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

Should you visit Lucerne or Hannover?

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 Hannover. 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Hannover

Hannover is a diverse, vibrant, 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 Hannover: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Hannover?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lucerne than Hannover. While Hannover is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lucerne is more touristy than Hannover 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. Hannover is well known for its many parks and gardens as well as its accessibility to the German train system.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Hannover?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucerne is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Hannover offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll see many of the city's sights along the Red Thread Trail in the city center. Make sure you check out the New Town Hall, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, and the Lower Saxony State Museum as well.

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

Both Lucerne and Hannover offer notable 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.

Hannover offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find classic tearooms, food halls, fine dining restaurants, and markets. Try all of the classic German sausages or sample international dishes in this dynamic city.

Is Lucerne or Hannover Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Lucerne and Hannover.

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.

Hannover has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There are many students who keep the nightlife scene active. From beer halls to jazz venues, you'll find a diversity of options around town.

Is Lucerne or Hannover Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is a great city for its historic old town. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Many people head to Hannover to see the old town. Check out the half-timbered buildings, the old churches, and the charming streets around old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Hannover?

Lucerne is a great city for shopping. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Hannover offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the 14th-century Market Church (Marktkirche) and wander around the nearby streets for some of the city's best shopping. Also make sure you check out the city flea market. In addition to boutiques and independent shops, there are also major department stores and large shopping malls in the area.

Is Lucerne or Hannover Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Hannover 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.

Hannover is a family-friendly place to visit. Like many German cities, there are a number of activities geared specifically to kids. Check out the Sea Life Center or the Hannover Zoo. If you're willing to get out of town a bit, there's also Serengeti Park Hodenhagen or Rasti-Land theme park, which has rides and games.

Is Lucerne or Hannover Better for Couples?

Lucerne is a great city for romance. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Hannover makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic settings around town include Herrenhäuser Gärten, Berggarten, and Maschpark.

Is Lucerne or Hannover Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Hannover. Some people use the city to split up longer train trips. There are a couple of hostels in town if you decide to stay a night or two.

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 Hannover Better for Students?

Hannover is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

Many students visit Hannover. There are a few great universities in town including Leibniz University, which attract international students. There's also a nice nightlife and easy accessibility to the rest of Germany.

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

Hannover 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 Hannover. The city has 12 city trains and 38 bus lines.

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

Is Lucerne or Hannover a more walkable city?

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

Hannover is a very walkable destination. There are some nice walkable parts to the city.

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 Hannover Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hannover or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Hannover?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lucerne or Hannover to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lucerne than Hannover 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 Hannover.

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

One day in Lucerne or Hannover?

The beautiful city of Lucerne offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Hannover, 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 Hannover?

Lucerne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lucerne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Hannover, 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 Hannover has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Hannover?

Lucerne is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hannover 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 Hannover?

Lucerne is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hannover. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hannover. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, and The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Hannover?

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

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 Hannover in the Summer?

Both Hannover and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hannover this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lucerne. Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Hannover during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Hannover receives 198 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Hannover. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lucerne or Hannover in the Autumn?

Both Hannover and Lucerne during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hannover for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Hannover. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 13°C (56°F), and Hannover fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Hannover. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hannover receives 104 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in October than Hannover. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Hannover in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Hannover. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hannover in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hannover can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lucerne. Lucerne is much warmer than Hannover in the winter. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Hannover fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Hannover during winter. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Hannover receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Hannover. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lucerne or Hannover in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Hannover. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Hannover for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Lucerne is a little warmer than Hannover. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lucerne in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Hannover averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hannover. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hannover receives 150 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Hannover. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hannover and Lucerne