A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Flam for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Kaunas or Flam?

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 Kaunas and Flam. 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a active, young, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and food.

Flam

Flam is a breathtaking, beautiful, and natural village. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food and hiking.

Kaunas and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Flam?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kaunas than Flam, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kaunas is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Flam is more popular for its museums, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Flam is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. Also, Kaunas is famous for The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or Flam?

Flam is not a good place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Kaunas or Flam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Flam is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Flam is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Kaunas is a good destination for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Kaunas has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Flam does not have a historic old town.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Flam does not have a historic old town.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for Hiking?

Flam is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Flam is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Kaunas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Flam?

Both Kaunas and Flam are respectable shopping destinations.

Kaunas has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Flam is a good destination for shopping. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for Families?

Flam is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Flam is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for Couples?

Flam is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Flam is a very popular place to visit for couples. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Flam are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for Students?

Kaunas is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Flam is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Flam is not popular with students.

Is Kaunas or Flam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Kaunas and Flam offer notable public transit options.

Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Flam has some public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Kaunas or Flam a more walkable city?

Flam is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Flam is a very walkable destination. There are many great walks in the area.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Flam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flam or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kaunas or Flam to fill your time. In our opinion, Flam has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Flam than Kaunas. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Flam than Kaunas 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 Flam.

One day in Kaunas or Flam?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kaunas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Flam might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Flam?

Kaunas is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Flam 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.

Five days in Kaunas or Flam?

You'll find food and nightlife around the young destination of Kaunas. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Flam. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Kaunas or Flam?

The young city of Kaunas offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Flam is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This village offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Kaunas and Flam, we can see that Flam 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 Kaunas Expensive? and Is Flam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Flam?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 750 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Flam, 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 Kaunas or Flam?

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 Kaunas or Flam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Flam. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

In the summer, Kaunas is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Kaunas usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kaunas is generally cooler than Flam. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Flam. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Flam in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Flam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. Kaunas is much colder than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Flam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Flam. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kaunas is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Flam. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Flam and Kaunas