Car Travel

The E18 connects Oslo with Göteborg, Sweden (by ferry between Sandefjord and Strömstad, Sweden); Copenhagen, Denmark (by ferry between Kristiansand and Hirtshals, Denmark); and Stockholm directly overland. The land route from Oslo to Göteborg is the E6. All routes leading into Oslo have tollbooths a certain distance from the city center, forming an "electronic ring." The toll is NKr 25. If you have the correct change, drive a lane marked "Mynt." If you don't, use a "Manuell" lane. "AutoPASS" is for residents who have taken up an annual subscription.

If you plan to do any amount of driving in Oslo, buy a copy of the Stor Oslo map, available at bookstores and gasoline stations. It may be a small city, but one-way streets and few exit ramps on the expressway make it very easy to get lost.

Parking is very difficult—many spaces have one-hour limits and can cost more than NKr 25 per hour. Instead of individual parking meters in P-lots, a machine dispenses validated tickets to display in your car windshield. If you buy an Oslo Pass (from a tourist board or hotel), which offers discounts on many things, you can park for free in city-run street spots or at reduced rates in lots run by the city (P-lots). Just be mindful of time limits and where the card truly is valid.

Car Rentals

Avis (67-25-55-10 airport; 81-53-30-44 downtown. www.avis.no.)

Budget/SIXT (815 60600 at airport only. www.budget.no.)

Europcar (64-81-05-60 airport; 22-83-12-42 downtown. www.europcar.no.)

Hertz (64-81-05-50 airport; 22-21-00-00 Oslo S (Oslo Central Railway Station). www.hertz.no.)