Trondheim is within easy reach of Oslo by air, rail, or road. Here’s your options to travel between the two cities, updated for 2025.
When I first moved to Norway, I landed in Oslo, like so many newcomers do. The capital is the country's beating heart, with its mix of international influences and Nordic culture.
But after a few years, I was drawn north to Trondheim, a smaller, more relaxed city steeped in history, and I’ve never looked back. Even now, I travel between the two cities frequently, whether for events, meetings, or simply to enjoy the best of both places.
Despite the 500-kilometre distance between them, Oslo and Trondheim are well-connected, and the journey itself is an experience. Whether you prefer speed, comfort, or scenic landscapes, there’s an option to suit.
The ‘Best’ Travel Option
When you've lived in Norway for a few years you sometimes forget about the simple questions! For example, I’m often asked: ‘What’s the best way to get from Oslo to Trondheim?’
Trondheim Travel Resources: Make the most of your time in Trondheim with these useful travel resources.
🇳🇴 27 Things To Do in Trondheim
🛏️ Book Hotels & Accommodation
🚘 Car Rental in Norway
🚨 Travel Insurance
👣 Book Tours & Experiences in Trondheim
The truth is, there’s no single answer. It depends on your priorities. A reader recently emailed me, torn between taking the train or flying, wondering which was the “best” choice.
But best for whom? If you’re on a tight schedule, flying is the obvious winner. If you’re after scenery or value, the train is unbeatable. If you're looking for flexibility, perhaps driving or even taking a long-haul coach is worth considering.
Having lived in both Oslo and Trondheim, I’ve taken every route multiple times. Each has its pros and cons, and I’m happy to share my personal insights so you can make the right choice for your own journey.
Why visit Trondheim?
Before diving into the travel options, let's address an important question: Why should you visit Trondheim in the first place?
Many tourists naturally focus their Norwegian itineraries on Oslo, Bergen, and perhaps the fjords. But Trondheim has a lot to offer, and it deserves a spot on your travel plans. Here’s why:
Nidaros Cathedral: The breathtaking Gothic cathedral is a must-see. As the world’s northernmost medieval cathedral, Nidaros Cathedral is one of Norway’s most significant landmarks. The adjacent Archbishop’s Palace is home to several museums for those who want to know more.
Compact City Break: Trondheim’s walkable city centre is packed with colourful wooden buildings, waterfront cafés, and fascinating history—without the crowds you’ll find in Bergen or Stavanger.
Food Scene: Trøndelag is one of Norway’s culinary heartlands, home to award-winning restaurants and world-class local produce.
Festivals: The city hosts numerous events, including St. Olav’s Festival, Pstereo music festival, and the Christmas market. The latter makes Trondheim an interesting choice for a festive break in the weeks before Christmas.
Football: If you're a sports fan, catching a Rosenborg match at Lerkendal Stadium is a great way to experience Norwegian football, and see a different side of the locals.
Flying Between Oslo to Trondheim
For most locals, flying is the go-to option for traveling between Oslo and Trondheim. It's fast, frequent, and relatively hassle-free.
Both SAS and Norwegian operate multiple daily departures, with flight times averaging 40–50 minutes (though often timetabled at 55 minutes). Flights are quick and service is simple.
However, the total journey time isn’t just about the flight itself. Both airports are located outside the city centres, meaning you’ll need to factor in travel time to and from Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) and Trondheim Airport (Værnes).
Fortunately, efficient airport express trains and buses provide easy connections, though the added cost is something to consider when weighing your options. You can find more details on Oslo Airport and Trondheim Airport here.
If you book early—at least seven days in advance—you’ll usually find reasonable fares. However, last-minute tickets can be expensive, especially during peak travel times.
For example, when researching the latest update to this article, I looked at the cheapest one-way ticket the following day. Both SAS and Norwegian offered a one-way fare for NOK 1,000. However, this was for a Thursday in February.
If you want to travel last-minute on a Monday or a Friday in June or July, you can expect that fare to be many times greater.
When booked in advance, a typical return trip between the two cities can cost between NOK 800 and NOK 2,500, depending on your travel preferences such as airline, time of day, and so on.
The Environmental Cost of Flying
While flying is undeniably the quickest way to get between Oslo and Trondheim, it comes with an environmental cost. Domestic air travel in Norway is convenient but also a significant contributor to carbon emissions.
If sustainability is a concern for you, consider taking the train instead—it's a lower-carbon alternative and offers a scenic journey through Norway’s stunning landscapes.
That said, air travel remains the most practical choice for many, especially those on a tight schedule. The key is to weigh up your priorities—speed, comfort, cost, and sustainability—before making your decision.
Take the train
For many tourists, the train is a fantastic way to travel between Oslo and Trondheim, offering a scenic journey through Norway’s diverse landscapes while doubling as a sightseeing experience.
While it may not be as famous as the Bergen Line, the Dovre Line still offers plenty of picturesque views, from rolling farmland to rugged mountains.
