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

Should you visit Lausanne or Saint-Etienne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or Saint-Etienne, 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Lausanne and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lausanne or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lausanne than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Lausanne, Lausanne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lausanne is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Lausanne is popular for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters. It is also home to The Olympic Museum. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Lausanne different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Lausanne is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Lausanne or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lausanne is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lausanne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Lausanne. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

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

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Saint-Etienne?

Lausanne is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Lausanne and Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Lausanne is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Lausanne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

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

Many students visit 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Lausanne or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Lausanne and Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is somewhat walkable. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Lausanne Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lausanne or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Lausanne than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Lausanne. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The city of Saint-Etienne offers museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lausanne. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Lausanne or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the international destination of Lausanne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Lausanne. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Lausanne. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne and Saint-Etienne, 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.