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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Galway and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo than Galway, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Oslo is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Galway is known for its nightlife and shopping. Oslo is more touristy than Galway and is known 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. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Galway and Oslo can be an enjoyable experience.

Galway offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

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.

Is Galway or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 the Shopping Better in Galway or Oslo?

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

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

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 Galway or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-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.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Galway or Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Galway and Oslo are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day 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 Galway or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway 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 Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway or Oslo Better for Students?

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

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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Oslo is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Oslo can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Oslo a more walkable city?

Galway and Oslo both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and 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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Galway?

How long in Galway or Oslo?

In either Galway or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Galway because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Galway. 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.

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

One day in Galway or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Galway. 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 Galway or Oslo?

Galway 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.

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 Galway or Oslo?

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

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 Galway or Oslo?

The friendly city of Galway offers nightlife and food. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Galway and Oslo, we can see that Galway 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 Galway Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galway for the city activities 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.

Galway is cooler than Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Galway or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Galway during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Galway often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Oslo. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Oslo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. In January, Galway is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 6°C (42°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Galway usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives more rain than Oslo. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as Oslo. Many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

In the spring, Galway often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Galway