Which place is cheaper, Florence or Geneva?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Florence. 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 is a classy, diverse, and international 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Florence is a artistic, iconic, and alluring city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Florence than Geneva. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Florence is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Geneva attracts visitors for its shopping and big city activities. Florence is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens. It is also well known for The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore). Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Florence and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Florence 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 Florence that are not to be missed. Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.
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.
Florence 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 Florence, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean bed and cabbage soup.
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.
It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Florence 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 Florence has a few options to choose from. You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.
Florence 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, Florence offers plenty to see. The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.
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.
Geneva is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its 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.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Florence. There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.
Both Geneva and Florence 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.
Florence offers lots of family activities. Most famous for its art and history, the city also has a number of activities that kids will enjoy. There's a carousel and a park that are perfect to let the little ones run around. There are a few kid-friendly museums, as well as a historic city center that will mesmerize the old and young alike.
Florence is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
Florence is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Art and history lovers will enjoy a visit to this truly beautiful city. Couples who enjoy museums, historic buildings, and world-renowned art, will find plenty to do in this city.
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.
Florence is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Florence is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is part of a popular route through Italy, and you'll find many backpackers and students in town. There are also many hostels, so you should have no trouble meeting other young travelers.
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.
Florence is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Florence is a very popular place to visit for students. Many students visit this city as part of a short term study abroad program, or for the entire length of their studies. The city is beautiful, and whether your focus is art, history, or culture, this city will not disappoint.
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.
Geneva is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.
Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.
Florence has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system.
Florence 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 Florence on foot is easy. Most people explore the city 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 Florence Worth Visiting?.
Both Geneva and Florence have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Florence than in Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-7 days is enough time in Florence.
Families should spend more time in Florence than Geneva. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Florence, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Florence than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Florence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Florence 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 Florence.
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 Florence. 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.
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.
Florence 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.
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 Florence. 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.
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.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the iconic destination of Florence. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Geneva is $213, while the average daily cost in Florence is $167. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Geneva and Florence in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Geneva or Florence? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Florence and Geneva change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Florence, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Florence much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Florence would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florence 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 Florence.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Florence Expensive?.
Florence has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Florence, 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.
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.
Both Florence and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Geneva is cooler than Florence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Florence averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In Florence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Florence. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets more rain in July than Florence. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Florence. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Florence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Geneva is generally cooler than Florence. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Florence during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than Florence. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Florence. The winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
The weather in Geneva can be very cold. Geneva is much colder than Florence in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Florence. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun.
Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Florence. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Florence and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Florence for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Geneva is cooler than Florence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Florence averages at about 14°C (57°F).
Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Florence during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Geneva usually receives less rain than Florence. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Geneva | Florence | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |