A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Vienna for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Helsinki or Vienna?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Vienna 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna

Vienna is a ritzy, classical, and traditional city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Helsinki and Vienna: Pros and Cons

How is Helsinki different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Museums and Historical Sights?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Helsinki and Vienna.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Vienna. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Food?

Foodies will find both Helsinki and Vienna both to be unique destinations.

Helsinki has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Dining out in Vienna is an experience not to be missed. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

The nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Vienna.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Vienna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Shopping?

Shoppers can find a variety of stores in both Helsinki and Vienna.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Vienna is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Vienna are fun to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vienna. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Vienna are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Vienna is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Vienna are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Vienna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Vienna are popular destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Vienna is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

Is Helsinki or Vienna Better for Public Transit?

Visitors will find public transit in both Helsinki and Vienna.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Visitors in Vienna can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

Is Helsinki or Vienna a more walkable city?

Vienna is considered more walkable than Helsinki.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Vienna. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Vienna?

In either Helsinki or Vienna, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vienna than Helsinki because of the overall number of sights and activities.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Helsinki is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Vienna is 2-5 days.

One day in Helsinki or Vienna?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Helsinki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Vienna offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Vienna?

Helsinki is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vienna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vienna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Vienna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vienna is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vienna, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active destination of Helsinki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vienna is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

When is the best time to visit Helsinki or Vienna?

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 Helsinki or Vienna in the Summer?

Both Vienna and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Vienna because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is cooler than Vienna in the summer. The temperature in Helsinki is usually 17°C (62°F) in July, and Vienna stays around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Vienna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Vienna. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Vienna in the Autumn?

Both Vienna and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Vienna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October are around 6°C (42°F), and Vienna is about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Vienna. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Vienna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Vienna. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Vienna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vienna. It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Vienna. Temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Vienna stays around 2°C (36°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vienna. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Vienna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Vienna. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Vienna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. Helsinki is much colder than Vienna in the spring. The temperature in Helsinki is usually 3°C (37°F) in April, and Vienna stays around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vienna. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Vienna. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Helsinki