A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tokyo vs. Berlin for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Tokyo or Berlin?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Berlin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a high tech, high energy, and vibrant city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Berlin

Berlin is a historic, cultural, and artsy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Tokyo and Berlin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Berlin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Berlin, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tokyo is popular for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also home to The Sensō-ji Temple. Berlin is popular for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history.

How is Tokyo different from Berlin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tokyo or Berlin?

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Berlin and Tokyo.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tokyo has many famous sights for visitors. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Berlin that are not to be missed. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

Is the Food Better in Tokyo or Berlin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Tokyo is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.

Dining out in Berlin is an experience not to be missed. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

Is Tokyo or Berlin Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is fantastic in both Tokyo and Berlin.

Tokyo is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Berlin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

Is Tokyo or Berlin Better for Music?

Tokyo and Berlin are both destinations where visitors can find fantastic live music.

Tokyo has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.

Berlin is a world class music destination. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Berlin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tokyo and Berlin both offer plenty of fantastic spots.

Many people travel to Tokyo specifically to go shopping. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.

Berlin is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

Is Tokyo or Berlin Better for Families?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Tokyo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.

Berlin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Tokyo or Berlin Better for Couples?

Tokyo is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Tokyo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

Is Tokyo or Berlin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berlin is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Berlin, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Tokyo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.

Is Tokyo or Berlin Better for Students?

For students, both Tokyo and Berlin are fantastic places to visit.

Many students frequent Tokyo. The city attracts many international students and there are a number of prestigious universities to choose from. Perhaps the biggest challenge is navigating the language difference, but that is all part of the experience when studying abroad.

Students come from all over the world to visit Berlin. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

Is Tokyo or Berlin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tokyo and Berlin both offer fantastic public transit to get you around.

Tokyo has a great public transit system. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.

Public transit in Berlin is top-notch. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

Is Tokyo or Berlin a more walkable city?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Tokyo is a very easy city to get around on foot. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

For even more information, also check out Is Tokyo Worth Visiting? and Is Berlin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berlin or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Berlin?

Both Tokyo and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Tokyo has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tokyo than Berlin. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berlin than Tokyo 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 Berlin.

One day in Tokyo or Berlin?

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Berlin, many people enjoy the live music and food that this artsy big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tokyo or Berlin?

Tokyo is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tokyo or Berlin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tokyo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Berlin is a fun place to experience. In Berlin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tokyo or Berlin?

Tokyo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Berlin, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this diverse big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Tokyo and Berlin, we can see that Tokyo 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. Even though Tokyo is in Asia and Berlin is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Berlin?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Berlin. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Berlin, 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 Tokyo or Berlin?

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 Tokyo or Berlin in the Summer?

Both Berlin and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tokyo is generally a little warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Berlin. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Berlin during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Berlin. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tokyo or Berlin in the Autumn?

Both Berlin and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Tokyo is much warmer than Berlin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Berlin fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Berlin. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Berlin in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Berlin. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Berlin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Berlin can be very cold. In the winter, Tokyo is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Berlin averages at about -0°C (31°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Berlin. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or Berlin in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Berlin. The spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

In April, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Tokyo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Berlin. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Berlin. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berlin and Tokyo