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

Should you visit Kiel or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Kiel or Oslo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled 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.

Kiel and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than Kiel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Kiel attracts visitors for its beaches and shopping. Oslo is more touristy than Kiel and is known 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. Kiel is famous for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Kiel different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

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

Both Kiel and Oslo offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Kiel. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Oslo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Kiel or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Kiel and Oslo.

Kiel has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

If you're looking for night time activities Oslo has a few options to choose from. 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 Kiel or Oslo Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

Kiel has a beach worth visiting. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Oslo?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Kiel is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

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 Kiel or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Kiel or Oslo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kiel and Oslo make for a nice place to visit.

Kiel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

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

Is Kiel or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Kiel or Oslo Better for Students?

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

Oslo is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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 Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Oslo is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Oslo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Kiel or Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Oslo?

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

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Kiel. 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 Kiel. 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 Kiel 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 Kiel or Oslo?

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

Oslo is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Kiel or Oslo?

Kiel 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 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.

Five days in Kiel or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the off-the-beaten-path destination of Kiel. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a park-filled big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Kiel or Oslo?

The maritime city of Kiel 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.

The park-filled city of Oslo offers museums and nightlife. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiel 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 Kiel 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 Kiel or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Oslo. Many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kiel is generally around the same temperature as Oslo. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 16°C (61°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kiel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kiel or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Kiel is a little warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Kiel often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Oslo in the Winter?

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

The weather in Oslo can be very cold. Kiel can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kiel is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiel in January average around 0°C (33°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Kiel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during winter. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kiel usually receives more rain than Oslo. Kiel 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 Kiel or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Kiel during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

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

In the spring, Kiel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Kiel