Which place is cheaper, Lucerne or Ephesus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ephesus or Lucerne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Lucerne, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Ephesus or Lucerne?
Ephesus
The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).
Lucerne
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEphesus $143Lucerne $214
The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, while the average daily cost in Lucerne is $214. 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 Ephesus and Lucerne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEphesus $70Lucerne $137
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEphesus $140Lucerne $274
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Lucerne
Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Lucerne? 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.
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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Lucerne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ephesus $51Lucerne $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus
Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
- Private Transfer From Kusadasi to Pamukkale: $196
- Private Transfers From Kusadasi: $173
- Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
- Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $164
- Milas Bodrum Airport (BJV) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $140
- Kusadasi to Pamukkale Hotels Private Transfer: $136
- Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
- Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
- VIP Transfer Kusadasi From/To Bodrum Airport: $128
- Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $120
- Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- INTERLAKEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $744
- LAUTERBRUNNEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $722
- Private transfer from Zurich airport to Lucerne: $547
- Lucerne City to Zurich City One-Way Private Transfer : $300
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $284
- From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
- Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $257
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Bad Ragaz Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $251
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich English Speaking Driver: $134
- Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Lucerne?
Prices for flights to both Lucerne and Ephesus 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
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Food Meals for one dayEphesus $33Lucerne $62
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:
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Sandwiches$0.15
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Dessert$0.17
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Lunch at Beach (for 2)$0.59
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Snacks$0.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus
For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
- Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
- Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
- Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swiss Alps: Traditional Swiss Fondue Cooking Class: $82
- Lake Candlelight Dinner Cruise: $141
- From Zurich: 2-Day Mt.Titlis including 4-course dinner: $547
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ephesus $59Lucerne $34
Tours and Activities in Ephesus
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.
- Ephesus Half Day Small Group Tour: $40
- Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $130
- Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $76
- Ephesus Tour from Kusadası Port: $44
- Ephesus small groups Tour For Cruisers (skip the line): $100
- Ephesus tours Sirince Village from Kusadasi Port with lunch: $63
- Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $67
- Private Tour Ephesus for Cruise Guests : $250
- Private Tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary, and Artemis Temple From Cruise Ship/Hotel: $120
- Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $93
- "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $58
- "No Better Way to Explore History - Affordable Ephesus Tour": $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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1 Day Bicycle Rental$34
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The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee$35
Tours and Activities in Lucerne
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
- A Wonderful Christmas Tour in Lucerne: $275
- A Wonderful Christmas Tour in Lucerne: $534
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Luzern: $563
- Alpine Majesty:Luzern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $821
- Basel: Swiss Alps Glacier Express Train Ride & Lucerne Tour: $760
- Best of Lucerne Walking Photography Tour: $179
- Burgenstock Private Tour: Mt. Rigis & Lake of Lucerne Cruise: $585
- City tour plus Lucerne: $95
- Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $174
- Day Trip to Swiss Villages from Lucerne - Small Group tour by Car: $200
- Early morning tour: $213
- Exploring Lucerne with Friends: A Local Experience ❤: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEphesus $15Lucerne $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:
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Beer$0.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus
Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
- Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
- Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
- Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
- Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
- Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
- Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
- 3 Hour Unique Wine Tour - Half Day in Swiss Alps: $166
- Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $273
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Lucerne, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus 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 Ephesus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Lucerne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Lucerne?
Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Lucerne?
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 Ephesus or Lucerne in the Summer?
Both Lucerne and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Lucerne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Lucerne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Lucerne averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Lucerne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEphesus 27°C (81°F)Lucerne 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Lucerne in the Autumn?
Both Lucerne and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Lucerne. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEphesus 19°C (66°F)Lucerne 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Lucerne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Lucerne. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Lucerne can be very cold. Ephesus is much warmer than Lucerne in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Lucerne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
Ephesus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Lucerne. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEphesus 10°C (50°F)Lucerne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Ephesus or Lucerne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Lucerne. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.
In the spring, Ephesus is a little warmer than Lucerne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Lucerne averages at about 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun.
Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Lucerne. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEphesus 15°C (59°F)Lucerne 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Lucerne and Ephesus
| Ephesus | Lucerne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.