A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Frankfurt or San Francisco?

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 San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a outdoorsy, quirky, and eccentric coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and theater.

Frankfurt and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or San Francisco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Francisco. Although Frankfurt and San Francisco are about the same size, San Francisco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Francisco is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Frankfurt attracts visitors for its nightlife and historical sights. San Francisco is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also well known for The Golden Gate Bridge. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Frankfurt different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, San Francisco has many famous sights for visitors. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is very good for its shows and theatre. However, Frankfurt is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Frankfurt is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

San Francisco has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in San Francisco. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is very good for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt has an old town worth visiting. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to San Francisco specifically to go shopping. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Francisco is one of the most popular family destinations. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Couples?

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

San Francisco makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

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 San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt and San Francisco are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco Better for Students?

Frankfurt is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for students.

Frankfurt is a great destination 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.

Students come from all over to stay in San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

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

Visitors will find terrific public transit in both Frankfurt and San Francisco.

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.

San Francisco has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Is Frankfurt or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and San Francisco are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or San Francisco?

Both Frankfurt and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Frankfurt. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

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

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

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

One day in Frankfurt or San Francisco?

Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find museums and theater around the coastal city of San Francisco. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or San Francisco?

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

You'll find theater and nightlife around the beautiful big city of San Francisco. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Frankfurt or San Francisco?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse big city of Frankfurt. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the one-of-a-kind coastal city of San Francisco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Frankfurt or San Francisco?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Frankfurt. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Francisco is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Francisco, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

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 San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and San Francisco. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Frankfurt is a little warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as San Francisco. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Frankfurt is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Frankfurt in October average around 11°C (51°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Frankfurt usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Frankfurt is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 1°C (34°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Frankfurt during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Frankfurt is cooler than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Frankfurt usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Frankfurt