A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Edinburgh or Lyon?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Lyon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming 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. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Lyon

Lyon is a historic, beautiful, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Lyon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Lyon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Edinburgh is better known for its theatre productions and music, while Lyon is more popular for its food, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

How is Edinburgh different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Edinburgh and Lyon.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lyon on the map. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Lyon Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Lyon is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Lyon is not a theatre destination.

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

Lyon is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Lyon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Lyon.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Lyon is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Edinburgh or Lyon Better for Music?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Both Edinburgh and Lyon have first-rate historic old towns worth visiting.

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

The old town of Lyon is one of the most recognized in 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Lyon?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and Lyon.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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 Edinburgh or Lyon Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Lyon are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Lyon is known to be 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 Edinburgh or Lyon Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Lyon are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Lyon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Edinburgh or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Lyon is a very popular city 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.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Lyon is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Lyon can take you anywhere. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Lyon a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Lyon?

In either Edinburgh or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Edinburgh has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Edinburgh than Lyon. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Lyon?

Edinburgh is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ancient destination of Edinburgh. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Edinburgh or Lyon?

The ancient city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Lyon is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and Lyon, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Lyon?

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 Edinburgh or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Lyon. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is much colder than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Lyon. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Lyon. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Edinburgh is much colder than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Lyon. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Edinburgh