Oslo Airport serves as both the main domestic and international hubs for Norway. The airport is located at Gardermoen, approximately 35 kilometres and 22 miles north-east of the capital and is the largest and busiest of the three major international airports that are located in Oslo. With its two parallel runways and its two-level terminal, the airport serves flights to more than 140 international and domestic destinations as well as 80 charter destinations. The airport served almost 26 million passengers in 2016.
Besides its functional service, the airport is also home to a generous amount of various attractions. Situated in the departure area are six stainless steel sculptures created by Per Inge Bjørlo, considered to be one of Norway’s most significant sculptor and painters. Once through to airside Ad Astra awaits, a 30,000-metre thread display gives the impression of webs and clouds.
Travel to and from the airport is accessible by train, bus, taxi and car. Flytoget Airport Express Train leaves from Oslo’s central station, Oslo S, every 10 minutes taking approximately 20 minutes. Airport taxi services have fixed prices set to and from the airport. Driving from the airport, follow the signs to E6 Oslo and from the city, take the E6 all the way and look for the signs to the terminal.
The airport location Gardermoen has a rich military history and started life as a camp in 1740. First used by the cavalry, then dragoons, until it was taken into use by the infantry and artillery in 1860. During WWII and Nazi German occupation the Luftwaffe built its first proper airport facilities. It became the Norwegian Air Force’s main air station and remained secondary reserve and airport for chartered flights until 1998 when the new airport was built on the same grounds. It is now the 19th busiest airport in Europe.