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

Should you visit Lyon or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Seattle, 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Lyon and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle than Lyon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seattle is more popular for its theatre productions, music, beaches, and hiking, while Lyon is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is Lyon different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lyon on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Lyon is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Lyon is not a theatre destination.

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

Lyon is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and Seattle are superb 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.

Seattle has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Seattle is very popular with diverse venues. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle does not have a historic old town.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Seattle?

Lyon is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Families?

Lyon is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lyon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Couples?

Lyon is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Seattle is a good city to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Lyon or Seattle Better for Students?

Lyon is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Lyon is renowned for its public transit. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Lyon or Seattle a more walkable city?

Lyon and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Seattle?

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

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

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 theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Seattle. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

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 live music and food around the bustling big city of Seattle. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Seattle?

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 outdoorsy city of Seattle offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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.

Should I visit Lyon or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the summer, Lyon is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Seattle. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Lyon during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lyon is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Seattle. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Seattle. Many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. Lyon is cooler than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Seattle. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Seattle. Many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Lyon is around the same temperature as Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In the spring, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Seattle. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Lyon