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

Should you visit Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck 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.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a adventurous, high energy, and outdoorsy city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Innsbruck and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Big city activities


Is there more to do in Innsbruck or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than Innsbruck. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Innsbruck attracts visitors for its skiing, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Innsbruck is more touristy than Oslo and is known for its mountain hiking, skiing, and winter sports. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace.

How is Innsbruck different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Innsbruck or Oslo Better for Skiing?

Innsbruck
Oslo

Innsbruck is notable for snow skiing. However, Oslo is not a skiing destination.

Innsbruck is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. This city offers easy access to excellent skiing without having to travel too far. There are 9 ski resorts around town that make up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. Each resort has its own personality and style. You can reach the Seegrube mountain in about 20 minutes using the funicular and cable car.

Oslo is not a skiing destination.


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

Innsbruck
Oslo

Oslo is notable for its sights and museums. However, Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Innsbruck
Oslo

Innsbruck 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, Innsbruck makes for a great culinary experience. The city is known for the hearty and filling food that is perfect for a cold winter day. There are cafes and restaurants around old town that offer traditional dishes including käsespätzle, wiener schnitzel, and apfelstrudel. If you're ready for something a little less heavy, there are a number of ethnic restaurants to choose from outside of the old town.

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 Innsbruck or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Innsbruck
Oslo

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

Innsbruck has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population and wide range of young visitors who enjoy high energy activities, there's plenty to do here when the sunsets. There are bars and dance clubs that stay active late into the night.

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 Innsbruck or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Innsbruck
Oslo

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

Innsbruck offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is filled with charming restaurants and cafes as well as comfortable outdoor places to relax when the weather is nice. One of the most notable landmarks is the The Goldenes Dachl, or the "little golden roof", but the atmosphere around old town is what makes this place really special.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is Innsbruck or Oslo Better for Hiking?

Innsbruck
Oslo

Innsbruck is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Innsbruck is a popular spot for hiking. The city is nestled in the Austrian mountains with many beautiful hikes just outside of town. There are hikes for all skill levels that offer spectacular views of some of the best scenery in Austria.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Innsbruck or Oslo?

Innsbruck
Oslo

Oslo is a moderate city for its shopping opportunities. However, Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Innsbruck or Oslo Better for Families?

Innsbruck
Oslo

Oslo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Innsbruck 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Innsbruck. The city has a pleasant atmosphere with a charming old town and plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. There's also the popular Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which is fun for kids and adults alike. The Alpine Zoo and the city's many parks and playgrounds all make it a great stop if you're traveling with kids.

Is Innsbruck or Oslo Better for Couples?

Innsbruck
Oslo

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

Innsbruck is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city's old town is filled with restaurants that make for great date nights. There are also many hikes, viewpoints, and activities that are perfect for a couple's getaway.

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 Innsbruck or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Innsbruck
Oslo

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck. The city has a number of hostels and affordable restaurants that make it a reasonable option for backpackers and budget travelers. Outdoor activities like nearby hiking are affordable ways to spend the day as well.

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 Innsbruck or Oslo Better for Students?

Innsbruck
Oslo

Innsbruck and Oslo are both high quality destinations for students and younger travelers.

Students come from all over to stay in Innsbruck. The city's laid back vibe and wide range of universities make it a great place for students. There are cafes, bars, and many outdoor activities that students enjoy while they're in the area.

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

Innsbruck
Oslo

Oslo is very popular for its public transit. Also, Innsbruck is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

The public transit in Innsbruck can get you to most places easily. The system includes trams and buses that will take you to outlying areas around town.

Is Innsbruck or Oslo a more walkable city?

Innsbruck
Oslo

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

Innsbruck is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, and if you stay anywhere nearby, it's easy to reach it on foot.

Oslo is a very walkable destination. 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 Innsbruck Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Innsbruck?

How long in Innsbruck or Oslo?

In either Innsbruck or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Innsbruck because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Innsbruck, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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


  • How many days in Innsbruck or Oslo? Ideal Length of Stay
    Innsbruck 2-4 
    Oslo 1-5

One day in Innsbruck or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Innsbruck. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Innsbruck or Oslo?

