A Travel Price Comparison for France Reims vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Reims or Lyon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reims 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.

Reims

Reims is a relaxing, scenic, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Reims and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reims or Lyon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lyon than Reims, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Reims is popular for its Champagne Houses, impressive architecture, and beautiful cathedral. Lyon 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.

How is Reims different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Reims 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.

Reims is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Sights around town include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Palais du Tau, Basilique Saint-Rémi, and Musée des Beaux-Arts.

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

Both Reims and Lyon offer amazing local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Reims is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. While its famous for its Champagne, the city also has Michelin starred restaurants, local produce, and an amazing regional cuisine. The region is known for its ham, cheese, mustard, and truffles.

Many restaurants in Lyon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Is Reims or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Reims is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Lyon is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Reims has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is relaxing but active. Most locals hang out with friends at local bars near Place Drouet d'Erlon or the Rue Chanzy area. Bars have a combination of local beers and Champagne.

Is Reims or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Reims does not have a historic old town.

Lyon has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Reims does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Reims or Lyon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lyon and Reims.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Reims. You'll find not only Champagne, but also jewellry, designer fashion, and chocolate. The best shopping is located around the Place Drouet d'Erlon which is a pedestrian area. Also check out the shopping streets of Rue de Vesle and Cours Langlet.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Reims or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Reims is not particularly known 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.

For families, Reims is not always the best place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the historical city center or visiting the Palace of Tau. For a unique activity, view the region from above with a hot air balloon ride.

Is Reims or Lyon Better for Couples?

Reims is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Reims has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This romantic area is perfect for couples who enjoy wine and history. There is beautiful architecture as well as wine tours and breathtaking hot air balloon rides. Visiting the Champagne Houses is a must for any couple visiting the area.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for 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 Reims or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is well known for backpackers. Also, Reims is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Reims is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's located in the Champagne region, which isn't often associated with backpackers, but it's still not to be missed.

Is Reims or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is very popular for students. However, Reims is not popular with 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.

Reims is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is very popular for its public transit. Also, Reims is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Lyon has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

While Reims offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. In town there are buses and trams, but to get into the countryside you'll need your own car.

Is Reims or Lyon a more walkable city?

Reims and Lyon both are superb when exploring on foot.

Reims is a very walkable destination. You can explore the city on foot and reach many local Champagne Houses. If you really want to explore everything in depth, you'll need a car.

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 Reims Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Reims?

How long in Reims or Lyon?

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

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Reims. 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 Lyon than Reims 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 Reims or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Reims. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Reims or Lyon?

Reims is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Reims or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of Reims. 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.

Lyon is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Reims or Lyon?

The cultural city of Reims 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Reims and Lyon, we can see that Reims is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Reims or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Reims. When comparing the sizes of Reims 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 Reims 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 Reims or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Reims and Lyon. The summer months attract visitors to Reims because of 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, Reims is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Reims average around 19°C (65°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 Reims, it's very sunny this time of the year. Reims usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Reims gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Reims usually receives less rain than Lyon. Reims gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Reims or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Reims as well as Lyon. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reims 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.

Reims is cooler than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Reims averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Reims often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon. Reims gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Reims usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Reims gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reims or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Reims are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Reims 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 Reims. In the winter, Reims is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Reims in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Reims usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during winter. Reims gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Reims usually receives less rain than Lyon. Reims gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Reims or Lyon in the Spring?

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

In April, Reims is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Reims average around 9°C (49°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

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

Reims usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Reims gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Reims