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

Should you visit Birmingham 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 Birmingham and Oslo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a progressive, park-filled, and green city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Birmingham and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Oslo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Oslo than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Oslo, Oslo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oslo is more popular for its big city activities, while Birmingham is known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Oslo is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also home to The Royal Palace. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Birmingham or Oslo.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Is Birmingham or Oslo Better for Theater?

Birmingham is notable for theatre. However, Oslo is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Oslo is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Oslo can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

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.

Is Birmingham or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

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 Birmingham or Oslo Better for Music?

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

Birmingham is a world class music destination. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Oslo?

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

Birmingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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 Birmingham or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-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.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Is Birmingham or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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 Birmingham or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Oslo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Oslo Better for Students?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a great destination for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Oslo is top-notch. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Oslo a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Oslo are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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 Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Oslo?

In either Birmingham or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Birmingham has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Birmingham than Oslo. However, 1-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Birmingham 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 Oslo.

One day in Birmingham or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the destination of Birmingham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

When visiting Oslo, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oslo, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Oslo?

Birmingham is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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.

When visiting Oslo, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the bustling destination of Birmingham. 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.

Oslo, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Oslo?

The vibrant city of Birmingham offers food and shopping. 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.

Oslo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, 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 Birmingham and Oslo, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Oslo?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Oslo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Oslo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Oslo. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Birmingham is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Oslo. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Birmingham is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city.

Birmingham is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Birmingham