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

Should you visit Vienna or Anchorage?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Anchorage, 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.

Vienna

Vienna is a ritzy, classical, and traditional city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a artsy, nature-oriented, and outdoorsy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Vienna and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Anchorage?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vienna than Anchorage. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Vienna is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its hiking. Vienna is more touristy than Anchorage and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also well known for The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Anchorage is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Vienna different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Vienna or Anchorage?

Vienna is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

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

Vienna is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Vienna makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Vienna is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Vienna. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for Music?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Anchorage is not a live music destination.

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.

Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

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

Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Anchorage draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Anchorage?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for Families?

Vienna and Anchorage are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Vienna is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Anchorage. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Vienna is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and Anchorage are both nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Vienna. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Anchorage is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Vienna or Anchorage Better for Students?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Vienna can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Vienna or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Vienna on foot. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Vienna and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vienna than in Anchorage. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vienna than Anchorage 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 Vienna.

One day in Vienna or Anchorage?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Vienna or Anchorage?

You'll find live music and food around the ritzy destination of Vienna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Vienna or Anchorage?

You'll find food and shopping around the musical city of Vienna. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Vienna or Anchorage?

Vienna 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Anchorage. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Anchorage?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Vienna and Anchorage, 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 Vienna or Anchorage?

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 Vienna or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Anchorage. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Vienna is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 23°C (73°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In the summer, Vienna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. Vienna is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vienna usually receives less rain than Anchorage. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vienna or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Vienna during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Vienna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during winter. Vienna can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Vienna is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vienna in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Vienna often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Anchorage. Most visitors come to Vienna for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In April, Vienna is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 13°C (55°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vienna usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vienna usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Vienna