A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lyon vs. Nashville for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Lyon or Nashville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Nashville, 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 historic, beautiful, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Nashville

Nashville is a southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Lyon and Nashville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Nashville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lyon. Although Lyon and Nashville are popular destinations, Lyon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lyon is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Nashville attracts visitors for its music and resorts. Lyon is more touristy than Nashville and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also well known for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Nashville is famous for its influence in country music and its many live music venues.

How is Lyon different from Nashville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Lyon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Lyon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and Nashville are high quality 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.

Nashville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Music?

Nashville is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Nashville The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nashville makes a nice vacation spot. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Nashville does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Lyon is revered around the world. 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.

Nashville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Nashville?

Lyon is a very popular place for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a nice place to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Lyon does not offer Christmas activities.

Nashville offers some nice Christmas activities. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Lyon does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Families?

Lyon is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Lyon is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Couples?

Lyon is a very popular place for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Nashville. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Is Lyon or Nashville Better for Students?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

Lyon is a very popular city 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.

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Lyon can get you around easily. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Lyon or Nashville a more walkable city?

Lyon is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Lyon is very walkable. 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.

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Nashville or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Nashville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lyon and Nashville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than in Nashville. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nashville.

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Nashville. 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 Nashville. 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 Nashville 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 Nashville?

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Nashville. 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 Nashville?

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Nashville is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Nashville?

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the country music lovers destination of Nashville. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Nashville?

Lyon is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The southern city of Nashville offers nightlife and live music. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Nashville, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville 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 Nashville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Nashville?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Nashville, 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 Nashville?

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 Lyon or Nashville in the Summer?

Both Nashville and Lyon during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lyon is generally cooler than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 22°C (71°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lyon. In the summer, Lyon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in July than Nashville. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Nashville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Nashville. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Nashville in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Lyon is cooler than Nashville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lyon usually receives more rain than Nashville. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Nashville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Nashville. Many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nashville can be very cold during winter. Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lyon is around the same temperature as Nashville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lyon in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Nashville averages at about 38°F (4°C).

In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in January than Nashville. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Nashville in the Spring?

Both Nashville and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nashville because of the activities around the city.

In April, Lyon is generally cooler than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 11°C (53°F), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In April, Lyon usually receives less rain than Nashville. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nashville and Lyon