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

Should you visit Munich or Lyon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Lyon, 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.

Munich

Munich is a multicultural, economically thriving, and bustling 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.

Lyon

Lyon is a authentic, historic, and beautiful city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of this place 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.

Munich and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Lyon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Munich than Lyon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Munich is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Lyon is known for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

How is Munich different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lyon and Munich. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Munich or Lyon?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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 Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Munich or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Munich 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.

Munich has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich or Lyon Better for Music?

Munich 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 Munich The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Munich or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Lyon can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Lyon?

Munich 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 Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich or Lyon Better for Families?

Munich and Lyon are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Munich is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Lyon is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Munich or Lyon Better for Couples?

Munich and Lyon are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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.

Is Munich or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich 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 Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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.

Is Munich or Lyon Better for Students?

Munich and Lyon are amazing places to visit for students.

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international 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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Munich and Lyon.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Lyon can take you anywhere. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Is Munich or Lyon a more walkable city?

Munich and Lyon both are superb when exploring on foot.

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

Lyon is very walkable. 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 Munich Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Munich?

How long in Munich or Lyon?

In either Munich or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Munich has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Munich than Lyon. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Munich. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich 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 Munich.

One day in Munich or Lyon?

Munich is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Munich or Lyon?

Munich 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.

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Munich or Lyon?

Munich is a high energy big city where you can fill many days. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Munich or Lyon?

The bustling city of Munich offers shopping and 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic big city of Lyon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Munich or Lyon?

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

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 Munich or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Lyon. The summer months attract visitors to Munich because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In July, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Lyon. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 20°C (68°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Munich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Munich usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Munich usually receives more rain than Lyon. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Munich or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Munich as well as Lyon. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Munich this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Munich is cooler than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Munich often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Munich. In the winter, Munich is much colder than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Munich in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Munich usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during winter. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Lyon. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Munich or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Munich during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Munich in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Lyon. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (53°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Munich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Munich