Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Lucerne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Kiel. 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 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Kiel is a off-the-beaten-path, waterfront, and maritime 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.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than Kiel. While Kiel is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kiel is known for its beaches. Lucerne is more touristy than Kiel and 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. Kiel is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kiel and Lucerne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Lucerne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel 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.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.
Both Lucerne and Kiel 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.
Kiel offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)
Lucerne is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
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 Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.
Kiel is a good destination for the beach. However, Lucerne is not a beach destination.
Kiel offers a nice beach destination. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Lucerne is not a beach destination.
Lucerne is well known for its old town. However, Kiel 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.
Kiel does not have a historic old town.
Lucerne is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
Lucerne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.
Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.
Both Lucerne and Kiel are good 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.
Kiel is a family-friendly place to visit. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.
Lucerne is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
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.
Kiel is a good city for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.
Kiel is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.
It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.
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.
Lucerne is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.
You'll find some public transit in Lucerne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.
Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.
Lucerne and Kiel 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.
Kiel is somewhat walkable. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.
For even more information, also check out Is Lucerne Worth Visiting? and Is Kiel Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lucerne and Kiel. In our opinion, Lucerne has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lucerne than Kiel. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Lucerne than Kiel. 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 Kiel. 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 Kiel 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.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
In Kiel, 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.
Lucerne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
In Kiel, 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 Kiel has to offer.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Lucerne. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Kiel 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.
The scenic city of Lucerne offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Kiel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kiel. 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lucerne is $214, while the average daily cost in Kiel is $148. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lucerne and Kiel in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lucerne or Kiel? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
Prices for flights to both Kiel and Lucerne change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Lucerne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lucerne and Kiel, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Kiel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kiel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiel 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 Kiel.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lucerne Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.
Kiel has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Kiel, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Kiel. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kiel. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Kiel 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 Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Lucerne is a little warmer than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Kiel 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 Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kiel can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lucerne is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).
In the winter, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Kiel. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Kiel. 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 Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Lucerne is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Kiel. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lucerne | Kiel | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |