A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Zurich for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Brisbane or Zurich?

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 Brisbane and Zurich can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a cultural, active, and relaxed coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Brisbane and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Zurich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Zurich, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brisbane is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Zurich is known for its food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Zurich is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre.

How is Brisbane different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brisbane or Zurich?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Zurich and Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Zurich can be an interesting and educational experience. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Is the Food Better in Brisbane or Zurich? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zurich is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Brisbane and Zurich.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Zurich has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is great for its music scene. However, Brisbane is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich draws a good crowd. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is a well-known place for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Zurich?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.

Many people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Brisbane is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Brisbane or Zurich.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Zurich is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Couples?

Zurich is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Zurich is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brisbane is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Students?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit as a student. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Is Brisbane or Zurich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zurich is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.

The public transit in Zurich can get you to most places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Brisbane or Zurich a more walkable city?

Brisbane and Zurich are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

Zurich is very walkable. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Brisbane Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Zurich?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Brisbane than Zurich 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 Brisbane.

One day in Brisbane or Zurich?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Brisbane. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Zurich offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brisbane or Zurich?

Brisbane is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Zurich is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Zurich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Zurich is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brisbane or Zurich?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Brisbane. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Zurich?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane and Zurich, 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 Brisbane or Zurich?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zurich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Brisbane or Zurich in the Summer?

Both Zurich and Brisbane during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Brisbane is generally a little warmer than Zurichin July. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the summer, Brisbane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zurichin July. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Zurichin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Zurich in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Zurich. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Brisbane is much warmer than Zurich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F)in October.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Zurichin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Zurich in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Zurich. The winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Zurich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Zurich averages at about 3°C (37°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the winter, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Zurichin January. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets less rain in July than Zurichin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Zurich in the Spring?

Both Zurich and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.

In October, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Zurichin April. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Zurichin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Brisbane