A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Berlin vs. New York City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Berlin or New York City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin or New York City, 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.

Berlin

Berlin is a eclectic, diverse, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

New York City

New York City is a energetic, cosmopolitan, and one-of-a-kind city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Berlin and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Berlin or New York City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New York City than Berlin. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New York City is more touristy than Berlin and is known for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also well known for The Statue of Liberty. Berlin is famous for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history.

How is Berlin different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Berlin or New York City?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Berlin and New York City.

The museums and tourist attractions in Berlin are world-renowned. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put New York City on the map. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its theatre productions. However, Berlin is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in New York City. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Berlin is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Berlin or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New York City is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Dining out in Berlin is an experience not to be missed. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find world-class options in both Berlin and New York City.

The nightlife in Berlin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

New York City is a world class party destination. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Music?

Berlin and New York City are both destinations where visitors can find world-class live music.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Berlin. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

In New York City you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Is the Shopping Better in Berlin or New York City?

If you're looking to go shopping, Berlin and New York City both offer plenty of world-class spots.

Known for shopping, Berlin draws large crowds to its stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

New York City is a world class destination for shoppers. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Christmas?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Berlin does not offer Christmas activities.

People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in New York City. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

Berlin does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is a great city for visiting Christmas markets. However, Berlin does not offer Christmas markets.

New York City has a large number of Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

Berlin does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Families?

Berlin and New York City are both great destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Berlin is very family-friendly. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

New York City is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

New York City has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berlin is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Berlin. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

New York City is a great city to visit for backpackers. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Students?

For students, both Berlin and New York City are world-class places to visit.

Berlin is a great destination for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

New York City is a very popular city for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Is Berlin or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berlin and New York City both offer world-class public transit to get you around.

Visitors in Berlin can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

New York City has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Is Berlin or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

New York City is a very easy city to get around on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

For even more information, also check out Is Berlin Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Berlin?

How long in Berlin or New York City?

Both Berlin and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, New York City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New York City than Berlin. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Berlin, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than New York City 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 Berlin.

One day in Berlin or New York City?

Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Berlin or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City 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 Berlin or New York City?

Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New York City. 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 Berlin or New York City?

Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the vibrant big city of New York City. 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 Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Cultural Tours in Germany, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Berlin or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Berlin. When comparing the sizes of Berlin and New York City, 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 Berlin or New York City?

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 Berlin or New York City in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berlin and New York City. Many travelers come to Berlin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to New York City in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Berlin is generally cooler than New York City. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 19°C (66°F), and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Berlin usually receives less rain than New York City. Berlin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Berlin or New York City in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Berlin as well as New York City. Many visitors come to Berlin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, most visitors come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Berlin is cooler than New York City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berlin averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Berlin usually gets less rain in October than New York City. Berlin gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berlin or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City and Berlin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Berlin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to New York City because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in New York City can be very cold. Berlin can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Berlin is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berlin in January average around -0°C (31°F), and New York City averages at about 31°F (-1°C).

In January, Berlin usually receives less rain than New York City. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Berlin or New York City in the Spring?

Both New York City and Berlin during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Berlin because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In April, Berlin is generally cooler than New York City. Daily temperatures in Berlin average around 9°C (47°F), and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Berlin usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Berlin gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New York City and Berlin