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

Should you visit Vienna or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vienna or Seattle, 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. You'll find world class beauty in Vienna as well. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music. See Vienna travel costs.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Seattle is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches. See Seattle travel costs.

Vienna and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Seattle?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Seattle than Vienna. While Vienna is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Vienna is known for its music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Seattle and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is Vienna different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Vienna can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle 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 Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Vienna is not a theatre destination.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Vienna and Seattle can be an enjoyable experience.

Vienna has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Seattle is an experience not to be missed. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle 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.

Seattle has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

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 Seattle Better for Music?

Vienna is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.

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.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Vienna is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Vienna is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Vienna is one of the most recognized in 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Vienna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Vienna or Seattle?

Vienna is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Vienna is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Vienna or Seattle More Beautiful?

Vienna is renowned for its scenery and beauty. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Vienna as well. The city has beautiful Baroque architecture and a livable atmosphere.

Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Families?

Vienna and Seattle are both good destinations for the whole family.

Vienna is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Seattle. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Couples?

Vienna is renowned for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and Seattle are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Vienna. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Vienna or Seattle Better for Students?

Vienna is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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 Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

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

Vienna has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Vienna or Seattle a more walkable city?

Vienna is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Vienna and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vienna than in Seattle. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Vienna, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

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

Couples should spend more time in Vienna than Seattle. 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 Vienna than Seattle 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 Vienna or Seattle?

In Vienna, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Seattle 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 Seattle?

In Vienna, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vienna has to offer.

Seattle 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.

Five days in Vienna or Seattle?

Vienna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vienna has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Vienna or Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vienna. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Vienna. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the outdoorsy big city of Seattle. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Seattle?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Vienna and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Vienna or Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vienna as well as Seattle. The summer months attract visitors to Vienna because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the summer, Vienna is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vienna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In the summer, Vienna often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vienna this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle 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 around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 12°C (54°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Vienna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle during autumn. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vienna usually receives less rain than Seattle. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vienna or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Vienna during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Vienna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle 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 Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Vienna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vienna usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Seattle. Many visitors come to Vienna in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Vienna is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vienna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vienna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle during spring. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vienna usually receives less rain than Seattle. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Vienna