A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Oslo for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Amsterdam or Oslo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Oslo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Oslo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Oslo attracts visitors for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Oslo and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Amsterdam different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oslo and Amsterdam. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Amsterdam or Oslo?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Oslo.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Is the Food Better in Amsterdam or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oslo is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oslo. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Amsterdam has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is a world class music destination. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is notable for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Oslo?

Amsterdam is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Oslo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Amsterdam is a very popular place to visit for couples. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Amsterdam is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Oslo is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Amsterdam and Oslo.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Oslo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Is Amsterdam or Oslo a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Amsterdam on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Oslo?

In either Amsterdam or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than Oslo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Amsterdam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oslo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Oslo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amsterdam that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Oslo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Oslo?

Amsterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Oslo. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Oslo?

Amsterdam is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the clean big city of Oslo. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Oslo?

Amsterdam is a scenic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find nightlife and food around the park-filled city of Oslo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Amsterdam or Oslo?

Amsterdam is a scenic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Oslo, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oslo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oslo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Oslo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Oslo?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Oslo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam or Oslo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Oslo. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In July, Amsterdam is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Oslo. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Oslo. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Amsterdam is a little warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oslo can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. In the winter, Amsterdam is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Amsterdam usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Oslo. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Amsterdam is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Amsterdam