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

Should you visit Vienna or San Francisco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or San Francisco, 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a eccentric, one-of-a-kind, and scenic coastal city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Vienna and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or San Francisco?

Visitors will generally find more to do in San Francisco than Vienna. While Vienna is larger than San Francisco, San Francisco has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. San Francisco is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Vienna is known for its music and historical sights. Vienna is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. San Francisco is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also home to The Golden Gate Bridge.

How is Vienna different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in San Francisco are world-renowned. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Is Vienna or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Vienna is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Vienna is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco 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, San Francisco is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

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 San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Vienna and San Francisco.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Vienna. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

San Francisco has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Vienna or San Francisco Better for Music?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for live music.

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.

You'll find some good live music in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Is Vienna or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a very popular place for the beache. However, Vienna is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Francisco. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Vienna or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a 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.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Vienna or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, San Francisco draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or San Francisco?

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

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.

San Francisco is a world class destination for shoppers. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

Is Vienna or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco 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 Francisco is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

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 Francisco Better for Couples?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

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 Francisco is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

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

San Francisco 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 San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

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 San Francisco Better for Students?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Students come from all over to stay in San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

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

Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Vienna and San Francisco.

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

San Francisco has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Is Vienna or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its 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.

San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or San Francisco?

Both Vienna and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Vienna. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

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

Couples should spend more time in Vienna than San Francisco. 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco.

One day in Vienna or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the artistic destination of Vienna. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

San Francisco is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vienna. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Francisco is a great place to explore. 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 Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the ritzy destination of Vienna. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Vienna. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Francisco is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vienna and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 Francisco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vienna or San Francisco?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of Vienna and San Francisco, 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 Francisco?

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 Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and San Francisco. The summer months attract visitors to Vienna because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

In the summer, Vienna is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vienna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In July, Vienna usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vienna or San Francisco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vienna as well as San Francisco. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Vienna is generally cooler than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 12°C (54°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Vienna usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Vienna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vienna. Vienna is much colder than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Vienna usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vienna or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco and Vienna during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Vienna in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Vienna is cooler than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vienna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Vienna usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Vienna