Practical information

Welcome to Oslo, the floating sauna capital — your gateway to the International Sauna Congress 2026!

Here you’ll find all the practical details you need to make the most of your congress experience.

Tickets and Congress Registration

Congress overview

ISC26 offers a rich program of talks, panels, cultural events, networking opportunities, and of course unforgettable sauna experiences, showcasing Norway’s vibrant sauna scene in both urban and restorative spa settings.

There are three types of ticket available:

  • Standard Congress Ticket (can choose to add optional evening events)

  • Day pass Ticket (for Friday or Saturday) - SOLD OUT

  • Digital Ticket (access to streaming and recordings. Note: All Standard Congress ticket holders will receive access to the recordings after the congress).

Not sure what you have booked? Check your order confirmation (sent by email), you find the details there! Can’t find your ticket with QR code? These will be sent out the week before the congress to the order contact.

IMPORTANT: make sure you have completed the guest agreement for The Well (found here).

Congress Registration

To check into the the congress and receive your name badge, you can do so at the following times. Please note that access to Thursday program is only for registered participants who have checked in and received their name badge.

  • Thursday 13:00 at Oslo City Hall (arrive by this time to make sure you get through security and registration in time for the opening)

  • Friday 08.30 - 09.30 at Rebel

  • Saturday 08.30 - 09.30 at Rebel

Donate to Sauna Aid

Sauna Aid is a global initiative providing movable saunas and support services to people affected by natural and man-made disasters.

You can choose to add an optional donation to Sauna Aid at ticket checkout to support sauna related projects worldwide.

Behaviour guidelines

ISC26 brings together a truly global sauna and sweat culture. We expect everyone to be respectful, kind, and inclusive. Be considerate of others when in the sauna and during the Congress. All swimming and sauna use is at one’s own risk. Remember to stay hydrated! 

Guest Agreement for opening night at The Well

Everyone visiting The Well has to accept the guest agreement before they enter. To help with getting everyone into the wonderful night of relaxation and sauna experiences on Thursday evening, we ask that you fill this in now.

Please ensure that the name entered in this agreement exactly matches the name provided at the time of ticket purchase.


Accept the guest agreement HERE: Guest agreement for The Well

How to get to the congress

The main venue is REBEL, right in the city center, a short walk from Oslo Central Station and easily reached by public transport, bike, or on foot (read more about the venue change HERE). If you’re flying in, Oslo Airport (OSL) connects directly to the city center (about 20 minutes by train).

Getting to and from The Well and Rebel in central Oslo:

By bus:
The easiest way to travel between The Well and central Oslo is by bus 81, 83 and 84E. Get off at Nationaltheatret — from there it's just a 3–5 minute walk to Rebel Oslo at Universitetsgata 2. From Jernbanetorget bus stop, it is a 15-20 min walk to Rebel Oslo.

By taxi:
A taxi ride between The Well and Rebel takes about 30-35 minutes, depending on traffic. Driving distance: around 22 km. Follo Taxi offers fixed prices from The Well to selected destinations.

Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) → Oslo Central Station (Oslo S)

Take the Flytoget (Airport Express Train)

  • Look for Flytoget signs right after baggage claim.

  • Trains run every 10–20 minutes and take just 19 minutes to Oslo S.

  • Buy tickets at the machines, the Flytoget app, or on their website before getting on the train.

  • A cheaper alternative: regular Vy regional trains also run this route, taking about 30 minutes from the airport to Oslo S.

Oslo S (or city centre) → The Well

The Well is located in Sofiemyr, just outside central Oslo.

  • The easiest way to travel between downtown Oslo and The Well is by bus 81, 83 and 84E. Bus journey time is about 30 minutes.

  • A taxi ride between The Well and Oslo Central Station takes about 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic. Driving distance: around 18 km (11 miles).

  • After the Opening Reception at the Oslo City Hall on Thursday, shuttle busses will be provided to transport all congress participants to The Well.

Oslo S → Oslo Badstuforening and floating saunas

  • Easiest option: walk. It's about 15–20 minutes along the waterfront, past the Opera House — a scenic route and hard to get lost on.

  • By public transport: take any bus or tram towards Bjørvika/Opera from outside Oslo S and get off at the Opera House stop, then walk 5 minutes to the harbour.

Practical tips for getting around in Oslo

  • Download the Ruter app — it covers all buses, trams, trains, and the metro in and around Oslo, with real-time departures and ticket purchase.

  • A single ticket covers transfers between bus/tram/train within a time window, so buy once and hop between modes.

  • Contactless bank card tap-in works on many Oslo buses/trams now too, as a backup to the app.

Evening events

Tickets for evening events are purchased separately at checkout. You can check if you have these by looking at your order confirmation - these will be shown there if you purchased them.

Friday September 25th: Floating Sauna Night in Oslo - SOLD OUT
Enjoy an atmospheric evening on Oslo’s waterfront with floating saunas and communal bathing in the harbour. This social sauna experience has limited capacity.

The location for this event is still the Oslo waterfront. You will be divided into groups that will move together around different floating saunas on the Oslo waterfront.

Saturday September 26th: Badstufest, the official closing night
Celebrate the conclusion of the congress with a festive party and sauna. The evening features music, social sauna sessions, and sauna rituals in a lively and celebratory atmosphere.

Location information is coming soon.

What to wear

The International Sauna Congress is a fabulous blend of sauna and science! We have some suggestions for what to bring below, and information on the dress code for the congress.

At the grand opening at the Oslo City Hall:

The dress code for this event is smart casual (no jeans or sneakers).

At the Opening evening at The Well, the following information applies:

  • Wearing swimwear in the spa is optional.

  • Swimwear is not allowed in the saunas, but you can wear a towel or peshtemal, which will be provided to everyone upon arrival.

  • If you do wear swimwear in the spa, it must be from The Well.

  • You can buy The Well's swimwear at the reception on arrival. All congress participants receive 50% off swimwear purchases on the opening night.

  • Further practical information about The Well: Your spa visit 

When joining sauna events, participants are required to wear swimsuits in the saunas and while swimming. Remember to bring:

  • Swimsuit

  • Two towels (one to sit on, one to dry off with)

  • Your sauna hat

  • A bathrobe or poncho

For Oslo weather in September:

In Norway, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Evenings can be cool,and weather can change quickly, so we recommend bringing the following as well as your usual daily clothing:

  • A warm jacket

  • A scarf and gloves

  • Sensible shoes

  • A raincoat

Where to stay

For the International Sauna Congress 2026, we have secured special rates both at The Well and at selected Strawberry Hotels close to the congress venue.

The Well

Valid dates: September 23–27, 2026

Bookings must be made manually by sending an email to booking@thewell.no and quoting the discount code (ISC26).

A 20% discount will be applied to the best available rate.

—

Special rates at these Strawberry Hotels (click for booking site):

To make a reservation, select the desired date and number of guests. Available rooms and applicable rates will then be displayed. The guest is required to provide valid contact information and a credit card, including expiration date, as a booking guarantee.

Upon completion of the reservation, a booking confirmation will be sent by email.

—

Things to do in Oslo (before/after the congress)

Arrived early for the congress? Staying later? Here are selected activities that share the Norwegian spirit while you are in Oslo.

Pre/Post Tours: Epic Sauna Journeys

Join one of the Epic Sauna Journeys, tailored for sauna enthusiasts taking part in ISC26. Booking deadline: 15th August, find more information and tickets:

23rd September:

27th September:

Previous Congresses

For summaries of the programs, talks and speakers at the last two congresses, please find these here: