A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Murren vs. Lausanne for Couples, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Murren or Lausanne?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Murren and Lausanne can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Murren

Murren is a authentic, breathtaking, and stunning town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, skiing, and food.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Murren and Lausanne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Murren or Lausanne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Murren than Lausanne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Murren is better known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Lausanne is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping. Murren is more touristy than Lausanne and is known for its spectacular mountain views, authentically local atmosphere, and world class hiking and skiing. Also, Murren is famous for Lauterbrunnen Valley. Lausanne is well known for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

How is Murren different from Lausanne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for Skiing?

Murren is a world-class destination for winter skiing. However, Lausanne is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Murren is among the best in the world. If you're visiting in the winter, you're in luck because the scenery and the slopes are both amazing. The top of Schilthorn is quickly accessed from the gondola and ski lifts, and heading down you'll find some difficult runs along with easier slopes. Enjoy your apres-ski in the village with cozy drinks and a dinner of fondue. And with more time, you can easily get across the valley to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, too.

Lausanne is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Murren or Lausanne?

Lausanne is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Murren is not particularly known for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Lausanne. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Murren. You don't visit this area for the museums, so if you're looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, your options are limited.

Is the Food Better in Murren or Lausanne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lausanne is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Murren is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lausanne makes for a great culinary experience. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

Murren has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. If you can afford the prices, you'll enjoy some great meals of fondue or local steak. There aren't many restaurants in town and some of the best are attached to the hotels. Those on a tight budget will be frustrated because cheap eats are hard to come by. You may as well pay a little more and enjoy a high quality, fine dining experience.

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Murren is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Lausanne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

Murren doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet and residential town that is more about the daytime activities than the nightlife scene.

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Murren does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Lausanne to see the historical old town. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Murren does not have a historic old town.

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for Hiking?

Murren is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Murren draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hiking trails pass right through the town, connecting the many alpine towns in the area. There are hikes for all levels, and each offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, which include Eiger, Jungfrau, and Monch.

Lausanne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Murren or Lausanne?

Lausanne is well known for shopping. However, Murren is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

Lausanne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Shopping in Murren can be found for those interested. Aside from a food market or two, there aren't many shops in town and prices for everything are a bit high.

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for Families?

Murren is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Murren is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities are everywhere in this amazing town. Take the Allmendhubel Funicular Train and explore one of the coolest playgrounds ever! Family-friendly trails abound and outdoor adventures with spectacular views are fun for everyone.

Lausanne offers lots of family activities. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for Couples?

Murren is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Murren has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This small town offers charming hotels, hidden viewpoints, and romantic hikes through the Alps. If you want to experience an authentic side to the Alps, then stay in this town and explore the many hiking trails in the area.

Lausanne is a nice destination for couples. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for Students?

Lausanne is well known for students. However, Murren is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Lausanne. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

Murren is not popular with students.

Is Murren or Lausanne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Murren and Lausanne.

You'll find some public transit in Murren, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Train, cable car, and funicular are the only ways to reach this car-free town.

While Lausanne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

Is Murren or Lausanne a more walkable city?

Murren is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Murren on foot is easy. It's a small town with a very limited number of vehicles so it's best explored on foot. There are also many walking trails in the area.

Lausanne is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Murren Worth Visiting? and Is Lausanne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lausanne or Murren?

How long in Murren or Lausanne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Murren or Lausanne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Murren than Lausanne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Murren, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lausanne.

Families should spend more time in Murren than Lausanne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Murren, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Murren than Lausanne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Murren that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lausanne than Murren 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 Lausanne.

One day in Murren or Lausanne?

Murren is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lausanne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Murren or Lausanne?

Murren is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Murren, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Lausanne 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 Murren or Lausanne?

Murren is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lausanne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Murren or Lausanne?

Murren is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Lausanne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Zurich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Murren or Lausanne?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Murren and Lausanne, 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.