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

Should you visit Oslo or Washington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Washington, 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Washington

Washington is a international, diverse, and active city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Oslo and Washington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Washington?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Washington. Although Oslo and Washington are both popular with visitors, Washington 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. Washington is popular for its reputation as the capital of the United States, but it's also known for its many monuments, memorials, and museums. It is also home to The Washington Monument and the White House.

How is Oslo different from Washington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Washington 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 Washington that are not to be missed. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.

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 Washington Better for Theater?

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

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Washington. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.

Oslo is not a theatre destination.

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

Washington is an amazing 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, Washington is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.

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 Washington Better for Nightlife?

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

Washington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.

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 Washington Better for Music?

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

The music scene helps keep Washington active and fun. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Oslo or Washington Better for Hiking?

Washington is a moderate city for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Washington has hiking trails if you want to get outside. Just outside of Washington DC you'll find plenty of places to go hiking. There's also an elaborate bike and walking trail system in the city. To enjoy a bit of nature, head to Teddy Roosevelt Island.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Washington?

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

Washington is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.

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 Washington Better for Christmas?

Washington is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Oslo does not offer Christmas activities.

Washington is a fantastic destination at Christmas. With it's beautiful lights and holiday shows, Christmas is beautiful in the capital of the United States.

Oslo does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Oslo or Washington Better for Families?

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

Washington is a very kid-friendly city. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world. The city has nationally recognized landmarks, monuments, and memorials and it's also home to some of the best (free) museums in the United States including the world class Smithsonian Institutions. Many schools visit Washington DC as a field trip, particularly during the Spring months, so you'll kids groups in colorful t-shirts running around the National Mall.

Is Oslo or Washington Better for Couples?

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

Washington is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show. During the Spring months you'll find couples wandering through the Cherry Blossoms or along the waterfront.

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 Washington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oslo is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Washington is not a good destination for backpackers.

Oslo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Washington is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it is an international travel destination, the city often isn't at the top of most backpacker's lists. There are some affordable accommodation options available though if you know where to look.

Is Oslo or Washington Better for Students?

Washington 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.

Washington is a great destination for students. International students come from around the world to study, learn, intern, and work in the capital of the United States. There are many internships available through the federal government as well as NGOs and nonprofits.

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 Washington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Oslo and Washington offer terrific public transit options.

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

Washington has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.

Is Oslo or Washington a more walkable city?

Washington 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 Washington on foot. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.

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 Washington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Washington or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Washington?

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

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

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

One day in Oslo or Washington?

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 theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Washington. 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 Washington?

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.

Washington is a fun place to experience. 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 Washington?

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.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the international big city of Washington. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Washington?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the international city of Washington. 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 Washington, we can see that Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington 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 Washington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Washington?

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

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 Washington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Washington. Most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Oslo is cooler than Washington in the summer. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Washington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In the summer, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Washington. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Washington. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Washington in the Autumn?

Both Washington and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Washington this time of year.

In the autumn, Oslo is much colder than Washington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Oslo in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Washington averages at about 60°F (15°C).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Washington during autumn. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oslo usually receives more rain than Washington. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oslo or Washington in the Winter?

Both Washington and Oslo during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Washington. It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. In January, Oslo is generally much colder than Washington. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around -4°C (25°F), and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Washington. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets less rain in January than Washington. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Washington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Washington. Many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Washington in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Oslo is much colder than Washington in the spring. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 6°C (42°F) in April, and Washington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Washington during spring. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oslo usually receives less rain than Washington. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Washington and Oslo