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

Should you visit Odense or Utrecht?

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 Utrecht. 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.

Utrecht

With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Odense and Utrecht: 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
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere


Is there more to do in Odense or Utrecht?

You'll generally find more things to do in Utrecht than Odense. Utrecht is bigger than Odense, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Utrecht is more touristy than Odense and is known for its beautiful canals, huge number of bikes, and charming old town. Also, Utrecht is famous for the Dom Tower. Odense is well known for

How is Odense different from Utrecht?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Utrecht 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 Utrecht?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Odense does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Utrecht. The Dom Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral is a highlight of the city, but you'll also find smaller, more local museums and several beautiful churches. If you're up for heading out of town, you can visit De Haar Castle, which is most accessible if you have a private vehicle.

Odense does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Odense
Utrecht

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

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 Utrecht. There are a number of interesting international restaurants around town including Greek, Italian, and Spanish tapas. It's particularly fun to dine canal-side and sip wine as the boats pass by.

Is Odense or Utrecht Better for Nightlife?

Odense
Utrecht

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

Utrecht has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The student population keeps the nightlife scene fun and lively. There are plenty of bars in the old town and you'll find tourists and locals hanging out at the same spots.

Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Odense or Utrecht Better for its Old Town?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Odense does not have a historic old town.

Utrecht has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is large, charming, and filled with locals. There are canals that that see a frequent stream of boats and kayakers. There are also historic buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is unique because many cafes offer seating directly next to the canals.

Odense does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Odense or Utrecht?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht is notable for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Utrecht. You'll find both local shops and European chains throughout the old town. There's also a large mall right next to the main tourist area.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Odense or Utrecht Better for Families?

Odense
Utrecht

Odense is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Utrecht is not as famous, but is still a good to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Odense is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Utrecht is a family-friendly city. There are a few museums around town that are fun for kids. Make sure you check out the Miffy Museum, which is great for younger kids. The Museum Speelklok is fun for kids and adults alike. Families will also enjoy renting bikes for the day or taking a canal boat tour. Also make sure you try some local pancakes.

Is Odense or Utrecht Better for Couples?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht is notable for couples. However, Odense is a mediocre city for romance.

Utrecht is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming old town and cozy cafes make for a wonderful date day. You can take a canal boat tour, sip coffee at a cafe by a canal, or explore the city as it lights up at night.

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 Utrecht Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht is notable for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Utrecht is a very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a university city with a young population and plenty to do in the evening. There are also a decent number of hostels to choose from and a lively atmosphere with fun activities and festivals.

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 Utrecht Better for Students?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht 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 Utrecht. This is a great university city. The population is young, but housing can be challenging to find and very expensive.

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 Utrecht Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht is notable for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

The public transit in Utrecht can get you to most places easily. There are buses around town and two tram lines that travel to the suburbs.

Odense does not have public transit.


Is Odense or Utrecht a more walkable city?

Odense
Utrecht

Utrecht is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

It is easy to get around Utrecht on foot. The old town is easy to explore on foot, but don't walk in a bike lane or you'll likely receive a firm scolding from a local. Utrecht is regularly ranked as one of the world's most bike-friendly cities.

Odense is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Utrecht or Odense?

How long in Odense or Utrecht?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Odense and Utrecht. In our opinion, Utrecht has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Utrecht than Odense. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Odense, and 1-3 days is enough time in Utrecht.

Families should spend more time in Odense than Utrecht. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Odense, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Utrecht than Odense. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Utrecht that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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


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

One day in Odense or Utrecht?

In Odense, you'll find food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Utrecht. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Odense or Utrecht?

In Odense, you'll find food. 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 Odense has to offer.

Utrecht 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 Utrecht?

Odense is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Utrecht. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Odense or Utrecht?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Utrecht. This offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands.


Which place is cheaper, Utrecht or Odense?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Odense is $160, while the average daily cost in Utrecht is $202. 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 Utrecht in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Odense $80
    Utrecht $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Odense $160
    Utrecht $228
Compare Hotels in Odense and Utrecht

Looking for a hotel in Odense or Utrecht? 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 Utrecht


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 Utrecht Hotel Prices.

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:

  • Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $15
  • Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $101
  • Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Odense or Utrecht?

Prices for flights to both Utrecht 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 $51
    Utrecht $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht

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

  • City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $31
  • Vegan Food Tour like a local. Eat, walk, enjoy.: $70
  • Vegan Food Tour by bike in get of the beaten track! : $71
  • Vegan Food Tour like a Local: eat, walk, enjoy Utrecht: $71
  • Guided Food Tour: $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Odense $29
    Utrecht $47

Tours and Activities in Odense

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

  • Copenhagen Audio Tour: Following Hans Christian Andersen: $9.99
  • River Cruise on the Odense River: $16
  • GoBoat Self-drive Boat Tour: $57
  • Inspiring Odense - Walking Tour for Couples: $480
  • Christmas Charms in Odense - Walking Tour: $587

Tours and Activities in Utrecht

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

  • Hoge Woerd Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Tour: $4.28
  • Utrecht Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • Highlights walking Tour in Utrecht with Audio and GPS Guide: $6.06
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
  • De Haar Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket: $7.49
  • Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.36
  • Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $11
  • Lofen Palace Time Travel with Entry Ticket & Guide: $12
  • Guided Highlights Walking Tour: $13
  • Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $13
  • Dom Tower Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Odense $22
    Utrecht $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:

  • Utrecht Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
  • Utrecht Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Odense and Utrecht, we can see that Utrecht is more expensive. And not only is Odense much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Odense would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Odense 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 Utrecht would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Utrecht than you might in Odense.

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


Which is Bigger, Odense or Utrecht?

Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Odense. When comparing the sizes of Odense and Utrecht, 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.