Car Hire Oslo Gardermoen International Airport

If you’re planning a trip to Norway, land of the midnight sun with its fjords, lakes and mountains, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to iconic drives. 

Norway sits on the western edge of the Scandinavian peninsula bordered by the Norwegian Sea and neighbouring Sweden. Oslo, the capital, is on the country’s picturesque south coast close to some of Norway's most scenic driving routes.

Norway has nearly 50 public airports with around 20 handling international traffic. Oslo International, also known as Gardermoen Airport, is the largest in the country welcoming four times the number of flights of the country’s three other major airports in Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim.

With more than 25 million passengers passing through each year, Oslo International Airport has direct routes to more than 140 domestic and international destinations.  

The airport has seen a major growth programme with investment in new infrastructure including a new terminal building filled with natural light and wide walkways designed to appeal to passengers. 

If you want to experience the natural beauty of the Nordic region, a hire car gives you the chance to truly discover Norway - you’ll find excellent roads and unforgettable drives. If you are travelling on business, hiring a car at Oslo Airport gives you the flexibility of direct access to the capital’s business and commercial centres including nearby Gardermoen Business Park. 

You’ll find our Avis team at Oslo International Airport are experts on the country and ready to offer advice and provide the perfect rental car for your trip. 

You’ll reach our Avis counter in the arrivals area by turning right after the baggage claim section following signs to the car rental area. The Avis rental parking area is easy to find just a short walk from the terminal entrance in the P10 car park.  

Oslo Airport is located in the town of Gardermoen, 52km from the historic harbourside in the centre of the capital city, a trip of around 45min depending on the time of day. From the Avis parking area in P10 car park at Oslo Airport, turn right onto Lufthavnvegen Avenue and join the E16 in the direction of Kongsvinger, Oslo and Trondheim. After around 4.5km merge onto the E6 highway towards Oslo. Take exit 3 via the right lane in Operatunnelen emerging onto Kong Håkon 5s gate and following Rv162 to the harbour area. 

As the capital of Norway, Oslo is a vibrant city with a rich Nordic heritage showcasing art, history and creativity against the breathtaking backdrop of the Oslofjord. Much of Oslo has been made car-free area to make way for cycle lanes, pedestrian areas and small parks, so depending on where you need to go, you can make use of the many car parks on the periphery and in the centre of the city. Then, why not take a tour of Oslo on foot and dive into the city’s top sights and attractions, such as the Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland Park and the Munch Museum before getting back behind the wheel. There is plenty to explore just outside the city. A 6km drive west of Oslo brings you to the peaceful Bygsdoy Peninsula, while directly south via the E18, lies Drobak, home to picturesque beaches, arts and crafts markets and the freshest seafood, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch outside the city. From here you can travel on to enjoy the best views of the Oslofjord. 

From the vibrant city of Oslo, it's an easy drive out into the majestic glacial landscape surrounding the Norwegian capital. You can meander through hills and forests along the edge of the Oslofjord. Or drive west to Vestfold, a coastal region to Tonsberg with its stunning harbour and marina. Head north and you'll reach the winter sports paradise of Lillehammer, home to the 1994 Winter Olympics. Turn east and you'll enter a region rich in Nordic heritage. From the ancient rock carvings and bronze and iron age artefacts around the city of Sarpsborg to Sarpefossen, Europe's largest waterfall, this is a destination well worth discovering by hire car.

Oslo to Bergen 

Oslo to Bergen is a classic route that takes you past epic mountain passes and dramatic fjords. The journey takes around seven hours, but with so many attractions along the way, make sure you leave yourself time to stop and take in the sights and views. Highlights include Voss, Eidfjord and Vøringsfossen waterfall. Your destination, Norway’s second biggest city, won’t disappoint either, with its UNESCO-listed old wharf, artsy markets and world-class seafood restaurants. 

Take the Trolls Road 

With numerous hairpin bends climbing up a steep mountainside, the Trollstigen (Trolls Road) may not be for the faint-hearted, but it is one of the most magnificent journeys in Norway if not the whole of Europe. Six hours north of Oslo, this spectacular road and UNESCO protected area is accessible via the Geirangerfjord. 

If you are staying in the centre of Oslo, you’ll find the centre of the city walkable with a good public transport network of city buses, trams and metro lines. However, to explore the wider Oslo area and get the most out of your trip, you’ll find hiring a car one of the best ways to travel independently around Norway. Hiring a car is also ideal if you are travelling to Oslo on business and need the flexibility and freedom of self-drive. 

If you are travelling to Norway, be aware that it’s the longest country in Europe and will take around 30hrs to drive from north to south so don’t underestimate distances or driving times.  

Although the country has a good network of E roads – trans-European highways connecting Norway to the rest of Europe – and motorways connecting the major cities, you’ll find smaller roads can be narrow and winding. However, with its small population, you’ll find the road network is relatively quiet and unhurried making for a relaxing road trip. 

If you are visiting in the winter, talk to our Avis rental team for advice and plan your route before you travel using GPS to navigate.  

When you leave our location at Oslo Airport, remember that as in the rest of Europe, you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road. 

It’s worth checking the driving rules in Norway before you arrive to pick up your hire car. But if you have any questions, please check with the rental team at Avis Oslo Airport to get the most from your driving experience with us. 

Parking is plentiful in Oslo with a range of options from on-street parking to public and private car parks with short and long stay alternatives available in the centre of the city. For visitors staying in the city, many of the most popular hotels offer free parking but check availability before you travel.