A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Tokyo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Athens or Tokyo?

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 Tokyo. 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 energetic, historic, and ancient city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a eclectic, cutting edge, and high tech city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Athens and Tokyo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Tokyo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tokyo than Athens. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tokyo is very popular for its music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Athens attracts visitors for its historical sights. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Tokyo is famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also well known for The Sensō-ji Temple.

How is Athens different from Tokyo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tokyo 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 Tokyo?

You'll find a number of amazing museums and attractions in both Tokyo and Athens.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Tokyo that are not to be missed. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Tokyo 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, Tokyo is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

Is Athens or Tokyo Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is amazing in both Athens and Tokyo.

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.

Tokyo is a world class party destination. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Is Athens or Tokyo Better for Music?

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

Tokyo has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Tokyo Better for its Old Town?

Athens is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Athens is one of the most recognized in 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.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Tokyo?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Tokyo specifically to go shopping. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Tokyo Better for Families?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Tokyo is very family-friendly. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

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

Is Athens or Tokyo Better for Couples?

Tokyo is great for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Tokyo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

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

Is Athens or Tokyo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Tokyo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

Is Athens or Tokyo Better for Students?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for students. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

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

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Tokyo can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

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.

Is Athens or Tokyo a more walkable city?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Tokyo is a very easy city to get around on foot. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Tokyo or Athens?

How long in Athens or Tokyo?

Both Athens and Tokyo have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Tokyo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Tokyo than Athens. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Athens or Tokyo?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Tokyo. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Tokyo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Tokyo is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Tokyo?

Athens is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Tokyo?

Each neighborhood in Athens has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy big city of Tokyo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Athens is in Europe and Tokyo is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Tokyo?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?

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 Tokyo in the Summer?

Both Tokyo and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Athens is around the same temperature as Tokyo in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Tokyo in the Autumn?

Both Tokyo and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Athens is around the same temperature as Tokyo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Tokyo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Tokyo. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Tokyo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Tokyo. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Athens usually receives less sunshine than Tokyo during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tokyo. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Tokyo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Tokyo. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Athens is a little warmer than Tokyo in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Athens usually gets less rain in April than Tokyo. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tokyo and Athens