A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. Flam for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Frankfurt or Flam?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Flam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a energetic, dynamic, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Flam

Flam is a breathtaking, beautiful, and natural village. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and hiking.

Frankfurt and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Flam?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Frankfurt than Flam, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Frankfurt is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Flam is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Flam is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Also, Frankfurt is famous for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Frankfurt or Flam?

Frankfurt is a great city for its historical sights. However, Flam is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

Is the Food Better in Frankfurt or Flam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Frankfurt and Flam can be an enjoyable experience.

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Flam makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt is a great city for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Frankfurt has something for everybody. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Flam does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt is a good destination for visiting its old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Flam does not have a historic old town.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for Hiking?

Flam is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Flam. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Flam?

Frankfurt is a great city for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Frankfurt or Flam.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Flam is a very family-friendly place to visit. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for Couples?

Flam is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Flam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for backpackers.

Frankfurt is very popular with the backpacker crowd. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for Students?

Frankfurt is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Flam is not popular with students.

Frankfurt is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Flam is not popular with students.

Is Frankfurt or Flam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Frankfurt or Flam a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Flam are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

Flam is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Flam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flam or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Frankfurt or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Frankfurt than Flam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 1-2 days is enough time in Flam.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Flam 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Frankfurt or Flam?

Frankfurt is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Even though Flam is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Flam has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Flam?

Frankfurt is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Flam is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this village has to offer. This village offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Frankfurt or Flam?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the accessible big city of Frankfurt. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Flam is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Frankfurt or Flam?

The accessible city of Frankfurt offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Flam is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Flam?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 1300 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt and Flam, 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 Frankfurt or Flam?

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 Frankfurt or Flam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Flam. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Frankfurt is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Frankfurt in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Flam. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Flam. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Frankfurt is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 11°C (51°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Flam in the winter. The weather in Frankfurt can be very cold. Frankfurt is cooler than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In January, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Flam. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Frankfurt during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Frankfurt is much warmer than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Frankfurt in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Frankfurt usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Frankfurt