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

Should you visit Geneva or Giverny?

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 Giverny. 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 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.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food and museums.

Geneva and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Giverny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva. Although Geneva and Giverny are popular destinations, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. 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 Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Geneva and Giverny 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.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Geneva is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Geneva or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Geneva or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Giverny?

Geneva is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Geneva or Giverny Better for Families?

Geneva is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Geneva or Giverny Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

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 Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

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 Giverny Better for Students?

Geneva is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

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.

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

Geneva is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Geneva is top-notch. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Geneva or Giverny a more walkable city?

Geneva is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Geneva or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Geneva than Giverny 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 Giverny.

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

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

One day in Geneva or Giverny?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Giverny. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Giverny?

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.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny. 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 Giverny?

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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Giverny. This town 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Giverny?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is around the same temperature as Giverny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Giverny averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Giverny, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Giverny. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Giverny. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Giverny. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Giverny in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than Giverny. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Giverny. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Giverny can be very cold during winter. Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Geneva is cooler than Giverny in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Giverny. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Giverny because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as Giverny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Giverny averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Giverny. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Geneva