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

Should you visit Munich or Oslo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Oslo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Munich

Munich is a multicultural, economically thriving, and bustling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and live music. See Munich travel costs.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Oslo travel costs.

Munich and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Oslo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Munich than Oslo. Munich is bigger than Oslo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Munich is well known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. Also, Munich is famous for The Nymphenburg Palace. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Munich different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Munich or Oslo.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Munich can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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 Munich or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Munich 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, Munich makes for a great culinary experience. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

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 Munich or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Munich has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich or Oslo Better for Music?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

Munich is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Oslo?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Munich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich or Oslo Better for Families?

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

Oslo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Munich is a very family-friendly destination. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Is Munich or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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 Munich or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Munich is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich or Oslo Better for Students?

Munich 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.

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Munich and Oslo.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Oslo can take you anywhere. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Is Munich or Oslo a more walkable city?

Munich and Oslo both are superb when exploring on foot.

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

Oslo is very walkable. 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 Munich Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Munich?

How long in Munich or Oslo?

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

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

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

One day in Munich or Oslo?

Munich is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the big city destination of Oslo. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Munich or Oslo?

Munich 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Munich or Oslo?

Munich is a bustling 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Munich or Oslo?

The bustling city of Munich offers shopping 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the clean big city of Oslo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, 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 Munich and Oslo, we can see that Munich is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Munich or Oslo?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Oslo. The summer months attract visitors to Munich because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In the summer, Munich is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Munich in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In Munich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Munich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during summer. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Munich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Munich or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Munich as well as Oslo. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Munich is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (52°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Munich often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Munich 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 Munich or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oslo can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Munich. Munich is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Munich averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Munich usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during winter. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Oslo. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Munich or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Munich during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Munich in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Munich is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Munich in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Munich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Munich gets 48 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 Munich