A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vienna vs. San Diego for Music, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Vienna or San Diego?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or San Diego, 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. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

San Diego

San Diego is a fun-filled, hip, and dynamic coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Vienna and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or San Diego?

Visitors will generally find more to do in San Diego than Vienna. While Vienna is larger than San Diego, San Diego has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. San Diego is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Vienna is more popular for its food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Vienna is well known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. San Diego is well known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo.

How is Vienna different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 San Diego. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

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

Vienna is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

San Diego 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.

San Diego has a large number of nightlife venues. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

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 San Diego Better for Music?

Vienna is renowned for its live music scene. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its music scene.

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.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in San Diego. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Resorts?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Vienna is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, San Diego makes a nice vacation spot. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

Vienna is not a resort destination.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

San Diego is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Vienna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

San Diego has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Vienna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Beaches?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Vienna is not a beach destination.

The beaches in San Diego are among the best in the world. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is renowned for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Vienna is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego 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 San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or San Diego?

Vienna is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to San Diego to go shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Diego is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

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 San Diego Better for Couples?

Vienna and San Diego are both world-class to visit as a couple.

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.

San Diego is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and San Diego 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.

San Diego is a good city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Is Vienna or San Diego Better for Students?

Both Vienna and San Diego are world-class 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.

San Diego is a very popular city for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

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

Vienna is renowned for times when you don't have a car. However, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.

Vienna has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Is Vienna or San Diego a more walkable city?

Vienna is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

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

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or San Diego?

In either Vienna or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.

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

Couples should spend more time in Vienna than San Diego. 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 San Diego 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 San Diego?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of San Diego. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Vienna or San Diego?

You'll find live music and food around the traditional 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.

San Diego is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Vienna or San Diego?

You'll find food and shopping around the ritzy 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 San Diego. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 San Diego?

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 destination of San Diego. This coastal city 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vienna and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Vienna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vienna is in Europe and San Diego is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vienna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vienna 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego than you might in Vienna.

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or San Diego?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of San Diego. When comparing the sizes of Vienna and San Diego, 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 San Diego?

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 San Diego in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and San Diego. Many travelers come to Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Vienna is around the same temperature as San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vienna usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vienna usually receives more rain than San Diego. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vienna or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vienna as well as San Diego. Many visitors come to Vienna in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Vienna is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vienna in October average around 12°C (54°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the autumn, Vienna often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego 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 San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vienna can be very cold during winter. In January, Vienna is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 2°C (36°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Vienna usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vienna usually receives less rain than San Diego. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vienna or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Vienna during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Vienna because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

Vienna is cooler than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vienna. In the spring, Vienna often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Vienna