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

Should you visit Zurich or Kiel?

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 Kiel. 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. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, and authentic 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, beaches, and shopping.

Zurich and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Kiel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Zurich than Kiel. Zurich is bigger than Kiel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Zurich is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kiel is more popular for its beaches and big city activities. Zurich is more touristy than Kiel and is known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Also, Zurich is famous for The Grossmünster. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Zurich different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zurich is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

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

Zurich is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Zurich is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for Music?

Zurich is well known for its live music scene. However, Kiel 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.

Kiel is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for Beaches?

Kiel is a good destination for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Kiel offers a nice beach destination. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Zurich can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Kiel?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Zurich make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for Families?

Zurich is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for Couples?

Zurich is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Zurich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Kiel is a good city for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zurich is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Zurich or Kiel Better for Students?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Zurich is well known for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Zurich or Kiel a more walkable city?

Zurich is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Kiel?

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

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kiel. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Zurich or Kiel?

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.

Kiel 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 Kiel?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic 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 Kiel. 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 Kiel?

The liberal 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 shopping and museums when visiting the waterfront destination of Kiel. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Kiel?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Kiel. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Zurich is a little warmer than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zurich usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zurich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zurich or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Kiel. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Zurich is a little warmer than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kiel. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Kiel in the Winter?

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

Kiel can be very cold during winter. Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Zurich usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Kiel. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zurich or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Zurich during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Zurich is much warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Kiel. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Zurich