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck or Oslo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the mountainous destination of Innsbruck. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Innsbruck or Oslo?

The high energy city of Innsbruck offers food and skiing. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Vienna, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Salzburg, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Oslo or Innsbruck?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Innsbruck is €129, while the average daily cost in Oslo is €127. 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 Innsbruck and Oslo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Innsbruck 76
    Oslo 76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Innsbruck 152
    Oslo 152
Compare Hotels in Innsbruck and Oslo

Looking for a hotel in Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck


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: Innsbruck Hotel Prices and Oslo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Innsbruck 15
    Oslo 22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Innsbruck

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Innsbruck:

  • Innsbruck Airport(INN) to Innsbruck - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Innsbruck Swarovski Crystal Worlds Ticket and Transfer: $37
  • Innsbruck Airport(INN) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen-Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Innsbruck Private Transfer from Innsbruck Airport to City centre: $60
  • Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport(INN) to Längenfeld/Arrival Transfer: $64
  • Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport to Längenfeld - Round-Trip Transfer: $64
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) to Soelden - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) to St.Anton am Arlberg - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) to Kitzbühel/SkiWelt - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Innsbruck Airport to Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Round-Trip Transfer: $77
  • Innsbruck Airport INN to Alpbach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • St Anton am Arlberg to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Transfer: $105

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo

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


  • Tram Ticket
    6.16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:

  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim - Arrival Transfer : $41
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim- Round-Trip Transfer: $82
  • Private Transfer from Olso Airport to Olso Hotels: $83
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Oslo Airport To/From Oslo): $90
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) to Oslo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
  • Oslo City Center to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $92
  • Olso: Private Transfer from the City Center to Oslo Airport: $109
  • Departure Private Transfer from Oslo to Oslo Airport OSL by Business Car: $115
  • Oslo Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Oslo hotels: $131
  • Airport & City Transfers in Trondheim: $132

Is it cheaper to fly into Innsbruck or Oslo?

Prices for flights to both Oslo and Innsbruck 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
    Innsbruck 40
    Oslo 28
Typical Food Prices in Innsbruck

Some typical examples of dining costs in Innsbruck are as follows:


  • Soup for Lunch
    3.75
  • Pasta Lunch
    8.20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Innsbruck

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

  • Half-Day Food Tour of Tyrolean Cuisine: $149
  • Innsbruck Food Tour: $152

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo

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

  • Oslofjord Cruise with Seafood Dinner: $60
  • Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour: $76
  • Christmas Street Food Tour with Akevitt and Christmas beer : $116
  • 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $120
  • Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Innsbruck 19
    Oslo 18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Innsbruck

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Innsbruck are as follows:


  • Schloss Ambras Entrance
    8.00
  • Botanical Garden Entrance Fee
    2.00

Tours and Activities in Innsbruck

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

  • City Tower Entrance Ticket: $4.89
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Bergisel Ski Jump Arena Entrance Ticket in Innsbruck: $11
  • Innsbruck Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Hungerburg Funicular Roundtrip Ticket: $13
  • Skip the Line: Ambras Castle in Innsbruck Entrance Ticket: $13
  • Hungerburg: Roundtrip Funicular Tickets from Innsbruck: $13
  • Innsbruck - "Welcome Tour"! The Guided City Tour for you.: $20
  • Combi Entrance Ticket to Alpine Zoo and Hungerburg: $21
  • Alpine Zoo Innsbruck and Hungerburg Funicular Combo Ticket: $21
  • Swarovski Crystal Worlds Admission Ticket in Wattens: $25
  • Self-Guided 1,5-hour Tour of Exciting Stories, Photo Spots & Desserts: $30

Tours and Activities in Oslo

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

  • Free City Walking Tour: $0.93
  • Explore Oslo with Passionate Tour Guides: $3.26
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Oslo Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.63
  • Digging up the Past in Røros: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • An Oslo Waterfront Stroll: Self-paced Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Oslo Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $8.14
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Oslo Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • The Rose Castle Entry Ticket: $17
  • Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Innsbruck 19
    Oslo 10


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


Which is Bigger, Innsbruck or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Innsbruck. When comparing the sizes of Innsbruck 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.