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

Should you visit Vienna or Oslo?

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

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

Vienna

Vienna is a musical, ritzy, and classical city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oslo

Oslo is a green, clean, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Vienna and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vienna than Oslo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Vienna is very popular for its food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Oslo attracts visitors for its big city activities. Vienna is more touristy than Oslo and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also well known for The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Vienna different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Vienna and Oslo.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Vienna can be an interesting and educational experience. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches 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 the Food Better in Vienna or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Vienna is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Vienna makes for a great culinary experience. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

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 Vienna or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Vienna and Oslo.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Vienna. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

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.

Is Vienna or Oslo Better for Music?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

Vienna is a world class music destination. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Vienna offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Oslo?

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

Vienna is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

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 Vienna or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vienna. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Vienna or Oslo Better for Couples?

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

Vienna has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

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 Vienna or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and Oslo are both nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Vienna. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

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 Vienna or Oslo Better for Students?

Vienna 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.

Vienna is a great destination for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

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

Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Vienna and Oslo.

Visitors in Vienna can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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.

Is Vienna or Oslo a more walkable city?

Vienna 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 Vienna on foot. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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 Vienna Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Oslo?

In either Vienna or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Vienna has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Vienna than Oslo. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Vienna or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Vienna. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Vienna or Oslo?

Vienna is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Oslo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Vienna or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the traditional destination of Vienna. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Vienna or Oslo?

The classical city of Vienna offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the clean big city of Oslo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, 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 Vienna and Oslo, we can see that Vienna 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Oslo?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Vienna 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 Vienna 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 Vienna or Oslo in the Summer?

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

In July, Vienna is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 23°C (73°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oslo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In the summer, Vienna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Oslo in the Autumn?

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

Vienna is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vienna usually receives less rain than Oslo. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vienna or Oslo in the Winter?

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

Oslo can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Vienna. In the winter, Vienna is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vienna in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets less rain in January than Oslo. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Oslo in the Spring?

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

In April, Vienna is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 13°C (55°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during spring. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vienna usually receives more rain than Oslo. Vienna gets 51 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 Vienna