Flying SAS was always on our wish list! Thus, our excitement was on another level, when we first booked our tickets. We were flying from Bergen to Oslo, which is a one-hour short Norwegian flight. All during our flight, we were hoping for more time, to soak in the beauty of phenomenal ‘Norweigan’ scenic spread. Until, of course, our visual perception is interrupted, by the landing announcement. Oslo Gardermoen Airport is a treat for frequent international travellers.
Connecting passengers, to over 200 destinations, Oslo Gardermoen Airport turns out to be, the Norweigan root of flying hub. Although, what makes it the second-busiest airport in the Nordic region is, the fact almost 24.7 million passengers come to this airport annually. Besides, with 52 aircraft parking stands, we understandably conclude why it must also be the 19th-busiest-airport of Europe.
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Ultimate Guide to the Oslo Gardermoen Airport
Inaugurated in 1998, Oslo Gardermoen Airport is an 11.4 billion property with AVINOR operating the ground facility. But, what makes this airport stand out is, it’s 7000 sqft VIP terminal, exclusively designed for the royal family. (Well, also the prime minister and foreign heads of the government) Commoners may not be disappointed, for Oslo Gardermoen Airport features a lot, in another word. Starting with Oslo airport sculptures, to great high-speed Gardermoen Railway connectivity, all well-planned. Also, we have to admit that Oslo Airport has fascinating interiors.
In fact, when we first, saw the ceiling, we were subconsciously ‘glamourised’ by the idea of a floating roof supported by the wooden reefers. Otherwise, metal and glass are the primary design elements of the Airport. Of, all the wonderful art on display, one sculpture seems to receive exceptional appreciation by the passengers. None other than, the Alexis by “Per Inge Bjorlo,” showcasing six stainless steel sculptures. In the baggage claim area, you will also spot Marathon Dancers, operated electronically, which are yet, another jewel of the art collection. Wherein, the cloud and web impressions are designed by Carin Wessel.
Deep Relaxation to Retail Therapy
Other than the art, there are also 6 sound refreshment stations and sound showers, to help you relax. We, however, are bound to be found at the duty-free section of any airport we visit. Except, Oslo Airport duty-free is the largest in Europe, enticing us further to venture out in a deep relaxing shopping experience. Open, 24-hours a day, this is the place to be! Our only disappointment was the restricted Wi-Fi access, limited to two hours. So, we had no choice than to traverse through the restaurants, cafes, and computer stations. There are plenty of them!
Catching a train from Forbye (station situated under the airport) will transport you to Oslo central station in about 25-minutes. In addition to that, you can avail the free shuttle bus service, which departs Oslo Airport every fifteen minutes. To rent a cab, pe book a trip with Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. They all have rental counters set up, in the arrival area near the train station.
