A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers York vs. Lucerne for Food, Old Town, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit York or Lucerne?

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

Should I visit York or Lucerne? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

York

York is a fanciful, historic, and medieval city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a scenic, active, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

York and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or Lucerne?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lucerne than York. While York is larger than Lucerne, Lucerne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucerne is better known for its shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while York is more popular for its food and historical sights. York is well known for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. Lucerne is well known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips. Also, Lucerne is famous for The Chapel Bridge.

The Chapel Bridge

How is York different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in York or Lucerne?

Both York and Lucerne have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

York offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Many visitors head to Lucerne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Is the Food Better in York or Lucerne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

York is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through York, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

Lucerne offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Is York or Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

Both York and Lucerne are superb when it comes to partying.

York offers plenty to do in the evening. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

Lucerne has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

Is York or Lucerne Better for its Old Town?

York is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

York has a world-famous historical area. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lucerne. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

Is the Shopping Better in York or Lucerne?

Lucerne is a well-known place for shopping. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lucerne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting York. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Is York or Lucerne Better for Families?

York is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, York is very family-friendly. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

Lucerne is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Is York or Lucerne Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both York and Lucerne make for a superb place to visit.

York is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

Lucerne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

Is York or Lucerne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

York is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit York. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

Is York or Lucerne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both York and Lucerne offer notable public transit options.

York has a few public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

Lucerne has some public transit options. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is York or Lucerne a more walkable city?

York and Lucerne both are notable when exploring on foot.

York is somewhat walkable. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

Lucerne is a somewhat walkable place. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

For even more information, also check out Is York Worth Visiting? and Is Lucerne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lucerne or York?

How long in York or Lucerne?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both York and Lucerne. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in York than in Lucerne. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for York, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lucerne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in York than Lucerne 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 York.

One day in York or Lucerne?

In York, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lucerne. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in York or Lucerne?

In York, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that York has to offer.

Lucerne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Five days in York or Lucerne?

York is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Lucerne. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in York or Lucerne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in York. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting York. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The historic city of Lucerne offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, York or Lucerne?

York has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of York and Lucerne, 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 York or Lucerne?

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 York or Lucerne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to York as well as Lucerne. Most visitors come to York for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, York is generally cooler than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in York average around 16°C (62°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lucerne. In the summer, York often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in July than Lucerne. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Lucerne in the Autumn?

Both Lucerne and York are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to York because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.

York is cooler than Lucerne in the autumn. The daily temperature in York averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

York usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lucerne during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, York usually receives less rain than Lucerne. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit York or Lucerne in the Winter?

Both Lucerne and York during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to York this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lucerne. It's quite cold in York in the winter. In the winter, York is a little warmer than Lucerne. Typically, the winter temperatures in York in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Lucerne averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, York often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in January than Lucerne. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Lucerne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both York and Lucerne. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lucerne in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, York is generally cooler than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in York average around 8°C (46°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

York usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lucerne during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, York usually receives less rain than Lucerne. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lucerne and York