A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bath vs. Lucerne for Attractions, Couples, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Bath or Lucerne?

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 Bath and Lucerne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bath

Bath is a charming, historical, and beautiful spa town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a active, cultural, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Bath and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bath or Lucerne?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lucerne than Bath. While Bath is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lucerne is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Bath is more popular for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bath is well known for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. Lucerne is well known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Also, Lucerne is famous for The Chapel Bridge.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Bath different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bath or Lucerne?

Bath is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Bath has many famous sights for visitors. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

Lucerne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Is the Food Better in Bath or Lucerne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Bath and Lucerne can be an enjoyable experience.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Lucerne. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Is Bath or Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Lucerne has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Bath or Lucerne Better for its Old Town?

Bath and Lucerne are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Many visitors go to Lucerne to see the historical old town. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Is the Shopping Better in Bath or Lucerne?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Bath and Lucerne.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bath. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Lucerne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

Is Bath or Lucerne Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Bath or Lucerne.

Bath is a family-friendly spa town. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Lucerne. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Is Bath or Lucerne Better for Couples?

Bath is very popular for couples. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bath is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Lucerne is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

Is Bath or Lucerne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bath is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bath. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

Is Bath or Lucerne Better for Students?

Bath is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

Many students visit Bath. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Lucerne is a decent spot for students. Most people don't think of the city as a student town but there are some good opportunities for international students. The prices are high, but the city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that is fun to explore.

Is Bath or Lucerne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Bath and Lucerne.

Bath has some public transit options. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Lucerne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is Bath or Lucerne a more walkable city?

Bath is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Bath is a very easy spa town to get around on foot. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Lucerne is somewhat walkable. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

For even more information, also check out Is Bath Worth Visiting? and Is Lucerne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lucerne or Bath?

How long in Bath or Lucerne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bath and Lucerne. In our opinion, Bath has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bath than Lucerne. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bath than Lucerne 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 Bath.

One day in Bath or Lucerne?

In Bath, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This spa town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bath or Lucerne?

In Bath, you'll find food and shopping. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bath has to offer.

Lucerne 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 Bath or Lucerne?

Bath is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Lucerne. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bath or Lucerne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bath. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bath. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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.

The scenic city of Lucerne 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bath or Lucerne?

Bath has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Bath and Lucerne, 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.