Sky-high prices for night taxis from Gardermoen: – It's so rotten
Passengers are facing exorbitant taxi fares from Gardermoen Airport, with some reporting charges as high as 5500 NOK for short trips.
Recent reports highlight a concerning trend regarding taxi fares from Oslo's Gardermoen Airport, with some travelers paying as much as 5500 NOK for short rides. One traveler recounted a 3700 NOK fare for a mere 4.4-kilometer journey that took just five minutes. With late-night arrivals leading to minimal public transportation options, many find themselves reliant on these costly taxi services, which often disproportionately increase prices during peak travel times.
A frequent traveler in Europe has noted that this issue arises consistently as flights land late. The public transport system, particularly the commuter trains, stops operating after 01:20 AM, leaving passengers with few alternatives. The airport shuttle bus usually fills up quickly, creating a predictable dependency on taxis, which often demand unreasonable fares due to lack of competition in late hours. This pattern raises significant concerns about the costs incurred by travelers and the fairness of the pricing structure.
Authorities, particularly Avinor, which manages the airport, are under pressure to address these runaway costs. Oslo Taxi spokesperson Anders Berg acknowledged that such high fares are not new, suggesting a long-standing issue within the taxi regulation system linked to the airport's operational hours and pricing practices. This situation calls for a critical review of existing transportation options for late-night travelers in Oslo to prevent exploitative pricing and ensure accessible travel alternatives.