Oslo Opera House
Walk onto the sloping roof for harbour views and explore the striking Bjørvika waterfront.
Explore Oslo for museums, waterfront architecture and fjord scenery, then sail overnight to Kiel or Copenhagen on major international ferry routes.
Use FerryEU to compare live ferry sailings, fares, passenger and vehicle options for Norway. When you continue, the live booking results open in a new tab so this FerryEU destination guide stays available.
Norway’s waterfront capital, combining world-class museums and urban design with direct overnight ferries to Germany and Denmark
Oslo spreads around the head of the Oslofjord, blending a walkable waterfront with forests, islands and some of Scandinavia’s strongest cultural attractions.
The harbour area brings many highlights together. The Opera House, MUNCH museum, Deichman Bjørvika library, Akershus Fortress and the promenades toward Aker Brygge can all form part of one compact day.
Across the city, the Bygdøy museums, Vigeland sculpture park and neighbourhoods such as Grünerløkka add variety, while local ferries make the inner Oslofjord islands easy to reach in warmer months.
Oslo is also an international ferry gateway. Color Line operates the overnight Kiel–Oslo route, while Go Nordic Cruiseline currently sails between Oslo and Copenhagen with one-way ferry travel as well as cruise products.
Both international services carry vehicles. Because the operators use different terminal areas, travellers should follow the terminal and check-in instructions shown on their booking.
Oslo is at its best when you combine the waterfront with one or two major museums and time in the city’s parks, neighbourhoods or fjord islands.
Walk onto the sloping roof for harbour views and explore the striking Bjørvika waterfront.
See the world’s largest collection of works by Edvard Munch in a landmark waterfront museum.
Explore the medieval fortress and harbour viewpoints between the city centre and Aker Brygge.
Walk through one of Oslo’s most distinctive public art landscapes in Frogner Park.
Visit maritime and cultural museums on the peninsula west of the city centre.
Take a local passenger ferry for beaches, walking and a quick escape from the urban waterfront.
Browse Oslo sightseeing, fjord cruises, museum tours and day trips for ideas around your international ferry journey.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
Both terminals are close enough to central Oslo for straightforward onward travel, but road approaches and check-in areas differ. Always follow the address on your ticket.
Color Line operates daily Kiel–Oslo departures, while Go Nordic Cruiseline currently sails between Oslo and Copenhagen and accepts cars, motorcycles and bicycles on one-way journeys.
Oslo has two important international overnight ferry links, and the terminal depends on which operator you are using.
Oslo has excellent public transport, a highly walkable central waterfront and strong national rail links, so a car is unnecessary for most city stays.
Bjørvika, the Opera House, Akershus and Aker Brygge form a long but enjoyable central walking route.
Public transport reaches museums, neighbourhoods and Oslo Airport, while national trains continue across Norway. Find Oslo rail tickets here...
Public passenger ferries connect the city with Bygdøy and islands in the inner Oslofjord.
Bjørvika and the central station area are excellent for transport, while Aker Brygge, the city centre and Grünerløkka offer different dining and nightlife atmospheres.
Oslo has separate international ferry terminals for different operators. Use the exact terminal address shown on your Color Line or Go Nordic Cruiseline booking.
Yes. Color Line operates the Kiel–Oslo overnight ferry route.
Yes. Go Nordic Cruiseline currently operates the Oslo–Copenhagen route.
Yes. Both principal international routes accept booked vehicles.
Yes. The city has excellent walking, metro, tram, bus, rail and local-ferry connections.
The Opera House, MUNCH, Akershus Fortress, Vigeland Park, Bygdøy museums and Oslofjord islands are major highlights.
Both are within the wider central waterfront area, though the exact terminal and road approach depend on the operator.
Yes, especially for cabins, vehicles, weekends and peak holiday periods on the overnight routes.
Check live sailing options, passenger fares, vehicle prices and onboard accommodation for your travel dates.