A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bristol vs. Lausanne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Bristol or Lausanne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bristol and Lausanne can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bristol

Bristol is a authentic, historic, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a vibrant, cultural, and international city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bristol and Lausanne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bristol or Lausanne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bristol than Lausanne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bristol is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Lausanne attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Bristol is more touristy than Lausanne and is popular for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies. It is also well known for The Bristol Harbour. Lausanne is famous for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Bristol different from Lausanne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bristol or Lausanne?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Lausanne and Bristol.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bristol. The city has some great museums and landmarks such as the SS Great Britain, M Shed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Cabot Tower.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lausanne. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

Is the Food Better in Bristol or Lausanne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Lausanne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

Bristol offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the classic British specialties such as bangers and mash or fish and chips. There are many restaurants, markets, and pubs where you can grab a relaxing meal and enjoy the British ambiance.

Is Bristol or Lausanne Better for Nightlife?

Bristol is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Bristol is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and inclusive. There are huge clubs that host well known DJs. There is also an underground music scene as well as local bars and even traditional speakeasies. Whether your interest is live jazz or upscale cocktail bars, there really is something for everyone.

If you're looking for night time activities Lausanne has a few options to choose from. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

Is Bristol or Lausanne Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Lausanne has an old town worth visiting. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bristol or Lausanne?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bristol. Head to Clifton Village for the most upscale boutiques or the Bristol Shopping Quarter for a diversity of budgets and brands. Gloucester Street is famous for its independent shops or there are the student neighborhoods of Park Street and the Triangle which have a number of trendy shops.

Lausanne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Is Bristol or Lausanne Better for Families?

Both Bristol and Lausanne are nice to visit with kids.

Bristol offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of kid-friendly museums, activities, and playgrounds. For museums, check out the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the M Shed, or Aerospace Bristol. There are also boat rides and the Bristol Aquarium among other unique activities.

Lausanne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

Is Bristol or Lausanne Better for Couples?

Both Bristol and Lausanne are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Bristol is a good city for couples to visit. There are romantic restaurants, fun bars, and unique museums that make for a variety of different date options.

Lausanne is a nice destination for couples. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Is Bristol or Lausanne Better for Students?

Lausanne is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Lausanne. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

Bristol is a good city to visit for students. It's a small and friendly city with enough diversity that it stays interesting and dynamic.

Is Bristol or Lausanne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bristol and Lausanne both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Bristol offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Metrobus serves the greater Bristol area.

Lausanne has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Is Bristol or Lausanne a more walkable city?

Bristol is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Bristol is a very walkable destination. The city center is well designed for walking.

Lausanne is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bristol Worth Visiting? and Is Lausanne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lausanne or Bristol?

How long in Bristol or Lausanne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bristol or Lausanne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bristol than Lausanne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bristol, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lausanne.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lausanne than Bristol 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 Lausanne.

One day in Bristol or Lausanne?

The city of Bristol offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Lausanne, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Bristol or Lausanne?

Bristol 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bristol, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Lausanne, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lausanne has to offer.

Five days in Bristol or Lausanne?

Bristol is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lausanne is a great place to explore. 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.

A week in Bristol or Lausanne?

Bristol is a great place to explore. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lausanne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lausanne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bristol or Lausanne?

Bristol has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lausanne. When comparing the sizes of Bristol and Lausanne, 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.