A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers London vs. Lille for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit London or Lille?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Lille can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a iconic, global, and international city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Lille

Lille is a friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

London and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Lille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Lille is known for its food and historical sights. London is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

Big Ben

How is London different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in London or Lille?

London is very popular for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in London are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is London or Lille Better for Theater?

London is very popular for its theatre productions. However, Lille is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Lille is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in London or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, London is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, London makes for a great culinary experience. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is London or Lille Better for Nightlife?

London is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

London is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Lille has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is London or Lille Better for Music?

London is very popular for its live music scene. However, Lille is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in London Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Lille is not a live music destination.

Is London or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Lille?

If you're looking to go shopping, London and Lille both offer plenty of terrific spots.

Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Lille is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Is London or Lille Better for Christmas?

London is very popular for its Christmas activities. However, Lille does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a fantastic destination at Christmas. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Lille does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Lille Better for Christmas Markets?

London is very popular for its Christmas markets. However, Lille does not offer Christmas markets.

London has some of the best Christmas markets in the world. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Lille does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Lille Better for Families?

London is very popular for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is London or Lille Better for Couples?

London is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is London or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is very popular for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit London. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is London or Lille Better for Students?

London is very popular for students. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

London is a great destination for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Students come from all over to stay in Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Is London or Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is very popular for its public transit. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

London has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Lille offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Is London or Lille a more walkable city?

London and Lille are terrific when it comes to walkability.

London is a very easy city to get around on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

It is easy to get around Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is London Worth Visiting? and Is Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or London?

How long in London or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both London and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Lille. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Lille 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 London.

One day in London or Lille?

Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in London or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille 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 London or Lille?

London is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in London or Lille?

Each neighborhood in London has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the culinary destination of Lille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, London or Lille?

London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of London and Lille, 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.

When is the best time to visit London or Lille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit London or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and London during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, London is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in London average around 18°C (64°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Lille. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Lille. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

London is around the same temperature as Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in London averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, London usually receives less rain than Lille. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit London or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to London as well as Lille. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. London can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, London is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in London in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, London often gets more sunshine than Lille. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in January than Lille. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and London are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

In April, London is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in London average around 9°C (48°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and London