A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Debrecen vs. Zurich for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Debrecen or Zurich?

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

Should I visit Debrecen 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.

Where Should I go: Debrecen or Zurich?

Debrecen

Finding its beginning as a collection of agricultural villages, Debrecen has grown to become the second largest city in Hungary as well as the regional center for the Northern Great Plain region. Highlights include the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen, Hortobagy National Park, Deri Museum, and the Debrecen Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Hungary, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Hungary, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Debrecen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Debrecen is $66, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $268. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Debrecen and Zurich in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Debrecen $33
    Zurich $170
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Debrecen $66
    Zurich $340
Compare Hotels in Debrecen and Zurich

Looking for a hotel in Debrecen or Zurich? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Debrecen


Hotels in Zurich


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Debrecen Hotel Prices and Zurich Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Debrecen $11
    Zurich $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Debrecen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Debrecen:

  • Debrecen - Budapest Transfer: $167

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • Private Transfer From Hotel To Zurich Airport or Vice Versa: $56
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer Zurich Airport To/From Zurich: $65
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Vals Thermal Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $65
  • Noumea Cruise Port to Noumea hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $71
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Badenweiler Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $76
  • Private Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $76
  • From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel: $78
  • Private Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich in Business Car: $82
  • Private Transfer From Hotel in Zurich To Zurich Airport: $87
  • Private Transfer From Zurich Airport To Hotel in Zurich: $87
  • Private Zurich Transfer: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Debrecen or Zurich?

Prices for flights to both Zurich and Debrecen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Debrecen $23
    Zurich $62

Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $13

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Debrecen $17
    Zurich $36

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $5.47
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
  • Zurich Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
  • Fun adventure tour of Outdoor Escape Game: $8.54
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Zürich: Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Debrecen $9.24
    Zurich $29

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
  • eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Debrecen and Zurich, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Debrecen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Debrecen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Debrecen 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 Debrecen.

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


Which is Bigger, Debrecen or Zurich?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Debrecen. When comparing the sizes of Debrecen 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 Debrecen or Zurich?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Debrecen or Zurich in the Summer?

Both Zurich and Debrecen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Debrecen is generally around the same temperature as Zurich. Daily temperatures in Debrecen average around 20°C (68°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Zurich. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Debrecen. Debrecen usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during summer. Debrecen gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Debrecen usually receives less rain than Zurich. Debrecen gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Debrecen 20°C (68°F) 
    Zurich 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich and Debrecen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

Debrecen is cooler than Zurich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Debrecen averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Debrecen often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Debrecen gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets less rain in October than Zurich. Debrecen gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F) 
    Zurich 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Zurich in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Debrecen and Zurich. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. It's quite cold in Debrecen in the winter. In the winter, Debrecen is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Debrecen in January average around -2°C (28°F), and Zurich averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Debrecen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zurich during winter. Debrecen gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Debrecen usually receives less rain than Zurich. Debrecen gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Debrecen -2°C (28°F) 
    Zurich 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Debrecen or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Debrecen as well as Zurich. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Debrecen is generally around the same temperature as Zurich. Daily temperatures in Debrecen average around 11°C (52°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Debrecen often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Debrecen gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun.

Debrecen usually gets less rain in April than Zurich. Debrecen gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F) 
    Zurich 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Zurich and Debrecen

Debrecen Zurich
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (28°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)