The journey takes approximately 6 hours and 50 minutes, but it's important to check whether you’re on a direct service or a route requiring a change in Hamar. While the latter doesn’t add much time, the connecting trains often have fewer facilities.
There is a handy night train on the Dovre Line, too. If you can sleep in a seat, this is an incredible travel bargain. A sleeping cabin is available at an additional NOK 1,000 (sleeps two, price is additional to your regular tickets), but these sell out quickly so advance booking is essential.
Booking Tips and Ticket Prices
Train operator SJ offers significant savings for those who book in advance using national booking platform entur.no.
At the time of writing, the full-price fare can be as high as NOK 1,299 (approximately USD $120), but advance fares can be as low as NOK 319. Even booking just 24 hours in advance can shave some cost off your ticket, but for the best deals, try to book at least a month ahead.
If you're flying in to or out of Oslo, the main train line to Trondheim stops at Oslo Airport (Gardermoen). This means you can travel directly between Trondheim and Oslo Airport without detouring through the capital city—an incredibly useful option if you're on a tight schedule.
Note that the Oslo to Trondheim route does not call at Trondheim Airport. It’s located on the Trondheim to Bodø line, and can also be accessed via local trains.
Bus Travel from Oslo to Trondheim
If you're looking for an affordable and practical way to travel between Oslo and Trondheim, consider taking the Vy express coach.
While trains and flights are often the first choices for travelers, coaches can be a great alternative—especially when trains are fully booked, last-minute fares are high, or if you simply prefer the comfort of bus travel.
When booked in advance, coach fares are often the cheapest option for travel between Oslo and Trondheim. The Vy express service runs between Lillehammer and Trondheim, with train connections from Oslo. If trains to Trondheim are full, this is a useful backup.
Vy’s double-decker coaches come equipped with toilets, Wi-Fi, charging ports, air conditioning, and comfortable seating. If you book early, you can even reserve a single seat or an upper-deck panoramic seat for extra space and better views.
Booking and Travel Tips
Tickets for Vy’s combined Oslo-Lillehammer-Trondheim route must be booked in advance through Vy’s website or app—they are not available for purchase on board.
If you're traveling on a budget or looking for an alternative to the train, the Vy express coach is a comfortable, reliable, and cost-effective way to get from Oslo to Trondheim.
For several years, there was a twice-daily budget bus service in operation. Prices competed with the train and were often a lot cheaper, although the journey was very slow. It was most popular with students and international tourists. Unfortunately, only the Oslo to Stavanger route remains today.
Driving from Oslo to Trondheim
If public transport is not flexible enough for you, there is always the option of a rental car.
The drive is extremely straightforward as you are essentially on one road – the E6 – for the entire journey. There are long sections with low speed limits so you should allow 6-7 hours to complete the 500km journey.
The major advantage of having your own transport is of course the flexibility. There are many interesting stops en route including Lillehammer, Rondane National Park, and Dovrefjell National Park.
You are also free to adjust your itinerary to suit your personal preferences. For example, you could stop off at stave churches or take a detour to one of Norway's fantastic National Scenic Routes.
Car rental in Norway is not cheap, with rates usually at least 50% than in other European countries. You should also factor in road tolls and the relatively high cost of fuel if you are planning to drive long distances.
However, many rental car companies now offer hybrid or electric cars, which will help to reduce the cost. If you're renting an electric car, be sure to read up on the technology and plan out your charging stops for long journeys.
Hiring a car for the journey only makes economic sense if you're travelling further and/or you will be returning to Oslo. That's because the daily rate for car rental gets cheaper the longer you rent for. You'll also have to pay a large supplement if you are making a one-way journey.
Cycling from Oslo to Trondheim
Long-distance cycling is gaining in popularity and Norway is a top target for many keen amateurs.
If you're considering such a trip in Norway, listen to our podcast interview with British cyclist Andrew Sykes, who completed a trip from the south of Spain to the very north of Norway.
Walking from Oslo to Trondheim
But wait, there's more! Yes, people really do walk from Oslo to Trondheim! The route is one of the St. Olav Ways pilgrim routes to Nidaros Cathedral.
While not as famous as the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrim route still attracts tourists from all over the world.
In reality, very few people take the full Gudbrandsdalen path from Oslo to Trondheim. According to the official website, it should take 32 days to complete the 643km route!
People tend to do smaller sections of the route and there are many options available, both for individual hiking or group trips.
Enjoy Your Trip
There are pros and cons with each method of getting from Oslo to Trondheim. Personally, I fly, but as I live in the country I don't have the same desire to see the sights I've seen a hundred times before!
Trondheim Travel Resources: Make the most of your time in Trondheim with these useful travel resources.
🇳🇴 27 Things To Do in Trondheim
🛏️ Book Hotels & Accommodation
🚘 Car Rental in Norway
🚨 Travel Insurance
👣 Book Tours & Experiences in Trondheim
If you're on a budget and time isn't so critical for you, the train is an excellent option and it's one I recommend to many travellers. Ultimately though, as I said to my American reader with the question: the choice is yours!
How do you prefer to travel between Oslo and Trondheim? Let me know your preferences down in the comments.
