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

Should you visit Lausanne or Howth?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or Howth, 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 diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Howth

Howth is a beautiful, picturesque, and scenic fishing village. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include hiking, museums, and food.

Lausanne and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lausanne or Howth?

Both Howth and Lausanne have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Lausanne is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Howth is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Lausanne and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Lausanne different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lausanne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Lausanne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

Lausanne is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Lausanne or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Lausanne or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is well known for the beach. However, Lausanne is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Howth. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Lausanne is not a beach destination.

Is Lausanne or Howth Better for its Old Town?

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

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

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Lausanne or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Howth. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Howth?

Lausanne is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Lausanne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lausanne or Howth Better for Families?

Lausanne and Howth are both good 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.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Lausanne or Howth Better for Couples?

Lausanne and Howth are both good to visit as a couple.

Lausanne is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Howth is a nice destination for couples. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Lausanne or Howth Better for Students?

Lausanne is well known for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

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.

Howth is not popular with students.

Is Lausanne or Howth 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 Howth.

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 Howth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Lausanne or Howth a more walkable city?

Howth is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Howth is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lausanne or Howth to fill your time. In our opinion, Lausanne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lausanne than Howth. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Lausanne or Howth?

In Lausanne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums 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.

The fishing village of Howth offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Lausanne or Howth?

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.

Howth is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this fishing village makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Howth, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Lausanne or Howth?

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.

Howth is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Howth?

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.

Howth is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This fishing village 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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