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

Should you visit Geneva or Dijon?

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 Dijon. 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 diverse, international, and professional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dijon

Dijon is a culinary, relaxing, and historical city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Dijon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva than Dijon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Geneva is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Dijon is known for its food. Dijon is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Geneva and Dijon have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. 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.

Dijon offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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

Dijon 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 Dijon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

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 Dijon Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Dijon 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 Dijon has a few options to choose from. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is Geneva or Dijon Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Dijon does not have a historic old town.

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.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Dijon?

Geneva is terrific for shopping. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dijon. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Geneva or Dijon Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Dijon are good 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.

Dijon offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Geneva or Dijon Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Dijon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

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 Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

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 Dijon Better for Students?

Geneva is notable for students. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Plenty of students visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

Geneva is terrific for its public transit. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Geneva can take you anywhere. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Dijon has some public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Geneva or Dijon a more walkable city?

Geneva is notable for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Dijon?

It's fun to spend time in either Geneva or Dijon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dijon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dijon.

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

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

One day in Geneva or Dijon?

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

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

A weekend in Geneva or Dijon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. 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.

Dijon 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 Dijon?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dijon. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Dijon?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back destination of Dijon. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Dijon, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Dijon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dijon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dijon 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 Dijon.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Dijon?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Dijon. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Dijon, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Dijon. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dijon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Dijon in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dijon this time of the year. In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Dijon. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Dijon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Dijon. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Dijon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Geneva is around the same temperature as Dijon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Dijon averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 121 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in October than Dijon. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Dijon in the Winter?

Both Dijon and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dijon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dijon can be very cold during winter. Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Dijon during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Dijon. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Dijon in the Spring?

Both Dijon and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. 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 Dijon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Dijon in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 178 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Dijon. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dijon and Geneva