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

Should you visit Lausanne or Wernigerode?

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

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

Wernigerode

Wernigerode is a cute, quintessential, and fairytale-like town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Lausanne and Wernigerode: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular old town
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Lausanne or Wernigerode?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lausanne than Wernigerode, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lausanne is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Wernigerode is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. Wernigerode is more touristy than Lausanne and is known for its storybook setting and its beautiful hilltop castle. Lausanne is well known for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters. Also, Lausanne is famous for The Olympic Museum.

How is Lausanne different from Wernigerode?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lausanne
Wernigerode

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

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 Wernigerode. In addition to its beautiful old town, the highlight of a visit to this town is exploring the Wernigerode Castle. Other attractions include the Museum für Luftfahrt und Technik and the Miniaturenpark.


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

Lausanne
Wernigerode

Lausanne is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Wernigerode is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lausanne makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Wernigerode has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. As a touristy town, you'll find a number of restaurants that serve traditional food. There are also sausage stands and plenty of ice cream shops.

Is Lausanne or Wernigerode Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

Lausanne is very good for nightlife. However, Wernigerode is not a good town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Lausanne. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Wernigerode. The small town isn't known for its nightlife scene but there are plenty of places where you can grab a beer and have a relaxing night.

Is Lausanne or Wernigerode Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

Wernigerode is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Wernigerode is revered around the world. If you're looking for an almost flawless old town with charm and few imperfections, then this is your place.

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 the Shopping Better in Lausanne or Wernigerode?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

Lausanne is a well-known place for shopping. However, Wernigerode is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Wernigerode is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lausanne or Wernigerode Better for Families?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

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

Wernigerode is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town feels like you've landed in a fairytale book, which your kids will love. There's a train and a castle to explore. There's also the fun citizen and miniature parks and the fairytale trail. In addition to all of the sights and attractions, there are playgrounds and animal attractions that kids will love.

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 Wernigerode Better for Couples?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

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

Couples visit Wernigerode frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This fairytale town is something special with many beautiful buildings, a castle, and great restaurants that make for a romantic weekend.

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 Wernigerode Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

Wernigerode 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 Wernigerode. There are enough hostels in town to keep prices reasonable. This is also a very touristy town, so you're likely to meet other 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 Wernigerode Better for Students?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

Lausanne is a well-known place for students. However, Wernigerode is not popular with students.

Lausanne is very popular with students. 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.

Wernigerode is not popular with students.

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

Lausanne
Wernigerode

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

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 Wernigerode offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can take the bus to town, but once you arrive its best to explore on foot. There's also a charming narrow grade railway that connect the towns of the area.


Is Lausanne or Wernigerode a more walkable city?

Lausanne
Wernigerode

Wernigerode is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Wernigerode on foot is easy. You can easily explore the town and the nearby castle 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 Wernigerode Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wernigerode or Lausanne?

How long in Lausanne or Wernigerode?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lausanne and Wernigerode. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wernigerode than in Lausanne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Lausanne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Wernigerode.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Lausanne or Wernigerode? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lausanne 1-2 
    Wernigerode 1-3

One day in Lausanne or Wernigerode?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Lausanne. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Wernigerode is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. 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 Wernigerode?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Lausanne. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Wernigerode is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this 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 Wernigerode, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.


Five days in Lausanne or Wernigerode?

The international city of Lausanne offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Wernigerode 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 Wernigerode?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lausanne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Wernigerode is a great place to explore. 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 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Wernigerode 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 Wernigerode is $145. 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 Wernigerode in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lausanne $136
    Wernigerode $79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lausanne $272
    Wernigerode $158
Compare Hotels in Lausanne and Wernigerode

Looking for a hotel in Lausanne or Wernigerode? 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 Wernigerode


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 Wernigerode Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lausanne $41
    Wernigerode $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lausanne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lausanne:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Lausanne or Wernigerode?

Prices for flights to both Wernigerode 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
    Wernigerode $49

Typical Food Prices in Wernigerode

Some typical examples of dining costs in Wernigerode are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    $24
  • Soda
    $1.82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lausanne $38
    Wernigerode $30

Tours and Activities in Lausanne

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Modern Medeival A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
  • Medieval A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Lausanne Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
  • Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Lausanne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided City Walking Tour: $15
  • Lausanne (Ouchy District) City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $15
  • Lausanne (City Center) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • Lausanne Ouchy District City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
  • The Olympic Museum Entry Ticket: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lausanne $27
    Wernigerode $23

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 Wernigerode, we can see that Lausanne is more expensive. And not only is Wernigerode much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wernigerode would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wernigerode 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 Wernigerode.

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


Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Wernigerode?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Wernigerode. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne and Wernigerode, 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.