A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lausanne vs. Dijon for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Lausanne or Dijon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or Dijon, 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.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a cultural, international, and diverse city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dijon

Dijon is a cultural, laid-back, and culinary city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lausanne and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lausanne or Dijon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dijon than Lausanne. Dijon is bigger than Lausanne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dijon is better known for its food and big city activities, while Lausanne is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. Dijon is more touristy than Lausanne and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. Also, Dijon is famous for The Ducal Palace. Lausanne is well known for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Lausanne different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lausanne or Dijon?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Lausanne or Dijon.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lausanne can be an interesting and educational experience. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dijon. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

Is the Food Better in Lausanne or Dijon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dijon is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Dijon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lausanne. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

Is Lausanne or Dijon Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Lausanne and Dijon.

Lausanne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Dijon has a few options to choose from. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is Lausanne or Dijon Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Lausanne to see the historical old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Dijon?

Lausanne is notable for shopping. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lausanne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dijon. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Lausanne or Dijon Better for Families?

Lausanne and Dijon are both notable destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Lausanne. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

Dijon offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Lausanne or Dijon Better for Couples?

Dijon is well known for couples. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Dijon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Lausanne is a nice destination for couples. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Is Lausanne or Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dijon is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Lausanne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular town for backpackers but there are some affordable hotels. It's also more reasonably priced than many Swiss cities.

Is Lausanne or Dijon Better for Students?

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

Lausanne is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

Plenty of students visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

Is Lausanne or Dijon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Lausanne and Dijon.

You'll find some public transit in Lausanne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

While Dijon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Lausanne or Dijon a more walkable city?

Lausanne and Dijon both are notable when exploring on foot.

Lausanne is a somewhat walkable city. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

Dijon is somewhat walkable. Most of the inner city is walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Lausanne Worth Visiting? and Is Dijon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Dijon?

It's fun to spend time in either Lausanne or Dijon. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dijon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Lausanne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dijon.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dijon than Lausanne 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 Dijon.

One day in Lausanne or Dijon?

In Lausanne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this international 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.

The city of Dijon offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Lausanne or Dijon?

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

Dijon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dijon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Lausanne or Dijon?

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

Dijon is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Lausanne or Dijon?

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

Dijon is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Dijon?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Lausanne. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne and Dijon, 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.