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

Should you visit Basel or Oslo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel 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.

Basel

Basel is a beautiful, vibrant, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Basel and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than Basel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its big city activities, while Basel attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Oslo is more touristy than Basel and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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 Basel or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Basel and Oslo both to be nice destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Basel. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Oslo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Basel or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Oslo.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

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 Basel or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Basel to see the historical old town. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Oslo?

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

Basel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

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 Basel or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Basel. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Is Basel or Oslo Better for Couples?

Basel and Oslo are both nice to visit as a couple.

Basel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Oslo is a good city for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Basel or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Oslo are nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

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 Basel or Oslo Better for Students?

Basel and Oslo are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

Basel is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Students come from all over to stay in Oslo. 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.

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

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

With a huge network, the transit system in Oslo can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

The public transit in Basel can get you to most places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Basel or Oslo a more walkable city?

Basel 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 Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible 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 Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Basel?

How long in Basel or Oslo?

In either Basel or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Basel because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Basel or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Basel or Oslo?

Basel 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Basel. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Basel or Oslo?

The cultural city of Basel offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the progressive big city of Oslo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, 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 Basel and Oslo, we can see that Basel 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Basel Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Basel or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel 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 Basel 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 Basel or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Basel because of 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, Basel is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°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 Basel. Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Basel during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Basel is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Oslo. Many travelers come to Basel 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 Basel. In the winter, Basel is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Oslo. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Basel is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Basel