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World Library and Information Congress: 71st IFLA General Conference and Council

"Libraries - A voyage of discovery"

August 14th - 18th 2005, Oslo, Norway

Travel and local information

Travel information

Start Alliance discount on flights:
The Starr Alliances airlines are pleased to be your official airline network. Call any one of the 15 member airlines and simply quote the event code SK201S5 to get details and conditions on the Star Alliance Conventions Plus Fares and the participating airlines.
For information about member airlines and other products please visit http://www.staralliance.com

The international airport in Oslo, Oslo Airport Gardermoen, is located approximately 50 km north of the city.

Airport Express trains run every 10 minutes to Oslo Central Station (NOK 150). SAS Express bus departs every 20 minutes to Radisson SAS Skandinavia Hotel. Airport taxis have a fixed price of NOK 475 to central Oslo (lower than normal fare).
Further information: http://www.oslotaxi.no

Oslo Airport Sandefjord, Torp is located 110 km southwest of Oslo. The low fare airline Ryanair has made this airport a new gateway to Oslo.

The Torp Express bus service corresponds with Ryanair's flights.
See http://www.trafikanten.no.
Further information: http://www.oslotaxi.no.

Local information

Banks
Currency exchange banks are located at major international airports and rail and shipping terminals, usually outside customs areas in the arrival hall. All Norwegian banks and major post offices exchange foreign currency.

Climate
Temperature in Oslo in August is usually in the region of 18 C°.

Credit cards
Major credit cards, including American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard, are honoured throughout Norway at hotels, stores and restaurants. Taxis in Norway accept all major credit cards.

Currency
The unit of currency is the Norwegian krone, which is abbreviated NOK. NOK 1 = 100 øre.
Euro 100 = NOK 817
Euro 1 = NOK 8,17 (November 2004)

Electricity
The electric current in Norway is 220 volts. Wall sockets are the round two-pin European type.

Insurance and liability
It is highly recommended that all participants carry an adequate travel and health insurance, as the organisers of WLIC 2005 cannot accept any liability for accidents, illnesses or injuries that may occur at or during the congress.

Language
Norwegian is the official language of Norway, but a majority of Norwegians speak English very well.

Passports and visa
A valid passport is required for entry into Norway. A visa is required for citizens of a number of countries. Please check with the Norwegian Embassy or Norwegian Consulate for requirements.

Public Transportation
The public transportation system in Oslo is well organised. Trafikanten at Jernbanetorget (Oslo Central Station) gives information about public transportation in and around Oslo.

The Oslo Pass
The Oslo Pass can be purchased for one or more days and provides you with free transportation on local trains and all the public transportation in the Oslo Metropolitan area as well as free or reduced prices to different attractions in Oslo.

Shopping
You will find everything in Oslo. Shopping malls, department stores, small boutiques, charming antique shops, handicraft etc. Generally open from Monday to Friday from 10.00–17.00 hours and Saturday to 15.00 hours. Late evening shopping is on Thursday until 19.00 hours. Major shopping centres have opening hours during Monday to Friday from 10.00–20.00 hours and Saturday from 10.00–18.00 hours.

Oslo – The City

The Viking Capital
Oslo – the Viking Capital – is situated in the heart of Scandinavia, surrounded by magnificent scenery from fjords to forested hills. As early as the turn of the 10th century, a settlement could be found at the end of the Oslo fjord. This makes Oslo one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia, and the only Scandinavian capital with an urban settlement dating back to the Viking ages.

The Friendly Capital
Oslo will surprise the first-time visitor by its wide range of restaurants, bistros, coffee shops and bars complemented by live music and entertainment. Most are located within walking distance of each other, the major hotels and the conference site. Discover the variety between the main street Karl Johan, which starts just at the congress site, and the colourful Grønland, a few steps away across the river.

The Gourmet Capital
A total of six Oslo restaurants are entitled to advertise their prestigious Michelin Guide rating. If you are looking for a gourmet meal, choose from Bagatelle with two *, Le Canard, Stattholdergaarden, Annen Etage, Oro or Feinschmecker with one*. Norway's chefs are among the best in the world, and Oslo's restaurants boast several of them.

In general, you can choose from good, old-fashioned rustic food, delicious dishes of fish, game, moose and reindeer or stimulating culinary dishes from every corner of the world. The produce come from Nature's own pantry – fresh and clean wildlife areas. These restaurants serve excellent, savoury dishes in every price category!

There are actually many good alternatives for tighter budgets as well. The many exotic restaurants that have appeared in recent years are fine options in this regard.

The Cultural Capital
Culture flourish in Oslo, offering something for all interested in architecture, design, classical music, rock, jazz, dance, sports or literature. There are numerous museums – take the short ferry ride to Bygdøy and see the vessels of the polar expedition, or walk up the hill to the collection of the painter Munch. Libraries will be topical at the time of the conference: Both the national library and the municipal library (called Deichman after its founder) are building new facilities.