A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Innsbruck vs. Frankfurt for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Innsbruck and Frankfurt 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.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a youthful , adventurous, and high energy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Innsbruck and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt than Innsbruck, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Frankfurt is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Innsbruck is known for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Innsbruck is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its mountain hiking, skiing, and winter sports. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Innsbruck different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for Skiing?

Innsbruck is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Frankfurt is not a skiing destination.

Innsbruck draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. This city offers easy access to excellent skiing without having to travel too far. There are 9 ski resorts around town that make up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. Each resort has its own personality and style. You can reach the Seegrube mountain in about 20 minutes using the funicular and cable car.

Frankfurt is not a skiing destination.

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

Frankfurt is notable for its sights and museums. However, Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Innsbruck does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Innsbruck and Frankfurt offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Innsbruck. The city is known for the hearty and filling food that is perfect for a cold winter day. There are cafes and restaurants around old town that offer traditional dishes including käsespätzle, wiener schnitzel, and apfelstrudel. If you're ready for something a little less heavy, there are a number of ethnic restaurants to choose from outside of the old town.

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.

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both Innsbruck and Frankfurt.

Innsbruck has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population and wide range of young visitors who enjoy high energy activities, there's plenty to do here when the sunsets. There are bars and dance clubs that stay active late into the night.

Frankfurt has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Innsbruck is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Innsbruck offers plenty to see. The old town is filled with charming restaurants and cafes as well as comfortable outdoor places to relax when the weather is nice. One of the most notable landmarks is the The Goldenes Dachl, or the "little golden roof", but the atmosphere around old town is what makes this place really special.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for Hiking?

Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck. The city is nestled in the Austrian mountains with many beautiful hikes just outside of town. There are hikes for all skill levels that offer spectacular views of some of the best scenery in Austria.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Frankfurt is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Innsbruck is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Both Innsbruck and Frankfurt are superb to visit with kids.

Innsbruck is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a pleasant atmosphere with a charming old town and plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy. There's also the popular Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which is fun for kids and adults alike. The Alpine Zoo and the city's many parks and playgrounds all make it a great stop if you're traveling with kids.

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.

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

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

Innsbruck makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's old town is filled with restaurants that make for great date nights. There are also many hikes, viewpoints, and activities that are perfect for a couple's getaway.

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 Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Innsbruck and Frankfurt are superb destinations for backpackers.

Innsbruck is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has a number of hostels and affordable restaurants that make it a reasonable option for backpackers and budget travelers. Outdoor activities like nearby hiking are affordable ways to spend the day as well.

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.

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is very popular for students. Also, Innsbruck is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very popular city 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.

Many students visit Innsbruck. The city's laid back vibe and wide range of universities make it a great place for students. There are cafes, bars, and many outdoor activities that students enjoy while they're in the area.

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

Frankfurt is very popular for its public transit. Also, Innsbruck is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. 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.

The public transit in Innsbruck can get you to most places easily. The system includes trams and buses that will take you to outlying areas around town.

Is Innsbruck or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Innsbruck and Frankfurt both are superb when exploring on foot.

Innsbruck is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, and if you stay anywhere nearby, it's easy to reach it on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Innsbruck?

How long in Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Innsbruck and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Innsbruck than in Frankfurt. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Innsbruck, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Innsbruck 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 Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

You'll find nightlife and food around the quaint city of Innsbruck. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

You'll find food and skiing around the mountainous destination of Innsbruck. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the scenic city of Innsbruck. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Frankfurt. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

Innsbruck is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Frankfurt is a popular choice for travelers. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vienna, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Salzburg, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Innsbruck and Frankfurt, we can see that Innsbruck is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Innsbruck or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Innsbruck. When comparing the sizes of Innsbruck and Frankfurt, 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.