A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Basel for Old Town, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Kaunas or Basel?

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 Kaunas and Basel. 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a young, vibrant, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and food.

Basel

Basel is a historic, cultural, and museum-filled city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Basel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kaunas than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kaunas is more popular for its big city activities, while Basel is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Basel is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its many museums and its nice old town. Kaunas is popular for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. It is also home to The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or Basel?

Basel is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Kaunas or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Kaunas and Basel.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kaunas area. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Basel. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Kaunas or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Kaunas and Basel.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Kaunas or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Basel?

Basel is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Basel Better for Couples?

Basel is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Basel are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Kaunas or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

Is Kaunas or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Basel. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kaunas and Basel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Basel than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Kaunas 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 Basel.

One day in Kaunas or Basel?

In Kaunas, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this vibrant destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Kaunas or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kaunas. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Basel 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 Kaunas or Basel?

Kaunas is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kaunas. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. 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 Kaunas or Basel?

You'll find food and nightlife around the active destination of Kaunas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the easily accessible destination of Basel. 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 The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Kaunas.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Basel?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Basel, 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 Kaunas or Basel?

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 Kaunas or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kaunas is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Basel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kaunas. Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Basel. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Kaunas is much colder than Basel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Basel. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Basel. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Basel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Basel. The winter months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. The weather in Kaunas can be very cold. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Basel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Basel averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Basel during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Basel. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Basel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Basel. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty.

In April, Kaunas is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Basel. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basel and Kaunas