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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Oslo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Oslo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for theater, nightlife, and live music.

Oslo

Oslo is a green, clean, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Edinburgh and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Oslo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Oslo attracts visitors for its food and big city activities. Edinburgh is more touristy than Oslo and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Edinburgh different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Edinburgh that are not to be missed. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Theater?

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

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Oslo is not a theatre destination.

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

Oslo is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Edinburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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 Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Music?

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

Edinburgh is a world class music destination. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Oslo?

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

Edinburgh is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Oslo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. 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.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Is Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Edinburgh is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Students?

Both Edinburgh and Oslo are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Many students visit 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 Edinburgh or Oslo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Oslo a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Oslo?

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. 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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Oslo?

Edinburgh 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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the gothic destination of Edinburgh. 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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Edinburgh or Oslo?

The gothic city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. 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.

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and Oslo, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Oslo. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oslo. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

Edinburgh is a little warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Oslo. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Oslo. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Edinburgh is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Edinburgh