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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Oslo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Oslo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Rotterdam and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Oslo?

Both Oslo and Rotterdam have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Rotterdam is better known for its nightlife and shopping, while Oslo is more popular for its museums. Oslo is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oslo and Rotterdam. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rotterdam or Oslo?

Oslo is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Oslo can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Rotterdam is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

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.

Is Rotterdam or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam or Oslo?

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

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. 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.

Rotterdam is a very family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Is Rotterdam or Oslo Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Oslo both notable destinations for a couple.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Oslo is a nice destination for couples. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Rotterdam or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Oslo are notable places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Rotterdam or Oslo Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Oslo are great places to visit.

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Oslo is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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 Rotterdam or Oslo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

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

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Rotterdam or Oslo a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Oslo are great when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

Oslo is very walkable. 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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Oslo?

In either Rotterdam or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Rotterdam because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Rotterdam. 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.

One day in Rotterdam or Oslo?

Rotterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Oslo. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Oslo?

Rotterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the green big city of Oslo. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the trendy big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the clean city of Oslo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Rotterdam or Oslo?

The high energy port city of Rotterdam 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.

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Oslo?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Oslo, 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 Rotterdam or Oslo?

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 Rotterdam or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rotterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Oslo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Oslo. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Rotterdam is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Rotterdam usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Oslo. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Oslo. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. Rotterdam is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Rotterdam is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rotterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Oslo. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Rotterdam