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

Should you visit Lucerne or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt. 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 active, cultural, and historic 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.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Frankfurt?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Lucerne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Lucerne attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Lucerne is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Lucerne different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Lucerne and Frankfurt.

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.

Frankfurt has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Lucerne or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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 go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Frankfurt?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lucerne and Frankfurt both offer plenty of high quality spots.

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.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Lucerne or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Lucerne is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Lucerne or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Lucerne is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Lucerne or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

Frankfurt is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Lucerne is a decent spot for students. Most people don't think of the city as a student town but there are some good opportunities for international students. The prices are high, but the city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that is fun to explore.

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

Frankfurt is very popular 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.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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

Is Lucerne or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

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

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Frankfurt?

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

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Frankfurt?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lucerne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Frankfurt?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Lucerne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Frankfurt has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Frankfurt?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Lucerne. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

Lucerne is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lucerne or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Frankfurt. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

In the autumn, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Frankfurt can be very cold. Lucerne can be very cold during winter. In January, Lucerne is generally much warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lucerne or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Lucerne during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

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

In the spring, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Frankfurt. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Lucerne