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

Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a historic, cultural, and fascinating city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Kyoto and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kyoto or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kyoto than Oslo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kyoto is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Oslo attracts visitors for its big city activities. Kyoto is famous for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. It is also well known for Kinkaku-ji. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Kyoto different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kyoto is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Kyoto that are not to be missed. With its long-running history, there are many traditional buildings and temples in town. Nijo Castle is stunning to explore, but also make sure you visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

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.

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

Kyoto 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, Kyoto makes for a great culinary experience. The local cuisine is as beautiful as it is delicious. There is a long running history to many of the dishes, and the recipes are expertly prepared by world class chefs at many of the restaurants. You can enjoy everything from a tea ceremony to multi-course meals, referred to as kyo kaiseki.

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 Kyoto or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Kyoto or Oslo has a better nightlife scene.

Kyoto has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it isn't known for its wild nightlife scene, there is a relaxed and active energy in the evenings here. You can visit the beautiful Arashiyama Kimono Forest or explore some of the riverfront areas such as Kamo Riverside.

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 Kyoto or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

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

Kyoto offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This is among the most historic cities in Japan and there are many traditional buildings and temples. Higashiyama is filled with interesting districts and it has many UNESCO World Heritage temples.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kyoto or Oslo?

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

Kyoto is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a mix of modern shopping venues and traditional boutiques. Shijo Street is a popular shopping area, as is the area around JR Kyoto Station.

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 Kyoto or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Kyoto. Kids will enjoy exploring Nijo Castle as much as adults. If the weather isn't great, you can head to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which is a bit like a library and is perfect for Manga fans. There are also markets to explore such as the Nishiki Markets, which are lined with shops and restaurants.

Is Kyoto or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Kyoto has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This is one of the most historic cities in Japan, and it has many romantic neighborhoods where you can enjoy the atmosphere. Visit Sanneizaka Slope for its traditional shops and restaurants or take a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train. Other romantic highlights include Kimono Forest, which is an art exhibit, and Suzumushidera Temple.

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 Kyoto or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kyoto 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 Kyoto. It's a popular destination in Japan and there are plenty of hostels and free activities that backpackers can enjoy.

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 Kyoto or Oslo Better for Students?

Kyoto and Oslo are high quality places to visit for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Kyoto. It's a great student city with world class universities and a large student population.

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

Oslo is renowned for its public transit. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Kyoto. The city has an extensive system of trains, subways, and buses that make it easy to get around.

Is Kyoto or Oslo a more walkable city?

Kyoto is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Kyoto on foot. It's one of the most walkable cities in Japan and there are many sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly areas.

Oslo is a very walkable city. 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 Kyoto Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Kyoto?

How long in Kyoto or Oslo?

In either Kyoto or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Kyoto because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Kyoto, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Kyoto or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Kyoto. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Kyoto or Oslo?

Kyoto is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Kyoto or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Kyoto. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Kyoto or Oslo?

The traditional city of Kyoto offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the park-filled big city of Oslo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 Kyoto and Oslo, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto is in Asia and Oslo is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.

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

Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Oslo?

Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Oslo. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kyoto is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 27°C (81°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Oslo. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kyoto or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Oslo. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

Kyoto is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Kyoto often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kyoto usually gets more rain in October than Oslo. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kyoto or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. In the winter, Kyoto is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kyoto in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Kyoto usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kyoto usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kyoto or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Kyoto during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Kyoto is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 14°C (58°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Kyoto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Kyoto