A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Zurich for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sydney or Zurich?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Zurich, 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.

Sydney

Sydney is a energetic, outdoorsy, and adventurous city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Sydney and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Zurich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Zurich, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Zurich is known for its music and historical sights. Sydney is popular for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Sydney different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Zurich?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sydney are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or Zurich? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Sydney and Zurich can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Sydney is an experience not to be missed. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Zurich. 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.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Sydney is a world class party destination. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

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.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is well known for its music scene. However, Sydney is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Zurich. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Sydney offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Sydney is a popular spot for hiking. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Zurich?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Zurich and Sydney.

Sydney is a world class destination for shoppers. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Zurich. 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.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Families?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sydney is very family-friendly. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. 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.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Couples?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Sydney is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Zurich 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 Sydney. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

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

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Students?

Sydney and Zurich are world-class places to visit for students.

Sydney is a great destination for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Zurich is a very popular city for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Is Sydney or Zurich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Sydney has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

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

Is Sydney or Zurich a more walkable city?

Sydney and Zurich both are great when exploring on foot.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Zurich?

In either Sydney or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than Zurich because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Zurich 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 Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Zurich?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Zurich. 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 Sydney or Zurich?

Sydney is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

Five days in Sydney or Zurich?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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 Sydney or Zurich?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of Zurich. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Zurich, we can see that Sydney 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. Even though Sydney is in Pacific and Zurich is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Zurich?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Zurich?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zurich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Zurich in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Zurich. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Sydney is generally around the same temperature as Zurichin July. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zurich during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Zurichin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Zurich in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Zurich. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Sydney is a little warmer than Zurich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F)in October.

In the autumn, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Zurichin October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Zurichin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Zurich in the Winter?

Both Zurich and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. In the winter, Sydney is much warmer than Zurich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Zurich averages at about 3°C (37°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Zurichin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Zurich in the Spring?

Both Zurich and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

In October, Sydney is generally much warmer than Zurichin April. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Zurichin April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Zurichin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Sydney