A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. La Rochelle for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Zurich or La Rochelle?

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 La Rochelle. 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.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle is a relaxing, laid-back, and quaint coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Zurich and La Rochelle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or La Rochelle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Zurich than La Rochelle. Zurich is bigger than La Rochelle, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Zurich is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, and impressive beauty, while La Rochelle is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Zurich is more touristy than La Rochelle and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Also, Zurich is famous for The Grossmünster. La Rochelle is well known for its medieval towers, maritime history, and beautiful setting.

How is Zurich different from La Rochelle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

La Rochelle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Filled with history, the town itself is like a living museum. Within town there are many sights such as the Vieux Port, La Rochelle Aquarium, Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, and Musée du Nouveau Monde de La Rochelle.

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

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through La Rochelle, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It may be small, but its filled with delicious cafes, bistros, and local restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this coastal town and many visitors head to Vieux Port to eat, as many restaurants there offer waterfront views. If you want something a little less touristy, head to the St. Nicolas District, which was the town's former fishing district. Rue de la Fourche is also a charming road with many places to grab a bite or a drink. Or head to Rue St Jean-du-Perot, which is just off the old port.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is great for nightlife and partying. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in La Rochelle. While it's known as a peaceful, seaside town, you'll still find wine bars, pubs, and even a club or two around town.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Music?

Zurich is great for its live music scene. However, La Rochelle 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.

La Rochelle is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Beaches?

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

La Rochelle offers a nice beach destination. There are three main beaches in town that each attract a crowd on warm summer days. Plage de la Concurrence, Plage Chef de Baie, and Plage des Minimes are the closest beaches to La Rochelle, and they are popular for sunbathing and water sports. They have a mix of sand, pebbles, and cliffside views that attract locals and tourists alike.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the amazing old town areas in both Zurich and La Rochelle.

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.

La Rochelle has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is filled with wandering cobblestone streets, charming squares, and cafes that spill into the street.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Hiking?

La Rochelle is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

La Rochelle offers some nice hiking trails. There are many coastal walks just outside of town that take you along the scenic coastline. It's beautiful to stroll through the countryside and pass through many quaint villages.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or La Rochelle?

Zurich is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to La Rochelle to go shopping. The old town is filled with boutique shops as well as some name brands. Another fun place to visit is Les Halles, which is an indoor market with fresh produce, seafood, and many local cheeses.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Families?

Zurich is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town 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.

La Rochelle is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a coastal town with a port that you can explore. There's also an aquarium and many great seafood restaurants. A nice day trip is to go to l'Ile de Ré, which has nice beaches, some with playgrounds.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Couples?

La Rochelle is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

La Rochelle is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful coastal town is seeped in history. There are beautiful squares, romantic parks, and cobblestone streets that you can wander down. It's also nice to take a coastal walk before grabbing dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

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.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle. There aren't a ton of hostels in the area, but there are just enough that you should be able to find a place to stay.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle Better for Students?

Zurich is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for 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.

La Rochelle is a good city to visit for students. It's a touristy city with a lot for students to see and do, but the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle 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, La Rochelle is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

Public transit in Zurich can get you to some places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

La Rochelle has a few public transit options. Public transit around town is operated by Yeló, and mostly consists of buses.

Is Zurich or La Rochelle a more walkable city?

Zurich and La Rochelle both are superb when exploring on foot.

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.

La Rochelle is a very walkable destination. It's filled with meandering cobblestone streets that are best explored on foot. Most places around town can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in La Rochelle or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or La Rochelle?

It's fun to spend time in either Zurich or La Rochelle. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Zurich due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 2-4 days is enough time in La Rochelle.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zurich than La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the liberal city of Zurich. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the shopping. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

La Rochelle might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Zurich. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

La Rochelle is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 La Rochelle?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the liberal city of Zurich. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Rochelle. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 La Rochelle?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Zurich. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the shopping. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

La Rochelle is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or La Rochelle?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of La Rochelle. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and La Rochelle, 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 La Rochelle?

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 La Rochelle in the Summer?

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

Zurich is around the same temperature as La Rochelle in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and La Rochelle fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Rochelle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 267 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than La Rochelle. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or La Rochelle in the Autumn?

Both La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Zurich is cooler than La Rochelle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and La Rochelle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Zurich or La Rochelle in the Winter?

Both La Rochelle 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 La Rochelle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than La Rochelle. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and La Rochelle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than La Rochelle. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Rochelle receives 72 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as La Rochelle. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or La Rochelle in the Spring?

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

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

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than La Rochelle during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while La Rochelle receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than La Rochelle. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while La Rochelle receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for La Rochelle and Zurich