A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lindau vs. Lillehammer for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Lindau or Lillehammer?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lindau and Lillehammer can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Lindau

Lindau is a picturesque, fun-filled, and scenic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food.

Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a natural, adventure-filled, and sporty city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Lindau and Lillehammer: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Scenic old town
  • 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
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students


Is there more to do in Lindau or Lillehammer?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lillehammer. Although Lindau and Lillehammer are popular destinations, Lillehammer has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lillehammer is very popular for its skiing, museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Lindau attracts visitors for its historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Lindau is more touristy than Lillehammer and is known for its lakefront location and quaint old town. Lillehammer is famous for its winter sports and role as host for the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is also well known for Lillehammer Olympic Park.

How is Lindau different from Lillehammer?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Skiing?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a great destination for winter skiing. However, Lindau is not a skiing destination.

People head to Lillehammer specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. There is both downhill skiing and cross country skiing in the area. There are five alpine centers that offer skiing for everyone from beginners to the world's elite. There are also 2,300 kilometers of cross country ski trails. The region is known for its long and reliable winter with great ski conditions.

Lindau is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lindau or Lillehammer?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a city with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Lillehammer offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of sights that are related to the city's role as host of the 1994 Olympics. Check out the Norwegian Olympic Museum, Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena, and the Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track. Also make sure you visit the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum.

While most people don't head to Lindau specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The town is more about it's beautiful setting than landmarks and museums, but there are some interesting sights including the harbor and lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Lindau or Lillehammer? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Lindau and Lillehammer.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Lindau. Head to the waterfront for the best seafood restaurants. Many restaurants use seasonal ingredients and serve local fish. The local whitefish is particularly popular. Dishes are influenced by the town's proximity to Switzerland and Austria, so you'll enjoy a hybrid of flavors and recipes.

Lillehammer has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local food traditions date back centuries and you'll find a combination of simple recipes and elaborate menus. Dishes often include fish or local meat such as elk. There are also soups such as kål, which are made with bacon, meat, potatoes, and barley.

Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Nightlife?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Lillehammer has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There is a lively atmosphere with many bars, clubs, and pubs around town.

Lindau doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's not known for its nightlife scene but there are bars where you can enjoy a relaxing night out.


Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for its Old Town?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lindau is well known for its historic old town. However, Lillehammer does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Lindau to see the historical old town. The old town is located on Lindau island in Lake Constance. It has quaint buildings and many waterfront restaurants.

Lillehammer does not have a historic old town.

Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Hiking?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Lindau is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lillehammer. You'll find many hikes that take you through the alpine setting and the pristine landscapes. You can enjoy breathtaking views and strolls through nearby national parks.

Lindau is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lindau or Lillehammer?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a city with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Lillehammer offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a number of shopping centers that have retail stores selling clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

Lindau is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Families?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Both Lindau and Lillehammer are high quality to visit with kids.

Lindau is a very kid-friendly town. Head to the waterfront where there's a playground, stand up paddleboarding, paddleboats, and more. Kids will also enjoy climbing to the top of the Old Lighthouse or exploring the Museum of Local History.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lillehammer. The town has many winter and adventure sports that are great for the whole family. You can visit the Olympic Park, or spend the day at Hunderfossen Familiepark, which is one of the original amusement parks in the country. You can also visit Jorekstad Waterpark, go hiking in the summer, or skiing in the winter.

Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Couples?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Both Lindau and Lillehammer are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Couples visit Lindau frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its charming old town, beautiful waterfront, great seafood restaurants, and nice hotels, couples will really enjoy a few days away at this lakefront town. It's the perfect place to have a romantic weekend.

Lillehammer is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The skiing and other winter activities are great for winter sport enthusiasts. During the summer months there's hiking and other outdoor fun.

Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lindau and Lillehammer are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lindau is a good town to visit for backpackers. The town has a couple of hostels and affordable hotels that make this waterfront town accessible to backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Lillehammer. There's some camping and other affordable accommodation for backpackers in the area.


Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Students?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a city with good options for students. However, Lindau is not popular with students.

Lillehammer is popular with students. The city has a number of students and offers some great entertainment activities. The cost of living can be high though.

Lindau is not popular with students.

Is Lindau or Lillehammer Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Lindau is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Lillehammer, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are trains and buses throughout the region.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lindau. It's possible to reach town by bus or train and once you're in town you can walk many places.

Is Lindau or Lillehammer a more walkable city?

Lindau
Lillehammer

Lindau is well known for its walkability. Also, Lillehammer is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Lindau is very walkable. The town is very walkable and there are also many walks into the countryside.

Lillehammer is a somewhat walkable place. There are some pedestrian streets and pedestrian-friendly areas in town.


For even more information, also check out Is Lindau Worth Visiting? and Is Lillehammer Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lillehammer or Lindau?

How long in Lindau or Lillehammer?

It's fun to spend time in either Lindau or Lillehammer. In our opinion, Lillehammer has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lillehammer than Lindau. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lillehammer than Lindau 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 Lillehammer.


  • How many days in Lindau or Lillehammer? Ideal Length of Stay
    Lindau 2-4 
    Lillehammer 2-4

One day in Lindau or Lillehammer?

Lindau is a small town with plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lillehammer. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lindau or Lillehammer?

Lindau might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town 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.

Lillehammer is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lindau or Lillehammer?

Because Lindau is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lillehammer. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A week in Lindau or Lillehammer?

Since Lindau is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the natural destination of Lillehammer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Lillehammer or Lindau?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lindau is €163, while the average daily cost in Lillehammer is €96. 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 Lindau and Lillehammer in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lindau 91
    Lillehammer 58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lindau 182
    Lillehammer 116
Compare Hotels in Lindau and Lillehammer

Looking for a hotel in Lindau or Lillehammer? 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 Lindau


Hotels in Lillehammer


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: Lindau Hotel Prices and Lillehammer Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lindau 40
    Lillehammer 3.67

Is it cheaper to fly into Lindau or Lillehammer?

Prices for flights to both Lillehammer and Lindau 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
    Lindau 45
    Lillehammer 32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lindau 27
    Lillehammer 15

Tours and Activities in Lindau

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

  • Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $207
  • Lindau Private Christmas Market Tour: $267
  • Lindau - Town Highlights Walking Tour: $321

Tours and Activities in Lillehammer

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

  • Maihaugen Open-Air Museum, Lillehammer. Entry Ticket: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lindau 25
    Lillehammer 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Lindau

Also in Lindau, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Lake Constance wine tour > day tour > wine tasting at 3 winemakers: $195


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lindau and Lillehammer, we can see that Lindau is more expensive. And not only is Lillehammer much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lillehammer would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lillehammer 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 Lindau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lindau than you might in Lillehammer.

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


Which is Bigger, Lindau or Lillehammer?

Lindau has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Lillehammer. When comparing the sizes of Lindau and Lillehammer, 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.