Should you visit Zurich or Lyon?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Zurich and Lyon. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Lyon
Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.
Which city is cheaper, Lyon or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $209, while the average daily cost in Lyon is $116. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Zurich and Lyon in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $264 for a double occupancy room in Zurich.
A hotel room in Lyon is about $98 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
Zurich food costs typically run travelers around $48 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Lyon cost around $38 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $15.
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Food
Meals for one day
Zurich $48
Lyon $38
Typical Food prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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
Typical Food prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
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Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise:
$67
-
Presqu'île Food Tour with a Local Guide:
$68
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Lyon Old Town Walking Guided Food Tour:
$68
-
Half-Day Gourmet Food Tour with Tastings:
$78
-
Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch:
$93
-
Old Town Food Tour:
$102
-
Secret Food Tour:
$107
-
Lyon Old Town Five Tasting Stops Walking Food Tour with Lunch:
$108
-
Lyon Quais Saint Antoine Private Gastronomic Food Tour:
$111
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Lyon:
$137
-
Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Food Tour:
$217
-
Food tour in Lyon:
$258
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Zurich is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Lyon is $16 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
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Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Train Station to Zurich City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Train Station to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Zurich City Centre to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Davos Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Davos:
$9.41
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport to Hotel:
$31
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Zurich Airport:
$31
-
Private Arrival Transfer from ZRH Zurich Airport to Zurich City:
$39
-
Private Departure Transfer from Zurich City to ZRH Zurich Airport:
$39
-
Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Zurich Airport:
$39
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lyon
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
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Private Airport Transfer: Lyon to Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS):
$47
-
Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer:
$49
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Lyon-Bron Airport to Lyon City - One Way:
$65
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Lyon Private Transfer : Port of LYON to Lyon Railway Stations in Business Car:
$65
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Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car:
$66
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Private arrival OR departure transfer in Lyon (hotel OR airport pick-up):
$75
-
Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van:
$87
-
Private Airport Transfer Service:
$90
-
Private Departure Transfer: Lyon Hotel to Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport:
$91
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupery:
$91
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Private Arrival Transfer: Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupery to Lyon Hotel:
$91
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Departure Private Transfers from Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car:
$95
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Lyon?
Prices for flights to both Lyon 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.
Entertainment
Zurich's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $28 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Lyon's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $19 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
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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
-
Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket:
$21
-
Zurich Old Town Walking Tour:
$30
-
Shopping and History Tour of Zurich:
$30
-
Zürich Historic District Tour:
$30
-
Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich:
$36
-
Zurich City Tour Experience:
$40
-
Zurich Highlights Tour:
$40
-
Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
-
Private Tuk-Tuk City Tour:
$49
-
The Best of Zurich Including Panoramic Views in a Small Group Walking Tour:
$58
Typical Entertainment prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Lyon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
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Lyon City Historic Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour (English):
$3.82
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Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English):
$3.82
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Private Lyon Ghost Tour: Haunted City Center Exploration Game:
$8.70
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1-Hour City Tram Audio-Guided Tour:
$9.22
-
Lyon Croix-Rousse City Tram Tour with Audio Guide:
$11
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Haunted Lyon City Exploration Game & Tour:
$11
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Lyon Museum of Cinema Miniature Admission Ticket:
$12
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Storytelling Tour of Croix-Rousse:
$15
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Guided Sightseeing Cruise:
$15
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1-Hour Discovery Tour by Boat:
$17
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Ticket to Mini World Lyon Museum:
$17
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Lyon City Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$22
Alcohol
The average person spends about $23 on alcoholic beverages in Zurich per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Lyon per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Typical Alcohol prices in Lyon
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
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Drinks for 2
$7.88
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Bottle of Wine
$17
Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Beaujolais Segway Tour With Wine Tasting:
$52
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Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon:
$101
-
Half-Day Vienne & Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour:
$101
-
Half-Day Beaujolais Wine Tour from Lyon:
$101
-
Northern Rhône Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Lyon:
$111
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Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais:
$112
-
The Original Syrah Wine Tour - Afternoon - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$114
-
The Original Syrah Wine Tour - Morning - Small Group Tours from Lyon:
$114
-
Beaujolais Gourmet Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon:
$123
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Macon & Beaujolais Wine Tour - Full Day - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$147
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Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour - Full Day - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$153
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Beaujolais Region Vineyard Day Tour with Wine Tasting from Lyon:
$160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Lyon, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lyon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lyon 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 Lyon.
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