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Kon-Tiki Museum
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Kon-Tiki Museum

Getting around: The Kon-Tiki Museum is on the Bygdøy peninsula, reached by ferry from central Oslo (near Aker Brygge, roughly 10-15 minutes) in summer, or by bus year-round.
Hours: Open daily most of the year with standard museum hours, generally longer in summer.

The Kon-Tiki Museum houses the original balsa wood raft Thor Heyerdahl sailed across the Pacific in 1947 to test his theory that South Americans could have settled Polynesia, along with the Ra II reed boat from his later Atlantic crossing. Whatever one makes of Heyerdahl's now largely disputed migration theories, the museum documents an undeniably audacious set of voyages, and seeing the actual vessels up close conveys just how basic and exposed the crews' conditions were.

It's directly adjacent to the Fram Museum on Bygdøy, making the two a natural pairing for a morning or afternoon focused on Norwegian maritime exploration history.

Kon-Tiki Museum FAQs

What is the Kon-Tiki raft?

The original balsa wood raft Thor Heyerdahl sailed across the Pacific in 1947 to test a theory about early Polynesian settlement from South America.

Is Heyerdahl's theory still considered accurate?

Largely no - modern genetic and archaeological evidence points to Polynesia being settled from Asia, though Heyerdahl's voyage remains a landmark feat of exploration and museum piece regardless.

Is the Kon-Tiki Museum near the Fram Museum?

Yes, they're right next to each other on the Bygdøy peninsula, making a combined visit easy.

How long does a visit take?

About an hour for the main exhibits.

Is the Ra II boat also on display?

Yes, alongside the Kon-Tiki raft, the museum displays the Ra II reed boat from Heyerdahl's later Atlantic expedition.

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