A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Zurich for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Zurich can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a peaceful, park-filled, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the food and theater.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zurich than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zurich is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions and small town charm. Zurich is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Also, Zurich is famous for The Grossmünster. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Zurich and Stratford-upon-Avon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

Zurich is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Zurich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-visit destination for its theatre productions. However, Zurich is not a theatre destination.

Stratford-upon-Avon is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Zurich is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zurich is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Zurich has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Zurich has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Zurich while you're in town. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a live music destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Zurich offers plenty to see. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

Zurich is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Zurich draws large crowds to its stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Families?

Zurich is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Zurich is very family-friendly. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Couples?

Zurich is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a good town for couples to visit. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zurich is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Zurich is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Students?

Zurich is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with students.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zurich is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

The public transit in Zurich can get you around easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich a more walkable city?

Zurich is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Zurich than Stratford-upon-Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zurich that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Zurich.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

Stratford-upon-Avon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Zurich, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Lots of people come for the shopping. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the theater, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many people visit Zurich for a weekend. Lots of people come for the shopping. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. Don't miss the theater, as that's what most people do. 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.

In Zurich, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this beautiful destination offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Many people spend five days here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, five days is sufficent for most.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Zurich. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive? and Is Zurich Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon and Zurich, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Zurich. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Zurich. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich in the Winter?

Both Zurich and Stratford-upon-Avon during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. The weather in Stratford-upon-Avon can be very cold. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally a little warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zurich. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Zurich. The small town charm are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.

Stratford-upon-Avon is cooler than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zurich during spring. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Zurich. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Stratford-upon-Avon