Car & Van Hire - Gardermoen

Gardermoen is best known as the area of Oslo Airport. This largely undeveloped region was previously used by the Norwegian military as early as 1740 and was expanded into a two-runway airport under Nazi Occupation. When Oslo's previous airport at Fornebu struggled to reach capacity, this existing military airport at Gardermoen was expanded into Oslo Airport in 1992.

Gardermoen has a history dating from the Viking Age. Its name is derived from "Garder" and "mo", meaning "garden" and "moor" (for drilling). A farm was recorded on this land in 1328, indicating its medieval and possible Viking use. As a result, the local economy is strongly linked to servicing the airport, with excellent road and rail links to Oslo and the surrounding regions.

Aside from the airport, Gardermoen offers several important national attractions related to both aviation and history. These include the Ullensaker Museum, a municipal museum on local history, and the Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection. The latter contains some 40 historic aircraft dating back to the country's first from 1912. You can also visit the SAS Museum, which details the aircraft carrier's history from 1946.

As Gardermoen played a role both as a military centre and base of operations in the war, you'll find a number of historic landmarks, memorials and attractions in the area. These include the sombre Trandumskogen. This forest was the site of a mass execution by Nazis of Allied citizens during the Second World War. A memorial is found within the forest close to Tanksskytebanen, the remnants of a tank firing range.

A deeper view of Norwegian history can be found at Rakni's Mound, one of the largest barrows in Northern Europe. The mound dates from the European Migration Age, with local legend believing that a sea king, King Rakni, was buried here. Numerous archaeological digs have revealed the area has been used continuously since the Bronze Age. Still, little is known of the mound's true origin.

Car or van hire in Gardermoen is a great way to explore the Greater Oslo region and beyond. The Hurdalsjøen and Mjøsa lakes can be reached by car just north of Gardermoen, providing exceptional hiking, sailing and fishing opportunities. As Gardermoen sits on a crossroads between two major highways, there are opportunities for travel to Oslo and Oslofjord, onto the western fjords or into Innlandet.

Gardermoen is the entry point for many visitors to Norway. As a result, it offers excellent road connections throughout the region and is one of the most popular places to rent a car. Consisting of the airport and its surrounding grounds, Gardermoen is relatively straightforward to navigate by road.

Gardermoen connects with both the E16 and E6 European routes, two long-distance highways that consist of two-lane dual carriageways. The E16 provides links between Bergen and Oslo via Gardermoen Airport, while the E6 spans the entire length of the country from north to south. A number of county roads are also accessible for scenic rural travel.

Parking at Gardermoen is largely related to the airport and nearby museums to the west. As a result, you'll find a wealth of spaces that cover both short and long-term parking options. Parking is generally available in two ways: drop-in parking, where you park and pay as you leave, and pre-booked parking for specific times that generally yields lower prices. Some car parks (P4-P7) are situated a short shuttle bus ride from the airport.

Speed limits should be adhered to at all times, and traffic police and speed cameras are both in operation 24/7. In general, speed limits are between 70 km/h on single-lane roads to 110 km/h on highways around Gardermoen. When driving in and around the airport itself, you can expect limits of between 30 to 50 km/h. These are always well sign-posted. What's more, there are often road or service works, which reduce speeds.

For those with a van or car hire in Gardermoen, it is worth noting that in Norway, cars are driven on the right-hand side of the road and generally give way for traffic on the right. Drivers are legally required to wear seatbelts and use low-beam headlights at all times. Failure to do so may lead to an on-the-spot fine. You should also remain hands-free with no use of mobile phones in the car. While many of the roads from Gardermoen are at least two-lane single-carriageways, some rural roads can be single-lane. Abide by passing places and show caution when driving around corners.

Driving in Gardermoen is generally even throughout the day, but there is an air traffic rush during midday and early evening. As a result, some queues can form around the airport. Norway uses a tolling system for many of its roads, including routes from Gardermoen to Oslo. These are indicated by a "Kr" sign collected via the AutoPASS system.