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

Should you visit Lucerne or Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny. 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. 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.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a active, ancient, and medieval town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Kilkenny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lucerne. Although Lucerne and Kilkenny are both popular with visitors, Lucerne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lucerne is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Kilkenny is known for its food. Lucerne is more touristy than Kilkenny 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. Kilkenny is popular for its medieval castle and long running history.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

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

Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

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 Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Lucerne know how to have a good time. 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 Kilkenny has a few options to choose from. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Lucerne or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the high quality old town areas in both Lucerne and Kilkenny.

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 Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Kilkenny?

Lucerne is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Is Lucerne or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

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 Kilkenny Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Kilkenny both high quality 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.

Kilkenny is a very popular place to visit for couples. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Is Lucerne or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

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

Lucerne and Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny has a few public transit options. There are city buses through town.

Is Lucerne or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

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

Kilkenny is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

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 Kilkenny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Kilkenny?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny.

One day in Lucerne or Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Kilkenny?

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.

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kilkenny. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Kilkenny?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Kilkenny. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Kilkenny. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

Both Kilkenny and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Kilkenny for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Lucerne is a little warmer than Kilkenny in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Kilkenny in the Winter?

Both Kilkenny and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lucerne can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Lucerne is much colder than Kilkenny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kilkenny. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Kilkenny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Kilkenny. The spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.

In April, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kilkenny during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Lucerne