A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Salzburg for Old Town, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Kaunas or Salzburg?

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 Salzburg. 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 young, vibrant, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and food.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include live music, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Salzburg?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Kaunas. While Kaunas is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Kaunas attracts visitors for its big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Kaunas is famous for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Kaunas different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salzburg 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 Salzburg?

Salzburg is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

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 Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Kaunas and Salzburg.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Kaunas or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg is renowned for its music scene. However, Kaunas is not a live music destination.

In Salzburg you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Kaunas is not a live music destination.

Is Kaunas or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is renowned for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

The old town of Salzburg is one of the most recognized in the world. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Salzburg?

Salzburg is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Salzburg is a world class destination for shoppers. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Salzburg Better for Families?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is renowned for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is notable for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Kaunas or Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg is renowned for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Plenty of students 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.

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

Salzburg is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Salzburg. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Kaunas or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Salzburg?

In either Kaunas or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than Kaunas because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg 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 Salzburg.

One day in Kaunas or Salzburg?

The city of Kaunas offers food and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Salzburg. 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.

A weekend in Kaunas or Salzburg?

Kaunas 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kaunas, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Salzburg 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.

Five days in Kaunas or Salzburg?

Kaunas is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. 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.

A week in Kaunas or Salzburg?

Kaunas is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the beautiful destination of Salzburg. 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.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Salzburg?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

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 Kaunas or Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kaunas is cooler than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Salzburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kaunas. Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kaunas is cooler than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kaunas in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Salzburg. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Salzburg. The winter months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. The weather in Kaunas can be very cold. In January, Kaunas is generally much colder than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around -5°C (23°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Salzburg. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.

Kaunas is much colder than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Salzburg. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Kaunas