Which place is cheaper, Rome or Lyon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Rome, 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 historic, beautiful, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of Lyon is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Lyon travel costs.
Rome is a popular, ancient, and archeological city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty in Rome as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Rome travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Lyon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Lyon is known for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Rome is more touristy than Lyon and is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome and Lyon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the first-rate sights and museums in both Lyon and Rome.
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, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Rome can be difficult as they are each first-rate 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 Rome have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
Rome is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.
Rome has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.
Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.
Rome 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 Rome Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
Lyon is not a live music destination.
Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Rome 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.
Rome does not have a historic old town.
Rome is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Rome make it a world-class shopping destination. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.
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.
Lyon and Rome are somewhat similar when it comes to the first-rate scenery.
You'll find world class beauty in Lyon as well. The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.
Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its many beautiful landmarks and impressive architecture, this city has a lot of attractive places to visit. Don't miss Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere, Palazzo Madama, the Appian Way, and Piazza Navona.
Lyon and Rome are both high quality 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 Rome. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.
Lyon and Rome are both high quality to visit as a couple.
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.
Rome makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
Rome 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 Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).
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 Rome are both first-rate 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.
Rome is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
Both Lyon and Rome offer first-rate 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.
Rome has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.
Rome 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 Rome on foot. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.
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 Rome Worth Visiting?.
Both Lyon and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Lyon. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.
Couples should spend more time in Rome than Lyon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome 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 Rome.
Lyon is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the big city destination of Rome. 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 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.
Rome is a fun place to experience. 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.
Lyon is a authentic big city where you can fill many days. 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.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun-filled big city of Rome. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
The cultural city of Lyon offers nightlife and food. 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.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling city of Rome. 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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lyon is €155, while the average daily cost in Rome is €204. 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 Rome in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lyon or Rome? 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:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
Prices for flights to both Rome 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
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:
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Rome has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Rome, 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 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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Rome. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lyon is cooler than Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Rome. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Rome. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lyon is generally cooler than Rome. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Rome. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.
Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Rome and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rome 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 Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Rome during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Rome. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Rome and Lyon during the spring are popular places to visit. 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 Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lyon is cooler than Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Rome. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.
Lyon usually gets more rain in April than Rome. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lyon | Rome | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |