Hi, I'm going to Oslo with a friend next week (it was a spur of the moment decision) and I know nothing about the city or Norway. What should I expect in terms of language, is English fairly common or will I need a phrasebook (more than just the few phrases given in a guidebook)? ... also, any attractions or sights that are a must? We will be there from 12 April to the 17 April. I know it's really expensive, but we're trying to do it as cheaply as possible! Thanks!
Oslo Advice?
Hi! If you are on a budget, a phrasebook is really a waste. 
Most Norwegians speak almost fluently English. Attracations in Oslo are:
- Vigelands park
- Viking ship museum at bygdøy
If you want to do some travelling in Norway, I suggest you take the train to Bergen and back. It's a nice trip over the mountains. Bergen is also a very nice city.
If you want to walk around in Oslo, I suggest that you take a trip to Grünerløkka. There you'll find a lot of (?) small restaurants and nice bars. This is one of the more relaxed parts of Oslo.
T
heya!
Phrasebook is not necessary.
Are you interested in the "sights" or do you want to see "Oslo"?
Metro is good. You kan take the "Frogneseteren" line almost all the way to Holmenkollen.
If you wanna stay on the bugdet, and see nice bars. Stay in downtown. Grønland is good for the cheaper restaurants. You can walk from there to see the "Middelalderparken" which is kinda cool. The Munch museum is also in this area. Metro stop "Grønland" or "Tøyen"
Nice bars that are easy to find would be in the area between Grønland and Youngstorget.
Its nice to walk from Downtown, through the "slottsparken" (where the royal castle is) up through bogstadveien and end in Majorstua and Vigelandsparken. Pretty long walk, but I like it.
I know this is not the best travel description, but hopefully it helps. Good luck!
(and oh. btw. I see that you will be in town on Sunday. So, on sunday night, go to "Grønland" and to a bar there called "Grønlandshagen" people you ask will know where it is. (5 min. walk from the metrostop) brass band with 15 people or so playing every sunday for free. start at around 22:00. You will enjoy
[ Edit: Edited on Apr 4, 2007, at 2:38 PM by omw ]
Thanks for the advice!!! 
One more (possibly silly!!) question... I have a Visa debit card from a UK bank... will this work in cash machines there/be accepted at restaurants, shops, etc? 
Thanks so much!
Hi there.
Your visa will probably be accepted in most places, but if I were you I would have some cash in my pocket just in case. ATMs will definetely accept your card, but some small shops wont accept forreign visas or mastercards.
Hope you have a good time in Oslo. 
And if you have the time you should really try to see more of the country than Oslo.