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

Should you visit Wellington or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Oslo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Wellington

Wellington is a funky, compact, and laid-back city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Wellington travel costs.

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. See Oslo travel costs.

Wellington and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oslo than Wellington. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is very popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Wellington attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Wellington is famous for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. It is also well known for The Royal Palace.

How is Wellington different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Oslo is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Wellington 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, Wellington makes for a great culinary experience. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Wellington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington or Oslo Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wellington. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Oslo Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Oslo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Oslo?

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

Wellington is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

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 Wellington or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oslo is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Wellington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Is Wellington or Oslo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Wellington and Oslo make for a nice place to visit.

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Oslo is a good city for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Wellington or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington 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 Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

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 Wellington or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Oslo is a very popular 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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Is Wellington or Oslo 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, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

The public transit in Wellington can get you to most places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Is Wellington or Oslo a more walkable city?

Wellington and Oslo are very good when it comes to walkability.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

Oslo is a very walkable destination. 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 Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Oslo?

In either Wellington or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Wellington because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Wellington, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Wellington or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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.

A weekend in Wellington or Oslo?

Wellington is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

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.

Five days in Wellington or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Wellington. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Wellington or Oslo?

The compact city of Wellington offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, 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 Wellington and Oslo, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Oslo is in Europe, 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Oslo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oslo than you might in Wellington.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Oslo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Oslo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Oslo. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Wellington is generally around the same temperature as Osloin July. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 18°C (64°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 Wellington this time of the year. In the summer, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Osloin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Osloin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Wellington is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in October.

Wellington usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Wellington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Osloin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Wellington during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Oslo can be very cold. In the winter, Wellington is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wellington in July average around 10°C (49°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F)in January.

In the winter, Wellington often gets more sunshine than Osloin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Osloin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Oslo. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

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

Wellington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Osloin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Wellington