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

Should you visit Lucerne or Dresden?

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 Dresden. 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.

Dresden

Dresden is a friendly, architectural, and cultural 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 Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Dresden?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than Dresden. While Dresden is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. 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. Dresden is famous for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady).

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucerne is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden 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.

Dresden is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

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

Both Lucerne and Dresden 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.

Dresden offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Is Lucerne or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Lucerne and Dresden.

Many people head to Lucerne for the nightlife scene. 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.

Dresden has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

Is Lucerne or Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the superb old town areas in both Lucerne and Dresden.

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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Dresden?

Lucerne is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden 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 Dresden. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Is Lucerne or Dresden Better for Families?

Lucerne is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options 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, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Lucerne or Dresden Better for Couples?

Lucerne is a great destination for couples. Also, Dresden 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.

Dresden is a nice destination for couples. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Is Lucerne or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

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

Lucerne and Dresden 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.

Dresden has a few public transit options. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Lucerne or Dresden a more walkable city?

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

Dresden is a very walkable destination. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be 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 Dresden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Dresden?

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

Families should spend more time in Lucerne than Dresden. 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 Dresden. 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 Dresden 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 Dresden.

One day in Lucerne or Dresden?

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.

In Dresden, 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.

A weekend in Lucerne or Dresden?

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.

In Dresden, 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 Dresden has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Dresden?

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.

Dresden 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 Dresden?

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 Dresden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dresden. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Dresden, 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 Dresden?

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 Dresden in the Summer?

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

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Dresden in the Autumn?

Both Dresden 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 Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Lucerne is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lucerne in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Dresden. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dresden can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lucerne is generally much warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Dresden. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Dresden in the Spring?

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

Lucerne is a little warmer than Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Dresden. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Lucerne