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

Should you visit Zurich or Caen?

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 Caen. 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. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Zurich and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zurich than Caen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Zurich is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen attracts visitors for its big city activities. Zurich is more touristy than Caen and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also well known for The Grossmünster. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Zurich different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Caen 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 Caen?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Zurich and Caen.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Caen offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

Both Zurich and Caen offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Caen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Zurich or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Zurich or Caen Better for Music?

Zurich is a very popular place for live music. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Zurich is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Caen?

Zurich is renowned for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Zurich or Caen Better for Families?

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

Zurich is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Zurich or Caen Better for Couples?

Zurich is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Zurich or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Caen 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Zurich or Caen Better for Students?

Zurich is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Both Zurich and Caen offer excellent public transit options.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

The public transit in Caen can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Zurich or Caen a more walkable city?

Zurich is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Caen?

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

Families should spend more time in Zurich than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Zurich. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Caen?

Zurich is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. 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.

Caen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the liberal destination of Zurich. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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 Caen?

The historic city of Zurich offers shopping and museums. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the important destination of Caen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Caen, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen 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 Caen.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Caen?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Zurich or Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In July, Zurich is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zurich. In the summer, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Caen. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions.

Zurich is around the same temperature as Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Caen. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Caen. Many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Caen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Caen. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Caen. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Zurich is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Caen during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Caen. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Zurich