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Getting Around Public Transport Oslo has a comprehensive and efficient public transport network of trains, buses, trams, ferries and an underground, mostly operated by Oslo Sporveier (tel: 2208 4111; fax: 2208 4112; e-mail: kundesenter@sporveien.no; website: www.sporveien.no). Trafikanten, Jerbanetorvet 1 (tel: 177, 0700-2300 Monday-Friday, 0800-2300 Saturday and Sunday; website www.trafikanten.no), is a one-stop shop for information on all public transport in and around Oslo. The office is open 0700-2000 Monday-Friday and 0800-1800 Saturday and Sunday. Public transport runs 0530-2400, with additional night services on certain routes at the weekends. Some 50 separate bus lines and eight different tram lines cover the city. These can be boarded opposite Oslo S station on Jerbanetorvet, with tickets available from the driver. The Oslo T Bane consists of five underground lines. Tickets are available from vending machines at the various stations. The entire public transport network is detailed on a free map, which is available from Trafikanten, all post offices and most stations. Bygdøyfergene Skibs A/S (tel: 2220 0715) operates seasonal ferries (April-September) from City Hall to Bygdøy, where most museums are situated. Other small ferries operate from Vippetangen, just behind Akershus Slott, to all the harbour basin islands. Tickets for single journeys cost NOK22 irrespective of the mode of transport. Various passes are available, including a Flexikort, costing NOK135, which lasts for ten trips. A Dagskort allows unlimited travel in a 24-hour period, for NOK50. These available for purchase on the tram or bus, at the Metro and railway stations or participating kiosks and must be stamped in the machine provided, prior to travelling. Taxis Taxi ranks can be found throughout the city, mainly near the shopping centre, city squares and outside Oslo S station. When it is very busy or late at night, long waits may be experienced at ranks. All cabs are controlled from a central office (tel: 02323, website: www.oslotaxi.no), through which advance bookings can be made any time, from 20 minutes to 24 hours in advance. However, in peak travel periods, taxis may take up to 30 minutes to arrive. Hailing on the streets is possible, although not within 100 metres (110 yards) of a registered taxi rank. If the light is on, the taxi is available for hire. Initial charges start at NOK65, with each subsequent kilometre being metered at NOK10-12. Rates are higher during peak times, at nights and on weekends. Generally, it is considerably less expensive to pick up a cab at a rank or hail it on the street than to order one by telephone. Tipping is commonly around 10% of the fare. Limousines Providers include Oslo Limousinservice (tel: 2215 1141; e-mail: oslolimousin@online.no; website: www.oslolimousin.no) and Bislet Limousin/Carey International (tel: 2280 2520; fax: 2280 2521; e-mail: office@bisletlimousine.no; website: www.bisletlimousine.no). Hire rates for stretch limos with seating for nine people start from about NOK4000 per day. Driving in the City Driving in Oslo is fairly straightforward. However, the city is relatively small and has an excellent public transport system, so a car is really unnecessary, unless longer trips are planned. Rush hours (0700-0900 and 1500-1800) are best avoided and navigating can be difficult, as there is a complicated one-way system. The Stor Olso map, available from petrol stations, should help, if studied carefully in advance. Another plus point for public transport is that parking is a nightmare in Oslo, with many places having a one-hour maximum stay. Illegal parking or overstaying the allotted time is dealt with severely – fines start at NOK500. Once a parking spot has been found, a ticket must be obtained from the on-street ticket machine and displayed in the vehicle windshield. Controlled city centre street parking spots are free to Oslo Card holders (see Sightseeing). There are 24-hour car parks at C J Hambros Plass, Prinsens gate, Chr. Krohgsgate, Oslo Plaza, Asker Stasjon and Skøyen Stasjon. Parking prices vary considerably according to location. The Oslo S multi-storey charges NOK13 for 25 minutes, with a maximum of NOK124 for a full day. On-street parking can cost up to NOK10 for ten minutes at peak times. Car Hire The major car hire providers are Avis, Munkedamsveien (tel: 2323 9200; website: www.avis.no), Budget, Clarion Hotel Royal Christiania (tel: 2217 1060; website: www.budget.no), and Hertz, Oslo Sentral Stasjon (tel: 6716 8000; website: www.hertz.no). The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years and a credit card will be required as a deposit. The driver must have a national drivers licence (in Roman script), which he/she has held for a minimum of one year. Insurance is mandatory and tends to be included in the cost of the hire. Rates start from approximately NOK500 per day. Bicycle Hire Information about cycling can be obtained from Syklistenes, Landsforening, Storgata 23c (tel: 2247 3030). Bicycles can be rented from Ski og Sykkelstasjon, Middelthunsgate 21 (tel: 2260 4604), and A/S Ski Service, Voksenkollen Stasjon (tel: 2213 9504). Rates are from between NOK150 and NOK200 per day, depending on the model. |
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