A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oslo vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, hiking, and museums.

Oslo and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oslo. Although Oslo and Mont-Saint-Michel are popular destinations, Oslo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oslo is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mont-Saint-Michel attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Oslo and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace.

How is Oslo different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island 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 Mont-Saint-Michel that are not to be missed. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Oslo and Mont-Saint-Michel can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Oslo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Oslo is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Oslo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Oslo is a city with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Mont-Saint-Michel has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Oslo and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Oslo is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

While Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Oslo and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable city. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Oslo Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Oslo than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

One day in Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

When visiting Oslo, people usually allow for lots of time. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

When visiting Oslo, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

When visiting Oslo, people usually allow for lots of time. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

You'll find museums and food around the religious destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The religious island of Mont-Saint-Michel offers food 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 7250 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Oslo and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Oslo is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oslo in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 19°C (65°F).

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

In July, Oslo usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In October, Oslo is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 7°C (45°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. Oslo is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Oslo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Oslo is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oslo in April average around 6°C (42°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Oslo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mont-Saint-Michel. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Oslo