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

Should you visit Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

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

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

Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is a world-class, breathtaking, and outdoorsy ski resort. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, skiing, and nightlife.

Lausanne and Kitzbuhel: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights


Is there more to do in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kitzbuhel. Although Lausanne and Kitzbuhel are both popular with visitors, Kitzbuhel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kitzbuhel is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Lausanne is known for its museums and shopping. Kitzbuhel is more touristy than Lausanne and is popular for its world renowned skiing, scenic natural beauty, and summer hiking opportunities. It is also home to The Kitzbüheler Horn. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Lausanne different from Kitzbuhel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Lausanne or Kitzbuhel Better for Skiing?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is a world-class destination for winter skiing. However, Lausanne is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Kitzbuhel is among the best in the world. There are four ski resorts near the village and 145 miles of slopes. Hahnenkamm Streif racecourse is world famous, but there are also 57 lifts that offer access to skiing for everyone from beginners to professionals. This is a world class ski area that is considered to be one of the best in the world. It attracts international skiers who come for the well maintained slopes and world class skiing.

Lausanne is not a skiing destination.


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

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Lausanne is great for its historical sights. However, Kitzbuhel is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Kitzbuhel offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors come for the skiing and outdoor adventures, not the museums and historical sights. But you can visit the St. Andreas Parish Church, Museum Kitzbühel, or the Liebfrauenkirche while you're in town.

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

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Foodies will find both Lausanne and Kitzbuhel both to be very good destinations.

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kitzbuhel. There's a diverse food scene with everything from rustic inns to award-winning fine dining experiences. You'll find both local dishes and international flavors around town as well.

Is Lausanne or Kitzbuhel Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Kitzbuhel is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene offers everything from wine bars to high end cocktail bars or local pubs with beer on tap. There are also dance clubs and other party areas where visitors dance until the early morning hours.

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.


Is Lausanne or Kitzbuhel Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel 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 Kitzbuhel to see the historical old town. The town center is compact and charming with restaurants, churches, and shopping. It's the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.

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 Kitzbuhel Better for Hiking?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Kitzbuhel draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. During the summer months the area is filled with miles of stunning hikes. There's the famous Kitzbüheler Horn, as well as more relaxing mountain strolls. You'll enjoy breathtaking views and serene mountain pastures.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Lausanne is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kitzbuhel is not as popular, but is still a nice ski resort 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 Kitzbuhel to go shopping. The village offers a mix of international and local brands. There's everything from fashion and jewelry to sporting goods and local foods.


Is Lausanne or Kitzbuhel Better for Families?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Kitzbuhel is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a family-friendly ski area that has child care available in several places as well as kids slopes and other family friendly things to do. During the summer months there's hiking, biking, and other outdoor adventure activities.

Lausanne offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Lausanne or Kitzbuhel Better for Couples?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

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

Couples visit Kitzbuhel frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy skiing, winter sports, and other outdoor adventures will truly appreciate a visit. It makes for an adrenaline filled holiday that is both romantic and fun.

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 Kitzbuhel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Kitzbuhel is well known for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kitzbuhel is a very popular ski resort for backpackers and budget travelers. There are several hostels near town that cater to the budget crowd. There's also a large number of skiing and sport enthusiasts so its not hard to meet other likeminded travelers.

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 Kitzbuhel Better for Students?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

Lausanne is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Kitzbuhel 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.

Kitzbuhel is not popular with students.

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

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

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

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 Kitzbuhel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are trains and buses that connect the town to other nearby villages. During the winter months are are ski buses that take skiers to the ski areas.

Is Lausanne or Kitzbuhel a more walkable city?

Lausanne
Kitzbuhel

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

Kitzbuhel is a very walkable destination. The town is small and compact enough to explore on foot.

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 Kitzbuhel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kitzbuhel or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

Both Lausanne and Kitzbuhel have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kitzbuhel than in Lausanne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Lausanne, and 4-7 days is enough time in Kitzbuhel.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lausanne 1-2 
    Kitzbuhel 4-7

One day in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Lausanne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lausanne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Kitzbuhel is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Kitzbuhel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the international destination of Lausanne. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Kitzbuhel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Lausanne. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kitzbuhel is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kitzbuhel, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


A week in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

Lausanne is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Kitzbuhel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kitzbuhel has to offer. This ski resort 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 Budget Tours to Austria, and The Best Luxury Tours to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Kitzbuhel or Lausanne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lausanne is $227, while the average daily cost in Kitzbuhel is $192. 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 Lausanne and Kitzbuhel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lausanne $136
    Kitzbuhel $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lausanne $272
    Kitzbuhel $190
Compare Hotels in Lausanne and Kitzbuhel

Looking for a hotel in Lausanne or Kitzbuhel? 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.

Hotels in Lausanne


Hotels in Kitzbuhel


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lausanne Hotel Prices and Kitzbuhel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lausanne $41
    Kitzbuhel $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lausanne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lausanne:

  • Taxi, Airport Transfer and Limousine Service in Switzerland: $233
  • Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to Évian-les-Bains: $160
  • Lausanne accommodation to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Transfer: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

Prices for flights to both Kitzbuhel and Lausanne 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lausanne $62
    Kitzbuhel $51

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lausanne $38
    Kitzbuhel $36

Tours and Activities in Lausanne

Here are a few actual costs in Lausanne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Évian-les-Bains Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $297
  • (KTL303) - Winter Tour Montreux and Chaplin's World from Lausanne: $157
  • Boat cruise from Lausanne to Evian: $43
  • Chaplin's World Entrance Ticket: $34
  • Christmas Charms of A Private Walking Tour: $724
  • Fascinating Charms of Vevey – Walking Tour for Couples: $180
  • From Glacier 3000 Experience Tour: $97
  • From Glacier 3000 experience and Montreux: $104
  • From Interlaken and Jungfrau Train Experience: $370
  • From Spectacular Schilthorn with 007 Experience: $257
  • From Swiss Riviera Tour: $152
  • Gems of Lausanne Revealed: A Private Walking Tour: $617

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lausanne $27
    Kitzbuhel $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Lausanne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lausanne:

  • Swiss cheese and charcuterie wine tasting: $50


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

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


Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Kitzbuhel?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kitzbuhel. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne and Kitzbuhel, 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.