Oslo Fjord Cruise: Which Boat Should You Book?
4 min read
For most first-time visitors, the 1.5-hour electric fjord cruise with audio commentary is the simplest choice. It costs €40.78 per person, has 4.5 out of 5 and 6,915 reviews, and passes the landmarks you came to see. The other four boats below are better if you want a sailing ship, a live guide or a short taste of the fjord.
All five leave from the city centre. Most start at one of the Rådhusbrygge piers by the City Hall; the electric cruise starts at Langkaia 1, in the Bjørvika area beside the Opera House. Check the pier on your ticket, because the piers are not interchangeable.
The five boats side by side
| Boat | Length | Departs from | Boat and commentary | Price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric fjord cruise | 1.5 hours | Langkaia 1 | Electric ship, audio commentary via a free app | €40.78 | 6,915 |
| Traditional wooden sailing boat | 2 hours | Rådhusbrygge 3 | Wooden sailing vessel, audio guide | €40.68 | 6,223 |
| Guided cruise on the silent boat | 2 hours | Rådhusbrygge 2 | Silent electric ship, live guide in English | €55.67 | 2,134 |
| 2-hour electric sightseeing | 2 hours | Rådhusbrygge 4 | 100% electric boat, audio guide | €47.23 | 2,467 |
| Mini cruise on the wooden ship | 50 minutes | Rådhusbrygge 3 | Wooden sailing ship, audio guide | €28.36 | 635 |
What differs on board
The 1.5-hour electric cruise has a lounge with panoramic windows and a large deck that the page describes as fully accessible. The itinerary lists Akershus Fortress, Aker Brygge, the Bygdøy peninsula, the islands of Gressholmen and Hovedøya, Sørenga and the Opera House as places you pass. Food and drinks can be bought on board. The page adds that fog is not accepted as a reason for cancellation or refund if the cruise runs as scheduled.
The wooden sailing boat is open-air in character, with a heated main deck, blankets, a toilet and a bar on board. The audio guide plays on the speaker in English, and a phone app offers 13 languages. Seating is not guaranteed, so the page advises arriving early. The listing also says the fjord can freeze in winter, in which case the trip is cancelled free of charge with a full refund. The same operator’s 50-minute mini cruise follows the same idea in a shorter format and passes the Opera House and the Munch Museum.
The silent boat is the one with a live guide: the page lists a guide speaking English, three outdoor decks and two saloons with panoramic windows. A hot drink is included under a winter promotion that the page says runs until 31 March; food and other drinks are sold on board.
The 2-hour electric sightseeing cruise lists indoor seating with heating and air conditioning, Wi-Fi, charging ports, toilets and blankets, and says it suits families. It also mentions an optional disembark at Bygdøy after about 1 hour 45 minutes. The page warns that this stop may not always be available, so confirm departures with the crew on the day. Museum tickets are not part of it.
Which one for whom
- Short on time or travelling with small children: the 50-minute mini cruise, which the operator describes as popular with families. The 2-hour electric listing says it suits families and that life jackets are provided on board; for any boat, ask the operator about age limits before you book.
- Want a traditional sailing ship and a relaxed atmosphere: the wooden sailing boat. Dress warmly.
- Want explanations from a person rather than a recording: the silent boat with the live guide. The page names English only.
- Plan to visit the museums on Bygdøy afterwards: read our guide to the Bygdøy museums by ferry first. The sailing-boat listings mention a ferry ticket to Bygdøy, which only helps while the Bygdøy ferry runs (April to October), and the 2-hour electric cruise offers its optional stop there.
- Wheelchair users: the listings of the electric cruise, the silent boat and the 2-hour electric sightseeing carry a wheelchair-accessible label. Ask the operator to confirm boarding and the deck you need before you book.
If you would rather get off the boat and explore, the islands of the fjord are covered in a separate guide, and all boat trips are listed on the fjord cruises category page.
Our recommendation
Book the 1.5-hour electric cruise if you simply want to see Oslo from the water. Choose the wooden sailing boat if you would rather be on a traditional wooden ship than on a modern electric boat, and the silent boat if you want a guide talking you through it.
