A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Zurich for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Auckland or Zurich?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Zurich can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auckland

Auckland is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and thrill-seeking city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Auckland and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auckland or Zurich?

You'll generally find more things to do in Auckland than Zurich. Auckland is bigger than Zurich, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Auckland is better known for its beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Zurich is more popular for its music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Auckland is well known for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. Also, Auckland is famous for the Sky Tower. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Auckland different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Auckland or Zurich?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Auckland and Zurich.

Many visitors head to Auckland specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Zurich can be an interesting and educational experience. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Is the Food Better in Auckland or Zurich? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Auckland and Zurich offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

Auckland has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Dining out in Zurich is an experience not to be missed. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Both Auckland and Zurich have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

Auckland has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

The people in Zurich know how to have a good time. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Auckland is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Zurich has diverse options. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Auckland is not a live music destination.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Auckland is a well-known place for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Auckland for it's beautiful beaches. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Auckland does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Auckland does not have a historic old town.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Hiking?

Auckland is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Auckland offers some nice hiking trails. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auckland or Zurich?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Zurich draws large crowds to its stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Auckland. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Auckland or Zurich.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Auckland is very family-friendly. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

Zurich is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Couples?

Both Auckland and Zurich are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Auckland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Couples visit Zurich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Auckland is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Auckland is a great city to visit for backpackers. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Students?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Auckland is a great city to visit as a student. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Is Auckland or Zurich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Zurich can get you around easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

You'll find some public transit in Auckland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

Is Auckland or Zurich a more walkable city?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Auckland Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Auckland?

How long in Auckland or Zurich?

In either Auckland or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than Auckland because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.

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

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

One day in Auckland or Zurich?

Auckland 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.

The beautiful city of Zurich offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Auckland or Zurich?

Auckland 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.

Zurich is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Auckland or Zurich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auckland. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Zurich is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Auckland or Zurich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the thrill-seeking big city of Auckland. 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.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Auckland or Zurich?

Auckland has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Zurich, 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 Auckland or Zurich?

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

Should I visit Auckland or Zurich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Zurich. Many visitors come to Auckland in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Auckland is around the same temperature as Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auckland this time of the year. In the summer, Auckland often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zurichin July. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

Auckland usually gets less rain in January than Zurichin July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Auckland is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Auckland in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F)in October.

Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Auckland usually receives more rain than Zurichin October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Auckland or Zurich in the Winter?

Both Zurich and Auckland during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Auckland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In July, Auckland is generally much warmer than Zurichin January. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 11°C (52°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Zurichin January. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Auckland. Auckland usually gets more rain in July than Zurichin January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Zurich. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Auckland this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.

Auckland is a little warmer than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 14°C (58°F) in October, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in April.

Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Auckland usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zurichin April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Auckland