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

Should you visit Cardiff or Lucerne?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Lucerne? 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a scenic, active, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Lucerne?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than Cardiff. While Cardiff is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is more touristy than Cardiff and is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also home to The Chapel Bridge. Cardiff is popular for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Cardiff different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lucerne 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 Lucerne?

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

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

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 Lucerne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lucerne is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

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 Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Lucerne know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is Cardiff or Lucerne Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Lucerne?

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

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.

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 Lucerne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cardiff or Lucerne.

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.

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

Lucerne is a great destination for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Couples visit Lucerne frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

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 Lucerne Better for Students?

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

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

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

Lucerne 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 Lucerne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

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

Is Cardiff or Lucerne a more walkable city?

Cardiff and Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is a somewhat walkable city. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

Should I spend more time in Lucerne or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Lucerne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cardiff and Lucerne. In our opinion, Lucerne has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lucerne than Cardiff. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Cardiff or Lucerne?

In Cardiff, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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.

In Lucerne, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Lucerne?

In Cardiff, you'll find nightlife 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 Cardiff has to offer.

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

Five days in Cardiff or Lucerne?

Cardiff 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.

Lucerne is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Lucerne?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lucerne. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Cardiff and Lucerne, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Lucerne?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Lucerne?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cardiff or Lucerne in the Summer?

Both Lucerne and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cardiff is cooler than Lucerne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Lucerne averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Lucerne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cardiff. In the summer, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets less rain in July than Lucerne. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Lucerne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Lucerne. The autumn months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.

In October, Cardiff is generally cooler than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Lucerne. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cardiff or Lucerne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Lucerne. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lucerne. It's quite cold in Cardiff in the winter. Cardiff is a little warmer than Lucerne in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Lucerne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Cardiff often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lucerne. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in January than Lucerne. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Lucerne in the Spring?

Both Lucerne and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Lucerne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cardiff is cooler than Lucerne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Lucerne averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Cardiff usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lucerne and Cardiff