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

Should you visit Lyon or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Phoenix, 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. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come to Lyon because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Lyon travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Phoenix travel costs.

Lyon and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lyon than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Lyon, Lyon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lyon is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. Lyon is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Lyon different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lyon has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Lyon or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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 Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Lyon or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Lyon offers plenty to see. 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.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Lyon or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Phoenix?

Lyon is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Lyon or Phoenix More Beautiful?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Lyon because of it's amazing beauty. The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.

Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lyon or Phoenix Better for Families?

Lyon is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Lyon or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Lyon is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Lyon or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Lyon or Phoenix Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Lyon or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Lyon is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lyon and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Phoenix. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Lyon or Phoenix?

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer.

Phoenix is a fun place to experience. 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 Phoenix?

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the desert destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lyon. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The laid back city of Phoenix offers nightlife and food. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Phoenix. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Lyon is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In the summer, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Lyon is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lyon usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Lyon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Lyon is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Lyon is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lyon usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Lyon