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

Should you visit Hamburg or Oslo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hamburg and Oslo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a energetic, cultural, and vibrant port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Hamburg and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hamburg or Oslo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Oslo than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Oslo, Oslo has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Oslo is better known for its big city activities, while Hamburg is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and impressive beauty. Hamburg is well known for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Also, Oslo is famous for The Royal Palace.

How is Hamburg different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Hamburg or Oslo.

Many visitors head to Hamburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Hamburg and Oslo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Hamburg area. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Is Hamburg or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Hamburg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

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 Hamburg or Oslo Better for Music?

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

Hamburg is a world class music destination. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hamburg or Oslo?

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

Hamburg is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

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 Hamburg or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Oslo is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Hamburg is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Is Hamburg or Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Hamburg and Oslo are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Hamburg is a good port city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Oslo is a nice destination for couples. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Hamburg or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hamburg and Oslo are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hamburg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Is Hamburg or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is well known for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Oslo is very popular with students. 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 Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

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

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

Oslo has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Public transit in Hamburg is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Hamburg or Oslo a more walkable city?

Hamburg and Oslo both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Hamburg is a very walkable destination. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

Oslo is very walkable. 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 Hamburg Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Hamburg?

How long in Hamburg or Oslo?

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

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

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

One day in Hamburg or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Hamburg. 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 Hamburg or Oslo?

Hamburg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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 Hamburg or Oslo?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Hamburg. This port 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 Hamburg or Oslo?

The historic port city of Hamburg offers shopping and museums. 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 The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Hamburg or Oslo?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Hamburg 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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hamburg and Oslo. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hamburg is around the same temperature as Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hamburg in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In Hamburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hamburg usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Hamburg gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Hamburg gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hamburg or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hamburg as well as Oslo. Many travelers come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Hamburg is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Hamburg average around 10°C (50°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Hamburg often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Hamburg gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Hamburg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hamburg or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Hamburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hamburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Hamburg can get quite cold in the winter. Hamburg is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Hamburg averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Hamburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during winter. Hamburg gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hamburg usually receives more rain than Oslo. Hamburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hamburg or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Hamburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hamburg for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Hamburg is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hamburg in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Hamburg often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Hamburg gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Hamburg usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Hamburg 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 Hamburg