A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Strasbourg for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Geneva or Strasbourg?

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 Strasbourg. 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a charming, picturesque, and impressive city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Strasbourg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Strasbourg?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Geneva than Strasbourg. While Strasbourg is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Strasbourg is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Strasbourg is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. 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 Strasbourg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Geneva and Strasbourg have high quality 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.

Strasbourg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It is filled with grand monuments and historic landmarks. Many are concentrated in La Petite France and highlights include Strasbourg Cathedral, Barrage Vauban, Ponts Couverts, and Église Saint-Thomas.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Strasbourg can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Strasbourg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The cuisine combines French and German flavors for rich and hearty flavors. Popular dishes include Tarte Flambée, Alsatian Sausages, and Baeckeoffe (meat and vegetable stew). Also make sure you sample the Sauerkraut, munster cheese, and Reisling wine.

Is Geneva or Strasbourg Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg has a few options to choose from. It's most famous for its monuments and charm, but the city also has plenty to do at night. The liveliest areas are The Krutenau (for students and tourists alike), The Grande-île, and La Petite France.

Is Geneva or Strasbourg Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg 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, Strasbourg offers plenty to see. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Strasbourg?

Geneva is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Geneva. 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.

Strasbourg is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city center is filled with pedestrian shopping streets and boutique stores. For some of the best shopping make sure you check out the main thoroughfare of Grand'Rue. If you want to pick up some trinkets or souvenirs, head to Place de la Cathédrale, and for department store shopping head to Galeries Lafayette Strasbourg.

Is Geneva or Strasbourg Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Strasbourg 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.

Strasbourg offers lots of family activities. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to Zoo de l’Orangerie or La Montagne des Singes. If the kids need to stretch their legs you can head to Deux-Rives Garden or on a rainy day check out Planetarium De Strasbourg or the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.

Is Geneva or Strasbourg Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Strasbourg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the region and it is filled with romance. There is beautiful architecture, romantic restaurants, wine tours, and flower filled parks. The scenic squares and grand cathedrals offer a truly perfect couples getaway.

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 Strasbourg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Strasbourg. The city has a handful of hostels that offer affordable accommodation for those on a shoestring budget.

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 Strasbourg Better for Students?

Geneva is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Geneva is very popular with students. 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.

Strasbourg is a good city to visit for students. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

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

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

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

Public transit in Strasbourg can get you to some places easily. The city has six tramlines and a number of bus routes.

Is Geneva or Strasbourg a more walkable city?

Geneva and Strasbourg both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Strasbourg is a very walkable city. One of the best ways to explore the city is on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Strasbourg or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Strasbourg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Geneva and Strasbourg. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-3 days is enough time in Strasbourg.

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

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

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

One day in Geneva or Strasbourg?

When visiting Geneva, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Geneva, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Strasbourg. 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.

A weekend in Geneva or Strasbourg?

When visiting Geneva, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg?

Geneva, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Strasbourg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Strasbourg?

Geneva is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Strasbourg. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Strasbourg, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Strasbourg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Strasbourg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Strasbourg?

Strasbourg has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Strasbourg, 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 Strasbourg?

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 Strasbourg in the Summer?

Both Strasbourg and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Strasbourg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Strasbourg in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Strasbourg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Strasbourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Strasbourg. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 240 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Strasbourg. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Strasbourg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Strasbourg. Many visitors come to Geneva in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Strasbourg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Geneva is a little warmer than Strasbourg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Strasbourg averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Strasbourg during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than Strasbourg. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Strasbourg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Strasbourg. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Strasbourg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Strasbourg can be very cold. Geneva can be very cold during winter. In January, Geneva is generally much warmer than Strasbourg. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Strasbourg fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Strasbourg. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in January than Strasbourg. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Strasbourg in the Spring?

Both Strasbourg and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Strasbourg this time of year.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Strasbourg in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Strasbourg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Strasbourg during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Strasbourg. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Strasbourg and Geneva