A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hofn vs. Oslo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hofn or Oslo?

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

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

Where Should I go: Hofn or Oslo?

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

Oslo

Oslo is not only the largest city in Norway, and also its capital. It also holds the title as the most expensive city in the world. Oslo is a unique capital city in that its boundaries include much forest and wildlife. The city itself is nestled in an amphitheater type setting. The city's core is in the bottom by the fjord, and the residential areas stretch uphill away from the downtown area.

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


Which place is cheaper, Oslo or Hofn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $207, while the average daily cost in Oslo is $150. 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 Hofn and Oslo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $113
    Oslo $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $226
    Oslo $148
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Oslo

Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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.

Hotels in Hofn


Hotels in Oslo


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hofn Hotel Prices and Oslo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $31
    Oslo $21

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:


  • Tram Ticket
    $7.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:

  • Oslo Airport (OSL) to Oslo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $275
  • Oslo Airport Transfers : Oslo Airport OSL to Oslo City in Business Van: $261
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer Oslo Airport OSL to Oslo City by Business Car: $250
  • Oslo : Private Transfer to/from Gardermoen Airport to city: $211
  • Trondheim Private Transfer from Trondheim (TRD) Airport to City centre: $194
  • Departure Private Transfer from Oslo City to Oslo Airport OSL by Luxury Van: $170
  • Oslo Private Transfer from Oslo (OSL) Airport to City centre: $159
  • Private Transfer from Oslo City Centre to Oslo Airport: $156
  • Private Transfer From Oslo To Drammen With a 2 Hour Stop: $156
  • Airport Transfer: Oslo Airport OSL to Oslo City by Business Car: $155
  • Oslo Airport Transfers : Oslo City to Oslo Airport OSL in Business Car: $153
  • Oslo Private Airport/Hotel Transfer Service || English Speaking: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Oslo?

Prices for flights to both Oslo and Hofn 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hofn $73
    Oslo $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Oslo.

  • Oslofjord Fjord-Style Dinner Cruise: $69
  • City Tour with Traditional Norwegian Lunch or Dinner: $114
  • 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $151
  • Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $154
  • Norwegian Food Tour & Hidden Gems City Walk: $162
  • Norwegian Food Tour & Hidden Gems City Walk: $165
  • Oslo Tour with a Michelin-Starred Chef & Lunch/Dinner: $177

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $20
    Oslo $15

Tours and Activities in Hofn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.

  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
  • The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
  • Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
  • Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
  • Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
  • Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
  • 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
  • Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215

Tours and Activities in Oslo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Oslo are as follows:

  • Family-friendly Fun Oslo Private Guided Tour with Kids: $299
  • 2-Hour Oslo Fjord Sightseeing Cruise by Sailing Ship: $51
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour for Great Food in Oslo: $158
  • 4 Hours Island Hopping Tour in Oslo: $60
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Oslo's Waterfront: $8.99
  • Akerselva River Kayak/Packraft Tour: Urban Adventure in Oslo: $103
  • Akerselva River Meander: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Akerselva River: Urban Paddling Adventure Kayak Tour: $101
  • BIKING OSLO PRIVATE EXPERIENCE Upto 8 Participants Max: $289
  • Best of Walking Tour with a local guide: $394
  • Central Oslo Guided Walking Tour: $11
  • City Sightseeing Oslo Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $13
    Oslo $9.13

Sample the Local Flavors in Oslo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oslo:

  • The Original Oslo Pub Crawl: $34
  • The Original Oslo Pub Crawl: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hofn and Oslo, we can see that Hofn 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 Hofn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hofn 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 Hofn Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 340 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn 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 Hofn or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Hofn during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In July, Hofn is generally much colder than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 9°C (48°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Hofn usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Oslo 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Oslo. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

It's quite cold in Hofn in the autumn. Hofn is much colder than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Oslo. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Oslo 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Oslo. 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the winter, Hofn is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hofn in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Oslo -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Hofn are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

Hofn can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Hofn is generally much colder than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around 2°C (36°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Oslo. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Oslo 6°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Oslo and Hofn

Hofn Oslo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) -4°C (25°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) -3°C (26°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 1°C (33°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 7°C (45°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 1°C (35°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) -2°C (28°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)