A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lucerne vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Lucerne or Arles?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Arles. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a active, cultural, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lucerne. Although Lucerne and Arles are roughly the same size, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Arles attracts visitors for its museums, food, and historical sights. Lucerne is more touristy than Arles and is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also well known for The Chapel Bridge. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lucerne or Arles?

Arles is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Arles has many famous sights for visitors. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Lucerne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Is the Food Better in Lucerne or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Arles has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Lucerne offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Is Lucerne or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Lucerne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Lucerne or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

Arles has a world-famous historical area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Arles?

Lucerne is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Lucerne. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Lucerne or Arles Better for Families?

Lucerne is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Lucerne. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Lucerne or Arles Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Arles both high quality destinations for a couple.

Lucerne is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

Arles is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Lucerne or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lucerne and Arles both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Lucerne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Arles has a few public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Lucerne or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Lucerne is somewhat walkable. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

For even more information, also check out Is Lucerne Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lucerne or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lucerne than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lucerne, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arles than Lucerne 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 Arles.

One day in Lucerne or Arles?

In Lucerne, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Arles, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Lucerne or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Arles, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Arles?

Lucerne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Lucerne or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Lucerne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Arles?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Arles, 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 Lucerne or Arles?

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 Lucerne or Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Arles. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Arles in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Lucerne is cooler than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Arles. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Lucerne is cooler than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lucerne in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Lucerne usually receives less rain than Arles. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Arles because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lucerne can be very cold during winter. In January, Lucerne is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Arles. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Arles. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Arles. The spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

Lucerne is cooler than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Arles. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Lucerne