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

Should you visit Lausanne or Kinsale?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or Kinsale, 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 vibrant, cultural, and international city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kinsale

Kinsale is a quaint, picturesque, and colorful seaside town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Lausanne and Kinsale: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lausanne or Kinsale?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kinsale. Although Lausanne and Kinsale are both popular with visitors, Kinsale has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kinsale is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Lausanne is known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Kinsale is more touristy than Lausanne and is popular for its colorful houses, excellent restaurants, and beautiful seaside walks. It is also home to Charles Fort. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Lausanne different from Kinsale?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lausanne is great for its historical sights. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Lausanne. 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 Kinsale. In addition to the colorful old town, you can check out Charles Fort, James Fort, and Old Head Signal Tower. The town is filled with history and many unique landmarks that are worth exploring.

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

Kinsale 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, Kinsale is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. For such a small town, it really has an impressive food scene and many people consider it to be the culinary capital of Ireland. The food scene includes Michelin starred restaurants and local cafes.

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 Kinsale Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Lausanne has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Kinsale specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town that's not known for its nightlife scene. There are a couple of traditional Irish pubs in town.

Is Lausanne or Kinsale Better for Beaches?

Kinsale is a seaside town with a few options for the beach. However, Lausanne is not a beach destination.

The beach in Kinsale is worth checking out. You'll find a number of beaches within about 20 minutes of town. The closest is Kinsale Beach, which is about 3 kilometers from the center of town. For a more peaceful setting, head out of town and check out Sandycove Beach, Garrylucas Blue Flag Beach, and Coolmain Beach.

Lausanne is not a beach destination.

Is Lausanne or Kinsale Better for its Old Town?

Kinsale is well known for its historic old town charm. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Kinsale to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with brightly colored houses, and it offers a unique setting that's different from many of Europe's more standard old towns.

Lausanne is a good destination for visiting its old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Is Lausanne or Kinsale Better for Hiking?

Kinsale is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Kinsale has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many seaside walks just outside of town.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Kinsale?

Lausanne is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its shopping areas.

Lausanne is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Kinsale to go shopping. There are a number of shops around town that highlight Irish designers and local brands.

Is Lausanne or Kinsale Better for Families?

Lausanne and Kinsale 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.

Kinsale offers lots of family activities. If your kids need a break from the tourist circuit, there are a couple of playgrounds and outdoor centers around town. There's also one hour pony treks available at the Kinsale Equestrian Centre.

Is Lausanne or Kinsale Better for Couples?

Lausanne and Kinsale 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.

Kinsale is a nice destination for couples. From coastal walks to quaint streets, there are many picturesque places that a couple can explore. The town also has an impressive restaurant scene where couples can enjoy a great meal.

Is Lausanne or Kinsale Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kinsale 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 Kinsale. There are a couple of hostels around town where you can meet other backpackers.

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 Kinsale Better for Students?

Lausanne is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Kinsale is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Lausanne. 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.

Kinsale is not popular with students.

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

Lausanne is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Lausanne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Public transit is generally limited in Kinsale. The town has buses that pass through.

Is Lausanne or Kinsale a more walkable city?

Lausanne and Kinsale both are good 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.

Kinsale is somewhat walkable. The town itself is relatively compact and walkable. There are also many seaside walks just outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kinsale or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Kinsale?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lausanne or Kinsale to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kinsale 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 Kinsale.

One day in Lausanne or Kinsale?

In Lausanne, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Kinsale is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Kinsale?

In Lausanne, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lausanne has to offer.

Kinsale is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this seaside town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kinsale, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Lausanne or Kinsale?

Lausanne is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Kinsale 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 Kinsale?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lausanne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lausanne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Kinsale is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This seaside town 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 Tours for Seniors to Ireland, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Kinsale?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kinsale. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne and Kinsale, 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.