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

Should you visit Christchurch or Zurich?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Zurich? 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.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Christchurch and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Zurich?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zurich than Christchurch, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zurich is better known for its music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Christchurch is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Zurich is more touristy than Christchurch and is known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Also, Zurich is famous for The Grossmünster. Christchurch is well known for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere.

How is Christchurch different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Christchurch and Zurich.

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Many visitors head to Zurich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Christchurch and Zurich.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

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.

Is Christchurch or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Christchurch and Zurich.

Christchurch is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

Many people head to Zurich for the nightlife scene. 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 Christchurch or Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is well known for its live music scene. However, Christchurch is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Zurich. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Christchurch is not a live music destination.

Is Christchurch or Zurich Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Christchurch for it's beautiful beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is terrific for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Zurich has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Zurich Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Christchurch is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Zurich?

Zurich is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Zurich make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Is Christchurch or Zurich Better for Families?

Christchurch is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Christchurch is very family-friendly. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. 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 Christchurch or Zurich Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Christchurch and Zurich make for a superb place to visit.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

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.

Is Christchurch or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch 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.

Christchurch is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

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 Christchurch or Zurich Better for Students?

Zurich is terrific for students. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Christchurch is very popular with students. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

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

Zurich is well known for its public transit. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Christchurch or Zurich a more walkable city?

Christchurch and Zurich both are superb when exploring on foot.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. 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 Christchurch Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Zurich?

In either Christchurch or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than Christchurch because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.

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

Couples should spend more time in Zurich than Christchurch. 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

One day in Christchurch or Zurich?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Christchurch. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Zurich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Christchurch or Zurich?

Christchurch 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 fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Christchurch or Zurich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

In Zurich, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this historic destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Christchurch or Zurich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Christchurch. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Zurich is a popular place to visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, 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 Christchurch and Zurich, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Zurich?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Zurich?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Zurich in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Zurich. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Christchurch is cooler than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zurich during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Zurichin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Zurich in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Zurich. The autumn months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

In the autumn, Christchurch is around the same temperature as Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Christchurch in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F)in October.

In the autumn, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Zurichin October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Zurichin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Zurich in the Winter?

Both Zurich and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In July, Christchurch is generally much warmer than Zurichin January. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 6°C (43°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Zurichin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Zurich in the Spring?

Both Zurich and Christchurch during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.

Christchurch is around the same temperature as Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the spring, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Zurichin April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Zurichin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Christchurch