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

Should you visit Lucerne or Giverny?

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 Giverny. 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. 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a picturesque, peaceful, and serene town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Lucerne and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Giverny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lucerne. Although Lucerne and Giverny are both popular with visitors, Lucerne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lucerne is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Lucerne and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. 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.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Giverny 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.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Both Lucerne and Giverny offer good 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.

Giverny offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Lucerne or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Lucerne or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is great for its old town. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Giverny?

Lucerne is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Lucerne is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lucerne or Giverny Better for Families?

Lucerne is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Lucerne or Giverny Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Giverny both superb destinations for a couple.

Lucerne is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Giverny is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Lucerne or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

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

Lucerne and Giverny 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.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Lucerne or Giverny a more walkable city?

Lucerne and Giverny are good 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.

Giverny is somewhat walkable. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lucerne or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lucerne than Giverny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lucerne, and 1-2 days is enough time in Giverny.

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

One day in Lucerne or Giverny?

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 Giverny, you'll find food and museums. This town 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny, you'll find museums 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 Giverny has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Giverny?

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.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Giverny. 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 France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Giverny?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Giverny. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lucerne. Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Giverny. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lucerne or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and Lucerne during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Giverny in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in October than Giverny. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Giverny. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Giverny can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lucerne is much colder than Giverny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Giverny averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during winter. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Giverny. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lucerne or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Giverny. 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 Giverny because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Giverny. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Giverny. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Lucerne