A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salzburg vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Salzburg or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Rotorua, 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 historic, beautiful, and musical city. Salzburg is 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 nightlife, live music, and food. See Salzburg travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a diverse, cultural, and natural town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Rotorua travel costs.

Salzburg and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Salzburg is very popular for its music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its hiking. Salzburg is more touristy than Rotorua and is popular 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. Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

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

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 Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Both Salzburg and Rotorua are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for Music?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

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

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

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Rotorua?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Salzburg is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This stunning city is known for its beautiful churches and hillside views.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Salzburg is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Salzburg and Rotorua are both first-rate to visit as a couple.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Rotorua is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Rotorua is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua Better for Students?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with students.

Salzburg is a very popular city 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Salzburg is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Salzburg or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Salzburg is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Rotorua. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Rotorua. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

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

Couples should spend more time in Salzburg than Rotorua. 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 Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

In Salzburg, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful town of Rotorua offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Rotorua?

In Salzburg, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Rotorua is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rotorua, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Rotorua?

Salzburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Salzburg has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Salzburg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Rotorua?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Salzburg has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Salzburg or Rotorua in the Summer?

Both Rotorua and Salzburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Salzburg is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Rotorua. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Salzburg is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

In October, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Rotorua. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Salzburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

Salzburg is much colder than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

In April, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Salzburg