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

Should you visit Vienna or Lille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Lille, 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Lille

Lille is a under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Vienna and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Vienna than Lille. Vienna is bigger than Lille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Vienna is better known for its museums, music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Lille is more popular for its food and nightlife. Vienna is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Also, Vienna is famous for The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Vienna different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vienna is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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.

Is Vienna or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille 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.

Lille has a large number of nightlife venues. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

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 Lille Better for Music?

Vienna is very popular for its live music scene. However, Lille is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

Lille is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Vienna has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Lille?

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

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.

Lille is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Is Vienna or Lille Better for Families?

Vienna is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Vienna is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Vienna or Lille Better for Couples?

Vienna is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Vienna or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and Lille are both notable 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.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Vienna or Lille Better for Students?

Vienna is very popular for students. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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

Students come from all over to stay in Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Vienna is very popular for its public transit. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Vienna has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

Lille offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Vienna or Lille a more walkable city?

Vienna and Lille are amazing when it comes to 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.

Getting around Lille on foot is easy. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Lille?

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

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

In Vienna, many people enjoy the live music and food that this classical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lille. 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 Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vienna. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille 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 Lille?

Vienna is a fun place to experience. In Vienna, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the traditional destination of Vienna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the under-rated destination of Lille. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Lille?

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

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 Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Lille. The summer months attract visitors to Vienna because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

Vienna is a little warmer than Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In the summer, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Lille. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lille. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Vienna is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vienna in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vienna usually receives less rain than Lille. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vienna or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Vienna during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Vienna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lille can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Vienna. In January, Vienna is generally much colder than Lille. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 2°C (36°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Vienna often gets more sunshine than Lille. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Lille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Lille. Many visitors come to Vienna in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the natural beauty during these months.

Vienna is a little warmer than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vienna usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vienna usually receives more rain than Lille. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Vienna