Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
long commute (2.5 miles out of town). Beds in the fancy quads with private
showers and toilets are 270 kr per person (bed in simple quad with bathroom
down the hall-245 kr). They also offer private rooms (S-415 kr, Sb-470 kr,
bunk-bed D-540 kr, Db-625 kr; all include breakfast, members get 10 per-
cent off, sheets-50 kr, catch bus #31 or tram #17 or T-bane lines #4 or #6
from Oslo's central train station to Sinsenkrysset, then 5-minute uphill hike to
Haraldsheimveien 4, tel. 22 22 29 65, fax 22 22 10 25,
www.haraldsheim.no
,
oslo.haraldsheim@hihostels.no
). Eurailers can train to the hostel with their
railpass (2/hour, to Grefsen and walk 10 minutes).
Norway's trains and ferries offer ways to travel while sleeping. The eight-
hour night train between Bergen and Oslo leaves at about 23:00 in each direc-
tion (nightly except Sat). Eurail hobos sleep cheap, if not well, for the cost of
a 50-kr train reservation (sleep on a train ride out, cross platform, and sleep
back). Overnight trains connect Oslo with Copenhagen June-August only
(leaves nightly at 20:30, arrives at Malmö Central Station at 6:42 the next
morning, easy transfers to Copenhagen). The overnight cruise between these
Nordic capitals is a clever way to avoid a night in a hotel and to travel while
you sleep, saving a day in your itinerary (see “Oslo Connections,” later).
How do the Norwegians afford their high-priced restaurants? They don't eat
out much. This is one city in which you might just settle for simple or eth-
nic meals—you'll save a lot and miss little. Many menus list small and large
plates. Because portions tend to be large, choosing a small plate or splitting
a large one makes some otherwise pricey options reasonable. You'll notice
many locals just drink free tap water, even in fine restaurants. For a descrip-
tion of Oslo's classic (and expensive) restaurants, see the TI's
Oslo Guide
booklet.
