A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lyon vs. Boston for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Lyon or Boston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Boston, 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 beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a loyal, historic, and traditional city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Lyon and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Boston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Boston than Lyon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Boston is very popular for its theatre productions, music, beaches, and christmas markets, while Lyon attracts visitors for its food, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Lyon is famous for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Boston is famous for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also well known for The Freedom Trail.

How is Lyon different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the world-class sights and museums in both Lyon and Boston.

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, Boston has many famous sights for visitors. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Lyon is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Lyon is not a theatre destination.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and Boston are great when it comes to partying.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Boston has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a nice place to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Boston active and fun. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a moderate city for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Lyon and Boston both have world-class 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.

Boston has a world-famous historical area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Boston?

Lyon is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lyon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Lyon does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Lyon does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a well-known place for its Christmas markets. However, Lyon does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in Boston offer plenty to see during the holidays. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Lyon does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Boston is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. 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.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Couples?

Lyon is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is notable for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Lyon or Boston Better for Students?

Lyon and Boston are both world-class destinations for students and younger travelers.

Lyon is a great destination for students. 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.

Boston is a very popular city for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

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

Both Lyon and Boston offer world-class public transit options.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Boston has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Is Lyon or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Boston on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Boston or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Boston?

In either Lyon or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Boston has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Boston than Lyon. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Boston 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 Boston?

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Boston. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Lyon or Boston?

Lyon 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.

Boston is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the loyal big city of Boston. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Lyon or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Lyon. 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.

The proud city of Boston offers food and shopping. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lyon is in Europe and Boston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lyon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lyon 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Lyon.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lyon is generally around the same temperature as Boston. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 22°C (71°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives less rain than Boston. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Lyon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lyon 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 Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Boston. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Boston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Boston. Most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Boston can be very cold. Lyon can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Lyon is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lyon in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Boston during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Boston. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Boston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Boston. The spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In April, Lyon is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 11°C (53°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. In the spring, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Boston. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Boston and Lyon