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

Should you visit Dover or Lucerne?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dover and Lucerne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a stunning, natural, and breathtaking town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a active, cultural, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dover and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Lucerne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lucerne. Although Dover and Lucerne are popular destinations, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Dover attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Lucerne is more touristy than Dover and is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also well known for The Chapel Bridge. Dover is famous for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Dover different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dover or Lucerne?

Lucerne is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Lucerne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Dover is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Is the Food Better in Dover or Lucerne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dover and Lucerne both to be nice destinations.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Dover area. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Is Dover or Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

Lucerne offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Dover or Lucerne Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Dover does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Dover does not have a historic old town.

Is Dover or Lucerne Better for Hiking?

Dover is great for hiking. However, Lucerne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Dover for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Lucerne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dover or Lucerne?

Lucerne is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Lucerne. 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.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dover or Lucerne Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Dover or Lucerne.

Dover is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Lucerne is a family-friendly town. 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 Dover or Lucerne Better for Couples?

Both Dover and Lucerne are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Dover is a very popular place to visit for couples. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

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

Is Dover or Lucerne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dover is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Dover. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

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

Lucerne is very good for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Lucerne has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Dover or Lucerne a more walkable city?

Dover and Lucerne both are nice when exploring on foot.

Dover is a somewhat walkable town. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lucerne or Dover?

How long in Dover or Lucerne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dover and Lucerne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dover than in Lucerne. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dover, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lucerne.

Families should spend more time in Lucerne than Dover. 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 Dover. 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 Dover 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 Dover or Lucerne?

In Dover, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Lucerne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dover or Lucerne?

In Dover, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dover has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dover or Lucerne?

Dover is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dover or Lucerne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dover. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Dover. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Lucerne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dover or Lucerne?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dover. When comparing the sizes of Dover 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 Dover 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 Dover or Lucerne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dover as well as Lucerne. Many visitors come to Dover in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dover is cooler than Lucerne in the summer. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lucerne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dover this time of the year. In the summer, Dover often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in July than Lucerne. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Lucerne in the Autumn?

Both Lucerne and Dover are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dover for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lucerne during autumn. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dover usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dover or Lucerne in the Winter?

Both Lucerne and Dover during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Dover because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lucerne in the winter. The weather in Dover can be very cold. In January, Dover is generally a little warmer than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 4°C (40°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

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

Dover usually gets less rain in January than Lucerne. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Lucerne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Lucerne. The natural beauty are the main draw to Dover this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Dover is cooler than Lucerne in the spring. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Dover usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during spring. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dover usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lucerne and Dover