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

Should you visit Lucerne or Linz?

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 Linz. 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 historic, vibrant, and scenic 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Linz

Linz is a cultural, historic, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Lucerne and Linz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Linz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than Linz. While Linz is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. 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. Linz is popular for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Linz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Linz 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.

Linz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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

Both Lucerne and Linz 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.

Linz offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Lucerne or Linz Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

Lucerne offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Lucerne or Linz Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

Lucerne is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Linz?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lucerne and Linz both offer plenty of very good 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.

Linz is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

Is Lucerne or Linz Better for Families?

Both Lucerne and Linz 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.

Linz is a family-friendly place to visit. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Is Lucerne or Linz Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Linz both very good 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.

Linz is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Is Lucerne or Linz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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

Lucerne and Linz 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.

Linz has a few public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Lucerne or Linz a more walkable city?

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

Linz is a very walkable destination. The tourist areas are easy to explore 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 Linz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Linz or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Linz?

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Linz?

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 Linz, you'll find museums and food. 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 Linz?

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 Linz, 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 Linz has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Linz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active 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.

Linz 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 Linz?

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 Linz. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Linz. 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 in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Linz?

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

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 Linz in the Summer?

Both Linz and Lucerne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Linz because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Linz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Linz. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 236 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Linz. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Linz receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Linz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Linz. The autumn months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Linz this time of year.

Lucerne is a little warmer than Linz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Linz fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Linz during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Linz. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Linz receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Linz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Linz. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Linz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Linz. It's quite cold in Lucerne in the winter. In the winter, Lucerne is much warmer than Linz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Linz averages at about -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Linz. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 57 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Linz. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Linz receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Linz in the Spring?

Both Linz and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Linz in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Lucerne is generally around the same temperature as Linz. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Linz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Linz during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Linz. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Linz receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Linz and Lucerne