Ferry operator · Norway
Ruter
- Routes
- 64
- Terminals
- 28
- Regions
- 1
- Avg crossing
- 10 min
Public transport authority
Ruter runs public transport across Oslo and Akershus, and its boats are not a separate system — the same ticket covers metro, tram, bus and ferry. The Oslofjord crossings to Nesoddtangen and the island services out of Aker brygge sit inside that network rather than beside it.
Official site: ruter.no — always confirm the current timetable there before travelling.
Timetables
Routes operated by Ruter
Showing the 4 most-searched of the 64 routes Ruter runs.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings/day | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slemmestad → Aker | 28 min | 2 | Oslo og Akershus |
| Fornebu → Aker | 11 min | 3 | Oslo og Akershus |
| Nesoddtangen → Lysaker | 8 min | 27 | Oslo og Akershus |
| Aker → Nesoddtangen | 13 min | 52 | Oslo og Akershus |
One ticket, four modes — the boat is not an extra
Oslo and Akershus are divided into zones, and zone 1 covers the whole of central Oslo. A single ticket or day pass for zone 1 is valid on every line inside it, whether you change between metro, tram, bus or boat. That is what makes fjord travel out of the city centre straightforward: the ferry is simply another line.
Where it stops being simple is distance. Travelling to Nesodden, to Asker or to the airport needs a ticket covering more than one zone — so the Aker brygge–Nesoddtangen crossing, the heaviest boat link in the Ruter network, is not a zone 1 journey. Ruter's own advice is not to work the zones out yourself but to enter your origin and destination in the journey planner and let it calculate.
Buying on board: cash only, and nothing bigger than a 200-krone note
If you have not bought before you travel, you can buy a single ticket on board buses and boats — but three conditions apply, and all three catch visitors out. It costs more than buying in advance. You must pay cash. And notes larger than 200 kroner are not accepted. You cannot buy on board a tram or the metro at all.
The alternatives are the Ruter app, which takes card and Vipps, or a physical travel card. The card costs 50 kroner, is reusable, and is sold at Narvesen, 7-Eleven and Mix kiosks as well as the customer centre at Jernbanetorget 1 — the same places top it up.
Oslo Pass covers the fjord too
For visitors combining transport with museums, the Oslo Pass includes public transport across Oslo and the surrounding parts of Akershus, plus travel to and from Oslo Airport, and free entry to a number of museums and attractions. It comes in 24, 48 and 72-hour versions.
Its transport coverage is specific and includes the fjord destinations: Oslo, Lillestrøm, Nittedal, Asker, Ski, Nesodden, Son and Oslo Airport. Children under 6 travel free regardless.
The network
Where Ruter sails
Paying aboard
Fares with Ruter
Driving with Ruter? Its road-ferry fares use AutoPASS for Ferries — vehicles are billed automatically by length and foot passengers usually travel free. There is normally no ticket to buy in advance.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does my Oslo transport ticket work on the ferry?
Yes. A zone 1 single ticket or day pass is valid on every line inside the zone, and it makes no difference whether you use metro, tram, bus or boat. But Nesodden, Asker and the airport lie outside zone 1, so those journeys need a multi-zone ticket.
Can I buy a ticket on the boat?
Yes, but it costs more than buying in advance, you must pay cash, and notes larger than 200 kroner are not accepted. Buying on board is possible on buses and boats only — not on trams or the metro.
What ticket do I need for the Nesoddtangen ferry?
A multi-zone ticket, because Nesodden sits outside zone 1. Rather than counting zones, enter your start and end point in Ruter's journey planner and it works out what your journey requires.
Does the Oslo Pass include the fjord ferries?
Its transport coverage extends to Oslo, Lillestrøm, Nittedal, Asker, Ski, Nesodden, Son and Oslo Airport, so the Nesodden crossing is included. The pass also covers entry to a range of museums and attractions and comes in 24, 48 and 72-hour versions.
Where can I buy a physical travel card?
At Narvesen, 7-Eleven and Mix kiosks, or at Ruter's customer centre at Jernbanetorget 1. The card costs 50 kroner and is reusable — you top it up at the same outlets.
Do children pay on Ruter boats?
Children under 6 travel free across the network, boats included.