The Viking Planet Museum Ticket

The Viking Planet turns Viking history into a hands-on digital show. You can step aboard a virtual longship, face life-sized holograms, study 3D objects, and watch a 270-degree film. It is less a traditional museum than a compact media experience.

I especially like the clear family focus and the chance to see material linked to the Viking Ship Museum while that traditional museum is closed. The free selfie station and Wi-Fi are also smart touches, especially for children who may tire of static displays.

The main drawback is simple: there are few physical artifacts. If you want original ships, tools, and carved wood, this will feel thin. If you enjoy screens, film, and VR, the visit can be a lively two-hour history lesson.

Key points to know before you go

• The museum is almost entirely digital: Expect films, touch screens, holograms, 3D objects, and virtual reality rather than a hall of original artifacts.
• The 270-degree film is a highlight: It gives the Viking Age a strong sense of movement and place without requiring a long visit.
• A VR option adds extra action: The VR game is not included in the basic ticket and can be purchased separately or as part of a combination ticket.
• It works well for families: The displays are easy to use, the subject matter is accessible, and children under six enter free.
• Allow one to two hours: You can move quickly in under an hour, but watching the films and trying the interactive displays takes longer.
• Go early on busy days: Narrow aisles and limited equipment can make the experience crowded at peak times.

What kind of Viking museum is this?

The Viking Planet is the world’s first digital Viking museum, and that description tells you what to expect. You will not walk through a large collection of excavated objects. Instead, you move among interactive screens, films, holograms, digital reconstructions, and virtual reality stations.

That approach has a clear benefit. Viking history can be hard to picture when it is reduced to dates, fragments of wood, and small metal objects behind glass. Here, the technology gives you a more immediate sense of ships, weapons, village life, travel, and conflict.

It also has a clear limit. The digital displays cannot give you the physical presence of an actual Viking ship or a centuries-old artifact. If the traditional Viking Ship Museum is your main reason for coming to Oslo, this is best treated as a substitute or companion, not a full replacement.

The experience suits a wide age range. Children can make choices on touch screens and take part in the photo stations, while adults can spend more time with the historical explanations. The material is presented in English, which makes the visit easy for English-speaking visitors.

Start with the longship and virtual Viking life

One of the first ideas the museum presents is the Viking longship. You can experience what it might feel like to travel by ship, rather than simply looking at a drawing of one.

The longship sequence is among the most popular parts of the experience because it adds motion and atmosphere. You can feel as if you are sailing with a Viking crew, at least for a few minutes, without leaving central Oslo.

Another interactive element places you in a more active role. You can help defend a village and make your way through a virtual version of Viking life. This is not a slow archaeological display. It is designed to keep you moving from one station to the next.

I would give children the controls first, then return to the displays at a slower pace. Some of the interactive material is simple enough for younger children, while older children and adults will get more from the historical background behind each scene.

Holograms make the people feel present

The life-sized holograms are one of the museum’s most memorable features. They present Viking-age figures in a way that feels more direct than a standard film or digital portrait.

The hologram theatre helps put faces and voices into the story. It is especially useful if you want more than battles and ships. The Viking Age was also about households, work, belief, travel, social rank, and daily choices, and the hologram presentation gives those subjects a human angle.

Set aside time for this section rather than treating it as a quick visual effect. The holograms are entertaining, but their value comes from the information they carry.

The museum’s films add another layer. The 270-degree film is a strong choice if you want a broad, cinematic introduction to the period. You may also find additional short films and screen-based explanations throughout the space.

The full film program can take a substantial part of your visit. If you watch all three films, the viewing time can approach 45 minutes, with the hologram theatre adding more time. This helps explain why some people finish quickly while others stay close to two hours.

Touch screens fill in the historical detail

The interactive screens are the museum’s main teaching tools. You can explore subjects such as Viking ships, weapons, culture, and life during the period.

They are easy to use and have clear images. That matters in a digital museum, since confusing controls can turn a promising display into a queue of people waiting for someone else to figure it out.

The screens also allow you to choose your own level of detail. You can skim the main points, or spend longer with an image and its explanation. The free guide app offers additional information, so it is worth downloading if you want more context than the displays provide.

One particularly useful feature is the digital presentation connected to the Viking Ship Museum. While that traditional museum is closed, The Viking Planet gives you a way to see digital versions of some of its material.

This is not the same as standing beside an original ship. Still, it can help you understand what the closed museum contains and why those objects matter. For many visitors, it is the closest available introduction to that collection during the closure period.

The VR film is worth considering

The virtual reality film is the experience’s strongest extra for many people. It places you inside a Viking scene rather than asking you to watch from outside.

The VR material includes an ambush sequence, and the sense of movement makes it more memorable than a normal screen presentation. The technology is not brand new, and the VR game may feel due for an update, but it still gives the visit a clear focal point.

Check your ticket carefully. The VR game is not included with the basic admission ticket. It is available as a separate purchase or as part of a combination ticket.

If you are comfortable with headsets, I would consider adding it. If VR makes you dizzy or you prefer museums built around objects, spend your money elsewhere or stick with the standard displays.

