A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Vienna for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Melbourne or Vienna?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Vienna? 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a friendly, cultural, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Melbourne travel costs.

Vienna

Vienna is a traditional, artistic, and musical city. Vienna is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Vienna travel costs.

Melbourne and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Vienna?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Vienna. Melbourne is bigger than Vienna, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Vienna is more popular for its music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Melbourne is well known for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Melbourne different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Vienna?

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

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Many visitors head to Vienna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 the Food Better in Melbourne or Vienna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Melbourne and Vienna offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne 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.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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 Melbourne or Vienna Better for Music?

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

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.

Melbourne is not a live music destination.

Is Melbourne or Vienna Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a very popular place for the beach. However, Vienna is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Melbourne. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Melbourne or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is very popular for its old town. However, Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

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.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Vienna?

Vienna is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Is Melbourne or Vienna More Beautiful?

Vienna is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Vienna is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city has beautiful Baroque architecture and a livable atmosphere.

Melbourne is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Melbourne or Vienna Better for Families?

Melbourne is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

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 Melbourne or Vienna Better for Couples?

Vienna is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Vienna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Melbourne or Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Vienna are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Vienna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Melbourne or Vienna Better for Students?

Both Melbourne and Vienna are fantastic destinations for students.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Students come from all over the world to visit Vienna. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

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

Vienna is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Melbourne or Vienna a more walkable city?

Vienna is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Vienna. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Vienna?

In either Melbourne or Vienna, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Vienna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Vienna than Melbourne. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vienna than Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Vienna?

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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.

A weekend in Melbourne or Vienna?

Melbourne 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.

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

Five days in Melbourne or Vienna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the classical 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.

A week in Melbourne or Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the progressive big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Austria.

When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Vienna, we can see that Vienna 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. Even though Melbourne is in Pacific and Vienna is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Vienna?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Vienna has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Vienna in the Summer?

Both Vienna and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vienna in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Melbourne is cooler than Vienna in the summer. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Vienna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vienna during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Viennain July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Melbourne or Vienna in the Autumn?

Both Vienna and Melbourne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Melbourne is a little warmer than Vienna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Vienna averages at about 12°C (54°F)in October.

In the autumn, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Viennain October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in April than Viennain October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Vienna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Vienna. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vienna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vienna can be very cold. In July, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Viennain January. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Viennain January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Melbourne or Vienna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Vienna. The spring months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

Melbourne is a little warmer than Vienna in the spring. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vienna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In the spring, Melbourne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Viennain April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in October than Viennain April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Melbourne