A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Berkeley for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Arlington or Berkeley?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Berkeley, 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.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Arlington and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Berkeley?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Berkeley than Arlington. While Arlington is larger than Berkeley, Berkeley has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arlington is famous for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Berkeley is famous for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. It is also well known for University of California Botanical Garden.

How is Arlington different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Berkeley?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Berkeley and Arlington.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Arlington can be an interesting and educational experience. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Berkeley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Arlington and Berkeley.

Arlington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Berkeley makes for a great culinary experience. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Is Arlington or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

Both Arlington and Berkeley have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Arlington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

The people in Berkeley know how to have a good time. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Berkeley?

Berkeley is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Arlington or Berkeley Better for Families?

Arlington and Berkeley are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Arlington is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Berkeley. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Arlington or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Arlington and Berkeley are both nice to visit as a couple.

Arlington is a good city for couples to visit. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Berkeley is a nice destination for couples. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Arlington or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington and Berkeley are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Is Arlington or Berkeley Better for Students?

Both Arlington and Berkeley are superb destinations for students.

Arlington is a great city to visit as a student. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Students come from all over to stay in Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Is Arlington or Berkeley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Arlington and Berkeley.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Arlington can take you anywhere. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Berkeley has a great public transit system. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Is Arlington or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Berkeley. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Berkeley. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Berkeley. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Berkeley.

Families should spend more time in Berkeley than Arlington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Berkeley, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Berkeley than Arlington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Berkeley that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Arlington 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 Berkeley.

One day in Arlington or Berkeley?

The city of Arlington offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Berkeley. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Berkeley?

Arlington 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 Arlington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the progressive destination of Berkeley. 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 Arlington or Berkeley?

Arlington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quirky city of Berkeley. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Berkeley?

Arlington 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.

Berkeley 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Berkeley, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Berkeley much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Berkeley would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Berkeley 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Berkeley.

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

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Berkeley?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Berkeley, 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 Arlington or Berkeley?

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 Arlington or Berkeley in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Berkeley. The summer months attract visitors to Arlington because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

Arlington is much warmer than Berkeley in the summer. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Arlington usually gets more rain in July than Berkeley. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Arlington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Arlington is cooler than Berkeley. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arlington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Arlington usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arlington or Berkeley in the Winter?

Both Berkeley and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Berkeley in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Arlington. In January, Arlington is generally much colder than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 35°F (1°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

Arlington usually gets less rain in January than Berkeley. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Berkeley. Also, most visitors come to Berkeley for the natural beauty during these months.

Arlington is around the same temperature as Berkeley in the spring. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Arlington usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Arlington