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

Should you visit Zurich or Anchorage?

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 Zurich and Anchorage. 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a liberal, beautiful, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a scenic, breathtaking, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Zurich and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Anchorage?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zurich than Anchorage. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Zurich is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Zurich is famous for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also well known for The Grossmünster. Anchorage is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture.

How is Zurich different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zurich is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

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

Zurich is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Zurich makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for Music?

Zurich is a well-known place for live music. However, Anchorage is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich is very popular with diverse venues. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Anchorage is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Anchorage 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.

Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Anchorage is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Anchorage?

Zurich is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Zurich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for Families?

Zurich is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Zurich is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Zurich and Anchorage both very good destinations for a couple.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Anchorage are nice destinations for backpackers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Zurich or Anchorage Better for Students?

Zurich is an unbeatable place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

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.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Zurich is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Zurich is fairly effecient and thorough. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Zurich or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Zurich is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Zurich and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than in Anchorage. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich than Anchorage 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 Zurich or Anchorage?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Zurich. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Zurich or Anchorage?

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of Zurich. 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.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Zurich or Anchorage?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Zurich. 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. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Zurich or Anchorage?

Zurich 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Anchorage. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Anchorage, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Anchorage is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage 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 Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Anchorage?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Anchorage, 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 Zurich or Anchorage?

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 Zurich or Anchorage in the Summer?

Both Anchorage and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zurich is generally a little warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Anchorage. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zurich usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zurich or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the autumn. Zurich is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

In the autumn, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in October than Anchorage. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Anchorage in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Anchorage. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In the winter, Zurich is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zurich or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Anchorage. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the spring for the natural beauty.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Zurich is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Zurich