Which place is cheaper, Oslo or Geneva?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Oslo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Geneva is a diverse, international, and professional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Geneva than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Oslo is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oslo and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Geneva and Oslo have great landmarks and museums for visitors.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.
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.
Geneva is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.
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.
It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Oslo has a better nightlife scene.
Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.
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.
Geneva is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Geneva to see the historical old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.
Oslo does not have a historic old town.
Geneva is an amazing city to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.
Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.
If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.
Oslo is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. 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.
Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.
Geneva and Oslo both good destinations for a couple.
Geneva is a nice destination for couples. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.
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.
Oslo is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of backpackers 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.
Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.
Geneva and Oslo are great places to visit for students.
Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.
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.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Geneva and Oslo.
Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.
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.
Geneva and Oslo both are great when exploring on foot.
Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored 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 Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.
In either Geneva or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Geneva because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.
Families should spend more time in Oslo than Geneva. 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 Geneva than Oslo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Geneva that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Geneva 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.
Geneva 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.
Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the big city destination of Oslo. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
Geneva is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. 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.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the international big city of Geneva. 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.
The international city of Geneva 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 green 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Geneva is $213, while the average daily cost in Oslo is $138. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Geneva and Oslo in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Geneva or Oslo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:
Prices for flights to both Oslo and Geneva change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Oslo.
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Oslo are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Oslo, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.
Oslo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Oslo. Many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Geneva is a little warmer than Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Geneva usually receives less rain than Oslo. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Oslo. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Geneva is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).
In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Oslo and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.
It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. The weather in Geneva can be very cold. In January, Geneva is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Geneva usually receives more rain than Oslo. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Oslo and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city.
Geneva is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In the spring, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Geneva | Oslo | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | -3°C (26°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |