Which place is cheaper, Lillehammer or Kaunas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Lillehammer. 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 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.
Lillehammer is a adventure-filled, sporty, and natural city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Lillehammer than Kaunas, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lillehammer is better known for its skiing, museums, food, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Kaunas is more popular for its historical sights and big city activities. Lillehammer is more touristy than Kaunas and is known for its winter sports and role as host for the 1994 Winter Olympics. Also, Lillehammer is famous for Lillehammer Olympic Park. Kaunas is well known for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lillehammer and Kaunas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Lillehammer is notable for snow skiing. However, Kaunas is not a skiing destination.
Lillehammer is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. There is both downhill skiing and cross country skiing in the area. There are five alpine centers that offer skiing for everyone from beginners to the world's elite. There are also 2,300 kilometers of cross country ski trails. The region is known for its long and reliable winter with great ski conditions.
Kaunas is not a skiing destination.
Lillehammer is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lillehammer. There are a number of sights that are related to the city's role as host of the 1994 Olympics. Check out the Norwegian Olympic Museum, Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena, and the Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track. Also make sure you visit the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum.
Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.
Lillehammer 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 Lillehammer is an experience not to be missed. Local food traditions date back centuries and you'll find a combination of simple recipes and elaborate menus. Dishes often include fish or local meat such as elk. There are also soups such as kål, which are made with bacon, meat, potatoes, and barley.
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.
Evening events are notable in both Kaunas and Lillehammer.
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 Lillehammer. There is a lively atmosphere with many bars, clubs, and pubs around town.
Kaunas is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Lillehammer does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Kaunas to see the historical 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.
Lillehammer does not have a historic old town.
Lillehammer is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Kaunas is not a hiking destination.
Lillehammer is a popular spot for hiking. You'll find many hikes that take you through the alpine setting and the pristine landscapes. You can enjoy breathtaking views and strolls through nearby national parks.
Kaunas is not a hiking destination.
Lillehammer is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.
Many visitors go to Lillehammer to go shopping. You'll find a number of shopping centers that have retail stores selling clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.
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.
Lillehammer 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.
Lillehammer is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has many winter and adventure sports that are great for the whole family. You can visit the Olympic Park, or spend the day at Hunderfossen Familiepark, which is one of the original amusement parks in the country. You can also visit Jorekstad Waterpark, go hiking in the summer, or skiing in the winter.
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.
Lillehammer is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.
Lillehammer is a very popular place to visit for couples. The skiing and other winter activities are great for winter sport enthusiasts. During the summer months there's hiking and other outdoor fun.
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.
Both Kaunas and Lillehammer are notable 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 Lillehammer. There's some camping and other affordable accommodation for backpackers in the area.
Kaunas and Lillehammer are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.
Kaunas is a good city to visit for students. 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.
Plenty of students visit Lillehammer. The city has a number of students and offers some great entertainment activities. The cost of living can be high though.
Both Kaunas and Lillehammer offer notable public transit options.
Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.
Lillehammer has some public transit options. There are trains and buses throughout the region.
Kaunas and Lillehammer both are notable when exploring on foot.
Kaunas is a somewhat walkable city. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.
Lillehammer is somewhat walkable. There are some pedestrian streets and pedestrian-friendly areas in town.
For even more information, also check out Is Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Lillehammer Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Kaunas or Lillehammer. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lillehammer due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lillehammer.
Families should spend more time in Lillehammer than Kaunas. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lillehammer, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Lillehammer than Kaunas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lillehammer that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lillehammer 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 Lillehammer.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the young city of Kaunas. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lillehammer. 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.
Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Kaunas. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Lillehammer 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.
The young city of Kaunas offers nightlife and food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lillehammer. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.
Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Kaunas. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the sporty destination of Lillehammer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kaunas is €95, while the average daily cost in Lillehammer is €96. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kaunas and Lillehammer in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kaunas or Lillehammer? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kaunas:
Prices for flights to both Lillehammer and Kaunas change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaunas are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Lillehammer for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When comparing the travel costs between Kaunas and Lillehammer, we can see that Lillehammer is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Lillehammer Expensive?.
Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lillehammer. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Lillehammer, 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.