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

Should you visit Tokyo or Vienna?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Vienna? 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.

Vienna

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

Tokyo and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tokyo or Vienna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tokyo than Vienna, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Tokyo is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Vienna is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Tokyo and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. 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.

How is Tokyo different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Tokyo are world-renowned. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

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

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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 Vienna is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Tokyo or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Tokyo is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

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 Tokyo or Vienna Better for Music?

Tokyo and Vienna 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.

Vienna is a world class music destination. 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.

Is Tokyo or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Vienna is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Tokyo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tokyo or Vienna?

If you're looking to go shopping, Tokyo and Vienna 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.

Vienna is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Is Tokyo or Vienna Better for Families?

Tokyo is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

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 Tokyo or Vienna Better for Couples?

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

Vienna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

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 Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Tokyo. 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.

Vienna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Tokyo or Vienna Better for Students?

For students, both Tokyo and Vienna 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 Vienna. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

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

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

Is Tokyo or Vienna a more walkable city?

Tokyo and Vienna are fantastic 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 Vienna on foot. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Tokyo?

How long in Tokyo or Vienna?

In either Tokyo or Vienna, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tokyo than Vienna because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tokyo, and 2-5 days is enough time in Vienna.

Families should spend more time in Tokyo than Vienna. 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 Vienna than Tokyo. 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 Tokyo than Vienna 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 Tokyo.

One day in Tokyo or Vienna?

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 Vienna, many people enjoy the live music and food that this ritzy 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 Vienna?

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 Vienna. 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 Vienna?

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.

Vienna is a fun place to experience. In Vienna, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this 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 Vienna?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the artistic destination of Vienna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Vienna?

Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vienna. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo or Vienna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Vienna. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vienna in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tokyo is generally a little warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Vienna. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tokyo or Vienna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Vienna. 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. Additionally, most visitors come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Vienna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Vienna. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tokyo or Vienna in the Winter?

Both Vienna and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vienna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vienna can be very cold. In the winter, Tokyo is much warmer than Vienna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Vienna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Vienna. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tokyo or Vienna in the Spring?

Both Vienna and Tokyo during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

In April, Tokyo is generally a little warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Vienna. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Tokyo