A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Baden-Baden vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Baden-Baden or Lyon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Baden-Baden or Lyon, 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.

Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden is a nature-oriented, peaceful, and historic spa town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lyon

Lyon is a authentic, historic, and beautiful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Baden-Baden and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Baden-Baden. Lyon is bigger than Baden-Baden, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Baden-Baden is more popular for its hiking. Lyon is more touristy than Baden-Baden and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Baden-Baden is well known for its many thermal baths, spas and wellness centers, as well as its cultural venues and festivals.

How is Baden-Baden different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Baden-Baden. The spa town has many places worth visiting including the Friedrichsbad and Caracalla Baths, the Museum Frieder Burda, and Altes Schloss Hohenbaden.

Is the Food Better in Baden-Baden or Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Baden-Baden and Lyon both to be amazing destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Baden-Baden is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are Michelin starred restaurants and many opportunities to sip wine and sample local cuisine. Many consider the Baden cuisine to be among the best in Germany. You'll find wine, sausages, game meat, poultry, and more. Make sure you try the Rehrücken Baden-Baden (Roe Deer), Käsespätzle (cheese spatzle), and Schäufele (pig's shoulder).

Many restaurants in Lyon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its evening party scene.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Baden-Baden. There are trendy, upscale bars and many fine dining opportunities. There's also a casino and a club in town.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Baden-Baden does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Lyon is revered around the world. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Baden-Baden does not have a historic old town.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for Hiking?

Baden-Baden is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Baden-Baden has hiking trails worth exploring. Located near the Black Forest, you'll find a number of great hikes and walking trails just outside of town.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

Lyon is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its shopping areas.

Lyon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Baden-Baden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is filled with boutiques that sell jewelry, chocolate, designer fashion, and fine wine. There are several pedestrian shopping streets including the popular Lange-Strasse.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for Families?

Baden-Baden and Lyon are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Baden-Baden is a very kid-friendly spa town. There are plenty of opportunities to get into nature with hikes and wildlife reserves. There's also a funicular and castles to explore as well as several kid-friendly museums.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for Couples?

Baden-Baden and Lyon are both superb to visit as a couple.

Baden-Baden is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a spa town, so there are thermal baths that couples can enjoy. There are also many gardens and walks through the countryside. The old town is picturesque and the castles are fun to explore.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Baden-Baden is not a good spa town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lyon is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Baden-Baden is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find a hostel or two in town, but most of the tourists aren't backpackers so you may have trouble meeting other like-minded travelers.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is a world-class destination for students. However, Baden-Baden is not popular with students.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Baden-Baden is not popular with students.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Baden-Baden is not a good spa town for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Lyon can get you around easily. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Baden-Baden. There are a number of bus lines that run around town.

Is Baden-Baden or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Baden-Baden is not as famous, but is still a good spa town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Lyon is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

Baden-Baden is a somewhat walkable spa town. It's possible to walk around parts of town, but it's easier to explore with a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Baden-Baden Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Baden-Baden?

How long in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

In either Baden-Baden or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Baden-Baden because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Baden-Baden, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Baden-Baden 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 Lyon.

One day in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Baden-Baden. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Lyon is a historic city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

Baden-Baden is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lyon is a historic big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Baden-Baden. This spa town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lyon is a beautiful city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Baden-Baden or Lyon?

The nature-oriented spa town of Baden-Baden offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lyon. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Germany, The Best Bicycle Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Baden-Baden or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Baden-Baden. When comparing the sizes of Baden-Baden and Lyon, 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 Baden-Baden or Lyon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Baden-Baden or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Baden-Baden are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Baden-Baden because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

Baden-Baden is cooler than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Baden-Baden averages around 20°C (67°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Lyon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baden-Baden. Baden-Baden usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Baden-Baden gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Baden-Baden usually receives more rain than Lyon. Baden-Baden gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Baden-Baden or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Baden-Baden during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Baden-Baden this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Baden-Baden is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Baden-Baden in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Baden-Baden often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Baden-Baden gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Baden-Baden usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Baden-Baden gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baden-Baden or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Baden-Baden and Lyon. Many travelers come to Baden-Baden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Baden-Baden. In January, Baden-Baden is generally much colder than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Baden-Baden average around 2°C (35°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Baden-Baden usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during winter. Baden-Baden gets 35 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Baden-Baden usually receives more rain than Lyon. Baden-Baden gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Baden-Baden or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Baden-Baden as well as Lyon. Many visitors come to Baden-Baden in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Baden-Baden is cooler than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Baden-Baden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Baden-Baden often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Baden-Baden gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Baden-Baden usually gets more rain in April than Lyon. Baden-Baden gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Baden-Baden