Reykjavik vs Oslo: northern lights or fjord on the doorstep?
Reykjavik is the gateway to Iceland's volcanic landscape: geysers, lava, the Blue Lagoon and the most surreal northern lights in Europe. Oslo combines a modern Scandinavian city with fjords on the doorstep and world-class museums.
Updated: 17 August 2026 · by the CheapTrips editorial team
Choose Reykjavik for unique nature, northern lights and the Blue Lagoon, best visited December through February (northern lights) or June through August (midnight sun).
Icelandair flies direct from Amsterdam Schiphol to Keflavik (KEF) in about 3 hours, return indicatively from €160. Choose Oslo for city life plus fjords, best in May through August. KLM or SAS fly direct to Gardermoen (OSL) in about 1 hour 50, return from roughly €90. Oslo is considerably cheaper for day-to-day costs.
Reykjavik
Iceland's capital is the starting point for the most spectacular nature in Northern Europe. Geysers, lava, hot springs and the northern lights make this a standout destination for travellers who want more than a classic city break.
Flight from Netherlands: from €160 return (Icelandair, direct)
See Reykjavik →Oslo
Oslo is the most compact Scandinavian capital, with Vigeland Park, the Munch Museum and fjords reachable within 20 minutes. Modern, sustainable and easy to pair with a day trip to Bergen or the fjords.
Flight from Netherlands: from €90 return (KLM, SAS, Norwegian)
See Oslo →Reykjavik vs Oslo at a glance
| Reykjavik | Oslo | |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight from Netherlands | from €160 | from €90 |
| Flight time from Schiphol | about 3 hours | about 1 hr 50 min |
| Airport | Keflavik (KEF) | Gardermoen (OSL) |
| Direct airlines | Icelandair, PLAY | KLM, SAS, Norwegian |
| Best months | Jun-Aug (sun), Dec-Feb (northern lights) | May-Aug |
| Ideal length of stay | 4-5 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range hotel per night | €130-200 | €100-160 |
| Dinner for 2 | €80-120 | €65-100 |
| Beer in the city | €11-14 | €10-13 |
| Nature on the doorstep | Spectacular (lava, geysers, NL) | Good (fjords) |
| Museums | Good | Excellent |
| Price level | €€€€€ | €€€€ |
Reykjavik and Oslo are both expensive Scandinavian destinations from the Netherlands, but they offer very different experiences. Reykjavik is the gateway to Iceland's volcanic landscape and scores high on unique nature, while Oslo is the better choice for a classic Scandinavian city break with top museums. Flights to Oslo are cheaper and more frequent. All prices are indicative, based on return flights outside school holidays.
Best time to visit
Reykjavik
June to August: midnight sun, 12-18 degrees, all tours running. This is peak season, so book hotels and tours well in advance. December to February: short days but the best chance of seeing the northern lights. Geysers and lava fields are accessible year-round. Avoid November (dark, expensive, little to do outdoors).
Oslo
May to August: 16-22 degrees, all terraces and fjord tours open. June and July are the busiest. September and October are quieter and cheaper, with beautiful autumn nature. December brings Christmas markets. January and February are dark and cold, but museums are quiet and affordable.
Flights and transfer from the Netherlands
Reykjavik
Icelandair flies daily direct from Schiphol to Keflavik (KEF), flight time about 3 hours. PLAY is a budget option with fewer departures. The airport is 50 km from the city: take the Flybus (€29 one way) or a taxi (€120-140). Tip: you can visit the Blue Lagoon on the way to or from the airport.
Oslo
KLM, SAS and Norwegian fly several times daily direct from Schiphol to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), flight time about 1 hour 50. The Flytoget train takes 20 minutes to the centre for €25. The bus is cheaper but slower. Eindhoven also has direct flights on occasion via Wizz Air and Ryanair.
Top 5 activities with prices
Reykjavik
- Blue Lagoon Geothermal spa 45 km from the city. Comfort ticket €70-90 per person, book weeks ahead.
- Golden Circle day trip Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. Group tour €60-80, car hire €80-120 per day.
- Northern lights tour Bus or super-jeep tour, €80-120 per person. Season: September through March.
- Hallgrimskirkja Tower visit with panorama over Reykjavik. Tower €11, church free.
- Whale watching Departs from the Old Harbour, €75-90 per person. Best period: April to October.
Oslo
- Vigeland Park 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in a large city park. Free entry, always open.
- Munch Museum The world's largest museum dedicated to Edvard Munch, including The Scream. Ticket €18.
- Oslo Opera House Walkable roof with views over the Oslofjord. Outside free, performances €30-80.
- Fjord tour from Aker Brygge Boat trip across the Oslofjord past small islands. Sightseeing from €35.
- Frammuseet The polar ship Fram in a museum hall on Bygdoy. Ticket €20, Kon-Tiki and Viking Ship Museum nearby.
Neighbourhoods to stay in
Reykjavik
101 Reykjavik is the beating heart: colourful houses, the Laugavegur shopping street and most restaurants. More expensive but very central. Laugardalur is quieter, with the thermal swimming complex Laugardalslaug (€9). Good bus connections to the city centre.
Oslo
Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen for waterfront dining, pricier. Grunerlobka for hipster cafes and vintage shops, popular with younger travellers. Frogner for elegant streets and Vigeland Park, great for families. The metro and tram network connects all neighbourhoods smoothly.
Cost comparison
Reykjavik
Hostel dorms from €55, mid-range hotels €130-200, holiday apartments €150-250 per night. Food is expensive: soup and bread at the famous Soup Company €16, burger €22, beer €12-14. Supermarkets are relatively affordable. Daily budget without tours: €100-150 per person.
Oslo
Hostels from €35, mid-range hotels €100-160, holiday apartments €130-180 per night. Food: lunch €15-18 (pølse sausage €5), dinner €35-50, beer €10-13. Daily budget without activities: €70-110 per person. Tip: buy an Oslo Pass (€50-80) for free museums and public transport.
Who should choose which?
Choose Reykjavik if you...
Want to experience unique nature found nowhere else in Europe. Great for: photographers, adventurers, couples seeking a special destination, northern lights hunters and those who want to see the midnight sun. Less suited to a tight budget.
Choose Oslo if you...
Want a complete Scandinavian city break with top museums, great restaurants and fjords within reach. Great for: culture lovers, families, people who want to combine Oslo with a day trip to Bergen or the Sognefjord. Cheaper than Reykjavik.
Our conclusion
Reykjavik wins if you are looking for something truly unique: nowhere else in Europe can you reach geysers, lava and northern lights on a day trip. Oslo wins on price, museum depth and accessibility.
Flights to Oslo are available far more frequently and up to 40% cheaper than to Reykjavik. If nature is your priority and you have a bigger budget, choose Reykjavik. If you want a stronger city trip with a wider range of day excursions, choose Oslo.
Similar destinations
Also consider Bergen as an alternative for Norwegian fjord scenery closer to Amsterdam. Stockholm is a popular alternative to Oslo if you want a city built on islands. Copenhagen is the most affordable Scandinavian capital for a first introduction to the Nordic countries.
Plan your stay: hotels on the map
Hotels in Reykjavik
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Hotels in Oslo
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