From Kanelbulle to Kon-Tiki: A Scenic Detour to Oslo

We were up early—6:30 a.m.—ready to catch our train from Gothenburg to Oslo. Bags packed, coffee in hand, and another kanelbulle (because when in Sweden…), we arrived at Central Station feeling good about our timing. But when we checked the board to find our platform—surprise! All trains to Oslo had been cancelled this week due to construction. Not exactly the start we had in mind.

Thankfully, Chris worked some travel magic and managed to get us rebooked on a bus to Oslo. Honestly, it worked out just fine. The 3.5-hour drive came with beautiful scenery—rolling hills, lakes, and charming countryside views that made the unexpected change feel like part of the adventure.

Once we arrived at Oslo Central Station, we took a short walk to Karl Johans gate, the main pedestrian street, which also happens to be where our hotel is located. The weather was sunny and crisp, so after checking in and dropping our bags, we headed back out to explore.

We ended up buying the Oslo Pass—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the day. The pass covers most major museums and all public transportation. We grabbed the 72-hour version to make the most of our time in the city. Highly recommend if you’re visiting.

With coffee and a snack stop to keep us going, we made our way to the Bygdøy Peninsula, known for its cluster of museums and green spaces. Highlights included the Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Museum, and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)—all included in the Oslo Pass. The girls loved exploring the ships, exhibits, and outdoor historical village. As the day would go, the last ferry back was full, so again, we found a bus and made it back!

We wrapped up the day with a walk to Osteria Di Mare, where we had a cozy Italian dinner of pizza and pasta. By 8 p.m., we were more than ready to call it a night.