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

Should you visit Vienna or Flam?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Flam, 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 classical, traditional, and artistic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Flam

Flam is a natural, breathtaking, and beautiful village. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food and hiking.

Vienna and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Flam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vienna. Although Vienna and Flam are popular destinations, Vienna has more sights and attractions for tourists. Vienna is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Flam attracts visitors for its hiking and small town charm. Vienna is more touristy than Flam and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also well known for The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Flam is famous for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Vienna different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vienna is a great city for its historical sights. However, Flam is not known for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Vienna and Flam 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 Flam is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Vienna is a good destination for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Vienna has a few options to choose from. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for Music?

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

Vienna is known as a music capital around the world. 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.

Flam is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for its Old Town?

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

Flam does not have a historic old town.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for Hiking?

Flam is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Flam. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Flam?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Vienna. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for Families?

Flam 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, Flam is very family-friendly. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain 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.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for Couples?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its romantic activities.

Vienna is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Flam is a very popular place to visit for couples. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and Flam 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.

Flam is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Vienna or Flam Better for Students?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Flam is not popular with students.

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

Flam is not popular with students.

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

Vienna is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its public transit.

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

Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.

Is Vienna or Flam a more walkable city?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its high level of walkability.

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

Flam is a very walkable city. There are many great walks in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Flam or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Vienna or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Vienna than Flam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 1-2 days is enough time in Flam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Vienna than Flam. 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 Flam 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 Flam?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Vienna. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Flam might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Vienna or Flam?

Vienna is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Flam 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 Flam?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the classical destination of Vienna. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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

The classical city of Vienna offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Flam is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This village 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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Flam?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 3380 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Vienna and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Flam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Flam. Many travelers come to Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Flam in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Vienna is generally much warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 23°C (73°F), and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vienna usually receives less rain than Flam. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vienna or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Flam. Many visitors come to Vienna in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Vienna is a little warmer than Flam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Vienna usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Flam in the Winter?

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

The weather in Flam can be very cold. Vienna can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Vienna is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vienna in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Flam averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In January, Vienna usually receives less rain than Flam. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vienna or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Vienna during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Vienna because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

In April, Vienna is generally much warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 13°C (55°F), and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vienna usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Vienna