Getting There By Road
Driving conditions in and around Oslo are generally good with well-maintained roads, and some dual carriageway. Elsewhere in Norway, particularly in the mountainous areas, roads are less good and should be used with great care. It is also essential to check that mountain passes are not closed by snow. Major routes are designated by the European ‘E’ prefix – for example, the roads from Oslo to Trondheim are the E3 and E6. Other roads take the ‘R’ (Riksvei) prefix. All roads leading into Oslo have toll booths. Speed limits on roads outside town vary between 80 and 100kph (50-60mph) and, in urban areas, are set at 50kph (30mph). Some residential streets are designated with a 30kph (19mph) limit and are often equipped with vicious unmarked speed-humps – drivers should proceed with care. Additionally, away from ‘priority’ routes (designated by yellow diamond signs) drivers should beware of vehicles suddenly pulling out from side turns on the right – they officially have right of way and fault falls on the driver who hits them.
Traffic drives on the right. The minimum age for driving is 18 years and drivers must be in possession of full national driving licence or an International Driving Permit. Licences must be carried at all times when driving. If bringing a vehicle into Norway, registration documents and a valid certificate of insurance are required. A Green Card, while not compulsory, is desirable. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory and at least dipped headlights must be illuminated at all times. Children under 12 years must travel in the back of the car. Drink driving is severely dealt with (short prison sentences are common) and the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.02%.
NAF – Norges Automobil-forbund or Norwegian Automobile Association (tel: 2234 1400; website: www.naf.no) provides further information and offers reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in many other countries.
Emergency breakdown service:
NAF 8100 0505
Routes to the city: The main highways into Oslo are the E6 from Lillehammer, Trondheim and the north, the E16 from Bergen in the west and the E18 from Stockholm in the east and on to Stavanger in the west. The resund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark, opened in 2000, makes it possible for travellers to drive from Norway to Denmark without using a ferry.
Coach services: The bus station, Bussterminalen (tel: 23 00 24 00), Schweigaards gate 8, is located under the Galleriet shopping centre, behind Oslo S station. Nor-Way Bussekspress (tel: 81 54 44 44 from abroad, 82 02 13 00 within Norway; website: www.nor-way.no) operates a network of domestic and international long-distance routes and tickets are available for purchase at the station or on the bus. Destinations include larger Norwegian towns and European destinations such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Warsaw, Berlin and Hamburg.
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Getting There By Road