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

Should you visit Geneva or Linz?

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 Linz. 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. 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Linz

Linz is a historic, beautiful, and cultural town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Geneva and Linz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Linz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva. Although Geneva and Linz are about the same size, Geneva has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Geneva is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Linz attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Linz is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. 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 Linz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Geneva and Linz have very good 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.

Linz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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

Geneva is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Geneva. 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.

Linz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Geneva or Linz Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Geneva or Linz Better for its Old Town?

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

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 Linz. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Linz?

Geneva is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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 Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

Is Geneva or Linz Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Linz 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.

Linz offers lots of family activities. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Is Geneva or Linz Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Linz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums 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 Linz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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 Linz Better for Students?

Geneva is a well-known place for students. However, Linz is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Geneva is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Linz has some public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Geneva or Linz a more walkable city?

Geneva and Linz both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Linz is a very walkable city. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Linz or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Linz?

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

Families should spend more time in Geneva than Linz. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Geneva than Linz 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 Linz?

Geneva is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

A weekend in Geneva or Linz?

Geneva is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Linz 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 Linz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the professional big city of Geneva. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

The classy city of Geneva offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Linz. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Linz?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Linz. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Linz, 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 Linz?

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 Linz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Linz. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Linz because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Linz this time of the year. In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Linz during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives less rain than Linz. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Linz receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Linz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Linz. The autumn months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Linz this time of year.

In October, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Linz. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Linz fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Linz. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 129 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in October than Linz. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Linz receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Linz in the Winter?

Both Linz and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Linz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Linz. It's quite cold in Geneva in the winter. Geneva is much warmer than Linz in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Linz fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Linz during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives more rain than Linz. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Linz receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Linz in the Spring?

Both Linz and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Linz in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Geneva is around the same temperature as Linz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Linz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Linz. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Linz. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Linz receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Linz and Geneva