A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oslo vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Oslo or San Francisco?

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

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

San Francisco

San Francisco is a quirky, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Oslo and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or San Francisco?

You'll generally find more things to do in San Francisco than Oslo. San Francisco is bigger than Oslo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Francisco is more touristy than Oslo and is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. Also, San Francisco is famous for The Golden Gate Bridge. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Oslo different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal 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 San Francisco that are not to be missed. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

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 San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Oslo is not a theatre destination.

San Francisco offers a number of shows and performances. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Oslo is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, San Francisco is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

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 San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Oslo and San Francisco.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in San Francisco. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Oslo or San Francisco Better for Music?

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

The music scene helps keep San Francisco active and fun. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Oslo or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is notable for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Francisco. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Oslo or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, San Francisco draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

San Francisco is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

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 San Francisco Better for Families?

Oslo and San Francisco are both amazing 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.

San Francisco is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Is Oslo or San Francisco Better for Couples?

San Francisco is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

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 San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

San Francisco is notable for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Oslo or San Francisco Better for Students?

Oslo and San Francisco are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

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

Both Oslo and San Francisco offer amazing public transit options.

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

San Francisco has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Is Oslo or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Oslo and San Francisco both are superb 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.

San Francisco is a very walkable city. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or San Francisco?

Both Oslo and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Oslo. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco 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 San Francisco.

One day in Oslo or San Francisco?

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of San Francisco. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Francisco is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 San Francisco?

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the eccentric big city of San Francisco. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 San Francisco?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Oslo. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful coastal city of San Francisco. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Oslo and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Oslo or San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oslo as well as San Francisco. The summer months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

In July, Oslo is generally around the same temperature as San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 18°C (64°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Oslo usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Oslo is much colder than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Oslo usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oslo or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Oslo during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. In the winter, Oslo is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oslo in January average around -4°C (25°F), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

Oslo usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and San Francisco. Many visitors come to Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Oslo is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 6°C (42°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Oslo usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Oslo