Which place is cheaper, Plzen or Lucerne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lucerne or Plzen?
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 Plzen. 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.
Where Should I go: Lucerne or Plzen?
Lucerne
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
Plzen
Renowned as the home of the pilsner beer, Plzen is a city located in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Beyond beer, it also features a number of impressive landmarks some of which include St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and the Great Synagogue.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLucerne $214Plzen $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Lucerne is $214, while the average daily cost in Plzen is $101. 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 Plzen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLucerne $137Plzen $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLucerne $274Plzen $122
Compare Hotels in Lucerne and Plzen
Looking for a hotel in Lucerne or Plzen? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lucerne Hotel Prices and Plzen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lucerne $13Plzen $8.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich English Speaking Driver: $134
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Bad Ragaz Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $251
- From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
- Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $257
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $284
- Lucerne City to Zurich City One-Way Private Transfer : $300
- Private transfer from Zurich airport to Lucerne: $547
- LAUTERBRUNNEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $722
- INTERLAKEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $744
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Plzen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Plzen:
- Private Transfer from Pilsen(Plzen) to Prague: $271
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $116
- Private Transfer from Pilsen to Prague: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Lucerne or Plzen?
Prices for flights to both Plzen 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayLucerne $62Plzen $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swiss Alps: Traditional Swiss Fondue Cooking Class: $82
- Lake Candlelight Dinner Cruise: $141
- From Zurich: 2-Day Mt.Titlis including 4-course dinner: $547
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lucerne $34Plzen $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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1 Day Bicycle Rental$34
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The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee$35
Tours and Activities in Lucerne
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Revealing Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $5.47
- Smartphone walking tour - cool Lucerne old town: $5.47
- Walking Tour - Around the Old Town Lucerne: $5.60
- The Lives and Legends of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Lucerne Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Revealing Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
- Porrentruy Secret Tour: $13
- Scavenger Hunt and Self-guided Walking Tour: $15
- Swiss Chocolate Adventure Experience: $20
- Guided Walking Tour with an Official Guide: $27
Tours and Activities in Plzen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Plzen are as follows:
- Experience Best Prague Tandem Skydiving : $250
- Pilsen Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.74
- Pilsen Private Walking Tour: $201
- Pilsen: Historic Underground Tour with a Glass of Beer: $8.56
- Pilsen: Old Town Gastronomy Tour: $32
- Private Tour to Pilsner Urquell from Prague: $272
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLucerne $22Plzen $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
- 3 Hour Unique Wine Tour - Half Day in Swiss Alps: $166
- Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $273
Sample the Local Flavors in Plzen
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Plzen:
- Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer: $6.55
- Pilsen: Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $17
- Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour including Lunch and Beer Tasting: $108
- Pilsner brewery tour incl beer tasting & Czech town Pilsen: $140
- Day trip to Pilsner Urquell brewery and Bohemian glassworks: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lucerne and Plzen, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Plzen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plzen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plzen 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 Plzen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lucerne Expensive? and Is Plzen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Plzen?
Plzen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Plzen, 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 Plzen?
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 Plzen in the Summer?
Both Plzen 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.
In the summer, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lucerne in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Plzen averages at about 20°C (67°F).
In Plzen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 212 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Plzen. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLucerne 21°C (70°F)Plzen 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Plzen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Plzen. 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.
In October, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Plzen. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 13°C (56°F), and Plzen fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plzen during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Plzen. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLucerne 13°C (56°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Plzen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Plzen. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Plzen. It's quite cold in Lucerne in the winter. Lucerne is much warmer than Plzen in the winter. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Plzen fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Plzen. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plzen receives 45 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Plzen. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLucerne 3°C (37°F)Plzen -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Plzen in the Spring?
Both Plzen 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.
In the spring, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Plzen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lucerne in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Plzen averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Lucerne usually receives less sunshine than Plzen during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Plzen receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Plzen. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Plzen receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLucerne 12°C (53°F)Plzen 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Plzen and Lucerne
| Lucerne | Plzen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.