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

Should you visit Geneva or Tromso?

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 Tromso. 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tromso

Tromso is a spectacular, remote, and one-of-a-kind town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Geneva and Tromso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Tromso?

You'll generally find more things to do in Geneva than Tromso. Geneva is bigger than Tromso, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Geneva is better known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Tromso is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Tromso is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its stunning nature, beautiful Arctic landscape, and breathtaking fjords. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Tromso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Geneva is a great city for its historical sights. However, Tromso does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Tromso does not have museums and landmarks. You can learn about everything having to do with the Arctic at the museum, Polaria. There's also the the Polar Museum, the Arctic Cathedral, and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Tromso 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.

Tromso has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Fish is the staple around town and you'll find local seasonal fish dishes. There are also modern restaurants that serve international cuisines or trendy options.

Is Geneva or Tromso Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Tromso 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 Tromso has a few options to choose from. There's a good nightlife scene with many bars and clubs that are popular with locals and tourists alike.

Is Geneva or Tromso Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Tromso does not have a historic old town.

Geneva has an old town worth visiting. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Tromso does not have a historic old town.

Is Geneva or Tromso Better for Hiking?

Tromso is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Tromso. The surrounding countryside is filled with fjords, mountains, and pristine wilderness. There are hikes that cater to every level, and a trip to Tromso is not complete without heading into the rural areas.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Tromso?

Geneva is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. However, Tromso is not known for shopping.

Many people travel to Geneva specifically to go shopping. 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.

Tromso is a good destination for shopping. There are shops sprinkled along the main street, as well as a shopping center or two around town.

Is Geneva or Tromso Better for Families?

Tromso is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Tromso is a very family-friendly place to visit. Whether you visit during the summer or winter season, there are a number of indoor or outdoor activities around town. Many visitors come during the winter months to see the Northern Lights. There's also the Ice Hotel, Husky Sledding, and fjords cruises. Indoors, you'll find the Science Center, the Arctic University Museum, and the Troll Museum.

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.

Is Geneva or Tromso Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Tromso frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many couples, seeing the Northern Lights is an iconic romantic experience. The area also has an amazing outdoor setting with fjords and hiking. Indoors, there are art museums and more.

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 Tromso Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Tromso. There are hostels as well as camping in the area that make this otherwise expensive area somewhat more affordable.

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 Tromso Better for Students?

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

Tromso is a good city to visit for students. Although it's a very small city, there are a large number of students and some big city amenities. There are plenty of entertainment options both in town and in the surrounding countryside.

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

Geneva is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tromso is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Tromso has a few public transit options. There's an efficient and reliable bus system in town.

Is Geneva or Tromso a more walkable city?

Geneva and Tromso 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.

Tromso is a very walkable city. The city is generally walkable but if you want to get into the countryside you'll need to travel by car or bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Tromso or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Tromso?

Both Geneva and Tromso have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tromso than in Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 4-7 days is enough time in Tromso.

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

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

One day in Geneva or Tromso?

Geneva is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Tromso might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Tromso?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

Tromso is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Tromso?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tromso. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Tromso?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the professional big city of Geneva. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Tromso is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Tromso?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Tromso, 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 Tromso?

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 Tromso in the Summer?

Both Tromso and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Tromso because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Geneva is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 22°C (71°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Tromso, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in July than Tromso. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Tromso in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Tromso. 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 hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the autumn. Geneva is much warmer than Tromso in the autumn. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Tromso fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tromso receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than Tromso. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Tromso in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Tromso. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tromso for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. It's quite cold in Geneva in the winter. In the winter, Geneva is much warmer than Tromso. Typically, the winter temperatures in Geneva in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Tromso averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Tromso. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Tromso in the Spring?

Both Tromso and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Tromso in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Tromso can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Geneva is generally much warmer than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 11°C (53°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Tromso. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Geneva