A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Oslo for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bali or Oslo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Oslo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a spiritual, cultural, and stunning island. You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Bali travel costs.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean 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. See Oslo travel costs.

Bali and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Oslo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bali than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bali is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Oslo attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Oslo and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also well known for Pura Lempuyang. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Bali different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Oslo specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Bali or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Bali has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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 Bali or Oslo Better for Resorts?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its resorts. However, Oslo is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Oslo is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Oslo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Oslo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Oslo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Oslo Better for Beaches?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Oslo Better for Hiking?

Bali is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Oslo?

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

Bali is an extremely popular place for shoppers. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

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 Bali or Oslo More Beautiful?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Oslo is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Oslo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bali or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Oslo is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bali. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Bali or Oslo Better for Couples?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

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 Bali or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bali is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Oslo is a good island 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 Bali or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Oslo is very popular with students. 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.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

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

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Bali?

How long in Bali or Oslo?

In either Bali or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than Oslo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Bali. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Oslo is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bali or Oslo?

Bali is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Oslo is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Five days in Bali or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Bali. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring.

Oslo is a clean big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the tropical island of Bali. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

The clean city of Oslo offers museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, 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 Bali and Oslo, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Oslo is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Oslo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oslo than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Oslo?

Oslo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bali is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Oslo. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Bali is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Oslo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bali is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bali in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Bali usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Oslo. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Oslo. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city.

In April, Bali is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Bali