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

Should you visit Lucerne or Wernigerode?

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 Wernigerode. 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Wernigerode

Wernigerode is a fairytale-like, charming, and quaint town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Lucerne and Wernigerode: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lucerne or Wernigerode?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lucerne than Wernigerode, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lucerne is better known for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Wernigerode is more popular for its historical sights and small town charm. Lucerne is well known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Also, Lucerne is famous for The Chapel Bridge. Wernigerode is well known for its storybook setting and its beautiful hilltop castle.

The Chapel Bridge

How is Lucerne different from Wernigerode?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Wernigerode offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. In addition to its beautiful old town, the highlight of a visit to this town is exploring the Wernigerode Castle. Other attractions include the Museum für Luftfahrt und Technik and the Miniaturenpark.

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

Both Lucerne and Wernigerode offer notable 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.

Wernigerode offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. As a touristy town, you'll find a number of restaurants that serve traditional food. There are also sausage stands and plenty of ice cream shops.

Is Lucerne or Wernigerode Better for Nightlife?

Lucerne is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Wernigerode is not a good town for nightlife and partying.

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 Wernigerode. The small town isn't known for its nightlife scene but there are plenty of places where you can grab a beer and have a relaxing night.

Is Lucerne or Wernigerode Better for its Old Town?

Wernigerode 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.

Wernigerode has a world-famous historical area. If you're looking for an almost flawless old town with charm and few imperfections, then this is your place.

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 Wernigerode?

Lucerne is a well-known place for shopping. However, Wernigerode is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Wernigerode is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lucerne or Wernigerode Better for Families?

Wernigerode 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 Wernigerode. The town feels like you've landed in a fairytale book, which your kids will love. There's a train and a castle to explore. There's also the fun citizen and miniature parks and the fairytale trail. In addition to all of the sights and attractions, there are playgrounds and animal attractions that kids will love.

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 Wernigerode Better for Couples?

Lucerne and Wernigerode 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.

Wernigerode is a very popular place to visit for couples. This fairytale town is something special with many beautiful buildings, a castle, and great restaurants that make for a romantic weekend.

Is Lucerne or Wernigerode Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Wernigerode. There are enough hostels in town to keep prices reasonable. This is also a very touristy town, so you're likely to meet other travelers.

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

Lucerne and Wernigerode both offer notable 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.

Wernigerode has a few public transit options. You can take the bus to town, but once you arrive its best to explore on foot. There's also a charming narrow grade railway that connect the towns of the area.

Is Lucerne or Wernigerode a more walkable city?

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

Wernigerode is a very easy town to get around on foot. You can easily explore the town and the nearby castle 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 Wernigerode Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wernigerode or Lucerne?

How long in Lucerne or Wernigerode?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lucerne and Wernigerode. In our opinion, Wernigerode has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Wernigerode than Lucerne. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Lucerne or Wernigerode?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Lucerne. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Wernigerode is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Wernigerode?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Lucerne. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Wernigerode might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Wernigerode has to offer.

Five days in Lucerne or Wernigerode?

The vibrant city of Lucerne offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Wernigerode 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 Wernigerode?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lucerne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Wernigerode. Since Wernigerode is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Wernigerode?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Wernigerode. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne and Wernigerode, 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 Wernigerode?

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 Wernigerode in the Summer?

Both Wernigerode and Lucerne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wernigerode in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lucerne is a little warmer than Wernigerode. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lucerne in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Wernigerode averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In Wernigerode, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lucerne. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Wernigerode. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wernigerode receives 201 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Wernigerode. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Wernigerode receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Wernigerode in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Wernigerode. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wernigerode for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Wernigerode. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 13°C (56°F), and Wernigerode fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

In October, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Wernigerode. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wernigerode receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lucerne or Wernigerode in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Wernigerode. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Wernigerode because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Wernigerode can be very cold. Lucerne can be very cold during winter. Lucerne is much warmer than Wernigerode in the winter. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Wernigerode fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Wernigerode. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wernigerode receives 60 hours of full sun.

Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Wernigerode. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Wernigerode receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lucerne or Wernigerode in the Spring?

Both Wernigerode and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Wernigerode this time of year.

In the spring, Lucerne is a little warmer than Wernigerode. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lucerne in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Wernigerode averages at about 9°C (48°F).

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

In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Wernigerode. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Wernigerode receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wernigerode and Lucerne