A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Villach vs. Frankfurt for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Villach or Frankfurt?

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

Should I visit Villach or Frankfurt? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Villach

Villach is a nature-filled, outdoorsy, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a connected, energetic, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Villach and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities


Is there more to do in Villach or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Villach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Villach attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Villach is famous for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center
The Old Town Center

How is Villach different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Frankfurt and Villach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Villach or Frankfurt?

Villach
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Villach is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.


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

Villach
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its restaurants.

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.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Villach or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Villach
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Frankfurt has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

Is Villach or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Villach
Frankfurt

It's fun to wander around the nice old towns in both Villach and Frankfurt.

Villach offers a nice historic old town area. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Frankfurt is a good destination for visiting its old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.


Is Villach or Frankfurt Better for Hiking?

Villach
Frankfurt

Villach is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Villach. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Frankfurt is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Villach or Frankfurt?

Villach
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is notable for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Frankfurt. 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.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Villach or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Villach
Frankfurt

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Villach or Frankfurt.

Villach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

Frankfurt is a very family-friendly destination. 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.


Is Villach or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Villach
Frankfurt

Villach is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Villach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

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 Villach or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Villach
Frankfurt

Both Villach and Frankfurt are great destinations for backpackers.

Villach is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

Frankfurt is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Villach or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Villach
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is terrific for students. However, Villach is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Frankfurt. 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.

Villach is not popular with students.


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

Villach
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is terrific for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Frankfurt can take you anywhere. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Villach or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Villach
Frankfurt

Frankfurt is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its walkability.

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

Villach is generally not a very walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Villach?

How long in Villach or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Villach and Frankfurt. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Frankfurt than Villach. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Frankfurt than Villach. 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 Frankfurt than Villach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Frankfurt that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Villach 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.


  • How many days in Villach or Frankfurt? Ideal Length of Stay
    Villach 1-3 
    Frankfurt 1-3

One day in Villach or Frankfurt?

You'll find nightlife and museums around the town of Villach. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Villach has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.


A weekend in Villach or Frankfurt?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nature-filled destination of Villach. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer.

Five days in Villach or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the outdoorsy town of Villach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Villach or Frankfurt?

Villach is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


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.


Which place is cheaper, Frankfurt or Villach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Villach is €116, while the average daily cost in Frankfurt is €122. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Villach and Frankfurt in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Villach 69
    Frankfurt 58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Villach 138
    Frankfurt 116
Compare Hotels in Villach and Frankfurt

Looking for a hotel in Villach or Frankfurt? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Villach


Hotels in Frankfurt


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Villach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Villach 18
    Frankfurt 25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:


  • Car Rental
    50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt

Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Frankfurt Hahn Airport: Bus transfer from/to Mainz: $18
  • Frankfurt Hahn Airport: Bus transfer from/to city central: $20
  • Wiesbaden Thermal to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) - Departure Transfer: $27
  • Private One Way Frankfurt Airport Transfer To and From Frankfurt: $45
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by business car: $54
  • Departure Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by business car: $54
  • Private 1-Way Transfer From Frankfurt Airport: $54
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Frankfurt Airport (FRA)- Frankfurt City: $54
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Frankfurt City - Frankfurt Airport (FRA): $54
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Wiesbaden Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Villach or Frankfurt?

Prices for flights to both Frankfurt and Villach change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Villach 35
    Frankfurt 41

Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Soda
    2.00
  • Bagel Sandwich and Latte
    7.00
  • Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee
    6.00
  • Sandwich and Cola
    7.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • FOOD TOUR WITH 3-4 LOCAL INSIDER FOODSPOTS: $80
  • Eltz Castle Small-Group Tour from Frankfurt with Dinner: $281

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Villach 15
    Frankfurt 36

Tours and Activities in Villach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Villach are as follows:

  • Villach Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide: $250
  • Magic Christmas Tour: $769
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74

Tours and Activities in Frankfurt

For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Frankfurt Old Town": $3.20
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.81
  • Frankfurt Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $6.95
  • Struwwelpeter Museum Entry Ticket w/Audio Guide: $7.49
  • Old Town Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.99
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour by Smartphone: $7.99
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
  • Historisches Museum Entry Ticket: $8.56
  • Frankfurt Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Villach 14
    Frankfurt 30

Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:


  • Becks Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:

  • Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $21
  • Enjoy the night with our Pub Tours: $32
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $34
  • Full Day Private Rhine Valley Wine Tour Experience from Frankfurt: $279
  • Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $280
  • Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $286
  • Guided Walk Tour With Apple Wine Tasting: $334
  • Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $513
  • Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $748


When comparing the travel costs between Villach and Frankfurt, we can see that Frankfurt is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Villach or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Villach. When comparing the sizes of Villach 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 Villach or Frankfurt?

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 Villach or Frankfurt in the Summer?

Both Frankfurt and Villach during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Villach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Villach is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Frankfurt, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Villach. In the summer, Villach often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Villach gets 288 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Villach 24°C (75°F) 
    Frankfurt 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Villach or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Villach and Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Villach is a little warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Villach in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during autumn. Villach gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Villach usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Villach 16°C (60°F) 
    Frankfurt 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Villach or Frankfurt in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Villach as well as Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Villach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. In January, Villach is generally much warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 5°C (41°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Villach often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Villach gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Villach 5°C (41°F) 
    Frankfurt 1°C (34°F)

Should I visit Villach or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Villach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Villach for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city.

Villach is a little warmer than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during spring. Villach gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Villach usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Villach 13°C (56°F) 
    Frankfurt 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Villach

Villach Frankfurt
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 1°C (34°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in) 6°C (43°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in) 17°C (63°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in) 19°C (66°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in) 16°C (60°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)