Physical SIM Card at OSL: Getting Lyca Mobile at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (Oct 2025)
Navigating conflicting information about buying a physical SIM card at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) was a challenge. Some older reviews claimed SIMs weren’t available, while recent ones mentioned an elusive Lyca Mobile booth. Our goal was specific: a physical SIM card to use in our pocket Wi-Fi device for data hotspot sharing.
We had initially planned for a MyCall SIM but ended up buying a Lyca Mobile SIM instead, as the packages and data offerings were comparable to our heavy-data needs (video usage, etc.).
The Lyca Mobile Booth: Location and Hours
We landed before 10 AM and immediately asked around. We were directed to the WHSmith Kiosk on the arrivals floor, right after security. We were specifically directed to a separate branch where the Lyca display was visible. While we saw the Lyca display, there was no staff present, and we were told to return in half an hour.
The Lyca Mobile staff member later informed us that staff is stationed there daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If you arrive outside these hours, you will likely need to wait or look for an alternative (like an eSIM).
Pro Tip: We noted that their display booth was initially placed inside the shop. However, once a staff member is present, the booth is moved out to the front of the shop. This is a great sign that the counter is manned and ready to assist!
Lyca Mobile Package Options (30-Day Validity)
The Lyca Mobile staff presented three main package options, all valid for 30 days from activation. The prices listed below include the top-up and a 100 NOK service fee:
| Package Name | Data Included | Calls & Texts | Price (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyca Smart XL with EU Roaming | 30 GB | Unlimited National & International Minutes*/Texts | 399 NOK |
| Lyca Smart XXL with EU Roaming | 100 GB | Unlimited National & International Minutes*/Texts | 499 NOK |
| Lyca Smart Max with EU Roaming | Unlimited Data | Unlimited National Minutes*/Texts + 500 International Minutes | 599 NOK |
* International Minutes/Texts include EU, USA, Canada, India & UK. More details on EU Roaming data allowances and terms can be found on the Lyca Mobile website.
We opted for the 499 NOK (100 GB) XXL pack, which was more than enough for our needs.
The Critical Setup Process
This is the most important takeaway: We were lucky to have the staff assistance!
We paid at the counter, and the Lyca staff member took the SIM and our phone to set it up. It involved quite a bit of work, including specific codes keyed directly into the phone to activate the service—please buffer at least 15 minutes or so for this set-up process.
We had intended to use my phone for the setup, then swap the SIM to our dedicated pocket Wi-Fi device. However, my husband noted that the setup appeared tied to the codes and phone used for activation, making the simple swap problematic. We ended up using my mobile phone as the dedicated hotspot for our tablet instead.
Troubleshooting Tip
On occasion, we faced issues accessing the internet. The fix was a quick manual reset:
- Turn off automatic detect of “Network Selection” (or similar setting).
- Select a roaming provider manually.
- Turn on “Automatic Selection” again.
Final Verdict: Cost, Convenience, and Local Number
The Lyca Smart XXL (499 NOK) card was significantly cheaper than our international roaming package from home. The 30-day validity was a huge benefit, as our home provider’s packages were not flexible enough to match our travel duration without buying two separate packages at more than double the cost, or settling for a 30-day package with half the data allowance.
Having a local Norwegian number also proved useful; I remember some self-payment machines, perhaps for parking, required a phone number, so the SIM card with a local number definitely comes in handy.
Lyca Mobile Self-Care Codes (Use these if no staff is present!)
| Action | Code |
|---|---|
| Check Balance | *150# |
| Check Bundle Balance | *137# |
| Check Your Mobile Number | *151# |
| Top Up | *150#Pin Number# |
| Internet/APN Settings | *146# |
A note on pocket Wi-Fi vs. Hotspot: Many people recommend an eSIM, and while it’s simpler, we originally avoided it because we wanted a SIM for our pocket Wi-Fi device. If you primarily rely on hotel or Airbnb Wi-Fi (which works everywhere) and only need data occasionally, you can save cost with a smaller data pack. Even most restaurants and cafes offer free Wi-Fi, meaning 24/7 mobile access may not be a necessity.
