I am still playing with the routes and timetables on this leg of our journey, wondering if I should break it up into 2 parts, or force my husband to get up early and leave Oslo at 7:30 a.m. for this 24 hour part of our trip. Since the overnight train from Oslo to Copenhagen has ceased operations, I've been "playing with the numbers", looking at the Oslo-Copenhagen-Duisburg-Amsterdam route vs. the Oslo-Malmo-Berlin-Amsterdam route. Any other ideas?

Wouldn't a boat be quicker and easier?

If I'm not mistaken, the boat goes only from Oslo to Denmark or England, and appears prohibitively expensive. There's also the potential, forgive me for saying this, vomit factor with my husband.

Shannon,<BR><BR>Do you live in the US or Canada? Then how about this:<BR><BR>Train to Brussels aiport, then fly nonstop to Oslo on SN Brussels Airlines (formerly Sabena) for USD 99 one way! Book it on:<BR>www.europebyair.com<BR>Click on "Flightpass"<BR><BR>There's at least one train connection per hour between Amsterdam and Brussels airport - one Intercity and sometimes a Thalys (you must reserve and pay a supplement for the latter). The journey takes 3 hours 20 min, change in Bruxelles Nord if you're on an Intercity, Bruxelles Midi if Thalys. The train station is right inside the airport terminal.<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Andre

I was recently working on the same problem. It turned out to be only slightly more expensive to fly - $240.00 on SAS, ticket purchased through travelocity. The advantage is that I don't lose 24 hours on the train (and I've done long train rides before) - the flight is very short. There are direct flights and some with layovers in Copenhagen.

Shannon,<BR><BR>Don't do it!!! I've have done this trip, in the opposite direction, and I much preferred my last root canal to being dragged all over the countryside.<BR><BR>Fly! and save yourself the pain. Have fun.<BR><BR>Greg<BR>

I agree with Greg. Do not train. If Oslo and Copenhagen are musts, consider the DFDS OSL CPH ferry, even if seeming incredible expensive. I've gone through calculating over and over time after time, and all ferry/train/car/train etc alternatives add to approximately the same sum of money. Avoiding the OSL-CPH ferry easily can be done by getting to another harbor with a shorter ferry ride to get to Denmark. But the you'll have to add extra overnights, inconveient transport means etc. In short words: Scandinavian transport options are calculated down to atomic details. You get what you pay for, and in Scandinavia nothing is inexpensive<BR><BR>Bjorn, Oslo

Bjorn,<BR>I checked out your suggestion, and think that's what we'll do. Thank you. (I did check flight prices as suggested, but they are very high). Do you know if meals are included in the cabin fare on the ship? Also, do you know where the boat docks in Copenhagen? Close to the train station?<BR>Thanks,<BR>Shannon

The ferry from Oslo docks near the royal palace Amalienborg and the picturesque Nyhavn. The train station is at the other side of the city center, half an hour walk. <BR>www.dfdsseaways.com

Shannon,<BR><BR>99$ is too high??? Trains will cost much more!!<BR><BR>Or do you live in Europe, so the Flightpass is not an option?<BR><BR>Andre

Thanks, Daniel. Andre, I am from the U.S., and I did check out europebyair, which seemed very good. The downside with that option is two-fold: we're a party of 3, and on flights, my kid passed the kid discount stage, so that's 3 tickets, with airport tax, totalling $371; also, the terms and conditions suggest that you have to purchase a minimum no. of coupons per person. Plus, we have a eurail pass that's paid for. Other than that, it seems like a great deal.

Shannon,<BR><BR>I guess I'm obsessed with this, so here I go again:<BR><BR>- the web site states NO MINIMUM PURCHASE<BR><BR>- you'll still be able to use your rail pass on the train to Brussels as well as the excellent train from Oslo airport to the city centre. Together this will probably be about 60-70 euros worth of travel per adult.<BR><BR>- From what I can see, the cheapest ferry option (inside economy 3-berth) is 121 USD per person - with 50% off for 1 of you), that's USD 302,50 for the 3 of you. So for 50$ total for the 3 of you you're going to transform an easy trip of about 7 hours door to door into a 40 hour ordeal???<BR><BR>BTW, I live in Switzerland, so I can't use Europe by Air <BR><BR>I won't harass you anymore, I promise!<BR><BR>Andre

OMG Shannon,<BR><BR>I just reread your original post and saw that you will be going FROM Oslo TO Amsterdam - DUH!<BR><BR>That said, my argument still stands in that direction, except that there is a daytime train connection (2 changes) that you could make from Copenhagen to Amsterdam - in the opposite direction, that would have been an overnight trip as well...<BR><BR>Still, the ferry/train combo remains an almost 30 hour journey!<BR><BR>Now I'm really really through with this thread.<BR><BR>Andre

Shannon: Depending on what kind ogf ticeket you buy, the breakfast buffet might be included<BR>Bjorn, Oslo

the boat docks directly behind the Admiral hotel, as I had a wonderful view of the fun ship for my wedding weekend. So just ask someone where that hotel is and you are right around the corner from the dock. I did notice that the ship left promptly at 5pm, I asked about it at the front desk and the receptionist told me it is a very expensive way to travel and that the lowest cost cabin was several hundred dollars (unsubstantiated hearsay) I don't know the name of the ship but if you email the Admiral I suspect that they would point you in the right direction. Have fun!!!<BR>MH

The ferry to Denmark is considered by most to be an experience in iself rather than just a form of transportation. Many people go on weekend trips with just 8 hours in Copenhagen, and two nights on the ship. Teens use it as a place to party, adults and older people use it as a weekend getaway with the opportunity for bargain shopping.<BR><BR>It is most definetly a very Scandinavian experience, and I think you will enjoy it.

I ran this one by my husband and he thought the cruise would be fun. We booked through seaeurope.com; I guess that's the U.S. outlet for DFDS. Outside room for the three of us was $169 per adult, and $85 for the kid. The pictures of the ships on this route from the website look nice, and I think Katrine's comments were good, that it will be more of an experience than just a mode of transportation. AND, it will give us an extra full day in Copenhagen!