A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lulea vs. Lucerne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lulea or Lucerne?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lulea and Lucerne can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Lulea or Lucerne?

Lulea

Lulea is in northern Sweden, in Norrbotten. It's a mid sized city with about 70,000 residents. It also has a technical university, the Lulea University of Technology, which was created in 1971. The city of Lulea is located at the mouth of Lule River on the Gulf of Bothnia. The city's economy is focused on research, education, trade and services. The university's educational programs appeal to new businesses that range from local companies to multinational corporations. There is also a prominant IT sector in the city.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Adventure Tours to Sweden, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Lucerne or Lulea?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lulea is $105, while the average daily cost in Lucerne is $214. 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 Lulea and Lucerne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lulea $55
    Lucerne $137
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lulea $110
    Lucerne $274
Compare Hotels in Lulea and Lucerne

Looking for a hotel in Lulea or Lucerne? 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.

Hotels in Lulea


Hotels in Lucerne


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: Lulea Hotel Prices and Lucerne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lulea $21
    Lucerne $13

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
  • From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
  • INTERLAKEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $744
  • LAUTERBRUNNEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $722
  • Private transfer from Zurich airport to Lucerne: $547
  • Lucerne City to Zurich City One-Way Private Transfer : $300
  • Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $284
  • Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich English Speaking Driver: $134
  • Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $257
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Bad Ragaz Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Lulea or Lucerne?

Prices for flights to both Lucerne and Lulea 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lulea $35
    Lucerne $62

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lulea $16
    Lucerne $34

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne

For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 1 Day Bicycle Rental
    $34
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lulea $18
    Lucerne $22

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


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

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


Which is Bigger, Lulea or Lucerne?

Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Lulea. When comparing the sizes of Lulea and Lucerne, 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 Lulea or Lucerne?

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 Lulea or Lucerne in the Summer?

Both Lucerne and Lulea during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lulea is cooler than Lucerne in the summer. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Lucerne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lulea. In the summer, Lulea often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Lulea gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lulea 15°C (60°F) 
    Lucerne 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Lulea or Lucerne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lulea and Lucerne. Also, 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lulea. In the autumn, Lulea is much colder than Lucerne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lulea in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Lucerne averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Lulea usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during autumn. Lulea gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lulea usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Lulea gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lulea 2°C (36°F) 
    Lucerne 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Lulea or Lucerne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lulea as well as Lucerne. Also, most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lucerne can be very cold during winter. Lulea can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lulea is generally much colder than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Lulea average around -12°C (10°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Lulea often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Lulea gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun.

Lulea usually gets less rain in January than Lucerne. Lulea gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lulea -12°C (10°F) 
    Lucerne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Lulea or Lucerne in the Spring?

Both Lucerne and Lulea are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Lulea can be very cold during spring. Lulea is much colder than Lucerne in the spring. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Lulea usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during spring. Lulea gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lulea usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Lulea gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lulea -1°C (31°F) 
    Lucerne 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Lucerne and Lulea

Lulea Lucerne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)