A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Bordeaux for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Geneva or Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux. 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 professional, classy, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a romantic, historical, and elegant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Bordeaux?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Geneva than Bordeaux. While Bordeaux is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Bordeaux attracts visitors for its food and impressive beauty. Bordeaux is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Geneva is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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 Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Bordeaux has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Geneva or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the nice old town areas in both Geneva and Bordeaux.

Many visitors go to Geneva to see the historical old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bordeaux. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Bordeaux?

Geneva is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Geneva make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Is Geneva or Bordeaux Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Bordeaux are nice 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Geneva or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

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 Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

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 Bordeaux Better for Students?

Geneva and Bordeaux are superb places to visit for 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.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

Geneva is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Geneva can get you around easily. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bordeaux. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Is Geneva or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Geneva and Bordeaux both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Bordeaux?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux.

One day in Geneva or Bordeaux?

Geneva is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bordeaux. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Bordeaux?

Geneva is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Geneva, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Bordeaux?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Geneva or Bordeaux?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Bordeaux. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Geneva or Bordeaux in the Summer?

Both Bordeaux and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Bordeaux. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bordeaux during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Bordeaux. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in October than Bordeaux. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Bordeaux in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Bordeaux. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Geneva is much colder than Bordeaux in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bordeaux receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Bordeaux. Most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in April than Bordeaux. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Geneva