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

Should you visit Zurich or Giverny?

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

Giverny

Giverny is a peaceful, serene, and inspiring town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Zurich and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zurich than Giverny, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zurich is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Giverny is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Zurich and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Also, Zurich is famous for The Grossmünster.

How is Zurich different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Zurich and Giverny.

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.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Zurich is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Zurich or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Zurich for the nightlife scene. 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Zurich or Giverny Better for Music?

Zurich is great for its live music scene. However, Giverny is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich draws a good crowd. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Giverny is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Giverny?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Zurich or Giverny Better for Families?

Zurich is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Zurich or Giverny Better for Couples?

Zurich and Giverny both superb 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.

Giverny makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Zurich or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Giverny are notable 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 Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Zurich or Giverny Better for Students?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

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

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

Zurich is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Zurich or Giverny a more walkable city?

Zurich is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Zurich or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Zurich than Giverny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 1-2 days is enough time in Giverny.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Giverny. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Zurich or Giverny?

In Zurich, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Zurich. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Giverny. This town 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Giverny?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 610 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Giverny. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Zurich is around the same temperature as Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Giverny. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Giverny. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zurich is around the same temperature as Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Giverny. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Giverny can be very cold during winter. Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Giverny. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Giverny. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Zurich is around the same temperature as Giverny in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Giverny. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Zurich