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

Should you visit Cardiff or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Cardiff 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.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a green, industrial, and up-and-coming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

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.

Cardiff and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than Cardiff. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Cardiff attracts visitors for its shopping and impressive beauty. Oslo is more touristy than Cardiff 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. Cardiff is famous for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

How is Cardiff different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cardiff. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

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

Oslo is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options 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.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Oslo has a better nightlife scene.

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

If you're looking for night time activities Oslo has a few options to choose from. 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 the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Oslo?

Cardiff is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Cardiff is a great destination for shopping. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

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 Cardiff or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Is Cardiff or Oslo Better for Couples?

Oslo is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Oslo. 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.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Cardiff or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is a great destination for students. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Oslo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Is Cardiff 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. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Oslo?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Oslo?

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

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cardiff or Oslo?

Cardiff 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.

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or Oslo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the industrial destination of Cardiff. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Cardiff or Oslo?

The industrial city of Cardiff 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Oslo. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Oslo. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cardiff is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 17°C (63°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 Cardiff, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Oslo. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cardiff or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Cardiff is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Cardiff receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cardiff usually gets more rain in October than Oslo. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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. Cardiff can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cardiff is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cardiff in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Cardiff usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Oslo. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cardiff or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Cardiff during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In April, Cardiff is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 9°C (48°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Cardiff often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Cardiff