trains from airport

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/oslo-arrival-and-departure-disasters

A timely question just addressed.

Safe travel!

You can take Flytoget, the airport express train, or a regular regional train, operated by Vy. Flytoget is a few minutes faster than the regional train but costs around twice as much.

I've never tried the Vy app but on their website there is no problem buying a ticket for their trains. But it is a fixed price so no need to buy it in advance.

All trains go to Oslo S, the central station, but if you're heading to the western parts of Oslo many trains continue to Nationaltheatret station.

There are two train operators at the airport. Both run trains to central Oslo. It’s been a few years since I was there but back then each operator has its own platform.

Vy: regular local trains, cheaper, not quite as frequently and not as fast (but still pretty fast). These trains continue beyond Oslo to suburbs on the other side of the city.

Flytoget: Airport Express trains, faster but more expensive (not terribly expensive to be fair)

Flytoget only runs southbound (towards Oslo) from the airport so there’s no way you can get on the wrong train. Every train stops at “Oslo S” (the main station) and I believe most if not all continue beyond there as well.

My hotel was actually closer to Nationaltheatret (the next station after Oslo S) so see which station is closer to your destination.

If you’re not super comfortable with train navigation just take the Flytoget train.

Enjoy! Oslo is wonderful!

A benefit of taking the cheaper, regular train is that the ticket gives you free use of the city buses and trams for 2 or 2-1/2 hours after the time of ticket purchase. (At least that was the case last summer.) That will be handy if your hotel isn't within walking distance of one of the two train stations.

For Oslo I would get in advance on your smart phone the apps for Vy (the cheaper train to/from airport) and Ruter and RuterBillett (the regular city public transportation, one is the route finder and the other is the tickets) and for both add your payment options. I might have used credit card or I might have used apple pay, I don't remember. But with the apps it was super easy to find routes, buy tickets (even for two people on the same phone), find the right platform/stop etc. and just get on and ride. You do have to buy your ticket in advance. At least a few minutes in advance. I think to avoid people just buying tickets when the fare checker comes around. Note there are no gates, no necessity to find a place to confirm your ticket as you board, even on the buses. But there are fare checkers who may come by. In about 8 rides we did have one.

For Oslo I would get in advance on your smart phone the apps for Vy
(the cheaper train to/from airport) and Ruter and RuterBillett (the
regular city public transportation, one is the route finder and the
other is the tickets) and for both add your payment options.

That information is a bit outdated. The RuterBillett app has been shut down and you now use the Ruter app to buy tickets as well.

Thank you all. I realize apps and services are changing in Norway. I am wondering if I can just download the Ruter app and skip the VY? Meaning, can I use the Ruter app at the airport to get to Central Train station?
You are all so kind, many thanks.

Yes, as far as I know you can travel from the airport to central Oslo on a Ruter ticket. Just note that it is only valid on Vy's trains and not on Flytoget.

A few weeks ago we used FlytoGet from Oslo airport to the central train station. Convenient and it was $21 for the two of us.