What is SAS's carry-on limit for Oslo flights?

SAS allows one carry-on bag of 55×40×23 cm and up to 8 kg in economy class on Oslo routes. This is on the lower end for a full-service carrier. SAS enforces weight at check-in more consistently than at the gate, but it is wise to pack to the limit.

What is Norwegian's carry-on limit on the Oslo route?

Norwegian allows a cabin bag of 55×40×23 cm and 10 kg on most fares to Oslo. LowFare fares on Norwegian may restrict carry-on to a personal item of 45×25×20 cm only — always check your fare class at booking before assuming a full cabin bag is included.

What are Widerøe's carry-on limits for fjord-country regional routes?

Widerøe operates Dash-8 turboprops on Norwegian regional routes. Carry-on limits are typically 5–8 kg and size restrictions are tight due to small overhead bins. On routes between Bergen, Flåm, Ålesund, and Stavanger, a personal item or very slim backpack is the safe choice for cabin use.

Is Oslo as expensive as its reputation suggests?

Yes. Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in Europe for food, drink, and activities. A restaurant meal easily costs 250–350 NOK per main course; a beer can reach 100–120 NOK. Packing well — including snacks, a refillable water bottle, and everything you need — saves meaningful money.

How long does the Flytoget airport express take from Gardermoen to central Oslo?

The Flytoget express train runs from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) to Oslo Central Station in 19–22 minutes. It departs every 10 minutes and costs around 250 NOK. The slower regional NSB train takes 23–30 minutes and is cheaper. Both connect directly to the city centre.

Carry-On Only for Oslo: SAS vs Norwegian Limits and Fjord Day Trips

Oslo is one of the great Nordic capitals — a city with world-class museums, a revitalised waterfront, accessible fjord day trips, and a global reputation for being eye-wateringly expensive. That last point makes the carry-on case especially strong here: checking a bag on a Scandinavian route adds cost, and arriving at Gardermoen with only a cabin bag means faster transfer to the city on the Flytoget.

The complication is that Norwegian airlines have diverging carry-on policies, and fjord-country hoppers who add a Widerøe leg face genuinely tight small-aircraft restrictions.

Airline Quick Reference

Airline	Size limit	Weight	Notes
SAS	55×40×23 cm	8 kg	Stricter than Norwegian
Norwegian	55×40×23 cm	10 kg	LowFare: personal item only
Widerøe	Varies by aircraft	5–8 kg	Turboprop — very tight
Ryanair (OSL)	40×20×25 cm free	10 kg with Priority	Torp airport only

SAS vs Norwegian: Know Your Fare

The primary choice for most travellers is between SAS and Norwegian. Norwegian's 10 kg limit is more generous than SAS's 8 kg, but Norwegian's cheapest fares — marketed as LowFare — do not include a cabin bag at all. On a LowFare ticket, you are entitled to one underseat personal item of 45×25×20 cm only. This is an extremely small allowance — essentially a large handbag.

Before booking Norwegian, check the fare breakdown. Adding a cabin bag post-booking is always more expensive than including it at purchase. If you want carry-on certainty without reading the fine print, SAS's standard economy includes the cabin bag by default, even if the limit is 8 kg.

Widerøe Regional Routes

If your trip includes fjord-country hopping — flying into Bergen and out of Stavanger, or doing a Bergen-to-Ålesund leg — you may encounter Widerøe, Norway's regional carrier. Widerøe operates Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops on many domestic Norwegian routes.

These aircraft have very limited overhead bin space. Widerøe's carry-on policy caps weight at 5–8 kg depending on route, and the physical bin size often restricts bags to a slim backpack or very compact soft bag. A standard 55×40×23 cm cabin bag will usually need to be gate-checked.

If you are combining an international flight with a Widerøe domestic leg, plan your bag for the Widerøe restriction — or simply expect to gate-check the main bag and travel with a personal item as your only cabin carry.

Packing for Oslo's Climate

Oslo has a continental climate with genuine winters and warm summers.

Winter packing (November–March):

Thermal base layer (merino or synthetic)
Fleece or light down mid-layer
Waterproof insulated outer jacket — wear this to the airport
Sturdy waterproof boots (Oslo streets get icy)
Beanie, gloves, scarf
3–4 warm tops
Smart trousers or dark jeans — Oslo restaurants and bars dress up

Summer packing (June–August):

4–5 lightweight tops and a light layer
Walking shoes or comfortable trainers
1 packable rain jacket (Oslo gets rain year-round)
2 pairs of trousers or light-weight shorts

As with any cold-climate Nordic city, the coat is the enemy of the carry-on. Wear it, don't pack it.

Fjord Day Trips from Oslo

Several excellent fjord excursions are reachable from Oslo without flying.

Oslo Fjord: day trips by ferry to Gressholmen, Hovedøya, or along the inner Oslofjord require only comfortable walking clothes and a packed lunch. The ferry dock is at Aker Brygge.

Bergen day trip: the Bergen Railway from Oslo to Bergen (7 hours) is one of the great European train journeys. At Bergen, the Flåm railway and Nærøyfjord boat connection are feasible as a multi-day extension. For this trip, pack a small daypack inside your main bag — you'll want it for the boat and walking stages.

Holmenkollen: Oslo's ski jump and museum is reachable by metro in 30 minutes. In winter, the surrounding trails are groomed for cross-country skiing — rental gear is available on-site, so you need not pack any ski equipment.

Oslo's High Cost of Living

Oslo consistently ranks among the five most expensive cities in Europe. Budget for food and drink to cost roughly double what you'd pay in London, and three to four times what you'd pay in Central or Eastern Europe.

Practical money-saving packing:

A reusable water bottle — Oslo tap water is excellent, and buying bottled water at Oslo prices is a waste
Basic snacks from the airport or a supermarket (REMA 1000 and Kiwi are the cheapest Norwegian chains) to avoid paying 80–100 NOK for a coffee and pastry at every break
All your own clothing — buying even a basic fleece in Oslo will cost 400–600 NOK

Packing correctly and buying nothing in Oslo is genuinely worth doing.

Airport Tips

Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is 50 km north of the city — one of the furthest major European airport locations from its city centre. The Flytoget express takes 19–22 minutes; the regional NSB train takes around 25–30 minutes. Both connect to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S).

Allow extra buffer when travelling to OSL from the city, especially at peak times. The train journey is fixed, but getting to Oslo S can involve delays on busy mornings.

Security at OSL is efficient for a large airport. Dedicated lanes for families and fast-track lanes for business travellers are clearly marked.

Practical Tips

The Oslo Pass (24/48/72 hour) includes museum entry, public transport, and some restaurant discounts. Factor it in if you plan to visit multiple museums.
Alcohol is sold only at Vinmonopolet state stores (closed Sundays) and is very expensive. Wine at a restaurant costs 100–150 NOK per glass.
Most Oslo attractions accept contactless payment. You do not need cash.
Norwegian plug sockets are Type C/F — same as the rest of continental Europe.

Bottom Line

Oslo rewards careful packing more than almost any European city: every gram you can leave at home is a gram you don't need to buy replacements for at Oslo prices. Pay attention to your airline fare class — Norwegian's LowFare restrictions catch many travellers. If you are adding a Widerøe leg for fjord access, slim your main bag down or plan to gate-check it. Wear the coat, pack the layers, and bring a reusable water bottle. Oslo's tap water is among the best in the world and it is free.