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

Should you visit Kaunas or Geneva?

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 Geneva. 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 cultural, active, and young city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and food.

Geneva

Geneva is a diverse, international, and professional city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Geneva?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Geneva than Kaunas. While Kaunas is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Geneva is more touristy than Kaunas and is 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). Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Geneva 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 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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Geneva is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Geneva is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. 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.

Is Kaunas or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Kaunas and Geneva.

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 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.

Is Kaunas or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Kaunas and Geneva.

Kaunas offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Geneva is a good destination for visiting its 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 Kaunas or Geneva?

Geneva is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Geneva is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

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 Geneva Better for Families?

Both Kaunas and Geneva are notable family-friendly destinations.

Kaunas is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Geneva is a family-friendly city. 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 Kaunas or Geneva Better for Couples?

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

Geneva is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

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 Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

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 Kaunas or Geneva Better for Students?

Geneva 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 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.

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

Geneva is renowned 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.

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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

Is Kaunas or Geneva a more walkable city?

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

Geneva is a very walkable destination. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored 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 Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Geneva?

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

Families should spend more time in Geneva than Kaunas. 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 Kaunas. 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 Geneva 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 Geneva.

One day in Kaunas or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kaunas. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Kaunas or Geneva?

Kaunas 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.

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.

Five days in Kaunas or Geneva?

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

A week in Kaunas or Geneva?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, 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 Kaunas and Geneva, we can see that Geneva 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 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 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 Geneva Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Geneva?

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

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 Geneva in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Geneva. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

In the summer, Kaunas is cooler than Geneva. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kaunas in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Geneva averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Geneva this time of the year. In Kaunas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Geneva. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kaunas or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Geneva. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kaunas is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 8°C (46°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Geneva. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Geneva in the Winter?

Both Geneva and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. Kaunas is much colder than Geneva in the winter. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Geneva. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kaunas or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Kaunas during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kaunas is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kaunas in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Geneva averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in April than Geneva. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Kaunas