East Norway

This region has about half of Norway's population including the larger Oslo metropolitan area. Locally known as Østlandet (or Austlandet), literally the east country, and is defined by the border with Sweden and mountain ranges creating watersheds with Trøndelag and Western Norway. East Norway includes the densely populated lowlands around Oslofjord (and lake Mjøsa) and the more sparsely populated valleys, forests and highlands in the hinterland. The most populated lowlands/flatlands are greater Oslo, around Oslofjord and around lake Mjøsa is informally referred to as Central East Norway - this area is home to well over ⅓ of the people of Norway.
A number of long valleys (notably Gudbrandsdalen, Valdres, Østerdal and Hallingdal) and rivers converge in the lowlands around Oslo. Oslo itself is separated from these rivers and valleys by forests and hills known as Oslomarka (the Oslo woodlands). Areas around Oslofjord and lake Mjøsa are mostly lowlands or flatlands, while upstream along the big valleys and rivers the gently rolling landscape gradually gives way to steep hills, barren highlands (such as Hardangervidda) and alpine summits such as Jotunheimen. These valleys also host transport corridors (rail and road) to West Norway and Trøndelag. Western parts of Telemark, Buskerud and Oppland are part of the central mountains/highlands, while northern parts of Oppland and Hedemark includes wide mountain areas such as Reinheimen, Dovrefjell and Rondane. East Norway is home to a large number of lakes, including several of Norway's largest. The shores of southern Oslofjord with myriads of polished islands and bays are popular summer resorts for city residents.

Climate

The interior of Eastern Norway generally enjoys relatively dry continental climate (warm summers and cold winters). Winters can be bitterly cold in the interior. Closer to Oslofjord the winters are milder, although temperatures below minus 10° C are common in Oslo, and summers are slightly warmer in sheltered valleys. Large parts of East Norway enjoys the rain shadow created by the central mountains, and some of East Norway gets less than 300 mm precipitation annually (less than Madrid).

• – the Norwegian capital; the demographic, economic and logistical centre for East Norway
• - district in Telemark

– the 1994 Winter Olympic venue and gate to Gudbrandsdalen

• - silver mines and alpine ski slopes

• – Norway's largest ski resort
• - the great central valley from lowlands at Lillehammer to the highest mountains
• - a major valley from fertile lowlands at Drammen into Hardangervidda
• - Scandinavia's highest mountains
• - Mountain range and Norway's first national park
• - Mountain range and high plateau
• - picturesque highlands, lakes and valleys beneath Jotunheimen
• – Europe's largest highland plateau
• - Oslo International Airport, main entry point for overseas visitors and hub for domestic flights

Most people will respond in English to any question you may have. Some Norwegians also speak some German, due to the proximity of the language, and that they study it in school. Migrant workers from Sweden, Poland, and elsewhere may not even speak Norwegian.

Norwegian

Those interested in dialects can observe the diversity of Norwegian dialects spoken in Eastern Norway, especially the differences between urban areas and peripheries. The differences can be observed even if you do not understand Norwegian. There are differences in the tone of language and words used. Even within the capital, Oslo, there are dialect differences between the east end and west end.
In some inland municipalities, a writing form of Norwegian usually associated with West Norway known as Nynorsk is the official form.

By boat

Oslo is connected to Kiel and Copenhagen by ferries. Larvik is connected to northern Denmark by ferry, whereas Sandefjord is connected to Strömstad (Sweden) by ferry.

By plane

East Norway has two international airports:

• Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is Norways largest airport and well connected
• Sandefjord airport at Torp

By train

• International: From Stockholm and Gothenburg
• Domestic:

• Bergen line
• Sørlandsbanen from Kristiansand and Stavanger
• Dovre line from Trondheim
• Rauma line from Åndalsnes to Dombås

Oslo totally dominates this region. Oslo and its airport at Gardermoen is the transport hub for East Norway. Roads and railway lines have Oslo as their focal points. All railway lines, including the airport express train, terminate at Oslo Central Station ("Oslo S"). Main roads E6, E18, E16 and Road 4 meet at or near Oslo S. Regional and long distance buses depart from the bus station next door to Oslo S. Oslo Subway (T-banen) has a main station underground next to the train station.

By plane

• Fagernes Airport

  The local airport with daily connections to Oslo (30 minutes)

• Oslo Gardermoen Airport

  Norway's main airport with domestic and international flights.

• Sandefjord Torp Airport

  Rygge mainly caters to travelers to/from Oslo, Akershus and Østfold. Most flights are with Ryanair.

• Skien Geiteryggen Airportserviced by flights to Bergen, Stavanger and Molde (daily), as well as three times per week to Stockholm, Sweden

By bus

• Nor-Way BussekspressMost express buses running through the region are operated by this company. Connections to Oslo, Lillehammer, Valdres, Jotunheimen and Hallingdal

  .

• Valdresekspressen

  phone: +47 61 36 59 00
  Route (Up to six daily departures): Oslo-Hønefoss-Valdres-Sogn and Oslo-Hønefoss-Valdres-Jotunheimen.

• Lavprisekspressen

  phone: +47 67 98 04 80
  Routes: (One departue per day):Trondheim-Dovrefjell-Lillehammer-Hamar-Gardermoen-Oslo and (Two departues per day):Stavanger-Kristiansand-Larvik-Sandefjord-Oslo

• Øst-Vest Xpressen

  phone: +47 61 36 59 00
  Route (One departue per day): Bergen-Voss-Lærdal-Valdres-Land-Lillehammer.

• JVB

  phone: +47 61 36 59 00
  Connections to Gjøvik, Gol, Lærdal and Gjende.

• TIMEkspressenConnections to Skien, Notodden and Kongsberg

  .

By train

• NSB

  phone: +47 23 62 00 00 (abroad)
  Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) is the main train station in Eastern Norway, where all train routes connect. Connections to Stavanger, Gjøvik, Lillehammer, Bergen, Trondheim, Skien, Fredrikstad and Kristiansand, plus a large number of local trains. Also, trains to Sweden and the rest of Europe depart from here. Call 815 00 888 for domestic..

By car

For more details see: Driving in Norway

Most of Norway's motorways are around Oslo. There is one car ferry across Oslofjord at Moss-Horten and one across Randsfjorden lake.

• All kinds of winter sports, even some at summertime
• Sailing
• Fishing in salt water and fresh water (rivers & lakes)

;Climb or hike mountains
East Norway includes gentle sloping highlands such as Hardangervidda as well as alpine peaks such as Jotunheimen.

• The Gausta summit (1883 meters) near Rjukan in Telemark gives the best outlook, on a clear day on can see one sixth of Norway (or an area twice that of Belgium). Easy hike 2-3 hours, possible for children aged 10+. Very popular.

The Norwegian cuisine is known for eclectic food with a good supply of many local ingredients. Try Norwegian seafood!

Local Norwegian beer, aquavit and cider. Or simply clean and fresh water.

Eastern Norway is experienced as generally very safe, with few exceptions in parts of Oslo and the larger cities. Just take normal precautions.

• The rest of Norway
• Sweden
• Denmark