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

Should you visit Oslo or Baltimore?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Baltimore, 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.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a vibrant, diverse, and colorful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Baltimore?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Baltimore. Although Oslo and Baltimore are about the same size, Baltimore has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Baltimore is very popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Oslo attracts visitors for its big city activities. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Baltimore is famous for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also well known for the National Aquarium.

How is Oslo different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Oslo and Baltimore have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Baltimore. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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

Baltimore 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, Baltimore makes for a great culinary experience. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Oslo or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

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

Baltimore has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

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 the Shopping Better in Oslo or Baltimore?

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

Baltimore is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

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 Oslo or Baltimore Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Oslo is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Baltimore. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Oslo or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Oslo and Baltimore are both nice to visit as a couple.

Oslo is a nice destination for couples. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Baltimore makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Oslo or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Oslo and Baltimore are nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Baltimore is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Oslo or Baltimore Better for Students?

Oslo is well known for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

Oslo is very popular with students. 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.

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Oslo can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Baltimore. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Is Oslo or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Oslo and Baltimore both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Baltimore is a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Oslo Worth Visiting? and Is Baltimore Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Oslo and Baltimore. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than in Baltimore. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Baltimore.

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

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

One day in Oslo or Baltimore?

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. 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.

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

A weekend in Oslo or Baltimore?

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. 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.

Baltimore 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.

Five days in Oslo or Baltimore?

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. 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.

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

A week in Oslo or Baltimore?

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.

The colorful city of Baltimore offers nightlife and 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oslo and Baltimore, we can see that Baltimore is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oslo is in Europe and Baltimore is in North America, 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 Baltimore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Baltimore 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 Oslo Expensive? and Is Baltimore Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Oslo and Baltimore, 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 Oslo or Baltimore?

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 Oslo or Baltimore in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Baltimore. Most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Oslo is cooler than Baltimore. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oslo in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Baltimore averages at about 78°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In Oslo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during summer. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

Baltimore receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Oslo usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Baltimore in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Baltimore. The autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

In October, Oslo is generally much colder than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 7°C (45°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In the autumn, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets more rain in October than Baltimore. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Baltimore in the Winter?

Both Baltimore and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Baltimore. It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. Oslo is much colder than Baltimore in the winter. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during winter. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Baltimore in the Spring?

Both Baltimore and Oslo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Baltimore in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Oslo is much colder than Baltimore. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oslo in April average around 6°C (42°F), and Baltimore averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In Baltimore, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets less rain in April than Baltimore. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Oslo