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

Should you visit Oslo or Boston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Boston, 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 park-filled, green, and clean city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Boston

Boston is a loyal, historic, and traditional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Oslo and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Boston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Boston. Although Oslo and Boston are about the same size, Boston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oslo is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Boston is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also home to The Freedom Trail.

How is Oslo different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Boston that are not to be missed. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

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 Oslo or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is notable for theatre. However, Oslo is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Oslo is not a theatre destination.

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

Boston 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, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Boston Better for Nightlife?

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

Boston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

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 Oslo or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Boston active and fun. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Oslo or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a moderate city for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

Boston is a good spot to see the beach. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Oslo or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Boston offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Boston?

Boston is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Boston is a great destination for shopping. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

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 Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Oslo does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Oslo does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Oslo or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is notable for its Christmas markets. However, Oslo does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in Boston offer plenty to see during the holidays. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Oslo does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Oslo or Boston Better for Families?

Oslo and Boston are both world-class destinations for the whole family.

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.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Is Oslo or Boston Better for Couples?

Oslo and Boston are both good 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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Oslo or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Oslo and Boston are good 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.

Boston is a good city to visit for backpackers. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Oslo or Boston Better for Students?

Boston 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.

Boston is a great destination for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

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

Both Oslo and Boston offer world-class public transit options.

Public transit in Oslo is top-notch. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Boston has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Is Oslo or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Boston on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Oslo is a very walkable city. 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 Oslo Worth Visiting? and Is Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Boston?

In either Oslo or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Boston has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Boston than Oslo. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

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

One day in Oslo or Boston?

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

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Boston. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Boston?

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.

Boston is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Oslo or Boston?

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.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the traditional big city of Boston. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Oslo or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the progressive 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.

The loyal city of Boston offers food and shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Oslo and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Oslo is cooler than Boston in the summer. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oslo. Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oslo usually receives more rain than Boston. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Oslo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Oslo is much colder than Boston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oslo in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Boston averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Boston. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Boston. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Boston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Boston. Most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Boston can be very cold. Oslo can be very cold during winter. In January, Oslo is generally much colder than Boston. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around -4°C (25°F), and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

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

In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Boston. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Boston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Boston. The spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

Oslo is much colder than Boston in the spring. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 6°C (42°F) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. In the spring, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Boston. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Boston and Oslo