A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. Lille for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Frankfurt or Lille?

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 Frankfurt and Lille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Frankfurt and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt than Lille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Frankfurt is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Lille is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also home to The Old Town Center. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Frankfurt or Lille?

Frankfurt is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is the Food Better in Frankfurt or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Frankfurt or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Both Frankfurt and Lille have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Frankfurt has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

The people in Lille know how to have a good time. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Frankfurt or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Lille?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Lille specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Frankfurt or Lille Better for Families?

Frankfurt is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Frankfurt or Lille Better for Couples?

Both Frankfurt and Lille are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Lille is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Frankfurt or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is notable for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Frankfurt is a great city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Frankfurt or Lille Better for Students?

Frankfurt is very popular for students. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Students come from all over to stay in Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Is Frankfurt or Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Frankfurt is very popular for its public transit. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Lille offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is Frankfurt or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Lille. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Frankfurt and Lille. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Frankfurt than Lille. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Frankfurt than Lille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Frankfurt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt than Lille 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Frankfurt or Lille?

Each neighborhood in Frankfurt has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Lille. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lille has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the friendly destination of Lille. 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 Frankfurt or Lille?

Frankfurt is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Frankfurt. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Lille. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Frankfurt or Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the connected big city of Frankfurt. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Lille, we can see that Frankfurt is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Lille?

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

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 Frankfurt or Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Lille. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Frankfurt is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 19°C (67°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In the summer, Frankfurt often gets more sunshine than Lille. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lille. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Frankfurt is cooler than Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Lille. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Frankfurt during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Frankfurt is much colder than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Frankfurt in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Lille. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Lille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Lille. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

In April, Frankfurt is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 10°C (50°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than Lille. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Frankfurt