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

Should you visit Salzburg or Oslo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg 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.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. You'll find world class beauty in Salzburg as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and live music. See Salzburg travel costs.

Oslo

Oslo is a park-filled, green, and clean city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Oslo travel costs.

Salzburg and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Oslo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salzburg is better known for its food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Oslo is more popular for its big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Oslo and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Also, Salzburg is famous for The Salzburg Old Town. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Oslo.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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 Salzburg or Oslo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salzburg 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, Salzburg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

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 Salzburg or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Both Salzburg and Oslo are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

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 Salzburg or Oslo Better for Music?

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

Salzburg is a world class music destination. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

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

Salzburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Oslo?

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

Salzburg is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg or Oslo More Beautiful?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Oslo is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Salzburg as well. This stunning city is known for its beautiful churches and hillside views.

Oslo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Salzburg or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-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.

Salzburg is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Is Salzburg or Oslo Better for Couples?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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 Salzburg or Oslo Better for Students?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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

Oslo is terrific for its public transit. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Oslo can take you anywhere. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Visitors to Salzburg can move around easily with public transportation. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Salzburg or Oslo a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Oslo both are superb when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Oslo?

In either Salzburg or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Salzburg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Salzburg than Oslo. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

One day in Salzburg or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. 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 big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Oslo?

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Oslo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oslo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the musical destination of Salzburg. 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.

Oslo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Oslo, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Oslo?

The historic city of Salzburg 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.

Oslo is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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 Salzburg and Oslo, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive? and Is Oslo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Oslo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Salzburg or Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Salzburg 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 the summer, Salzburg is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salzburg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Salzburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Salzburg is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (52°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Salzburg often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Oslo. Many travelers come to Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Salzburg is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Salzburg usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Oslo. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Oslo. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Salzburg is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salzburg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Salzburg