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

Should you visit Frankfurt or Oslo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Oslo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a accessible, modern, and connected city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Frankfurt travel costs.

Oslo

Oslo is a green, clean, and progressive 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. See Oslo travel costs.

Frankfurt and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Oslo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt. Although Frankfurt and Oslo are roughly the same size, Frankfurt has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oslo is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Also, Frankfurt is famous for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Oslo and Frankfurt.

Many visitors head to Frankfurt specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

Frankfurt 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, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

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

Frankfurt has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Oslo?

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

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt or Oslo Better for Families?

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

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly place to visit. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Is Frankfurt or Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Frankfurt and Oslo are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

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

Is Frankfurt or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt or Oslo Better for Students?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Visitors will find terrific public transit in both Frankfurt and Oslo.

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Frankfurt or Oslo a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Oslo are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally 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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Oslo?

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

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

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

One day in Frankfurt or Oslo?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Oslo?

Frankfurt 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 clean 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 Frankfurt or Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the connected big city of Frankfurt. This 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 green 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 Frankfurt or Oslo?

The diverse city of Frankfurt 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, 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 Frankfurt and Oslo, we can see that Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Oslo?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Oslo. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Frankfurt is around the same temperature as Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Frankfurt in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Oslo averages at about 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 Frankfurt this time of the year. In the summer, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Frankfurt usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Oslo. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Frankfurt during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. Frankfurt is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Frankfurt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in January than Oslo. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Oslo. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Frankfurt is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Frankfurt in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during spring. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than Oslo. Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt