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

Should you visit Lucerne or Beaune?

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 Beaune. 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beaune

Beaune is a culinary, quaint, and vineyard-filled town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Beaune?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lucerne. Although Lucerne and Beaune are both popular with visitors, Lucerne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lucerne is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Beaune is known for its food, historical sights, and small town charm. Lucerne is popular for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also home to The Chapel Bridge. Beaune is popular for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Beaune and Lucerne.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lucerne. 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.

Beaune offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

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

Beaune 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 Beaune, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

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 Beaune Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Lucerne know how to have a good time. 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 Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Lucerne or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Beaune 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.

Beaune has a world-famous historical area. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

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 Beaune?

Lucerne is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Lucerne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Lucerne or Beaune Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Beaune are good 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.

Beaune is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Lucerne or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is very popular for couples. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Beaune is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Lucerne is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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

Lucerne and Beaune both offer good 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.

Beaune has a few public transit options. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Lucerne or Beaune a more walkable city?

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

Beaune is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

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 Beaune Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Lucerne or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beaune due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lucerne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Beaune?

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

In Beaune, 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 food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Lucerne or Beaune?

Lucerne 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.

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

Five days in Lucerne or Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. 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.

Beaune 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 Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active destination of Lucerne. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beaune. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Beaune. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lucerne and Beaune, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Beaune much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beaune would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beaune 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 Beaune.

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Beaune?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Beaune, 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 Beaune?

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 Beaune in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Beaune. The summer months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In July, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Beaune. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaune. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Beaune. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Beaune. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Beaune in the Autumn?

Both Beaune and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, many travelers come to Beaune for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Beaune in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Beaune fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Beaune. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Beaune in the Winter?

Both Beaune and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaune in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beaune can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lucerne. In the winter, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Beaune. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Beaune averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Beaune. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Beaune in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Beaune. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Beaune for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Beaune. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Beaune during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Beaune. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Lucerne