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

Should you visit Salzburg or Frankfurt?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Frankfurt, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a cultural, recognizable, and historic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a connected, energetic, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Salzburg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Salzburg attracts visitors for its music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Salzburg is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Salzburg different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Frankfurt.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Salzburg or Frankfurt? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Frankfurt. 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 Salzburg or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

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 Salzburg or Frankfurt Better for Music?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

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

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Salzburg offers plenty to see. 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Frankfurt?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. 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.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Salzburg or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Salzburg and Frankfurt are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

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.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Salzburg or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Salzburg has plenty to offer. 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. 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 Salzburg or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Frankfurt are excellent destinations for backpackers.

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.

Frankfurt is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Salzburg or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Salzburg and Frankfurt are both terrific destinations for students and younger travelers.

Salzburg is a great destination 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.

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.

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

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

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.

Visitors to Salzburg can move around easily with public transportation. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Salzburg or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Frankfurt both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Frankfurt. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

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

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

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

Frankfurt is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Frankfurt?

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Frankfurt?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural city of Salzburg. 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.

Frankfurt 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.

A week in Salzburg or Frankfurt?

Salzburg 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.

Frankfurt 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salzburg and Frankfurt, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Frankfurt?

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 Salzburg or Frankfurt in the Summer?

Both Frankfurt and Salzburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Frankfurt, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salzburg. In the summer, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Frankfurt. The autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In the autumn, Salzburg is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Frankfurt in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Frankfurt. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city.

Salzburg is around the same temperature as Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Salzburg