Which place is cheaper, Florence or Lyon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Florence, 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 is a authentic, historic, and beautiful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.
Florence is a alluring, historical, and artistic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.
You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Florence. Lyon is bigger than Florence, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Florence is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Florence and Lyon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the amazing sights and museums in both Lyon and Florence.
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, Florence has many famous sights for visitors. Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Florence can be difficult as they are each amazing in their own way.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.
Many restaurants in Florence have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean bed and cabbage soup.
Lyon is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
The nightlife in Lyon has something for everybody. 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.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Florence. You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.
Lyon and Florence both have amazing 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.
Florence has a world-famous historical area. The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.
Both Lyon and Florence are superb shopping destinations.
Lyon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Florence. There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.
Lyon is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lyon is very family-friendly. 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.
Florence is a family-friendly place to visit. Most famous for its art and history, the city also has a number of activities that kids will enjoy. There's a carousel and a park that are perfect to let the little ones run around. There are a few kid-friendly museums, as well as a historic city center that will mesmerize the old and young alike.
Florence is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.
Florence has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Art and history lovers will enjoy a visit to this truly beautiful city. Couples who enjoy museums, historic buildings, and world-renowned art, will find plenty to do in this city.
Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.
Florence is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Florence. The city is part of a popular route through Italy, and you'll find many backpackers and students in town. There are also many hostels, so you should have no trouble meeting other young travelers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.
Lyon and Florence are both amazing 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.
Florence is a very popular city for students. Many students visit this city as part of a short term study abroad program, or for the entire length of their studies. The city is beautiful, and whether your focus is art, history, or culture, this city will not disappoint.
Lyon is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.
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.
Florence has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system.
Florence 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 Florence on foot. Most people explore the city 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 Florence Worth Visiting?.
Both Lyon and Florence have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Florence than in Lyon. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 2-7 days is enough time in Florence.
Families should spend more time in Lyon than Florence. 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 Florence than Lyon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Florence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Florence than Lyon 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 Florence.
Lyon is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Florence. 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.
Lyon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lyon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Florence is a fun place to experience. 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.
Lyon is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lyon, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the alluring destination of Florence. 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.
Lyon is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the artistic city of Florence. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lyon is €125, while the average daily cost in Florence is €154. 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 Lyon and Florence in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lyon or Florence? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Florence and Lyon 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Florence, we can see that Florence is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.
Lyon has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Florence, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Florence. The summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
Lyon is cooler than Florence in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Florence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In the summer, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Florence. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun.
Lyon usually gets more rain in July than Florence. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Florence and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Lyon is cooler than Florence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Florence averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Florence during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lyon usually receives less rain than Florence. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Florence and Lyon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Florence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. In January, Lyon is generally much colder than Florence. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Florence. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun.
Lyon usually gets less rain in January than Florence. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Florence. Many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the natural beauty during these months.
Lyon is cooler than Florence in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Florence during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lyon usually receives less rain than Florence. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lyon | Florence | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |