A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotterdam vs. Vienna for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Rotterdam or Vienna?

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 Rotterdam and Vienna. 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna

Vienna is a classical, traditional, and artistic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Vienna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vienna than Rotterdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Vienna is more popular for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is known for its nightlife and big city activities. Vienna is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also home to The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Rotterdam different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Vienna is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Vienna is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Vienna has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Rotterdam or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam has a large number of nightlife venues. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam or Vienna Better for Music?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Vienna has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. 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.

Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Is Rotterdam or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Vienna offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Vienna?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Vienna specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Rotterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Is Rotterdam or Vienna Better for Families?

Rotterdam 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, Rotterdam is very family-friendly. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam or Vienna Better for Couples?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Vienna is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Rotterdam or Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Vienna are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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 Rotterdam or Vienna Better for Students?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

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

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Public transit in Vienna is top-notch. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Rotterdam or Vienna a more walkable city?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

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

Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Vienna?

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

Couples should spend more time in Vienna than Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Vienna?

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

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Vienna. 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.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Vienna?

Rotterdam 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.

You'll find live music and food around the artistic destination of Vienna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Rotterdam or Vienna?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the traditional city of Vienna. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Rotterdam or Vienna?

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

Vienna 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Vienna in the Summer?

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

In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Vienna. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Vienna in the Autumn?

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

Rotterdam is cooler than Vienna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in October than Vienna. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Vienna in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Vienna in the winter. The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Rotterdam is around the same temperature as Vienna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Vienna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Vienna. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Vienna in the Spring?

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

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Vienna. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Rotterdam