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

Should you visit Oslo or Pittsburgh?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Pittsburgh, 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 progressive, park-filled, and green city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a industrial, authentic, and under-rated 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 Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Pittsburgh?

You'll generally find more things to do in Oslo than Pittsburgh. Oslo is bigger than Pittsburgh, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Oslo is better known for its big city activities, while Pittsburgh is more popular for its nightlife and shopping. Oslo is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is popular 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. Pittsburgh is well known for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood".

How is Oslo different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Oslo and Pittsburgh have superb 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 Pittsburgh. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Oslo and Pittsburgh can be difficult as they are each notable 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.

Pittsburgh has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Oslo or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

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

Pittsburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

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 Pittsburgh?

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

Pittsburgh is a great destination for shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

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 Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Oslo is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Pittsburgh is a family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Oslo or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Oslo is a nice place to visit for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination 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.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Oslo or Pittsburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination 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.

Pittsburgh is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's usually overlooked by backpackers, but there is some cheap accommodation in town.

Is Oslo or Pittsburgh Better for Students?

Oslo is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

Oslo is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

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

Oslo is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Oslo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Pittsburgh has a few public transit options. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

Is Oslo or Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

Oslo is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Pittsburgh is somewhat walkable. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Pittsburgh?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oslo than Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?

When visiting Oslo, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oslo, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

When visiting Oslo, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?

Oslo, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh?

Oslo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The industrial city of Pittsburgh 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 Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Pittsburgh?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Pittsburgh. When comparing the sizes of Oslo and Pittsburgh, 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.