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

Should you visit Vienna or Berlin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Berlin, 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 musical, ritzy, and classical city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Berlin

Berlin is a artsy, creative, and eclectic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Vienna and Berlin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Berlin?

You'll generally find more things to do in Berlin than Vienna. Berlin is bigger than Vienna, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Berlin is better known for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Vienna is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Berlin and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Berlin is well known for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history. Also, Berlin is famous for the Brandenburg Gate.

How is Vienna different from Berlin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Berlin 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 Berlin are world-renowned. 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.

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 Vienna or Berlin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Vienna and Berlin can be an enjoyable experience.

Vienna has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

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 Vienna or Berlin Better for Nightlife?

Berlin 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 Berlin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

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 Vienna or Berlin Better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Vienna and Berlin.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Vienna. 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.

In Berlin you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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 Vienna or Berlin Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Berlin 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.

Berlin does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Berlin?

Shoppers can find a variety of amazing stores in both Vienna and Berlin.

Known for shopping, Vienna draws large crowds to its stores. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Berlin is a world class destination for shoppers. 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 Vienna or Berlin Better for Families?

Berlin is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Berlin is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Vienna or Berlin Better for Couples?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

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

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 Vienna or Berlin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berlin is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Berlin is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Vienna is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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 Vienna or Berlin Better for Students?

Both Vienna and Berlin are amazing destinations for students.

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

Berlin is a very popular city for students. 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 Vienna or Berlin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Vienna and Berlin.

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

Berlin has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

Is Vienna or Berlin a more walkable city?

Vienna 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.

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

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 Vienna Worth Visiting? and Is Berlin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berlin or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Berlin?

Both Vienna and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than in Vienna. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.

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

Couples should spend more time in Vienna than Berlin. 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 Berlin 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 Berlin.

One day in Vienna or Berlin?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Vienna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Berlin 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.

A weekend in Vienna or Berlin?

Vienna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Berlin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Berlin?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. 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.

A week in Vienna or Berlin?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the classical destination of Vienna. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Berlin 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Vienna and Berlin, 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Berlin?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Berlin. The summer months attract visitors to Vienna because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

Vienna is a little warmer than Berlin in the summer. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Berlin this time of the year. In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during summer. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vienna usually receives more rain than Berlin. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vienna or Berlin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Berlin. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Vienna is a little warmer than Berlin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vienna in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Berlin averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets more rain in October than Berlin. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Berlin in the Winter?

Both Berlin and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Vienna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Berlin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Berlin can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Vienna. In January, Vienna is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 2°C (36°F), and Berlin fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during winter. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vienna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Berlin. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vienna or Berlin in the Spring?

Both Berlin and Vienna during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Vienna in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Berlin for the activities around the city during these months.

Vienna is a little warmer than Berlin in the spring. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Vienna. In the spring, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets more rain in April than Berlin. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berlin and Vienna