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

Should you visit Inverness 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 Inverness and Oslo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Inverness and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo. Although Inverness and Oslo are popular destinations, Oslo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oslo is very popular for its big city activities, while Inverness attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and small town charm. Inverness is famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. 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 Inverness different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Inverness and Oslo.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

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 Inverness or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness 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, Inverness makes for a great culinary experience. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

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 Inverness or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Both Inverness and Oslo are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

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 Inverness or Oslo?

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

Inverness is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

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 Inverness or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Inverness is a family-friendly city. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Inverness or Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Inverness and Oslo are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Oslo is a good city for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Inverness or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Oslo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

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.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is terrific for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Oslo can take you anywhere. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Oslo a more walkable city?

Inverness and Oslo both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town 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 Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Oslo?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Inverness 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.

One day in Inverness or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Inverness. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Inverness or Oslo?

Inverness 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.

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 Inverness or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the local destination of Inverness. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Inverness or Oslo?

The cultural city of Inverness 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.

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 London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Inverness is generally cooler than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 14°C (58°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives less rain than Oslo. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Inverness or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Inverness during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Inverness is a little warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Oslo. Many visitors come to Inverness in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Inverness can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Inverness is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Inverness in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

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

In January, Inverness usually receives more rain than Oslo. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Inverness or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Oslo. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city.

In April, Inverness is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 7°C (44°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Oslo. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Inverness