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

Should you visit Lucerne or Munich?

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 Munich. 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. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Munich

Munich is a high energy, multicultural, and economically thriving city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Lucerne and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Munich?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Munich than Lucerne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Munich is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Lucerne attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Lucerne is famous for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also well known for The Nymphenburg Palace.

How is Lucerne different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Munich 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.

Munich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Munich 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.

Munich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

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 Munich Better for Nightlife?

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

Munich is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich Better for Music?

Munich is very popular for its music scene. However, Lucerne is not a live music destination.

Munich has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Lucerne is not a live music destination.

Is Lucerne or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Lucerne is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Lucerne to see the historical old town. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lucerne or Munich?

Munich is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Munich specifically to go shopping. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Lucerne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Lucerne or Munich Better for Families?

Munich 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 Munich. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Munich 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.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Lucerne or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around 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 Munich Better for Students?

Munich is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for students.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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

Munich is very popular 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.

Munich has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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

Is Lucerne or Munich a more walkable city?

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

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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 Munich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Munich or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Munich?

In either Lucerne or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Lucerne because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lucerne, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lucerne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Because Munich is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Munich?

Lucerne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Because Munich is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Munich has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Munich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucerne. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Munich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Munich has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Lucerne or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Lucerne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Munich. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Munich. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Munich. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Munich. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Lucerne is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lucerne in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Munich during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Munich. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. The weather in Lucerne can be very cold. In January, Lucerne is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Munich. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Munich. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Munich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Munich. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city.

Lucerne is around the same temperature as Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Munich during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Munich. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and Lucerne