The equipment is cleaned after use, but the VR area can become a bottleneck when the museum is busy. That is another reason to arrive near opening time if you want a calmer visit.

Selfie stations add fun without taking over

The selfie zone lets you create images in Viking-themed settings. You can use the digital station free of charge, and the museum provides Wi-Fi for sharing your pictures.

This feature is aimed at families and younger visitors, but it can also break up the more serious parts of the museum. A child who has just spent time with a historical film may be happy to put on a virtual Viking look and take a picture.

Do not expect a large costume department or a fully built stage set. The photo area is fairly simple, and more clothing or a stronger physical background would make it better. Still, it is a pleasant extra and costs nothing beyond the admission ticket.

There is also a Viking-themed souvenir shop. It gives you a chance to end the visit with something tangible, which is useful in a museum built around screens.

How long should you plan for?

The advertised visit length is about one to two hours. That range is realistic, but your timing depends on how you use the displays.

You can move through the main areas in under an hour if you skip films and do not wait at each interactive screen. That may suit you if you have a tight Oslo schedule or young children with short attention spans.

For a fuller visit, allow close to two hours. Watch the films, spend time with the holograms, use the touch screens, try the selfie station, and add the VR experience if you have paid for it.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Arriving early is a practical move. The equipment is limited, and narrow aisles can feel cramped when several groups arrive at once. Bad weather can also push more people indoors.

A booking is usually made well ahead of time, with an average lead time of about 22 days. Pre-booking guarantees admission, which matters if your Oslo schedule is fixed or you are visiting during a busy period.

Location and practical details in Oslo

The Viking Planet is in central Oslo, near public transportation and close to other attractions, including City Hall. That makes it easy to add to a day of sightseeing rather than treating it as a separate expedition.

The ticket is mobile, so you can keep it on your phone. The basic admission includes fees and taxes, Wi-Fi, the digital selfie station, and access to the guide app.

The listed price is $30.61 per person. That is not cheap for a one to two-hour stop, especially when you compare it with a conventional museum where the admission includes a large collection of physical objects.

The value depends on your interests. If you enjoy film, digital displays, and VR, the technology gives you a concentrated and entertaining history experience. Families may also find the price easier to justify because several age groups can use the exhibits in different ways.

If you mainly want authentic artifacts, the value is weaker. You are paying for presentation and participation, not for a large archaeological collection.

Children under six enter free. The activity is offered in English, and most people can take part. Bookings are limited to a maximum of 10 people, according to the supplied booking details, which may help keep a reserved group small even though the museum itself can become crowded.

A free cancellation policy applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

Who will enjoy The Viking Planet most?

I would recommend this experience to families who want history presented in a lively way. The screens are simple to use, the films add motion, and the selfie zone gives children something playful to do.

It also suits adults who want a quick introduction to Viking culture before visiting other Oslo sights. You can learn about ships, weapons, daily life, and the broader Viking period without committing half a day.

The museum is especially useful while the traditional Viking Ship Museum is closed. The digital material related to that collection gives you some historical context and a visual sense of what you might otherwise have seen in person.

History purists should adjust their expectations. The absence of original artifacts is not a minor detail. It is the central fact of the experience.

I would also think twice if VR makes you uncomfortable. The standard ticket still includes plenty to see, but some of the most memorable moments rely on film, simulation, and digital effects.

My verdict on the experience

The Viking Planet is a good modern history attraction, but it is not a traditional museum. Its best qualities are the 270-degree film, the holograms, the longship simulation, the clear touch screens, and the way it makes Viking life easy for children to understand.

Its weak point is the limited physical substance. You may leave feeling that you saw many images but handled little evidence from the past. Crowds can make that problem worse, since narrow aisles and limited stations reduce the time you get with each display.

I would book it if you want a family-friendly Oslo activity, like digital history, or need an alternative while the Viking Ship Museum is closed. I would skip it if original artifacts are your priority.

For the best visit, pre-book, arrive near 10 a.m., allow up to two hours, and decide in advance if you want the separate VR game. Keep an eye out for Konrad, a friendly staff member who has made a particularly good impression on visitors and is also known for offering useful dining suggestions.

FAQ

How long does The Viking Planet visit take?

The visit takes about one to two hours. You can finish in under an hour if you move quickly, but the films, hologram theatre, interactive screens, and optional VR can fill closer to two hours.

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes admission, all fees and taxes, free Wi-Fi, the free digital selfie station, and access to the free guide app.

Is the VR game included?

No. The VR game is available as a separate purchase or as part of a combination ticket.

Is The Viking Planet suitable for children?

Yes. The experience is designed for all ages, with interactive screens, films, virtual experiences, and a selfie station. Children under six receive free admission.

Is The Viking Planet a traditional museum with original artifacts?

No. It is a digital museum focused on films, holograms, interactive screens, 3D artifacts, and virtual reality. It also includes digital material connected with the Viking Ship Museum while that museum is closed.

What are the opening hours?

The museum is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the listed operating periods in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and a free guide app is included.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.