A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vienna vs. Dresden for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Vienna or Dresden?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Dresden, 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 traditional, artistic, and musical city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Dresden

Dresden is a cultural, park-filled, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Dresden?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vienna than Dresden, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Vienna is more popular for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Dresden is known for its nightlife and big city activities. Vienna is more touristy than Dresden and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also home to The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Dresden is popular for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady).

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Vienna different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vienna is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Vienna offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Dresden is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

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

Vienna is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dresden. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Is Vienna or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Dresden has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

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 Dresden Better for Music?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Dresden is not a live music destination.

In Vienna you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Dresden is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Vienna offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Dresden?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Vienna is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Dresden. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Is Vienna or Dresden Better for Families?

Vienna is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Vienna or Dresden Better for Couples?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Dresden is a nice destination for couples. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Is Vienna or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and Dresden are both good 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.

Dresden is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Is Vienna or Dresden Better for Students?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Dresden offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Vienna or Dresden a more walkable city?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Dresden is very walkable. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Dresden?

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

Families should spend more time in Vienna than Dresden. 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 Dresden. 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 Dresden 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 Dresden?

In Vienna, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dresden. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Vienna or Dresden?

In Vienna, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vienna has to offer.

Dresden 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 Dresden?

Vienna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vienna has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dresden. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Dresden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vienna. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Vienna. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Dresden. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Vienna and Dresden, 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 Dresden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Dresden?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Vienna and Dresden, 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 Dresden?

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 Dresden in the Summer?

Both Dresden and Vienna during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Vienna in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Vienna is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vienna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Vienna usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dresden. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Dresden. Most visitors come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Vienna is generally a little warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 12°C (54°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Vienna usually receives less rain than Dresden. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vienna or Dresden in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Dresden. The winter months attract visitors to Vienna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dresden in the winter. The weather in Vienna can be very cold. Vienna is much warmer than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Vienna usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Dresden. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Dresden in the Spring?

Both Dresden and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dresden for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Vienna is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vienna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In April, Vienna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dresden. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Vienna