A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beirut vs. Lyon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Beirut or Lyon?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Lyon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Beirut or Lyon?

Beirut

Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lyon or Beirut?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Lyon is $134. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Beirut and Lyon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Beirut $1.26
    Lyon $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Beirut $2.52
    Lyon $114
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Lyon

Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Lyon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Beirut


Hotels in Lyon


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Beirut Hotel Prices and Lyon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Beirut $0.44
    Lyon $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut

Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
  • Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
  • BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
  • Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
  • Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
  • Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
  • Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
  • Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46
  • Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
  • Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:


  • Funiculaire
    $5.57
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Transfer Privé Lyon saint exupery airport to lyon : $120
  • Superior Private Transfer From Lyon City to Geneva City: $297
  • Private transfer from or to Lyon train stations - Lyon city by car or luxury van: $47
  • Private Transfer: Saint Exupéry Airport(LYS) to Lyon City Center: $52
  • Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Sedan Car: $98
  • Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $103
  • Private Transfer: Lyon to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS): $125
  • Private Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $103
  • Private Transfer: Lyon City Center to Saint Exupéry Airport(LYS): $52
  • Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Luxury Van: $103
  • Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $98
  • Private Transfer: (LYS) Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to Lyon: $124

Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Lyon?

Prices for flights to both Lyon and Beirut change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Beirut $0.71
    Lyon $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut

For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
  • Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
  • Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
  • Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
  • Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142

Typical Food Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:


  • Pastry
    $1.82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.

  • Street Food Tour: $65
  • Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $65
  • Lyon Street Food Tour : $66
  • 3h Lyon Vegan Food Tour: $66
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $67
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $77
  • Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $81
  • Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
  • Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
  • Old Town Food Tour: $97
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
  • Guided Evening Food Tour: $102

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Beirut $0.26
    Lyon $22

Tours and Activities in Beirut

For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Uncover Beirut's Divided Past: In-App Audio Tour: $11
  • Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
  • Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $15
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $34
  • Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
  • Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
  • Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
  • From Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $50
  • Full-Day Private Tour to Sidon, Tyre and Maghdouche: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    $48

Tours and Activities in Lyon

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:

  • 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab tour of Lyon: $27
  • 1-hour tourist walk with guide: $38
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.77
  • Alternative Tour: Murals and Hidden Frescoes of Lyon: $46
  • An unusual city tour with sketches: $65
  • Audio-Guided Tour of the United States Quarter and Painted Walls: $11
  • Audio-guided tour of Old Lyon: $11
  • Audio-guided tour of the Fourvière and the Sacred Hill: $11
  • Beaujolais Wine Discovery - Private Tour - Half Day: $253
  • Beaujolais Wines & Castles - Private Tour - Half Day: $269
  • Best Intro Tour of Lyon with a Local: $142
  • Cheese and Wine Accord Tour at Château de Champ-Renard: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Beirut $0.23
    Lyon $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut

Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir : $50
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
  • Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
  • Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
  • Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
  • Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $69
  • From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
  • Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
  • Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $103
  • Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    $7.29
  • Bottle of Wine
    $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Beaujolais Segway Tour with Wine Tasting: $65
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
  • Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $99
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
  • From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $107
  • Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $107
  • Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $107
  • From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $107
  • Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $107
  • Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $108
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $109
  • Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $109


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Lyon, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.

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


Which is Bigger, Beirut or Lyon?

Beirut has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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 Beirut or Lyon?

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

Should I visit Beirut or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Lyon. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Beirut is a little warmer than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beirut this time of the year. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Beirut 27°C (81°F) 
    Lyon 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Beirut is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beirut usually receives less rain than Lyon. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Beirut 25°C (77°F) 
    Lyon 14°C (56°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Beirut during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. In January, Beirut is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Beirut 13°C (55°F) 
    Lyon 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Beirut or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Beirut is a little warmer than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beirut usually receives less rain than Lyon. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Beirut 17°C (63°F) 
    Lyon 11°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lyon and Beirut

Beirut Lyon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)