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

Should you visit Glasgow or Geneva?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Geneva, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a historic, high energy, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

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.

Glasgow and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Geneva?

You'll generally find more things to do in Glasgow than Geneva. Glasgow is bigger than Geneva, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Glasgow is better known for its nightlife and music, while Geneva is more popular for its food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. Also, Glasgow is famous for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Glasgow different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Geneva and Glasgow. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Glasgow or Geneva?

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Geneva and Glasgow.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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.

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

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

Geneva has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Glasgow or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Glasgow is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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.

Is Glasgow or Geneva Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Geneva is not a live music destination.

Glasgow is a world class music destination. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Geneva is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow and Geneva both have notable historical old towns that attract visitors.

Glasgow has an old town worth visiting. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Geneva?

Geneva is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Glasgow or Geneva Better for Families?

Glasgow and Geneva are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Glasgow offers lots of family activities. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Geneva is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Glasgow or Geneva Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Geneva are both notable to visit as a couple.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Geneva is a nice destination for couples. 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 Glasgow or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

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 Glasgow or Geneva Better for Students?

For students, both Glasgow and Geneva are great places to visit.

Glasgow is a great city to visit as a student. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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.

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

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

Geneva has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Public transit in Glasgow is fairly effecient and thorough. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Is Glasgow or Geneva a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Geneva are great when it comes to walkability.

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Geneva?

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

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

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

One day in Glasgow or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Glasgow. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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.

A weekend in Glasgow or Geneva?

Glasgow 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.

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.

Five days in Glasgow or Geneva?

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

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.

A week in Glasgow or Geneva?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural destination of Glasgow. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Geneva?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Geneva, 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 Glasgow or Geneva?

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 Glasgow or Geneva in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Geneva. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Glasgow is cooler than Geneva. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Geneva averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. In the summer, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Geneva. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Geneva in the Autumn?

Both Geneva and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, 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.

In October, Glasgow is generally cooler than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In October, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Geneva. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Geneva in the Winter?

Both Geneva and Glasgow during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Geneva can be very cold. Glasgow can be very cold during winter. Glasgow is cooler than Geneva in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Geneva. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Geneva in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Geneva. The spring months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

In the spring, Glasgow is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Geneva averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Geneva. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Glasgow