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Flytoget Oslo Airport Express Train

Florian Buechting Other Transportation No Comments

Flytoget Oslo Airport Train

240 NOK (from Oslo)
Flytoget Oslo Airport Train
3.5

Rating

 3.5/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Nice train design
  • Reasonable interior for the short travel distance
  • Luggage label printer on the train

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Price too high, compared to local trains
  • Just a few minutes quicker than local transport

Airport trains are a very convenient option to get to an airport. The Arlanda Express in Stockholm, for example, makes travel from the city center to Arlanda Airport (ARN) much more convenient. The equivalent for Norwegian capital Oslo and its main airport Oslo Gardermoen (OSL)  is the Flytoget, which means nothing but “Fly train”. In May 2024, I checked out their service, here is my review.

 

Flytoget – Network and Tariff

Flytoget leaves Oslo central station every 10 minutes between 6:00 and 22:40. The last train is leaving around midnight, the first rain at 4:40 with a 20 minute frequency. However, in peak time every second train is coming from Drammen and stops at a couple of stations beforehand, so that these trains are typically more crowded. The Oslo Central trains typically also don’t stop at Lilleholm and have a travel time of some 19 minutes, the longer route trains need some 22 minutes. Our train took some 25 minutes (service from Drammen). At the time of writing, there is a replacement bus between Drammen and Asker.  Asker to Gardemoen Airport is some 50 minutes. There are plans to extent the company’s service to Kristiansand.

The single trip adult trip from Drammen to the airport is 290 NOK, from Oslo Central Station 240 NOK, roughly 20 EUR. You have to state that the regional trains operating on that route are much cheaper. The trip from Asker (151 NOK compared to 280 NOK on Flytoget) is even equivalent in speed. The non-stop Flytoget service just cuts the RE10, RE11 or RE12 service by some four minutes, the ticket for thee trains is, however, just 124 NOK. However, if a Flytoget is delayed by more than 30 minutes and you thus miss your flight, the company is reimbursing you with any additional flight fare you have to pay. Tickets cannot be used for the respective other service. There are ticket machines – or you can book the tickets online beforehand.

 

Flytoget – Rolling Stock

The typical train used for Flytoget services is the GMB Type 71, built by Adtranz / Bombardier. The trains run with a maximum speed of 210 km/h. They typically come with four waggons and a total capacity of 244 seats. The trains come with a power of 2,645 kW and have a comparably massive front. The company Flytoget AS, who is driving the trains, is in fact a state-owned company.

There is just one class of travel. The seats are set up in an open car design in a 2-2 configuration. They are okay regarding the short travel times, but do not come with an overwhelming level of comfort. However, European style power outlets are provided. There is quite some space for luggage, even though I guess it might become a bit of limited when the train is really full. There is also a limited number of CAF Oaris trains (named Flytoget Type 78) in operation. They were expected to be used since 2018, but finally started their service in 2023 after technical difficulties. The Norwegian version comes with a top speed of 250 km/h, even though the series as such can even run up to 350 km/h.

 

 

Riding the Flytoget

If you have your boarding pass already, you can print your luggage label at Oslo station or within the train. The door area of the train features luggage racks and information displays, which also gives you departure information. The staff was nice and helpful. There is WiFi on board, but I was not really pleased with its speed and went for the much better mobile network.

 

Flytoget – My View

I like the style of the Flytoget trains. And getting into an empty train kicking off at Oslo Central Station might definitely be a nice feature. Of course, there are several travel cards and offers, mainly for local riders. But finally, the Flytoget has one issue: it is too expansive. Finally, it is just a relief of capacity for the regional trains on the same route which are much cheaper. The seating, WiFi and travel time gain is not sufficiently worth it to go for the much higher prices.

 

Airport Rail Systems

Here are all my Rides on Rail postings, which are also related to airports:

 

Norway Travel Postings

Here are all my Travel postings related to Norway:

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