Food More Expensive Than the Flight. Journalist Reveals Huge Prices at Gardermoen
Culinary and travel journalist Helle Øder Valebrokk sharply criticized food prices at Norway's largest airport – Oslo Gardermoen. She pointed out that buying a simple snack can consume a significant portion of a holiday budget. In her opinion, the food offer at the airport has worsened after changes introduced in the summer of 2025.
Changes in the food offer have worsened the quality of meals.
Fot. zdjęcie poglądowe; materiały prasowe Avinor
Valebrokk traveled from Oslo to Barcelona. She stopped at the Tigerstaden café to buy something to eat before departure, as she explained to VG. However, the sight of the prices shocked her – a multigrain croissant with ham and cheese cost 175 NOK (63.50 PLN). The journalist considered this a symbol of excess and stated that she couldn't buy a simple sandwich without breaking her holiday budget.
No More Fresh Food?
Valebrokk noticed that after changes in the airport’s food offer, many establishments were replaced by outlets offering simple dishes based on pre-prepared baked goods. In her opinion, the situation is particularly difficult in the departures area of terminal F, where – as she says – it’s impossible to buy "anything decent."
The journalist also emphasized that high rental prices for premises may be the reason for drastic price increases. She often chooses only yogurt herself – as a healthier and cheaper alternative.
The journalist also emphasized that high rental prices for premises may be the reason for drastic price increases. She often chooses only yogurt herself – as a healthier and cheaper alternative.
Although it’s not the only airport with high prices, some products at Gardermoen are exceptionally expensive.Photo: Øystein Løwer/Avinor (illustrative photo)
Response from the Operator and Airport Management
SSP Norway, the company operating Tigerstaden, responded to the criticism by assuring that it strives to offer good quality and tasty products, suited to the fast pace of travel. Company representative Karoline Boug added that promotional campaigns are regularly introduced to help travelers choose more affordable options.
Avinor, the operator of Gardermoen Airport, emphasized that it does not set prices in the outlets but maintains a dialogue with partners to ensure the offer is attractive and diverse.
Avinor, the operator of Gardermoen Airport, emphasized that it does not set prices in the outlets but maintains a dialogue with partners to ensure the offer is attractive and diverse.
More Outlets, Greater Variety
Avinor representatives emphasized that in the past year, many new food outlets have opened at the airport – both in the domestic and international zones. The aim of these changes is to increase availability and improve service quality for travelers with different budgets.
The airport authorities also assured that they intend to continue working with operators to adjust prices to customer expectations.
The airport authorities also assured that they intend to continue working with operators to adjust prices to customer expectations.
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