[Oslo] Island hopping by ferry: what’s the best “island → island → island” route that actually works in one day?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

I’d love to collect real “island hopping” routes people have actually done—where the ferry connections are realistic and the walking between stops feels enjoyable (not rushed).

Please share:

• Your exact “chain” (which islands, in what order)
• How long it took door-to-door and where you spent the most time
• What made it work: short connections, easy walking, scenic stops, swim points
• Your “don’t get stranded” advice: how you plan the return and buffer time
• Any route you thought would work, but didn’t (timing/crowds/season)

What’s the most satisfying island-hopping route you’ve done in a single day—and what would you change next time?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

For island hopping by ferry that actually works without turning into a schedule anxiety test, I’ve done Hovedøya → Lindøya → Gressholmen in one long summer day and it felt surprisingly civilized. The ferries line up well, walking between stops is easy and scenic, and you can linger on Lindøya for a swim without panicking about the return if you keep an eye on the last boat. From what I’ve seen, the biggest mistake people make with island hopping is overstuffing the plan and forgetting buffers—Oslofjord ferries are chill, not psychic. Has anyone pulled off a different island-to-island chain that felt even smoother, or is this as close as Oslo gets to stress-free hopping?

 

[Alex Turner]

I did a really smooth one-day hop starting from Aker Brygge: Hovedøya first, then Gressholmen, and finishing on Lindøya. Door to door it was maybe six hours, but most of that was unhurried wandering and sitting by the water. Hovedøya was the most walking-heavy stop, Gressholmen felt more like a long lunch break, and Lindøya was perfect for slowing down and swimming if the weather cooperates. The ferries lined up nicely as long as I didn’t linger too long. My biggest tip is always plan the return first and work backward, especially later in the afternoon. Are you aiming to do this on a weekday or weekend, and from which ferry pier are you starting?