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

Should you visit Bonn or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Bonn or Oslo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bonn

Bonn is a lively, cultural, and beautiful city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Bonn and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo than Bonn, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Oslo is more popular for its big city activities, while Bonn is known for its historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Oslo is more touristy than Bonn 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. Bonn is popular for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven.

How is Bonn different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Bonn or Oslo.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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.

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

Both Bonn and Oslo offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

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 Bonn or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Bonn and Oslo.

If you're looking for night time activities Bonn has a few options to choose from. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Bonn or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Bonn to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bonn or Oslo?

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

Bonn is an extremely popular place for shoppers. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

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 Bonn or Oslo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bonn or Oslo.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Bonn is a very family-friendly destination. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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.

Is Bonn or Oslo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Oslo make for a good place to visit.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

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 Bonn or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bonn and Oslo are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

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.

Is Bonn or Oslo Better for Students?

For students, both Bonn and Oslo are very good places to visit.

Bonn is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

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.

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

Oslo is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

The public transit in Bonn can get you around easily. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

Is Bonn or Oslo a more walkable city?

Bonn and Oslo are very good when it comes to walkability.

Bonn is very walkable. The compact old town is easy to explore 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 Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Oslo?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bonn or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bonn. 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.

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 Bonn or Oslo?

Bonn 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.

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 Bonn or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Bonn. 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 progressive 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 Bonn or Oslo?

The outdoorsy city of Bonn 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.

The progressive 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 Bonn and Oslo, we can see that Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn 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 Bonn or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Bonn during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Bonn is around the same temperature as Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 19°C (66°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, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Oslo. Many visitors come to Bonn in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bonn is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bonn in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Bonn usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Oslo. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Oslo. Most visitors come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Oslo can be very cold. Bonn can be very cold during winter. In January, Bonn is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 3°C (37°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Bonn often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Oslo. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

Bonn is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bonn usually receives more rain than Oslo. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Bonn