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

Should you visit Melbourne or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Melbourne 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a livable, friendly, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Oslo

Oslo is a green, clean, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Melbourne and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Melbourne than Oslo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also well known for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Melbourne different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Oslo.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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.

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

Melbourne 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, Melbourne makes for a great culinary experience. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Melbourne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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 Melbourne or Oslo Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is notable for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Melbourne. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Oslo?

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

Melbourne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-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.

Melbourne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Melbourne or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

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

Is Melbourne or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Oslo are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Oslo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Melbourne or Oslo Better for Students?

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

Melbourne is a great destination for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Students come from all over to stay in 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 Melbourne or Oslo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Melbourne or Oslo a more walkable city?

Melbourne and Oslo are very good when it comes to walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

Oslo is a very walkable destination. 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 Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Oslo?

In either Melbourne or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Melbourne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Melbourne than Oslo. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Melbourne or Oslo?

Melbourne is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Oslo. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Oslo?

Melbourne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the progressive big city of Oslo. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Oslo?

Melbourne is a livable big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find nightlife and food around the park-filled city of Oslo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Melbourne or Oslo?

The livable city of Melbourne offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, 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 Melbourne and Oslo, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific 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 Oslo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oslo 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne than you might in Oslo.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Oslo?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Oslo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Oslo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Oslo. Many travelers come to Melbourne 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 January, Melbourne is generally a little warmer than Osloin July. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 20°C (68°F), 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 Melbourne this time of the year. In the summer, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Osloin July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Osloin July. Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in October.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Osloin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, 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. In the winter, Melbourne is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Melbourne in July average around 9°C (49°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F)in January.

In the winter, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Osloin January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Osloin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Oslo. The spring months attract visitors to Melbourne 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 October, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Osloin April. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 14°C (57°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Osloin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Melbourne