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

Should you visit Mainz 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 Mainz 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.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Oslo

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

Mainz and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo than Mainz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Oslo is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Mainz is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Mainz is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Oslo 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.

How is Mainz different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

Mainz 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, Mainz makes for a great culinary experience. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

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 Mainz or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Oslo is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is notable for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Oslo?

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

Mainz is a great destination for shopping. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

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 Mainz or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Mainz or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Mainz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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 Mainz or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Oslo are both good destinations for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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 Mainz or Oslo Better for Students?

Both Mainz and Oslo are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Oslo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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 in Mainz can get you to some places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Mainz or Oslo a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town 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 Mainz on foot. The town is easily explored on foot.

Oslo is a very walkable town. 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 Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Oslo?

In either Mainz or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Mainz because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Mainz or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mainz. 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 Mainz or Oslo?

Mainz is a fun place to experience. 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 Mainz or Oslo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the peaceful destination of Mainz. This town 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 Mainz or Oslo?

The beautiful town of Mainz offers museums 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 clean 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Oslo?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Oslo. Most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oslo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In the summer, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In the autumn, Mainz is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mainz in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Mainz usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Oslo. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Mainz during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Furthermore, 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 Mainz in the winter. In January, Mainz is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 2°C (35°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in January than Oslo. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Oslo. Many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city.

Mainz is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives more rain than Oslo. Mainz gets 52 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 Mainz