A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Lyon for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Lyon?

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 Bali and Lyon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic 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.

Bali and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Bali and Lyon are about the same size, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lyon is better known for its museums, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Bali is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Bali is more touristy than Lyon and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

How is Bali different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Lyon?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Bali and Lyon offer a number of terrific restaurants to choose from.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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 Bali or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Bali has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Bali or Lyon Better for Resorts?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Lyon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

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

The rich history of Lyon can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Lyon Better for Hiking?

Bali is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Lyon?

Both Bali and Lyon are excellent shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. 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.

Is Bali or Lyon Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Lyon.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

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 Bali or Lyon Better for Couples?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

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 Bali or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for backpackers. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

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

Is Bali or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Lyon. 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.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Lyon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island 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.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Bali?

How long in Bali or Lyon?

In either Bali or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than Lyon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

One day in Bali or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Bali. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Lyon is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Lyon?

Bali is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lyon is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Five days in Bali or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the stunning destination of Bali. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Lyon is a quaint big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural island of Bali. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

The historic city of Lyon offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, 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 Bali and Lyon, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Lyon 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 Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Lyon?

Lyon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Bali is a little warmer than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°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 Bali. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Lyon. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bali is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can be very cold during winter. In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Bali usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Lyon. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Lyon. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Bali is much warmer than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Lyon. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Bali