Hovedøya, from the Water and on Foot

The nearest island to central Oslo, and the first stop on Ruter’s B1 line from Rådhusbrygge 4. Every sightseeing cruise out of the City Hall quays passes it a few minutes after clearing Akershus; the public boat stops there, on an ordinary Ruter ticket, from the same quay two of those sightseeing boats use. That coincidence — one pier, two entirely different propositions — is the most useful thing anyone can tell you about a day on the inner fjord.

PositionNearest of the inner islands

Public lineRuter B1, “Øyene”

Ferry quayRådhusbrygge 4

TicketAn ordinary Ruter ticket

Cruises that stopNone of the city ones

CrossingShort, in the inner fjord

From a cruise

You see it from the deck a few minutes out, low and wooded with a shoreline that is closer than you expect. No city cruise stops. The boat goes on past Lindøya, Nakholmen, Gressholmen and Bleikøya and brings you back to the quay you left. The route in order.

On foot, which means the ferry

The B1 goes there. It is a short crossing from Rådhusbrygge 4 on an ordinary Ruter ticket, with no commentary, no guaranteed seat and a timetable written for residents rather than visitors. What you get in exchange is the island itself: a shoreline you can walk, water you can sit beside, and a view back at the city that a cruise cannot give you because a cruise never stops moving. Ferry or sightseeing boat.

Which to choose

If you want the city explained to you from the water, take a cruise. If you want to be on an island with an afternoon in front of you, take the B1 and do not book anything. Those are different days and only one of them needs us. All the near islands.

Insider tip

The B1 and two of the sightseeing cruises leave from the same quay. If you are at Rådhusbrygge 4 and undecided, you can genuinely make the choice standing there.

If you want islands with a guide attached

Six hours ashore on five islands with a live guide in English, 4.5 from about 158 reviews. Not wheelchair accessible, involves walking and climbing on the islands, and under-15s must be accompanied by an adult. For one island on your own terms, the B1 is the answer instead.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Hovedøya?

Ruter’s B1 line from Rådhusbrygge 4, on an ordinary Ruter ticket. It is the nearest of the inner-fjord islands and the crossing is short. Ferry versus cruise.

Do Oslofjord cruises stop at Hovedøya?

The city cruises pass it and do not stop. Only the six-hour island trip lands anywhere, on five islands with a live guide in English, 4.5 from about 158 reviews — not wheelchair accessible, with walking and climbing, and under-15s accompanied. Island hopping.

Is Hovedøya worth a trip?

If what you want is to be on the fjord rather than to be told about it, yes, and the boat is already on your transit ticket. If you want the city explained from the water, a cruise does that better. The islands.