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

Should you visit Zurich or Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia. 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a historic, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Zurich and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Philadelphia?

You'll generally find more things to do in Philadelphia than Zurich. Philadelphia is bigger than Zurich, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Philadelphia is better known for its museums, theatre productions, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Zurich is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Zurich is more touristy than Philadelphia and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Philadelphia is well known for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. Also, Philadelphia is famous for The Liberty Bell.

How is Zurich different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Philadelphia is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Philadelphia are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

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.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for its theatre productions. However, Zurich is not a theatre destination.

Philadelphia offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Zurich is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Zurich and Philadelphia offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

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.

Philadelphia has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Both Zurich and Philadelphia are great when it comes to partying.

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.

Philadelphia has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Music?

Both Zurich and Philadelphia offer great live music venues.

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.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Philadelphia while you're in town. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

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.

Philadelphia offers a nice historic old town area. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Philadelphia?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Philadelphia. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Zurich does not offer Christmas activities.

Philadelphia is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Zurich does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Philadelphia is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Zurich does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Philadelphia. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Zurich does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Families?

Both Zurich and Philadelphia are great family-friendly destinations.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Philadelphia. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Couples?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia Better for Students?

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

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

Students come from all over to stay in Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

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

Both Zurich and Philadelphia offer great public transit options.

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

The public transit in Philadelphia can get you to most places easily. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

Is Zurich or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Philadelphia is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Philadelphia on foot. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Philadelphia?

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

Families should spend more time in Philadelphia than Zurich. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Philadelphia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Zurich than Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

In Zurich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Philadelphia is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Philadelphia?

Zurich is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Philadelphia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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 Philadelphia?

In Zurich, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this liberal destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Philadelphia. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Philadelphia?

Zurich is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the cultural big city of Philadelphia. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Philadelphia, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Philadelphia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Philadelphia is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Philadelphia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Philadelphia?

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

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

Both Philadelphia and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Zurich is cooler than Philadelphia in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zurich. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Philadelphia. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zurich is around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Philadelphia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Philadelphia. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

It's quite cold in Philadelphia in the winter. The weather in Zurich can be very cold. In January, Zurich is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Philadelphia. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Philadelphia in the Spring?

Both Philadelphia and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Zurich