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

Should you visit Geneva or Avignon?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Avignon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon

Avignon is a quaint, charming, and scenic town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Geneva and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Avignon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Geneva than Avignon. Geneva is bigger than Avignon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Geneva is better known for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Avignon is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Avignon?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Avignon that are not to be missed. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Geneva or Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Geneva. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Geneva or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Avignon offers plenty to see. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Avignon?

Geneva is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Geneva specifically to go shopping. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Geneva or Avignon Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Avignon are notable family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Avignon offers lots of family activities. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Geneva or Avignon Better for Couples?

Avignon is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Avignon Better for Students?

Geneva is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Geneva or Avignon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Geneva or Avignon a more walkable city?

Avignon is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Avignon on foot is easy. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Geneva or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Geneva than Avignon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 1-2 days is enough time in Avignon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Avignon than Geneva 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 Avignon.

One day in Geneva or Avignon?

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Avignon?

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva has to offer.

Avignon 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 Geneva or Avignon?

Geneva is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Geneva. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Avignon, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Geneva much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Geneva would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Geneva 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Geneva.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Avignon?

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

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 Geneva or Avignon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Avignon. The summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

In July, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Avignon. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 22°C (71°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Geneva this time of the year. In the summer, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in July than Avignon. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Avignon in the Autumn?

Both Avignon and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Geneva is cooler than Avignon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Avignon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Avignon. In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than Avignon. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Avignon in the Winter?

Both Avignon and Geneva during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Avignon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. In the winter, Geneva is much colder than Avignon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Geneva in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Avignon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Avignon. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Avignon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Avignon. Many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Geneva is generally cooler than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 11°C (53°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Avignon. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Geneva