A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Frankfurt for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nagano 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 Nagano 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a modern, connected, and energetic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nagano and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Frankfurt?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Frankfurt. While Frankfurt is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is more popular for its skiing, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Frankfurt is known for its shopping and big city activities. Nagano is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. It is also home to Zenko-ji Temple. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Nagano different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Skiing?

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

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Frankfurt is not a skiing destination.

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nagano and Frankfurt.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Nagano and Frankfurt.

Nagano has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Dining out in Frankfurt is an experience not to be missed. 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 Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find superb options in both Nagano and Frankfurt.

The nightlife in Nagano has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Frankfurt offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Resorts?

Nagano is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Frankfurt is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Frankfurt is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Both Nagano and Frankfurt have good historic old towns worth visiting.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nagano. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Frankfurt offers a nice historic old town area. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Hiking?

Nagano 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 Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Frankfurt is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Frankfurt are superb to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nagano is very family-friendly. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Frankfurt is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Frankfurt are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nagano makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

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

Frankfurt is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Frankfurt can take you anywhere. 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.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagano or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Frankfurt is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nagano and Frankfurt. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Frankfurt than Nagano. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

You'll find skiing and nightlife around the city of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nagano has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nagano or Frankfurt?

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic destination of Nagano. 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.

Frankfurt 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 Nagano or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the alpine city of Nagano. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Frankfurt. 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 Nagano or Frankfurt?

Nagano is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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.

When is the best time to visit Nagano or Frankfurt?

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 Nagano or Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Nagano in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Nagano is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Frankfurt. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Nagano is generally a little warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nagano because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

It's quite cold in Frankfurt in the winter. The weather in Nagano can be very cold. Nagano is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Nagano is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Frankfurt. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Nagano