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

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

Le Mans

Le Mans is a small, historic, and quaint town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife and museums.

Oslo

Oslo is a progressive, park-filled, and green city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Le Mans and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Le Mans or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo than Le Mans, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Oslo is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Le Mans is known for its small town charm. Oslo is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also home to The Royal Palace. Le Mans is popular for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Le Mans different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Le Mans or Oslo?

Oslo is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Oslo specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Oslo is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Le Mans or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Le Mans and Oslo.

If you're looking for night time activities Le Mans has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Le Mans or Oslo?

Oslo is adequate for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Le Mans or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-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.

Le Mans is a family-friendly place to visit. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Le Mans or Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Le Mans and Oslo are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Le Mans is a nice destination for couples. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

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 Le Mans or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Le Mans and Oslo are good places to visit.

Le Mans is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Le Mans or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Oslo can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Le Mans has a few public transit options. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Le Mans or Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

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

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Le Mans?

How long in Le Mans or Oslo?

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

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans or Oslo?

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

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Le Mans or Oslo?

Le Mans 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.

Because Oslo is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer.

Five days in Le Mans or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Le Mans. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oslo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Le Mans or Oslo?

The quaint town of Le Mans offers nightlife and museums. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Oslo. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, 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 Le Mans and Oslo, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Le Mans.

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

Which is Bigger, Le Mans or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Le Mans. When comparing the sizes of Le Mans 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 Le Mans or Oslo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Le Mans or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Le Mans during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Le Mans is around the same temperature as Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Le Mans averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Oslo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Le Mans. In the summer, Le Mans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Le Mans gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Le Mans usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Le Mans gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Le Mans or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Le Mans and Oslo. Many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Le Mans is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Le Mans in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Le Mans usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Le Mans gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Le Mans usually receives less rain than Oslo. Le Mans gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Le Mans or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Le Mans as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to Le Mans in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Le Mans can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Le Mans is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Le Mans average around 5°C (40°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Le Mans often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Le Mans gets 54 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Le Mans usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Le Mans gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Le Mans or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Le Mans are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city.

Le Mans is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Le Mans averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Le Mans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during spring. Le Mans gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Le Mans usually receives more rain than Oslo. Le Mans gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Le Mans