tunnel runs underneath the city center, and all five lines use it. The Oslo metro is run by Sporveien, and the total length of the metro line is 85 km (53 mi) , serving 101 stations in total. 14 out of 15 boroughs of Oslo are currently served by the Metro system. The Fornebu Line is a new line that's currently under construction. The new line is going to serve the peninsula of Fornebu, as well as the neighborhoods of Skøyen and Lysaker.[9]

The new SL18-model tram

The Oslo tram network runs primarily on the road network (though it does run on portions of dedicated right-of-way too), and is operated by Sporveien Trikken.[10] It has six lines operating within areas close to the city center. The new low-floor SL18-model tram is set to replace the older SL79 and SL95 models within 2024.[11]

Map of the railway lines in Norway.
— electrified lines
— non-electrified lines
— disused or heritage lines

Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) is the terminus for several railway lines. Vy operates most of Norway's passenger rail services, including the Oslo Commuter Rail which connects to six counties in Eastern Norway. They operate regional and express trains from Oslo to several Norwegian destinations - including Drammen, Lillehammer and Halden - and to Gothenburg and Stockholm in neighboring Sweden.[12]

Flytoget runs from Drammen to Gardermoen Airport and connects Drammen and Oslo to the airport via a high-speed rail link.[13]