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

Should you visit Tokyo or Venice?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Venice? 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 eclectic, cutting edge, and high tech city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Venice

Venice is a romantic, cultural, and magical city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Tokyo and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Venice?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tokyo than Venice. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tokyo is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Venice attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Venice is more touristy than Tokyo and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Tokyo is famous for its ultramodern skyscrapers, neon lights, historic temples, lively karaoke bars, and peaceful parks. It is also well known for The Sensō-ji Temple.

How is Tokyo different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of world-class museums and attractions in both Venice 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 Venice that are not to be missed. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tokyo has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Tokyo or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

People head to Tokyo just to party. 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Tokyo or Venice Better for Music?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Venice is not a live music destination.

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.

Venice is not a live music destination.

Is Tokyo or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Venice is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Venice is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Venice?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tokyo and Venice both offer plenty of world-class 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.

Venice is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

Is Tokyo or Venice Better for Families?

Tokyo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Tokyo is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.

Venice is a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Is Tokyo or Venice Better for Couples?

Venice is renowned for couples. Also, Tokyo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Venice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Tokyo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Tokyo or Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

For students, both Tokyo and Venice are world-class 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 Venice. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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

Tokyo and Venice both offer world-class 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 Venice is top-notch. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

Is Tokyo or Venice a more walkable city?

Tokyo and Venice are world-class when it comes to walkability.

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.

It is easy to get around Venice on foot. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Venice or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Venice?

Both Tokyo and Venice 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 Venice. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

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

One day in Tokyo or Venice?

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 Venice, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Venice?

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 Venice. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Venice?

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.

Venice is a fun place to experience. In Venice, many people enjoy the museums and food that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tokyo or Venice?

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 Venice, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this romantic destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Venice, we can see that Venice is more expensive. And not only is Tokyo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tokyo is in Asia and Venice 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 Tokyo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tokyo 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Venice?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

Both Venice and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the family-friendly experiences.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Venice in the summer. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Venice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Venice. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Venice during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Venice. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tokyo or Venice in the Autumn?

Both Venice and Tokyo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Venice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tokyo is a little warmer than Venice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Venice averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Tokyo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Venice. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Venice in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Venice. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Venice can be very cold during winter. In January, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Venice during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Venice. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or Venice in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Venice. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Venice because of the natural beauty.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Venice in the spring. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Venice fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Tokyo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Venice. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Venice and Tokyo