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

Should you visit Ghent or New York City?

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 Ghent and New York City. 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.

Ghent

Ghent is a under-rated, youthful, and high energy city. Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ghent travel costs.

New York City

New York City is a cosmopolitan, one-of-a-kind, and vibrant city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. New York City is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See New York City travel costs.

Ghent and New York City: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in New York City than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New York City is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Ghent is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. New York City is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also home to The Statue of Liberty. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

How is Ghent 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 Ghent. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

New York City is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in New York City that are not to be missed. 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.

Ghent offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Is Ghent or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is a world-class destination for theatre. However, Ghent is not a theatre destination.

New York City is considered to be a world-class theater destination. 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.

Ghent is not a theatre destination.

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

New York City is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through New York City, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Ghent has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Ghent or New York City Better for Nightlife?

Both Ghent and New York City are terrific when it comes to partying.

People head to Ghent just to party. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

The nightlife in New York City is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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 Ghent or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is a world-class destination for live music. However, Ghent is not a live music destination.

New York City is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is Ghent or New York City Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ghent. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or New York City?

New York City is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

New York City is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Ghent is well-known for its shopping. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Is Ghent or New York City More Beautiful?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Ghent is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its medieval architecture and beautiful waterfront areas, the city has a lot to offer.

New York City is a beautiful place to visit, too. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.

Is Ghent or New York City Better for Families?

New York City is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

New York City is 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.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Ghent or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

New York City is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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

New York City is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit New York City. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Ghent or New York City Better for Students?

Ghent and New York City are both terrific destinations for students and younger travelers.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Many students frequent New York City. 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 Ghent or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Ghent and New York City offer terrific public transit options.

With a huge network, the transit system in Ghent can get you around easily. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Visitors in New York City can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. 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 Ghent or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around New York City 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.

Ghent is a very walkable city. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

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

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

How long in Ghent or New York City?

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

Families should spend more time in New York City than Ghent. 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 Ghent. 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 New York City than Ghent 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 New York City.

One day in Ghent or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ghent. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

Each neighborhood in New York City has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Ghent or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

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

Five days in Ghent or New York City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy destination of Ghent. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

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

A week in Ghent or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Each neighborhood in New York City has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Budget Tours to Belgium, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ghent 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 Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent 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 Ghent.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent or New York City?

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 Ghent or New York City in the Summer?

Both New York City and Ghent during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

Ghent is cooler than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ghent usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and New York City. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers 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.

In the autumn, Ghent is cooler than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In October, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as New York City. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Ghent as well as New York City. Many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

New York City can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. In January, Ghent is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

Ghent usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both New York City and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Ghent is cooler than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than New York City. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Ghent