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

Should you visit Vienna or Rio de Janeiro?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Rio de Janeiro, 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 ritzy, classical, and traditional city. The famous beauty of Vienna is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See Vienna travel costs.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a high energy, colorful, and multicultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Rio de Janeiro is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Rio de Janeiro travel costs.

Vienna and Rio de Janeiro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Rio de Janeiro?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rio de Janeiro than Vienna, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rio de Janeiro is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, 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. Rio de Janeiro is popular for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. It is also home to Christ the Redeemer.

How is Vienna different from Rio de Janeiro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro are world-renowned. Looking out over the city is the world famous landmark of Christ the Redeemer. It sits on top of Corcovado Mountain and it is a must-see destination for visitors to the city. Other sights around town include the church and monastery of São Bento, the stunning church of São Francisco da Penitência, the imperial palaces of São Cristóvão, and the baroque church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

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 the Food Better in Vienna or Rio de Janeiro? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rio de Janeiro 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, Rio de Janeiro is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The cuisine around town mixes African and European cooking styles to give it a unique taste. The city is a mix of cultures and flavors and you'll find restaurants that integrate traditional Brazilian dishes with international influences. You'll find a wonderful street food scene, but also fine dining, and everything in between. Some of the most popular dishes include feijoada (beef and bean stew), churrasco (Brazilian barbecue), and pão de queijo (baked dough and cheese).

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Nightlife?

Rio de Janeiro is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Rio de Janeiro is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It has a world famous nightlife scene, and the most popular party neighborhood is Lapa. While the biggest crowds are on the weekends, weeknights stay busy as well. Every weekend in Lapa there's a huge street party, but there are also bars and dance clubs nearby. A more local neighborhood is Botafogo, which is a great area to grab a beer and enjoy a relaxed night out. If you want a beachside bar, check out the touristy neighborhoods of Ipanema and Copacabana.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Music?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Rio de Janeiro is not a live music destination.

In Vienna you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Rio de Janeiro is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Rio de Janeiro Better for Beaches?

Rio de Janeiro is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Vienna is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Rio de Janeiro are among the best in the world. The beaches have long been written about and made iconic by songs and literary works. Copacabana and Ipanema are world renowned, and the sandy stretches and vibrant waterfront promenades will not disappoint. There are plenty of recreational activities as well as a striking blue water backdrop. You'll find beach parties, waterside bars, and pickup games of football or volleyball. In addition to these iconic beaches, there are several lesser known places to visit like Joatinga and Barra da Tijuca.

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Vienna or Rio de Janeiro Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rio de Janeiro does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Vienna is revered around 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.

Rio de Janeiro does not have a historic old town.

Is Vienna or Rio de Janeiro Better for Hiking?

Rio de Janeiro is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Rio de Janeiro draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Although it is a bustling megacity, it also offers access to world class hikes. The city is filled with mountains and dramatic peaks, so many hikes take you to spectacular views of the city. There are also jungle hikes and even opportunities to see local wildlife. There's a combination of iconic trails and lesser known strolls that will let you truly absorb what this city has to offer. Some of the best hikes include Pedra Bonita, Dois Irmaos, and Pedra da Gávea.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Rio de Janeiro?

Shoppers can find a variety of first-rate stores in both Vienna and Rio de Janeiro.

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.

Rio de Janeiro is a world class destination for shoppers. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Whatever your budget, there are options for you. There are wonderful street markets for those on a budget and grand shopping malls if you're looking for something a bit higher end. Some of the best places for shopping include Rio Sul, Barra Shopping, and SAARA Market.

Is Vienna or Rio de Janeiro More Beautiful?

Vienna and Rio de Janeiro are somewhat similar when it comes to the first-rate scenery.

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

The famous beauty of Rio de Janeiro is one of the main draws. The city's mountainous landscapes and striking beaches make it, arguably, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many mountaintop views of the city as well as city hikes and iconic neighborhoods.

Is Vienna or Rio de Janeiro Better for Families?

Rio de Janeiro 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, Rio de Janeiro is very family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beaches. It's easy to spend days by the water soaking up the sun. Another must-do is a trip up Sugarloaf Mountain. The cable cars are fun and there are jungle walks and spectacular views. If you need to escape the rain or heat, spend the day at the Museum of Tomorrow.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Couples?

Vienna is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Rio de Janeiro is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Vienna is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Rio de Janeiro is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many parks and gardens around town that are perfect for a stroll. Nature lovers will enjoy the many hikes in the area, many which go through the jungle, visit waterfalls, or offer spectacular views. And, of course, Sugarloaf Mountain is a must-see destination, as are the many beaches in the area.

Is Vienna or Rio de Janeiro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rio de Janeiro is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rio de Janeiro is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to the city for its wild nightlife scene and beautiful beaches. There's a huge backpacker culture here and many hostels around town that offer a social setting and plenty of activities for guests.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Students?

Vienna is a world-class destination for students. However, Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.

Vienna is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.

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

Vienna is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Rio de Janeiro is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Vienna can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

Public transit in Rio de Janeiro is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has a subway system, MetroRio, that is relatively reliable and convenient. There are also city buses, trams, and commuter trains.

Is Vienna or Rio de Janeiro a more walkable city?

Vienna is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Rio de Janeiro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Vienna on foot is easy. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

Rio de Janeiro is very walkable. Most of the areas where tourists spend their time are relatively walkable. Centro is compact and many tourists choose to explore areas on foot. As always, remember to take the appropriate safety precautions and always be aware of your surroundings.

For even more information, also check out Is Vienna Worth Visiting? and Is Rio de Janeiro Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rio de Janeiro or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Rio de Janeiro?

Vienna and Rio de Janeiro both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rio de Janeiro than Vienna because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 4-6 days is enough time in Rio de Janeiro.

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

Couples should spend more time in Vienna than Rio de Janeiro. 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 Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.

One day in Vienna or Rio de Janeiro?

In Vienna, you'll find nightlife and live music. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Vienna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vienna. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rio de Janeiro. 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Vienna. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy big city of Rio de Janeiro. This 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 Tours for Seniors to Austria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Austria, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vienna. When comparing the sizes of Vienna and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro 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 Vienna or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Vienna during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Vienna is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vienna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vienna usually gets less rain in July than Rio de Janeiroin January. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Vienna is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 12°C (54°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vienna usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin April. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. Also, December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.

Should I visit Vienna or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Vienna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Rio de Janeiro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Vienna can get quite cold in the winter. Vienna is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

Vienna usually gets less rain in January than Rio de Janeiroin July. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Vienna for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Vienna is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vienna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

In April, Vienna usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin October. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Rio de Janeiro is May to November. The rainy season in Rio de Janeiro is December to April.

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Vienna