A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Athens or New Orleans?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and New Orleans. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a ancient, vibrant, and energetic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, nightlife, and live music.

Athens and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or New Orleans?

Visitors will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Athens. While Athens is larger than New Orleans, New Orleans has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. New Orleans is better known for its music and quaint atmosphere, while Athens is more popular for its museums & sights, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Athens and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Also, New Orleans is famous for The French Quarter. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy.

The French Quarter

How is Athens different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or New Orleans?

Athens is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Athens from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Athens or New Orleans? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and New Orleans can be an enjoyable experience.

Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is fantastic in both Athens and New Orleans.

The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

New Orleans is a world class party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

New Orleans has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a world-class destination for its historic old town. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

The historic old town of Athens is revered around the world. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or New Orleans?

Athens is a city with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Athens. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for Families?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Athens is a very family-friendly destination. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Athens and New Orleans both notable destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for Students?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Is Athens or New Orleans Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Athens is fairly effecient and thorough. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Athens or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Athens is very walkable. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is New Orleans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Athens?

How long in Athens or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in New Orleans. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than New Orleans 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 Athens.

One day in Athens or New Orleans?

Athens is a energetic city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of New Orleans. 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 one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or New Orleans?

Athens is a vibrant big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or New Orleans?

Athens is a energetic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Orleans. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or New Orleans?

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of New Orleans. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Athens, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or New Orleans?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Athens and New Orleans, 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 Athens or New Orleans?

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 Athens or New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and New Orleans. Most visitors come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and New Orleans averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as New Orleans. The autumn months attract visitors to Athens because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In October, Athens is generally around the same temperature as New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than New Orleans. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Athens is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Athens usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Athens is cooler than New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Athens