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

Should you visit Lucerne or Caen?

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 Caen. 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Caen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lucerne than Caen. While Caen is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lucerne is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen is more popular for its food. Lucerne is more touristy than Caen and is known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Also, Lucerne is famous for The Chapel Bridge. Caen is well known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

Caen 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.

Caen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

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 Caen Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Lucerne or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Caen?

Lucerne is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lucerne or Caen Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Caen are notable 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.

Caen is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Lucerne or Caen Better for Couples?

Lucerne is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Lucerne makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Lucerne or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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 Caen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Caen is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Lucerne has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is Lucerne or Caen a more walkable city?

Lucerne and Caen are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Caen is somewhat walkable. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lucerne and Caen. In our opinion, Lucerne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lucerne than Caen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lucerne, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Caen, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city 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 Caen?

Lucerne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Caen, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Caen has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Lucerne. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Caen is a great place to explore. 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 Caen?

The vibrant city of Lucerne offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Caen. 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 Caen, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen 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 Caen.

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Lucerne is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lucerne in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Caen averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caen this time of the year. In Lucerne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Caen. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lucerne or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Caen. 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 Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

In October, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Caen. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 13°C (56°F), and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Caen. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Caen in the Winter?

Both Caen 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 Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lucerne. Lucerne is much colder than Caen in the winter. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Caen during winter. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Caen. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lucerne or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen 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 Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Lucerne is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lucerne in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Caen averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Caen. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Caen. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Lucerne