Information about Oslo

Oslo is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental centre of Norway. The city is also a hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping. According to the Norse sagas, Oslo was founded around 1049 by King Harald Hardråde. Recent archaeological research has uncovered burials which can be dated to prior to 1000 CE, evidence of a preceding urban settlement. This called for the celebration of Oslo's millennium in 2000.

Compared to other capitals, Oslo is a very compact city with short distances to most things in the city centre. From Oslo Central Station, via Karl Johan Street to the Royal Palace, it's only a 15-minutes walk. Otherwise public transport makes it easy to reach popular areas like Holmenkollen and Bygdøy. 25 minutes by metro takes you from the city centre to Holmenkollen, and in the summer it takes only 15 minutes by ferry to reach Bygdøy.

More information on the city of Oslo can be found on www.visitoslo.com

AIRPORTS
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is the main airport and located app. 45 km from the city entre. A trip on the Airport Express Train takes 20 minutes and it is scheduled from the airport to downtown Oslo every 10 minutes. It stops at Oslo Central Station which is within walking distance of the conference venue at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. The Airport Express Bus uses approximately 45 minutes to the city center. It stops close to the major hotels in Oslo. There is also taxi service operated by several companies. Taxi can be obtained at a fixed price from the information desk in the terminal building. Information on flight schedules is available at www.osl.no/en/osl

There are two more airports in the Oslo region: Moss Airport Rygge (RYG) and Sandefjord Airport Torp (TRF). These both have bus transfers to the city center of Oslo. Due to distance it is not recommended to use taxi services from these airports to the city center of Oslo.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Norway is a Schengen country and delegates arriving from another Schengen country will normally not be asked to display their travel document at the border. However, random inspection of travel documents by the Norwegian Police may occur. Passengers arriving by flights from non-Schengen countries will have to clear passport control.

Citizens of Schengen countries and countries with a visa exemption agreement with Norway do not need a visa. For the list of countries whose nationals need a visa to visit Norway see http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Central-topics/Visa/. Delegates from countries where Norway does not have embassies are required to approach the relevant embassy of another Schengen country.

CURRENCY
Norwegian currency is Norwegian Kroner (NOK) which is the only currency acceptable for payment. All major credit cards are accepted in the hotels, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and taxis. Cash can be obtained from ATMs or at the nearest bank. Working hours of banks in Oslo are from 09.00 to 15.30. Please note that banking services are not available in the hotels and that banks are closed on weekends.

ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Norway is 220V and European style two-pin sockets are used.

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