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

Should you visit Rotterdam or Lyon?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Lyon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come 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.

Rotterdam and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Lyon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lyon than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam is larger than Lyon, Lyon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lyon is more touristy than Rotterdam 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. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lyon has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Rotterdam or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Rotterdam and Lyon.

Many people head to Rotterdam for the nightlife scene. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Lyon has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Rotterdam or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Lyon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Lyon?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Lyon both offer plenty of great spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Lyon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Rotterdam or Lyon Better for Families?

Both Rotterdam and Lyon are great family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Lyon is 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.

Is Rotterdam or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Rotterdam or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Rotterdam or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit 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.

Rotterdam is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Rotterdam or Lyon a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Lyon are great when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Lyon?

In either Rotterdam or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Rotterdam because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lyon that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Lyon?

Rotterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Lyon. 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.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Lyon?

Rotterdam 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful big city of Lyon. 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.

Five days in Rotterdam or Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the trendy big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural city of Lyon. 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.

A week in Rotterdam or Lyon?

The trendy port city of Rotterdam 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, 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 Rotterdam and Lyon, we can see that Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Lyon?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Lyon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Lyon. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Lyon. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Rotterdam is cooler than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Lyon. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Lyon. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Lyon. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Rotterdam