A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dubai or Lyon?

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 Dubai and Lyon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Lyon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai than Lyon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dubai is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Lyon is known for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Lyon is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Lyon is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Lyon?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lyon has many famous sights for visitors. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dubai makes for a great culinary experience. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Dubai has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Music?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Dubai The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Resorts?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

Dubai offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Dubai has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Dubai does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Lyon is revered around the world. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Lyon?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Dubai make it a world-class shopping destination. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Lyon.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Lyon is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is a great city for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Students?

For students, both Dubai and Lyon are terrific places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Is Dubai or Lyon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lyon is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Lyon can get you around easily. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Lyon?

In either Dubai or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dubai than Lyon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Dubai 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 Lyon.

One day in Dubai or Lyon?

Dubai is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Lyon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Lyon?

Dubai is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. 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 Dubai or Lyon?

Dubai is a modern big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Lyon is a fun place to experience. In Lyon, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this quaint big city offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Lyon?

Dubai is a opulent city where you can fill many days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural big city of Lyon. 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 from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Lyon?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Lyon, 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 Dubai or Lyon?

Lyon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Dubai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Lyon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Dubai is much warmer than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Lyon. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dubai or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Lyon. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Lyon. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March in Dubai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Dubai or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Lyon. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Dubai