Oslo Airport

It is a new airport however it is total chaos inside the airport. There is one floor for arrivals and the floor above for departures i.e. no terminals this means internal flights as well as external flights short and long haul all go through the same security clearance causing queues etc. There are no clocks presumably this is done on purpose so people can not actually notice just how much time they are wasting and waiting around. There is an exceptionally low level of signage telling you which is domestic gates and international gates. Low level of staff around as well to provide any assistance. This airport is definitely form over function.

Having to claim your luggage re-check it on another floor where the check-in is often difficult to find and often overrun with people then run through the terminal to find your connecting flight make this airport one of the most difficult I've ever used. I am always worried that I will miss my connection and there never seems to be anyone around to ask a question or to direct passengers.

Connecting from international to domestic is an unpleasant experience in OSL since one has to pick-up bags pass through customs and re-check-in them pass through the security check and then hurry for the gate. 45 minutes is not enough for this even if the airline says so!

The usual hub for my travels. Use this airport several times a year. This time I went the last weekend in June and you would expect long queues and waiting time. Not so it all went very smoothly. When the airport gets too crowded it seems the personnel loose their overview on things and everything quickly falls apart with insane lines. Staff usually helpful. Lighting and colors are odd as everything feels grey and dimmed. Why? No decent view of the runways and aircraft coming in leaving. No place for spotters inside the terminal. Go over to the old terminal building for spotting if needed. Shops are overpriced and should be avoided at all times. Pizza Hut overpriced but yummy. First time I went to OSL in 2001 everything was a mess and their baggage system was wrecked. Thankfully much has been improved since then but the colors design and shops leaves much to be desired. No good connecting system you need to pick up your bags and check in again if travelling from abroad and connecting further. Horrible system. Baggage pick up area way too grey and cold.

Maybe good for some who have Gold Card Frequent Flyer Star Alliance etc or Travel in Business Class. Economy well that's another story. Not enough machines to check in no order for queuing for these machines. No order for transit passengers using the auto bag drop and general drop off with boarding card and luggage tag. Staff at the airport are helpful but there are not enough staff. Maybe after they expand the terminal and technology moves forward and the average traveller understands this way it could be better but surely there should be some improvement for transit passengers from international to domestic. Time spent there out of the 25 Airports I use worldwide yearly is not nice. Overcrowded and boringly expensive half automated mess with no space inside for peace and quiet.

If you have a connecting flight via Oslo airport (from international to domestic) you most likely need to collect your bags and check-in the bags again do the security check and run for your next flight. This is even though you checked in your baggage all the way to your final destination with SAS. Experienced this many times and it is not pleasant.

Airport built in famous Scandinavian style. Cost for everything is higher than anywhere else so plan not to eat much. Ground transportation very expensive. Staff are friendly and will help. Avoid this airport if it is not your final destination. That is a logistical nightmare. You will have to take you luggage though customs take a small elevator to the departure level to check your luggage in again. The elevator will not fit a family with luggage so you have to leave your luggage unattended at the lower floor while you take kids up and then return to get luggage.

Pleasant but quirky. Bit of a free-for-all at check-in not at all well-marked. Kiosk did not work with my credit card. I could never figure out how to avoid walking in the rain from the rental car area. Still the architecture is lovely.

On arrival you notice the clear architecture with easy orientation the main corpus belongs to the public area - baggage claims etc and the wings airside are divided easily. The only pity is the absence of a shopping area landside the duty-free shop airside was excellent. Another point is the long way to Oslo city centre which is expensive for foreign citizens to pay.

OSL is my local airport and I use it weekly both private and as a business traveller. I have never had a negative experience travelling to or from OSL. The airport is spacious and clean and has all the facilities I would need. Queues are usually no problem. Its more of a concern during summer and the mayor holidays as the amount of travellers increases to almost double. The Airport Express train is excellent always on time and straight from the terminal to downtown Oslo in 19 mins.