A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lyon vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Lyon or Pompeii?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Pompeii, 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. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums.

Lyon and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Lyon and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pompeii is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Lyon 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.

How is Lyon different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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

Lyon is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Lyon or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Lyon has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Lyon or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Lyon is one of the most recognized in 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Pompeii?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Lyon or Pompeii Better for Families?

Lyon and Pompeii are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly city. 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 family-friendly things to do in Pompeii. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Lyon or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Lyon or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Lyon or Pompeii Better for Students?

Lyon is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Lyon is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Lyon has a great public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Lyon or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is an amazing archeological site 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 Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lyon or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lyon than Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

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

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 museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Lyon or Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Pompeii?

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 around the famous destination of Pompeii. This archeological site offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Pompeii?

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 ancient archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Lyon or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Lyon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lyon is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Pompeii, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lyon. In the summer, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Pompeii. 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.

In October, Lyon is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lyon usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Pompeii. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. Lyon is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Lyon usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lyon is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lyon usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Lyon