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

Should you visit Cardiff or Lausanne?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Lausanne? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a up-and-coming, green, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff and Lausanne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Lausanne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cardiff than Lausanne, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cardiff is more popular for its big city activities, while Lausanne is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Cardiff is more touristy than Lausanne and is known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. It is also home to The Cardiff Castle. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Cardiff different from Lausanne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lausanne is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Lausanne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cardiff. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

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

Lausanne is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Lausanne. 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.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Lausanne Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Lausanne has a better nightlife scene.

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

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 Cardiff or Lausanne Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne is a popular place for its old town. However, Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Lausanne to see the old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Lausanne?

Lausanne is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Lausanne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Cardiff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Is Cardiff or Lausanne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cardiff or Lausanne.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cardiff. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Lausanne offers lots of family activities. 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 Cardiff or Lausanne Better for Couples?

Lausanne is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Lausanne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Lausanne Better for Students?

Lausanne is a great destination for students. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Lausanne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

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

Lausanne is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Lausanne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Lausanne a more walkable city?

Cardiff and Lausanne both are good when exploring on foot.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable place. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lausanne or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Lausanne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cardiff or Lausanne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cardiff 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 Cardiff, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lausanne.

Families should spend more time in Lausanne than Cardiff. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lausanne than Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Lausanne?

The city of Cardiff offers nightlife 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 Cardiff or Lausanne?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff, 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 Cardiff or Lausanne?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Lausanne?

Cardiff 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus 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 Cardiff and Lausanne, we can see that Lausanne is more expensive. And not only is Cardiff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cardiff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cardiff 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 Cardiff.

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Lausanne?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lausanne. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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.