Oslo wonderful . We did on our own. Easy

[traveltwin]

We disembarked last Saturday in Bergen (after a great 14 days). We had booked the train from Bergen to Oslo on our own from home. The ride is spectacular. So well worth seeing. then stayed in Oslo at Hotel Continental, also on our own, with Expedia, excellent. We opted for the hop on hop off bus for convenience and city overview. Went to Vigeland Park, free, and amazing sculptures. also Viking Museum and Fram Museum and a lot of walking through a very interesting, vibrant, clean city. Oslo was a big surprise. Loved it. We took the FLYTOGET express train from the central station for half price senior rate. Waaaay cheaper than taxi and very nice, quick. They leave every 10 minutes. Couldn't have been easier or quicker. a great finish to our trip.

[LunaSeaRetreat]

It sounds like you had a great plan. Next June we will disembark in Bergen also. How did you handle your luggage on the train trips? Were you required to lug them up and down stairs? Was the luggage checked or did you keep it with you? It's almost time to book our air so we'll decide soon whether or not we'll pay for deviation and return home from Oslo and not Bergen.

 

Thanks,

Cynthia

[traveltwin]

We have pretty good rolling cases, and we did not have a problem, because there were elevators everywhere we were. It is hard, though, getting luggage into the train, but kind people helped us. It was not as bad as some of those European stations where you go to a far track and see nothing but stairs! Cab drivers to and from stations also loaded and unloade. Because we're away for about three weeks we did not travel as light as usual, but it was definitely do-able unless you have serious mobility issues. No porters around any more!!!!

[cassandra44]

Cynthia...We disembarked in Bergen and we booked the train to Oslo online. Got the upgrade (not much more than basic)...we booked our seat numbers at same time.

We organized for our suitcases to be transferred from Bergen to our hotel in Oslo.

We took a taxi from the ship to the hotel Grand Terminus in Bergen (right beside the rail station) and a man came and collected them and took them to Oslo by van. The company is PorterService....contact them at porter@porterservice.no.... they charged NOK 250 for each case. The taxi was expensive... and that's a warning...all taxis in Norway are very expensive but no option.... We highly recommend using the porter service...our bags arrived at the hotel in Oslo (the Grand) by around 7 p.m. No problems at all.

We had more problems getting from the hotel to the airport because there was quite a long walk to get to the express train to the airport and we had large bags. We opted for the airport bus which left right behind our hotel....it takes a lot longer than the express train but it was worth it not to have to haul suitcases around. I think it took over an hour to get there...

Oslo is a wonderful city and the public transport is really good. If you get an Oslo pass it includes trams, buses, ferries etc. and museum entrance. We opted for a day pass which did not cover the ferry to Museum island but covered all other transportation.

We went to the Viking ship museum, the Norwegian folk museum (which as a very interesting stave church) (all on museum island)....we opted not to do Kon Tiki which was also on that island....Then we took bus to the Sculpture garden (free)...a must-see attraction! Then we walked to the metro (about 10 min walk) and took it to the Holmenkallen ski jump where there is a simulator if that interests you. There is a restaurant near the metro stop which has wonderful views of the city.

After an Asian meal close to our hotel (prices are high in Norway) we went to an ice bar where for around 30 euros we had an interesting experience (and an awful drink)...once in a lifetime will do.

Loved Oslo...such an interesting city.

[LunaSeaRetreat]

Thanks to both of you for the information. It gives me a lot to think about. I'll let everyone know what we decided to do. June is still a long time away. The train ride sounds beautiful. We've been to Oslo once many years ago but never to Bergen. Decisions, decisions!

 

Thanks again,

 

Cynthia

[theclays]

We are on the Midnight Sun cruise next year and plan to take the Bergen -Oslo train trip. We were concerned about luggage since we are doing Iceland pre-cruise and UK for two weeks post cruise. So happy to get your tip about sending luggage by van. Will make the train trip easier for two 80 year olds!

 

Cynthia are you on June 19th departure also?

[LunaSeaRetreat]

 

Cynthia are you on June 19th departure also?

 

Yes, we are. I see you are on the roll call. We can keep touch there.

 

Cynthia