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

Should you visit Vienna or Frankfurt?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Frankfurt, 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 artistic, musical, and ritzy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a modern, connected, and energetic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Frankfurt?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Vienna. While Vienna is larger than Frankfurt, Frankfurt has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Frankfurt is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Vienna is known for its music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Vienna different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Vienna and Frankfurt.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Vienna can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Vienna and Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt is an experience not to be missed. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Vienna or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt Better for Music?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Vienna has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Frankfurt?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Vienna specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Vienna or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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, Frankfurt is very family-friendly. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Vienna 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Vienna or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt Better for Students?

Both Vienna and Frankfurt are terrific 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.

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

Visitors will find terrific public transit in both Vienna and Frankfurt.

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

Frankfurt has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Is Vienna or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Vienna is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Frankfurt?

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

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

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

One day in Vienna or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Vienna or Frankfurt?

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.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

You'll find food and shopping around the traditional 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 Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt?

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 dynamic big city of Frankfurt. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vienna and Frankfurt, we can see that Vienna is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Frankfurt?

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

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

Both Frankfurt and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Vienna is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vienna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Frankfurt. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vienna. Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vienna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vienna or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Vienna during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Vienna because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets less rain in October than Frankfurt. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Frankfurt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Frankfurt. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. It's quite cold in Vienna in the winter. Vienna is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vienna usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vienna or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Vienna for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In the spring, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Frankfurt. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Vienna