A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Berlin for Attractions, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Hanoi or Berlin?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Berlin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a colorful, cultural, and historical city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Berlin

Berlin is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Hanoi and Berlin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Berlin?

You'll generally find more things to do in Berlin than Hanoi. Berlin is bigger than Hanoi, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Berlin is better known for its nightlife and music, while Hanoi is more popular for its historical sights. Hanoi is well known for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. Berlin is well known for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. Also, Berlin is famous for the Brandenburg Gate.

How is Hanoi different from Berlin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hanoi or Berlin?

Plenty of people visit the first-rate sights and museums in both Hanoi and Berlin.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Hanoi are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is rich in history and culture, which you can experience through its many museums and temples. Notable sights include the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Imperial Citadel.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Berlin has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Is the Food Better in Hanoi or Berlin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Hanoi and Berlin.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hanoi. Northern Vietnamese cuisine is fresh and delicious. There are some Chinese influences, but it still has a distinct flavor that's all its own. Most notably, Hanoi is the birthplace of the famous soup, Pho. There are also many dishes that use freshwater fish and seafood. Street food and food stalls are a part of the culture, and you'll find some of the best dishes prepared right on the street.

Berlin has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Hanoi or Berlin Better for Nightlife?

Berlin is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Berlin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Many people head to Hanoi for the nightlife scene. There are night markets, nightclubs, and bars that are popular with backpackers and other young travelers. Some of the best streets for nightlife include Ta Hien Street, Hang Buom Street, Trang Tien Street, and Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street.

Is Hanoi or Berlin Better for Music?

Berlin is renowned for its live music scene. However, Hanoi is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

Hanoi is not a live music destination.

Is Hanoi or Berlin Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Berlin does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Hanoi offers plenty to see. This compact and energetic area is filled with history, Vietnamese architecture, traditional food stalls, and some of the city's most interesting streets. It's also at the heart of the city's backpacker scene, and you'll find many hostels in the area.

Berlin does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Berlin?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Berlin and Hanoi.

The abundance of shops in Hanoi make it a world-class shopping destination. Explore the Old Quarter where you'll find narrow shophouses and traditional markets. It's best to explore on foot and pop in to the places that look interesting. Silk Street and Silver Street are particularly fascinating.

Many people travel to Berlin specifically to go shopping. 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.

Is Hanoi or Berlin Better for Families?

Berlin is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Berlin is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Hanoi offers lots of family activities. Some kids love the energy of the city, but others can get a bit intimidated by it. The traffic and chaotic congestion is part of the experience, but for kids it can feel overwhelming. Take a tour to help ease some of the pressure. Kids will also enjoy going to a water puppet show or visiting a museum such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Is Hanoi or Berlin Better for Couples?

Both Hanoi and Berlin are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hanoi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy adventure and exploring new cultures will love a trip to this fascinating city. If you want to get out of town, also book a trip through the stunning Halong Bay.

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 Hanoi or Berlin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi and Berlin are first-rate places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Hanoi. It's a highlight for many backpackers doing the Southeast Asian circuit. It is filled with hostels and cheap places to eat, and there is no shortage of backpackers around town. Most stay in the Old Quarter, where you'll find the highest concentration of hostels and budget accommodation.

A large number of backpackers visit Berlin, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Is Hanoi or Berlin Better for Students?

Berlin is renowned for students. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Berlin is a very popular city 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.

Many students visit Hanoi. It's affordability, fascinating culture, and accessibility make it a great study abroad destination. The food and plethora of cultural opportunities are a highlight for many international students.

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

Berlin is renowned for its public transit. However, Hanoi is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Berlin has a great public transit system. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hanoi. The best ways to get around town include motorbike taxis, cyclos, regular taxis, and local buses.

Is Hanoi or Berlin a more walkable city?

Hanoi and Berlin both are notable when exploring on foot.

Hanoi is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that are best explored on foot, but you'll also find crowded areas with motorbikes, food stalls, and cars, so come prepared for a bit of a thrill. Most visitors spend the majority of their time in the Old Quarter, which is compact and dense.

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 Hanoi Worth Visiting? and Is Berlin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berlin or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Berlin?

Both Hanoi and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than in Hanoi. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Hanoi 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 Hanoi or Berlin?

Hanoi is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Berlin, many people enjoy the live music and food that this cultural big city offers. 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 Hanoi or Berlin?

Hanoi 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Hanoi or Berlin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hanoi. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Berlin is a fun place to experience. In Berlin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Hanoi or Berlin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy big city of Hanoi. 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.

In Berlin, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this historic big city offers. 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 Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Berlin?

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

Berlin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hanoi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hanoi or Berlin in the Summer?

Both Berlin and Hanoi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Berlin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hanoi is much warmer than Berlin in the summer. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in July than Berlin. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Berlin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Berlin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

In the autumn, Hanoi is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hanoi in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Berlin averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Berlin. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Hanoi is the dry season.

Should I visit Hanoi or Berlin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Berlin. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Berlin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Berlin. In January, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 17°C (63°F), and Berlin fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Hanoi usually gets less rain in January than Berlin. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hanoi or Berlin in the Spring?

Both Berlin and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the spring for the activities around the city.

Hanoi is much warmer than Berlin in the spring. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In April, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Berlin. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September.

Typical Weather for Berlin and Hanoi