A Travel Price Comparison for Switzerland Zurich vs. Lausanne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Zurich or Lausanne?

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 Lausanne. 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.

Where Should I go: Zurich or Lausanne?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

Lausanne

Located on Lake Geneva, Lausanne is the capital city of French-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland. The slopes of Lake Geneva's shores are known for growing wine, while the city of Lausanne sprawls across three hills. The city is also home to the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum, and lakeshore Olympic Park, as well as an old town that dates to medieval times.

Which city is cheaper, Lausanne or Zurich?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $273, while the average daily cost in Lausanne is $232. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zurich and Lausanne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $173
    Lausanne $139
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $346
    Lausanne $278
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Lausanne

Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Lausanne? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Zurich


Hotels in Lausanne


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zurich Hotel Prices and Lausanne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $36
    Lausanne $41
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • (Airport) transfer: from Zürich airport or Zürich to Bern, Fribourg, Thun, Biel: $576
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zurich Airport ZRH to Lucerne-Basel-Bern by Luxury Van: $241
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Car: $123
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Van: $123
  • Departure Private Transfer Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Car: $123
  • Departure Private Transfer Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $123
  • Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $103
  • Flughafen Transfer: $104
  • From Rafting in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $239
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Friedrichshafen Airport to Zürich City - One Way: $601
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Zürich Airport to Bern City - One Way: $366
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Zürich Airport to Zurich City - One Way: $126

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lausanne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lausanne:

  • Limousine Transfer & Chaplin's world visit: $111
  • Private Transfer: Lausanne to Geneva Airport (GVA): $249

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Lausanne?

Prices for flights to both Lausanne and Zurich change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zurich $63
    Lausanne $63
Typical Food prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.

  • Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner: $154
  • Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner: $545

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lausanne

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lausanne.

  • Swiss Dinner in an Igloo tour with transport & shopping opportunities: $173
  • Lavaux Panoramic Dinner Tour: $201
  • Lavaux: Panoramic Dinner Experience: $251

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $36
    Lausanne $38

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • Zurich Private Tour: Albert Einstein Old Town Exploration Game: $7.45
  • Historical Zürich: An audio tour through the city of a thousand fountains: $9.99
  • Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket: $16
  • Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $27
  • Shopping and History Tour of Zurich: $30
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: $30
  • Zürich Historic District Tour: $30
  • Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich: $36
  • Zurich Highlights Tour: $40
  • Zurich City Tour Experience: $40
  • Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $45

Tours and Activities in Lausanne

Here are a few actual costs in Lausanne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Medieval Tour this historic city & its architecture on an audio walk: $5.20
  • The Olympic Museum Entrance Ticket in Lausanne: $21
  • Lavaux Panoramic Tour from Lausanne: $59
  • Art and Culture Tour with a Local Guide: $83
  • Riviera Col du Pillon & Glacier 3000: High Level Experience Swiss Alps from Lausanne: $91
  • Photogenic City Tour: $103
  • Glacier 3000 High Level Experience in the Swiss Alps from Lausanne: $114
  • Riviera line to Vevey, Chaplin, Montreux, Lavaux tour and optional cruise from Lausanne: $130
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $135
  • Riviera tour with long cruise in Montreux and Lavaux Unesco Tour from Lausanne: $156
  • Past and Present Walking Tour: $162
  • Montreux: Swiss Fondue Experience with Panoramic Tour: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $30
    Lausanne $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $29

About these numbers

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

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Compare Hotel Prices
Kayak

B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa From $353 EMA House Hotel Suites From $281 Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich From $237 Steigenberger Hotel Bellerive au Lac From $238 25hours Hotel Zurich West From $133
View Hotels in Zurich

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Zurich vs. Lausanne Travel Comparison

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