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

Should you visit Lucerne or Marseille?

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 Marseille. 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 cultural, historic, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lucerne than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lucerne is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Marseille attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Lucerne is famous for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. It is also well known for The Chapel Bridge. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucerne is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lucerne can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

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 Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

Lucerne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Lucerne or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beach. However, Lucerne is not a beach destination.

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Lucerne is not a beach destination.

Is Lucerne or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

Marseille has a world-famous historical area. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Marseille?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lucerne and Marseille both offer plenty of great 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.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Lucerne or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Lucerne does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Lucerne does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Lucerne or Marseille Better for Families?

Lucerne is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Lucerne is a family-friendly city. 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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Lucerne or Marseille Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Marseille both great 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.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Lucerne or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

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 Marseille Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar 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.

Is Lucerne or Marseille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lucerne and Marseille both offer nice 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.

Marseille has a few public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Lucerne or Marseille a more walkable city?

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

Marseille is a very walkable destination. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas 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 Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lucerne and Marseille. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marseille than Lucerne. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lucerne, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Lucerne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marseille that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Lucerne or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lucerne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Lucerne or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Lucerne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Marseille has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Lucerne. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Marseille 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 Marseille?

Lucerne is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Marseille, 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 Marseille?

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 Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Marseille. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Lucerne is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Lucerne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Marseille. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lucerne or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lucerne is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lucerne in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

The weather in Lucerne can be very cold. In January, Lucerne is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Marseille. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lucerne or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Lucerne during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Lucerne is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Marseille. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Lucerne