Scam in NorwayTaxis
Inflated street-hail taxi fares in Oslo in Norway
How it works
Taxi prices vary greatly between companies. Picking the wrong taxi can mean paying two or three times the normal rate. Drivers must give a price offer when you state your destination, but visitors may not receive one without asking. Night, weekend and holiday rates can add to the cost.
Warning signs
- The driver does not give a clear price offer after you state your destination.
- The fare structure is hard to understand.
- You have not checked whether a night, weekend or holiday rate applies.
How to avoid it
- State your destination and get a clear price offer before setting off.
- Use Oslo Taxi or Norgestaxi when hailing from the street.
- Book through an app and compare the quoted prices.
- Use public transport when it suits your journey.
If it happens to you
Ask for an itemised receipt and note the taxi licence number on the roof. If no price offer was given, raise this when disputing the fare. Contact the taxi company with the trip details.
- Get somewhere safe. Call 112 if someone threatens you or you are in immediate danger. Call 113 for a medical emergency.
- Stop further losses. Freeze missing cards, contact your bank and remotely lock a stolen phone.
- Save evidence. Keep receipts, booking details, screenshots and messages. Note the time, place and taxi licence number if relevant.
- Report the incident to police. For non-emergencies, call 02800 from within Norway. Ask for a report reference.
- Contact the taxi company, booking app, merchant or card issuer about disputed charges. Explain what happened and provide the evidence.
- Contact your insurer if you need to claim. If your passport was stolen, contact your embassy or consulate for help.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/Norway2025I got scammed by a taxi driver within 10 MINUTES in Oslo. Apparently this is the norm! 😳A ferry passenger travelling with family reports being asked for 500 NOK for an approximately one-kilometre journey after choosing a waiting taxi.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/oslo2022Charged 1500 taxi from the airport. Scam or correct?A visitor reports paying 1,500 NOK after interpreting the airport taxi-stand quote as 650 NOK, with the driver claiming the remainder was his separate fee.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/Norway2026Taxi Scams in OsloA passenger reports being charged over 5,000 NOK for a 52-kilometre airport journey and threatened with the loss of their luggage if they refused payment.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the inflated street-hail taxi fares in Oslo scam in Norway?
Taxi prices vary greatly between companies. Picking the wrong taxi can mean paying two or three times the normal rate. Drivers must give a price offer when you state your destination, but visitors may not receive one without asking. Night, weekend and holiday rates can add to the cost.
How can I spot it early?
The driver does not give a clear price offer after you state your destination. The fare structure is hard to understand. You have not checked whether a night, weekend or holiday rate applies.
How do I avoid inflated street-hail taxi fares in Oslo in Norway?
State your destination and get a clear price offer before setting off. Use Oslo Taxi or Norgestaxi when hailing from the street. Book through an app and compare the quoted prices. Use public transport when it suits your journey.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask for an itemised receipt and note the taxi licence number on the roof. If no price offer was given, raise this when disputing the fare. Contact the taxi company with the trip details.
Where in Norway does this happen?
Street-hailed taxis in Oslo. Taxis also wait outside hotels and train stations. It has been reported in Oslo.
How much can it cost me?
Some street-hailed taxis charge 2–3 times the normal rate. A short central trip can cost around 200 kr even without overcharging.
How common is this scam in Norway?
Common. Norway has low crime levels, and common tourist scams are rare. The main risks are car break-ins, bicycle theft, pickpocketing and high taxi charges, especially when hailing a taxi in Oslo. Currency exchange and payment conversion can also cost you extra, though these charges are not necessarily scams.
Are there similar scams in Norway?
Yes: unexpected taxi luggage charges, app drivers pressuring you to cancel.
Who can I report it to?
Police: call 112 for an emergency or immediate danger. For a non-emergency, call 02800 from within Norway. Report theft, robbery or suspected fraud and keep the report reference. Police in Bergen: the downtown police station is at Allehelgens gate 6, across from the old town hall. The listed non-emergency number is +47 55 55 63 00. Taxi company or booking app: use the company's customer service or the app's support option. Include the receipt, price quote, trip details and taxi licence number. For driver delays or false pickup locations, include screenshots and messages. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact details to freeze a stolen card and report unauthorised or disputed charges. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Many consulates in Bergen are honorary and have limited services; your embassy in Oslo may be needed. Travel insurer: contact the insurer through its claims service. Keep police references, receipts and proof of loss.
What number do I call in an emergency in Norway?
Police and help reaching the correct rescue service: 112, Fire: 110, Emergency medical services: 113, Non-emergency police, within Norway only: 02800, Non-emergency medical care, within Norway only: 116117, Emergency services for people using a text telephone: 1412.
Reviewed by @snuck