Flights with Ryanair http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/ Going Out - All times are local From Liverpool (LPL) to Oslo Torp Sandefjord (TRF) Web fare Tuesday, 26 Sep 06 Flight 9618 Depart Liverpool (LPL) 13:35 Arrive Oslo Torp Sandefjord (TRF) 16:25 Coming Back - All times are local From Oslo Torp Sandefjord (TRF) to Liverpool (LPL) Reg fare Saturday, 30 Sep 06 Flight 9619 Depart Oslo Torp Sandefjord (TRF) 16:50 Arrive Liverpool (LPL) 17:45 Accomodation at Oslo Youth Hostel 'Haraldsheim' http://www.haraldsheim.oslo.no/ The Trip There is now bus service from the new 'Liverpool South Park Way' train station straight to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. We bought 'Save-Away' tickets at Birkdale (last but one on the Northern Line) as well as buying spares for the return journey. The Save-Away's took us straight from Birkdale to South Parkway and got us on the bus to the Airport too. Allow about 1.5 hours but we did it alot quicker. I actually think the bus we got was the previous one late as the driver seemed to be putting his foot down. Once at the airport check in was quite slow, only one operator on the desk. After a bit of waiting about we went through security, shoes off, belts off, no liquids. And, as to be expected on Ryaniar flights, seats on the aircraft (Boing 737) are on a first come first served basis. At least I didnt get a 'starer' or and large person with odor issues next to me. The flight times where a little quicker than stated. Outbound there was a favourable tailwind. So, what Ryanair dont tell you is that Torp airport isnt exactly Oslo! In fact, its about 75 miles from the city centre. Fortunately, the 'Oslo Express' coach service coincides with Ryanair's flights and they wait up to 30 mins if there are flight delays. That's nice of them. The coach journey takes about 1.5 hours to get into centre of Oslo and there is some nice scenery. Only thing is I coudnt see any of it as it was very over cast. Never mind, maybe on the way back. So, you arrive at Oslo bus station. Make your way to the tube station which is part of the (Centralstajonen) Central Station link up. Leave the bus station following signs for Centralstajonen, up escalators, through the nice little shopping mall deliberatly wafting Capachino and Croissants. Across the flyover into the main shopping centre of the central station. More or less as soon as you are in the doors you are going to turn sharp right back on yourself and down two escalators to the tube (T-Bane, big letter 'T' in a circle) You are looking to get to Sinsen station on line 4 or 6 (no really, it doesnt matter which one!!!) Before you drop down onto the platform (keep left, you are at Jernbanetorget station) get a ticket from the machine. Press Oslo Adult and feed it a 20 Kroner piece. If you dont have any change you went past a supermarket at the entrance. Whlist it may seem that no one ever asks for tickets at stations there is 'Billetter Control' - two conductors who stroll through carriages asking for tickets. You are supposed to have one to be on the platform. You get on the tube at Jernbanetorget (part of Centralstajonen) and are looking for Sinsen on lines 4 or 6 tube (trains have a number on front, ignore the destinations it will only confuse you) Sinsen is only 4 stops away (or 9 if you get on the wrong platform :) There is a link below to PDF versions of tube maps. At Sinsen walk to the exit signposted 'Hans Nilsen Hauges Gate'. As soon as you are out of the triangle walkway turn right. Short distance to roundabout / flyover, cross over left and then straght under flyover, across tram line and walk up the hill between the goalposts to the hostel. The Hostel Cheaper than staying in a city centre hotel (all prices later) I have found European hostels are generally basic but good value for money. This was no exeption. Rooms, small with bunks, a sink with mirror. Two reading lights over each bed head. Very basic but clean. Down the corridor toilets and showers, again kept clean. Downstairs a well equipped guest kitchen which seemed to be a hive of international activity after 6:00 pm, you may have to wait for a space / pans etc to get your meal made. Also, a common room with TV showing mostly Norwegian stations. The Food Breakfast between 6:30 - 9:30. Cereals, boiled eggs, selection of sliced cold meats and relishes. Cheese, rolls, bread, real fruit preserves, tea, coffee, fruit juice and other strange things I didnt recognise !!! All on refigerated counters and kept tidy. The dinning room ambience ranged from deadly silent to a cacophony, especially when the footbal teams came in on a Saturday. Interestingly there where also female teams! Oslo Firstly, yes, most people will break out into English for you and are happy to help. The city has lots of statues, fountains, museums, places of interest including the Nobel Peace Centre and a palace as well as harbour areas with considerable shopping centres. Yes, it is more expensive to live in Oslo, food prices can range from just accpetable by UK standards to outrageous. If you think carefully, shop in the suppermarkets on the outskirts and do your own cooking (which I prefer mostly) then you can make the money last. In fact I took over £200 worth of Kroner and came back with £35 worth. We ate out on the last night and, after asking a local for a recommendation, went to an indian called 'Curry & Ketchup'. For garlic naan, two veggie curries and a beer it came to 240 Kroner (£20 - divide by 12 approx) although this was an exeptionally low price. The food was fantastic though. Travel You have a choice between overland train, tram, bus or tube. The tube tickets will take you anywhere on the tube lines for 20 Kroner (£1.66) but you have to use the ticket within the hour. The service was really good, on time and frequent. I didnt use the tram, bus or overland trains. Backpacking You could use this as a spring board to go backpacking and is a good introduction to easy walking / camping. Take the tube to Sognsvann station. There is a lake by the same name. This area is exceptionally well organised for walking, cycling and camping which is permitted as long as you are away from the public (exactly why I would be backpacking!) This area was amazing and it gives you a taster for things to come. When you start looking at the scenery of Norway you will find it absolutely breath taking. Prices Birkdale to Liverpool South Park - Save-away Ticket - £4.50 Liveropol John Lennon Airport to Torp Sandefjord - £52.50 inc Insurance Oslo Express Coach from Torp Sandefjord to Oslo City Centre Bus Station - £11.66 Tube Train from Oslo City Centre Bus Station to Sinsen Tube Station - £1.66 Haraldsheim Hostel - £21.27 per night including breakfast / linen (take your own or hire) Links Visit Oslo - http://www.visitoslo.com Youth Hostel Haraldsheim - http://www.haraldsheim.oslo.no Train Maps http://tubemap.com/tube_map_metro_subway_worldwide.html Pictures http://www.earth-photography.com Norway in a Nutshell - http://www.norwaynutshell.com Google Earth Placeholders Peace_Center.kmz University.kmz National_Theatre.kmz Harbour.kmz Sognsvann_Lake.kmz The Photos - Click to enlarge, your browser buttons to go back.