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

Should you visit Zurich or Linz?

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 Linz. 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Linz

Linz is a beautiful, cultural, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Zurich and Linz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Linz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Zurich than Linz. Zurich is bigger than Linz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. 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. Linz is well known for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries.

How is Zurich different from Linz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Zurich and Linz.

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.

Linz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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

Zurich is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Linz is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Is Zurich or Linz Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Zurich or Linz Better for Music?

Zurich is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Linz is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich is very popular with diverse venues. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Linz is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Linz Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Zurich is revered around 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.

Linz has an old town worth visiting. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Linz?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

Is Zurich or Linz Better for Families?

Zurich is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Linz is a family-friendly city. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Is Zurich or Linz Better for Couples?

Zurich and Linz both very good 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.

Linz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

Is Zurich or Linz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Linz 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 Linz. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

Is Zurich or Linz Better for Students?

Zurich is a world-class destination for students. However, Linz is not popular with students.

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

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Zurich is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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

Linz has some public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Zurich or Linz a more walkable city?

Zurich and Linz both are very good 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.

Linz is a very walkable destination. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Linz or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Linz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Zurich or Linz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Zurich than Linz 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 Linz.

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

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

A weekend in Zurich or Linz?

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.

Linz 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 Linz?

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 Linz. 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 Linz?

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 cultural destination of Linz. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Linz?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Linz. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Linz, 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 Linz?

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 Linz in the Summer?

Both Linz and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Linz because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Linz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Linz during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zurich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Linz. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Linz receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zurich or Linz in the Autumn?

Both Linz and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Linz this time of year.

In the autumn, Zurich is a little warmer than Linz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Linz averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Linz. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 129 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in October than Linz. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Linz receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Linz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Linz. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Linz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Linz. It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much warmer than Linz. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Linz fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Linz during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Linz receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Linz. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Linz receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zurich or Linz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Linz. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Linz in the spring for the natural beauty.

Zurich is around the same temperature as Linz in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Linz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Linz. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Linz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Linz. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Linz receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Linz and Zurich