A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basel vs. Vienna for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Basel or Vienna?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Vienna, 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.

Basel

Basel is a vibrant, historic, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna

Vienna is a musical, ritzy, and classical city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Basel and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Vienna?

You'll generally find more things to do in Vienna than Basel. Vienna is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Vienna is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Also, Vienna is famous for The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Basel different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Basel or Vienna?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Basel and Vienna.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Vienna. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Is the Food Better in Basel or Vienna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Vienna is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Vienna. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Basel and Vienna.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Vienna. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for Music?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Basel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Vienna On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Basel is not a live music destination.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Vienna is revered around the world. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Vienna?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Vienna make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for Families?

Basel is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Basel is very family-friendly. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vienna. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for Couples?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Vienna has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Vienna are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Vienna is a good city to visit for backpackers. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for Students?

Vienna is a world-class destination for students. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Vienna is a great destination for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Is Basel or Vienna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Vienna can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

The public transit in Basel can get you to most places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Basel or Vienna a more walkable city?

Basel and Vienna both are amazing when exploring on foot.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Vienna. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

For even more information, also check out Is Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Basel?

How long in Basel or Vienna?

In either Basel or Vienna, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vienna than Basel because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-5 days is enough time in Vienna.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vienna than Basel 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 Vienna.

One day in Basel or Vienna?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Vienna, many people enjoy the live music and food that this ritzy destination offers. 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.

A weekend in Basel or Vienna?

Basel 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vienna. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or Vienna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. 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.

Vienna is a fun place to experience. In Vienna, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. 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.

A week in Basel or Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the museum-filled destination of Basel. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the artistic destination of Vienna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Vienna, 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 Basel or Vienna?

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 Basel or Vienna in the Summer?

Both Vienna and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

Basel is around the same temperature as Vienna in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vienna. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Vienna. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Vienna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Vienna. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Basel is around the same temperature as Vienna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Vienna averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Vienna. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Vienna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Vienna. Many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Vienna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vienna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. In January, Basel is generally a little warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Vienna. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Vienna in the Spring?

Both Vienna and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Vienna for the natural beauty during these months.

Basel is around the same temperature as Vienna in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Vienna. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Vienna. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Basel