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

Should you visit Lyon or Sao Paulo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Sao Paulo, 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 authentic, historic, and beautiful 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.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a cultural, dynamic, and vibrant city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Lyon and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lyon than Sao Paulo. While Sao Paulo is larger than Lyon, Lyon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lyon is more popular for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Sao Paulo is known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities. Lyon is more touristy than Sao Paulo 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. Sao Paulo is popular for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene.

How is Lyon different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the amazing sights and museums in both Lyon and Sao Paulo.

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, Sao Paulo has many famous sights for visitors. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

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.

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

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.

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Lyon is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Lyon is a great city for couples. Also, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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.

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

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

Both Lyon and Sao Paulo offer amazing 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.

Sao Paulo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

Is Lyon or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Lyon and Sao Paulo both are superb when exploring on foot.

Lyon is a very walkable city. 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.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable destination. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Sao Paulo?

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

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

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 food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

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.

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

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 colorful big city of Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?

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 cultural city of Sao Paulo 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 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Sao Paulo, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lyon is in Europe and Sao Paulo is in South 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Sao Paulo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lyon Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Lyon has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Lyon or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Sao Paulo. The summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

In the summer, Lyon is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. Lyon usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

Should I visit Lyon or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Lyon is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In October, Lyon usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Lyon or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. Lyon is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

Lyon usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Lyon or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Sao Paulo. Many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Lyon is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

In April, Lyon usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Lyon