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

Should you visit Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt and Lyon 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.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Lyon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lyon than Frankfurt. While Frankfurt is larger than Lyon, Lyon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lyon is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Frankfurt different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lyon 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 Lyon?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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 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.

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

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

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, 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 Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Both Frankfurt and Lyon 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 Lyon know how to have a good time. 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 Frankfurt or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Lyon offers plenty to see. 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.

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 Lyon?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Frankfurt and Lyon.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. 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.

Lyon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Frankfurt or Lyon Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. 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.

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 Frankfurt or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Frankfurt or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt and Lyon are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Frankfurt or Lyon Better for Students?

Both Frankfurt and Lyon are terrific destinations for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Frankfurt. 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.

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

Visitors will find terrific public transit in both Frankfurt and Lyon.

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. 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.

Lyon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Is Frankfurt or Lyon a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Lyon are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Lyon is very walkable. 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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Lyon?

In either Frankfurt or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Frankfurt because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

Couples should spend more time in Lyon than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Lyon?

Frankfurt is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Lyon. 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 Frankfurt or Lyon?

Frankfurt is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint big city of Lyon. 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 Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the connected big city of Frankfurt. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the quaint city of Lyon. 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 Frankfurt or Lyon?

The diverse city of Frankfurt offers nightlife and food. 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 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 Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Lyon?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Lyon in the Summer?

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

In July, Frankfurt is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 19°C (67°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In the summer, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lyon. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon 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 Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Frankfurt is cooler than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Frankfurt or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can be very cold during winter. Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Frankfurt is much colder than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Frankfurt in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in January than Lyon. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Lyon in the Spring?

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

In April, Frankfurt is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 10°C (50°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon during spring. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Lyon. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Frankfurt