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

Should you visit Lucerne or Avignon?

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 Avignon. 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 vibrant, scenic, and active 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon

Avignon is a quaint, charming, and scenic town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Lucerne and Avignon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Avignon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lucerne than Avignon. While Avignon is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lucerne is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Avignon attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Lucerne is famous for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also well known for The Chapel Bridge. Avignon is famous for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Avignon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Avignon 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, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

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 Avignon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

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 Avignon Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Lucerne has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Lucerne or Avignon Better for its Old Town?

Avignon 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.

Avignon has a world-famous historical area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

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 Avignon?

Lucerne is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Lucerne or Avignon Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Avignon are nice family-friendly destinations.

Lucerne offers lots of family activities. 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.

Avignon is a family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Lucerne or Avignon Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Avignon both excellent 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.

Avignon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Lucerne or Avignon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

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

Lucerne and Avignon 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.

Avignon has a few public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Lucerne or Avignon a more walkable city?

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

Avignon is a very easy town to get around on foot. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

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 Avignon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Avignon or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Avignon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lucerne or Avignon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lucerne than Avignon 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 Avignon.

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

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Avignon?

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

Avignon is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Avignon?

In Lucerne, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lucerne has to offer.

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Avignon has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Avignon?

Lucerne 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.

Avignon 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 Avignon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lucerne. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Since Avignon is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Avignon?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Avignon, 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 Avignon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lucerne or Avignon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Avignon. The summer months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Avignon this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. In Lucerne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Avignon. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lucerne or Avignon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Avignon. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

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

In the autumn, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Avignon. Lucerne usually gets less rain in October than Avignon. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Avignon in the Winter?

Both Avignon and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Avignon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lucerne. In January, Lucerne is generally much colder than Avignon. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Avignon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Avignon during winter. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Avignon receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Avignon. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lucerne or Avignon in the Spring?

Both Avignon and Lucerne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm during these months.

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

In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Avignon. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Avignon receives 218 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Avignon. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Avignon receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Avignon and Lucerne