Akershus

Akershus is a county in East Norway, west and east of the capital, Oslo. Oslo and Akershus make up one contiguous metropolitan area with 25 % of Norway's population and the visitor can regard it as one city. Oslo Airport sits at Gardermoen on the flatlands near Jessheim. In addition to Oslo Airport, Akershus hosts major Norway's major roads (E6, E18, E16) as well as all railway lines to/from Oslo.

Regions

Akershus is historically divided into the traditional districts of Follo and Romerike, which make up most of the county, with the exception of the enclave west of Oslo, consisting of Asker and Bærum, which was created after Aker municipality was transferred to Oslo in 1948.

Towns

• 🌍 Ås
• Asker
• 🌍 Drøbak
• 🌍 Eidsvoll - hosted the 1814 Norwegian Constituent Assembly that introduced democracy and civil liberties
• 🌍 Jessheim
• Lillestrøm
• Nittedal
• Sandvika
• 🌍 Ski

Understand

Oslo and Akershus make up one contiguous metropolitan area and the visitor can regard it as one city. Large parts of Akershus are effectively suburbs for Oslo and also home to an important industrial and business districts. Only the eastern and northern agricultural districts of Akershus are clearly not part of the metropolis. Oslo airport sits at Gardermoen on the flatlands near Jessheim. The two counties combined are home to about 25 % of Norway's population. Oslo and Akershus has a joint governor.

Akershus landscape is relatively flat or gentle hills. Norway's largest rivers flows through and the county is home to a couple of major lakes and countless smaller lakes. There is also some rugged, low altitude terrain in Bærum and in Østmarka (east Oslo forrest).

Get in

Three bridges at Lake Mjøsa, E6 motorway and Oslo-Hamar-Trondheim railway line

By boat

• 🌍 Boat to Nesodden (Nesoddbåten). The town of Nesodden is served by frequent boat from Oslo (20 minutes across Oslofjord). (updated Sep 2015)

By plane

• 🌍 Oslo Airport (Gardermoen). Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is located in Akershus. It is a major international airport with flights from the USA and major European cities, as well as Asia. Direct trains to Oslo, Eidsvoll, Lillestrøm, Sandvika and Asker, and with a change to Ski. Airport coaches to Oslo and Ski. (updated Sep 2015)
• Sandefjord Torp Airport near Sandefjord (1 hour south of Asker) has flights to some major and minor cities around Norway and Europe, including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, Warsaw, and some tourist destinations in southern Europe. There is a free transfer bus to a nearby railway station.

By train

Local trains from Oslo, or regional trains from surrounding areas, or from Gothenburg in Sweden. See nsb.no

Get around

Rental cars and taxis are often available, but are rather expensive in Norway in general. The public transportation system is relatively good with buses going between the major cities and stopping at bus stops marked with a sign (blue with a white bus on it, rectangular) and/or an open air booth with the place name written above with white lettering. Public transport is reasonably inexpensive though costs can build up if you buy tickets every time you get on, day/week/month/season passes can be purchased at the major stops. At the central bus station in any town, cashiers will speak English. For local buses, see http://ruter.no

See

• 🌍 Oslo. Oslo is surrounded by Akershus but is not part of it, so travel in Akershus often involves Oslo. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Eidsvoll 1814 (Eidsvollsbygningen), Carsten Ankers veg 19, 2074 Eidsvoll Verk, ☎ [phone]. The building where the 1814 constitution was signed, and a democracy museum. 
• 🌍 Lake Mjøsa (Mjøsa). Norway's largest lake, one of the deepest. Norway's first railway was the Oslo-Eidsvoll-line, simply called the "main line" (1854), station at Vorma river in Eidsvoll from where boats could sail to Lillehammer. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Svanfoss locks & dam (Svanfoss sluser). Allows boats to sail the Vorma river. The dam controls the outflow from Mjøsa lake. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Tusenfryd Amusement park, Fryds vei 25 (Vinterbro, Ås), ☎ [phone]. is the largest amusement park in Norway. Carousels, roller coasters, ghost castle, etc.  
• 🌍 Oscarsborg Fortress (Ferry from Drøbak to the island of Kaholmen/Oscarsborg). (Ferry timetable). History and beautiful scenery, with a museum and a hotel. Historic site: German warship Blücher that was sunk just outside Drøbak on April 9, 1940 during the invasion of Norway.  

Do

• 🌍 Kolsåstoppen summit. Climb "Kolsåstoppen", a hill and summit in Bærum. Nice view over the Oslo Fjord from the top. free. (updated Sep 2015)
• There's also an even better hill in Asker with an even more excellent view.

Eat

Drink

Norway has high water quality and tap water is completely safe. If you still want bottled water, most stores carry several brands of non-artificially treated water.

Stay safe

Kolsås summit - a landmark in Bærum

Most areas in Akershus are more or less crime free, and you should not be afraid to walk around alone day or night, though you should always take precationary measures and follow your common sense when in a new country. Signs and maps are usually in Norwegian, but do not be afraid to ask for directions; the vast majority of Norwegians speak enough English to help out a lost tourist.

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