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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lyon

Lyon is a historic, beautiful, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lyon is more touristy than Galway and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also well known for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lyon that are not to be missed. 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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Galway and Lyon.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Lyon has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Galway or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Lyon?

Lyon is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Galway or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Galway and Lyon are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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

Is Galway or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Lyon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Lyon a more walkable city?

Galway and Lyon both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Lyon is a very walkable city. 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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Galway?

How long in Galway or Lyon?

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

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Galway. 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 Galway. 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 Galway 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 Galway or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Galway. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Galway or Lyon?

Galway 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.

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Galway or Lyon?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Galway or Lyon?

The historical city of Galway 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint big city of Lyon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Galway and Lyon, we can see that Galway 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 Galway Expensive? and Is Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway or Lyon?

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 Galway or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Lyon. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives less rain than Lyon. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Galway during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, 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 October, Galway is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Lyon. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Lyon. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. Galway is a little warmer than Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Galway usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives more rain than Lyon. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as Lyon. Many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Lyon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Galway