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

Should you visit Lucerne or Calais?

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 Calais. 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 scenic, active, and cultural 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Lucerne and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Calais?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than Calais. While Calais is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais attracts visitors for its beaches. Lucerne is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucerne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Both Lucerne and Calais offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Lucerne is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Calais offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Lucerne or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Lucerne or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beach. However, Lucerne is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Lucerne is not a beach destination.

Is Lucerne or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Calais?

Lucerne is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais 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 Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Lucerne or Calais Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Calais 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.

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Lucerne or Calais Better for Couples?

Lucerne is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Lucerne frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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

Lucerne and Calais 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.

Calais has a few public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Lucerne or Calais a more walkable city?

Lucerne and Calais are nice 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Calais?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Lucerne than Calais. 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 Lucerne than Calais 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 Lucerne.

One day in Lucerne or Calais?

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 Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Lucerne or Calais?

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 Calais, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Calais?

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.

Calais 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic 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 Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Calais. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lucerne is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Calais. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Calais in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lucerne in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Calais. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Calais can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lucerne is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Calais. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Lucerne is a little warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Calais during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Calais. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Lucerne