A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nagano vs. Vienna for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Nagano 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 Nagano 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Vienna

Vienna is a ritzy, classical, and traditional city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Nagano and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Vienna?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nagano than Vienna. While Vienna is larger than Nagano, Nagano has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and big city activities, while Vienna is more popular for its music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Nagano and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Nagano is well known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Also, Nagano is famous for Zenko-ji Temple.

How is Nagano different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Vienna Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Vienna is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Nagano. 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.

Vienna is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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

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

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 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 Nagano or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Nagano is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nagano has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

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 Nagano or Vienna Better for Music?

Vienna is terrific for its live music scene. However, Nagano is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Vienna. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or Vienna Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Vienna is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Vienna is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is terrific for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Vienna has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Is Nagano or Vienna Better for Hiking?

Nagano is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Vienna 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.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Vienna?

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

Known for shopping, Vienna draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

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 Vienna Better for Families?

Nagano is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

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 Nagano or Vienna Better for Couples?

Vienna is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Vienna is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Nagano or Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Vienna are notable places to visit.

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Vienna. 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 Nagano or Vienna Better for Students?

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

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

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 Vienna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Vienna 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 Vienna can take you anywhere. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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 Vienna a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Vienna?

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

Families should spend more time in Nagano than Vienna. 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.

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

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

One day in Nagano or Vienna?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Vienna. 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 Nagano or Vienna?

Nagano 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 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 Vienna?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vienna. 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 Nagano or Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Nagano. This city 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the musical destination of Vienna. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Vienna, we can see that Vienna 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 Vienna 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Vienna, 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 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 Nagano or Vienna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Vienna. Most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and 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.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Vienna in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 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 Vienna. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Vienna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Vienna. The autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, 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, Nagano is a little warmer than Vienna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Vienna averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Vienna. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Vienna. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Vienna in the Winter?

Both Vienna and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano 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 Nagano in the winter. In January, Nagano is generally around the same temperature as Vienna. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Vienna. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Vienna in the Spring?

Both Vienna and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vienna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Nagano is cooler than Vienna in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Nagano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vienna. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Vienna. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Nagano