A Travel Price Comparison for France Lyon vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Lyon or Arles?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Arles, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lyon and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lyon than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lyon is more touristy than Arles and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Lyon different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Lyon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lyon or Arles?

Plenty of people visit the terrific sights and museums in both Lyon and Arles.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Arles has many famous sights for visitors. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Is the Food Better in Lyon or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Lyon or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Lyon is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Lyon or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Lyon and Arles both have terrific historical old towns that attract visitors.

Lyon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Arles has a world-famous historical area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Arles?

Lyon is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Lyon or Arles Better for Families?

Lyon is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Lyon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Lyon or Arles Better for Couples?

Lyon and Arles are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Arles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Lyon or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lyon is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Lyon or Arles Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Lyon. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Lyon or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Lyon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Lyon or Arles a more walkable city?

Lyon and Arles both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Lyon is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Lyon Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lyon or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lyon than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Arles 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 Lyon.

One day in Lyon or Arles?

Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Lyon or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or Arles?

Lyon is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The compact town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Lyon and Arles, we can see that Arles is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Arles?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Arles, 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 Lyon or Arles?

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 Lyon or Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Arles. Most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lyon is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Arles. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Arles. The autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In October, Lyon is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Arles. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Arles. Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. Lyon is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Arles. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Lyon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lyon is cooler than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Arles. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in April than Arles. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Lyon