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

Should you visit Odense or Oslo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Odense and Oslo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Odense

It's also known for food.

Oslo

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

Odense and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities


Is there more to do in Odense or Oslo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Oslo than Odense. Oslo is bigger than Odense, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Oslo is more touristy than Odense and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Also, Oslo is famous for The Royal Palace. Odense is well known for

How is Odense different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is notable for its sights and museums. However, Odense does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Odense does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Odense
Oslo

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Odense and Oslo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Odense area. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.

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.

Is Odense or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is the Shopping Better in Odense or Oslo?

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is a moderate city for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Oslo has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Odense or Oslo Better for Families?

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Odense is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. 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.

Odense is a very family-friendly destination. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.

Is Odense or Oslo Better for Couples?

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is a good destination for couples. However, Odense is a mediocre city for romance.

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

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.

Is Odense or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is a good destination for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Odense is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel or two in town, but most backpackers don't make the time to visit this off-the-beaten-path destination.


Is Odense or Oslo Better for Students?

Odense
Oslo

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

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.

Plenty of students visit Odense. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.

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

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is terrific for its public transit. However, Odense does not have 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.

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Odense or Oslo a more walkable city?

Odense
Oslo

Oslo is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

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

Odense is not a walkable destination.


Should I spend more time in Oslo or Odense?

How long in Odense or Oslo?

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

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Odense. 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 Odense. 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 Odense 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.


  • How many days in Odense or Oslo? Ideal Length of Stay
    Odense 2-3 
    Oslo 1-5

One day in Odense or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Odense. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Odense or Oslo?

Odense 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 Odense or Oslo?

You'll find food around the destination of Odense. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Odense or Oslo?

The city of Odense offers food. 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 green 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 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Oslo or Odense?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Odense is $163, while the average daily cost in Oslo is $138. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Odense and Oslo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Odense $81
    Oslo $82
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Odense $162
    Oslo $164
Compare Hotels in Odense and Oslo

Looking for a hotel in Odense or Oslo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Odense


Hotels in Oslo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Odense Hotel Prices and Oslo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Odense $44
    Oslo $24

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:


  • Tram Ticket
    $6.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:

  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim - Arrival Transfer : $41
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim- Round-Trip Transfer: $82
  • Private Transfer from Olso Airport to Olso Hotels: $83
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Oslo Airport To/From Oslo): $90
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) to Oslo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
  • Oslo City Center to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $92
  • Olso: Private Transfer from the City Center to Oslo Airport: $109
  • Departure Private Transfer from Oslo to Oslo Airport OSL by Business Car: $115
  • Oslo Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Oslo hotels: $131
  • Airport & City Transfers in Trondheim: $132

Is it cheaper to fly into Odense or Oslo?

Prices for flights to both Oslo and Odense change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Odense $52
    Oslo $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Oslo.

  • Oslofjord Cruise with Seafood Dinner: $60
  • Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour: $76
  • Christmas Street Food Tour with Akevitt and Christmas beer : $116
  • 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $120
  • Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Odense $30
    Oslo $19

Tours and Activities in Odense

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Odense are as follows:

  • River Cruise on the Odense River: $16
  • GoBoat Self-drive Boat Tour: $58
  • Inspiring Odense - Walking Tour for Couples: $488
  • Christmas Charms in Odense - Walking Tour: $596

Tours and Activities in Oslo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Oslo are as follows:

  • Free City Walking Tour: $0.93
  • Explore Oslo with Passionate Tour Guides: $3.26
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Oslo Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.63
  • Digging up the Past in Røros: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • An Oslo Waterfront Stroll: Self-paced Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Oslo Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $8.14
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Oslo Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • The Rose Castle Entry Ticket: $17
  • Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Odense $22
    Oslo $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Odense and Oslo, we can see that Odense 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 Odense would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Odense 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 Odense Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Odense or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Odense. When comparing the sizes of Odense 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.