🏙 City work & life guides. Oslo: weekdays — work, transport, evening leisure activities

🏢 The capital city is all about convenience. You can get around on the T-bane, tram or on foot, and after six you can head to the waterfront or a hot sauna with a view of the opera house. Below is a short, practical guide: which travel pass is best for 2–3 weeks, which neighbourhoods are convenient for renting accommodation for a month, and where to spend the evening without complicated logistics.

🚆 Which travel pass is best for 2–3 weeks of work in Oslo?

If you are travelling within the city centre, almost everything is covered by zone 1 (including the entire metro system). For frequent travel, check out the season tickets in the Ruter app or on a plastic card: 7 days, 30 days, 365 days. The basic rates are as follows: 30 days for zone 1 — 985 kroner, single trip in zone 1 — 44 kroner. For two weeks, it is usually cheaper to buy two 7-day tickets; for three weeks — a 30-day ticket. If you occasionally travel outside zone 1, purchase an additional zone directly in the app (add-on to the current period). Plastic cards are sold at Narvesen/7-Eleven (costs 50 kroner). Ruter tip: a monthly pass pays for itself after ~30 trips.

Practical tip:

— 2 weeks of daily travel: get 2×7-day passes for zone 1.

— 2.5–3 weeks or an active weekend: a 30-day pass is more convenient — less hassle and often cheaper.

The easiest way to check fares and current promotions is in the Ruter app — prices and zones are always up to date there.

🏡 Where to live for a month near the metro and the city centre?

The best bet is along the city tunnel line (Jernbanetorget/Oslo S, Nationaltheatret, Majorstuen stations) and the nearest residential areas.

• Bjørvika/Barcode/Sørenga. A modern waterfront near Oslo S and the opera house; many apartment options for monthly rentals (Bjørvika Apartments and similar), within walking distance of the city centre and the tram. The atmosphere is all about glass, water and museums.
• Grünerløkka. The metro is a little further away, but the trams and the Akerselva river make up for it. Cafes, parks, markets — ideal if you like walking around the neighbourhood and don't mind a 10–15 minute trip to the centre.
• Grønland/Tøyen. Both have their own T-bane stations and are within walking distance of Oslo S; lively streets, markets, quick trips on all lines.
• Majorstuen/Frogner. Large transport hub (metro line junction), good if you need direct lines to the west/north and proximity to parks.

Life hack: choose accommodation in zone 1 and close to a hub station — this way you'll have access to both the city centre and the forest/hills on the same line. You can also use the same travel card throughout the city without paying extra.

🧖‍♀️ Where can you relax in a floating sauna in the evening?

Three tried and tested options, all within walking distance of Oslo S/Opera.

• SALT (Langkaia). Large sauna rooms with windows overlooking the fjord, evening slots until 10:00–10:30 on weekdays and weekends. You can book a private cabin or go for a group session.
• Oslo Badstuforening (Sukkerbiten and other locations). Daily sessions from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; spots open 21 days in advance, but if you see that it's full, check back the day before as slots are often added. There is also a sauna with a view at Grefsenkollen.
• KOK Oslo (Langkaia). Floating sauna rafts opposite the opera house; beautiful at sunset and after sunset, online booking.

Safety and etiquette: arrive 10 minutes early, bring a towel and swimsuit, be careful on the pier — it is slippery. In winter, keep your dips short and listen to the sauna master; drink alcohol in moderation or not at all. It is best to book in advance in the evening, as the popular slots fill up quickly. (For a guide to sauna culture and options in the city, visit VisitOSLO.)

Weekdays here are simple: a period ticket for zone 1 covers all city routes, accommodation near a key station saves time, and the evening is a reason to go to the water: a run along Akerselva and 60 minutes in a hot sauna is the perfect way to clear your head after work.

Save this guide, share your favourite places to stay/saunas in the comments, and we'll add fresh tips from readers to the guide.