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

Should you visit London or Lyon?

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 Lyon 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.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

London and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Lyon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in London than Lyon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. London is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Lyon is known for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. London is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

Big Ben

How is London different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both Lyon and London.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, London has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lyon that are not to be missed. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Is London or Lyon Better for Theater?

London is an amazing city to visit for its theatre productions. However, Lyon 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.

Lyon is not a theatre destination.

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

Lyon 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.

Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

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 Lyon Better for Nightlife?

London is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

London has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is London or Lyon Better for Music?

London is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon 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.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is London or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, London does not have a historic old town.

Lyon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

London does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Lyon?

London is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in London make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is London or Lyon Better for Christmas?

London is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Lyon does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a world class destination during the Christmas season. 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.

Lyon does not offer Christmas activities.

Is London or Lyon Better for Christmas Markets?

London is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Lyon does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit London because of the beautiful Christmas markets. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Lyon does not offer Christmas markets.

Is London or Lyon Better for Families?

London is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Is London or Lyon Better for Couples?

London is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon 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.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is London or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Lyon 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is London or Lyon Better for Students?

For students, both London and Lyon are terrific places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit London. 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.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

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

London and Lyon both offer terrific public transit to get you around.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of London can take you anywhere. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

Lyon has a great public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Is London or Lyon a more walkable city?

London is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or London?

How long in London or Lyon?

In either London or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in London than Lyon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

Families should spend more time in London than Lyon. 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 Lyon. 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 Lyon 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 Lyon?

London is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in London or Lyon?

London is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lyon 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 Lyon?

London is a international big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in London or Lyon?

London is a iconic city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint big city of Lyon. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to 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 Lyon, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lyon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lyon 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 Lyon.

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

Which is Bigger, London or Lyon?

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

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 Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon 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. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, London is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in London average around 18°C (64°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Lyon. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Lyon in the Autumn?

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

London is cooler than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in London averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit London or Lyon in the Winter?

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

Lyon can be very cold during winter. London can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, London is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in London in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Lyon. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

London usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Lyon. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon 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 Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, London is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in London average around 9°C (48°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

London usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives less rain than Lyon. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and London