A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Birmingham vs. Lucerne for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Birmingham 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 Birmingham and Lucerne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Lucerne?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lucerne than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lucerne is better known for its historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Lucerne is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Also, Lucerne is famous for The Chapel Bridge. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Birmingham different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Birmingham or Lucerne.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lucerne can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Birmingham or Lucerne Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for its shows and theatre. However, Lucerne is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Lucerne is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Lucerne can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

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 Birmingham or Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Birmingham and Lucerne.

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Lucerne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Birmingham or Lucerne Better for Music?

Birmingham is very popular for its music scene. However, Lucerne is not a live music destination.

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Lucerne is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Lucerne Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is great for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Lucerne?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Lucerne both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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 Birmingham or Lucerne Better for Families?

Birmingham is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Birmingham. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Lucerne is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Birmingham or Lucerne Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Lucerne are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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 Birmingham or Lucerne Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

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

Birmingham and Lucerne both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Lucerne has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is Birmingham or Lucerne a more walkable city?

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

Birmingham is a very walkable destination. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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 Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is Lucerne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lucerne or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Lucerne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Lucerne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Lucerne. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lucerne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Birmingham 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 Birmingham.

One day in Birmingham or Lucerne?

In Birmingham, you'll find food and shopping. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Lucerne, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lucerne, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Lucerne?

In Birmingham, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Lucerne, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Lucerne?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Lucerne, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Lucerne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Birmingham. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Lucerne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 Birmingham and Lucerne, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Birmingham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Birmingham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Birmingham 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 Birmingham.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Lucerne?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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.

When is the best time to visit Birmingham or Lucerne?

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 Birmingham or Lucerne in the Summer?

Both Lucerne and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Birmingham is generally cooler than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Lucerne. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Lucerne in the Autumn?

Both Lucerne and Birmingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Birmingham is cooler than Lucerne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Lucerne. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Lucerne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Lucerne. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lucerne in the winter. The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. In the winter, Birmingham is a little warmer than Lucerne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Lucerne averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lucerne during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Lucerne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Lucerne. Also, many travelers come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Birmingham is generally cooler than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Lucerne. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lucerne and Birmingham