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

Should you visit Kaunas or Oslo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a young, vibrant, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and food.

Oslo

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

Kaunas and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Oslo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Oslo than Kaunas. Oslo is bigger than Kaunas, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Oslo is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Kaunas is more popular for its historical sights. Oslo is more touristy than Kaunas and is 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. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kaunas area. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

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 Kaunas or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Kaunas and Oslo.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

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 Kaunas or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Kaunas to see the historical old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Oslo?

Both Kaunas and Oslo are respectable shopping destinations.

Kaunas has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Oslo is a good destination for shopping. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Kaunas or Oslo Better for Families?

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

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Oslo Better for Couples?

Oslo is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

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

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Oslo are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Kaunas or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

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

Oslo is renowned for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Oslo is a very walkable destination. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Oslo?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Oslo?

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

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Oslo?

Kaunas 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.

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.

Five days in Kaunas or Oslo?

You'll find food and nightlife around the cultural destination of Kaunas. 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.

A week in Kaunas or Oslo?

The young city of Kaunas 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 The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, 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 Kaunas and Oslo, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Oslo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oslo than you might in Kaunas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Oslo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kaunas. Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Kaunas is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Oslo. The winter months attract visitors to Kaunas because of 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 Kaunas can be very cold. Kaunas is cooler than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

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

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Oslo. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Oslo. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Kaunas is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Oslo. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Kaunas