A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. New York City for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Kaunas or New York City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and New York City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a vibrant, cultural, and active city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and food. See Kaunas travel costs.

New York City

New York City is a cosmopolitan, one-of-a-kind, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. New York City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See New York City travel costs.

Kaunas and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or New York City?

You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Kaunas. New York City is bigger than Kaunas, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Kaunas is more popular for its historical sights. New York City is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or New York City?

New York City is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put New York City on the map. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is renowned for its shows and theatre. However, Kaunas is not a theatre destination.

New York City is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Kaunas is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Kaunas or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through New York City, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

New York City is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is renowned for its music scene. However, Kaunas is not a live music destination.

In New York City you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Kaunas is not a live music destination.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is a good destination for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or New York City?

New York City is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

New York City is a world class destination for shoppers. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or New York City More Beautiful?

New York City is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Kaunas is not a destination known for its beauty.

New York City offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.

Kaunas is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Families?

New York City is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

New York City is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is renowned for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

New York City is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City is notable for backpackers. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

New York City is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Students?

New York City is renowned for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

New York City is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Is Kaunas or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

New York City is renowned for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

New York City has a great public transit system. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around New York City on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or New York City?

Both Kaunas and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

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

Couples should spend more time in New York City than Kaunas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Kaunas 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 New York City.

One day in Kaunas or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Kaunas. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

New York City is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Kaunas or New York City?

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

New York City 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 Kaunas or New York City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Kaunas. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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's hard to know how much time to spend in New York City. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Kaunas or New York City?

You'll find food and nightlife around the city of Kaunas. 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.

New York City is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kaunas is in Europe and New York City 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 Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Kaunas.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and New York City, 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 Kaunas or New York City?

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 Kaunas or New York City in the Summer?

Both New York City and Kaunas during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In the summer, Kaunas is cooler than New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).

New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kaunas usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or New York City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and New York City. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kaunas is generally much colder than New York City. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than New York City. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or New York City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as New York City. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

New York City can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. Kaunas is much colder than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or New York City in the Spring?

Both New York City and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kaunas is much colder than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than New York City. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Kaunas