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

Should you visit Dublin or Oslo?

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

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

Dublin

Dublin is a friendly, welcoming, and fun city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and live music.

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.

Dublin and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Oslo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Oslo attracts visitors for its big city activities. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Dublin different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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 Dublin or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Dublin and Oslo.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

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 Dublin or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Dublin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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 Dublin or Oslo Better for Music?

Dublin is notable for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Dublin. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Oslo?

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

Dublin is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

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 Dublin or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Dublin. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Dublin or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway 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.

Is Dublin or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is notable for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Dublin or Oslo Better for Students?

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

Oslo is a great city to visit as a student. 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 Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Oslo is terrific for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Oslo can take you anywhere. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dublin or Oslo a more walkable city?

Dublin 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 Dublin on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center 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 Dublin Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Oslo?

In either Dublin or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Dublin has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Dublin than Oslo. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dublin, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Dublin or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dublin or Oslo?

Dublin is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dublin or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Dublin. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dublin or Oslo?

The welcoming city of Dublin offers shopping and museums. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the park-filled big city of Oslo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Dublin and Oslo, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Oslo?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Oslo. The summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In July, Dublin is generally cooler than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 16°C (60°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dublin usually receives less rain than Oslo. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dublin or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Oslo. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Dublin often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dublin 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. In the winter, Dublin is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dublin in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Dublin usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dublin usually receives more rain than Oslo. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dublin or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Dublin during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dublin in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Dublin is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 8°C (47°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Dublin