A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Zurich or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. 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 historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, Zurich attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food. See Zurich travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a diverse, cultural, and natural town. The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Rotorua travel costs.

Zurich and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zurich than Rotorua, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Zurich is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Rotorua is known for its hiking. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Zurich different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Rotorua offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Both Zurich and Rotorua offer a number of very good 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.

Rotorua has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Zurich or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Zurich has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Zurich or Rotorua Better for Music?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Rotorua is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Zurich has diverse options. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Rotorua is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Zurich or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Rotorua?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Zurich or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Zurich and Rotorua are somewhat similar when it comes to the very good scenery.

The beauty of Zurich is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With Lake Zurich and the mountains as a backdrop, this is a truly beautiful city.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Zurich or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Rotorua is very family-friendly. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. 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.

Is Zurich or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

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 Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or Rotorua Better for Students?

Zurich is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

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

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Zurich. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Zurich or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Rotorua?

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

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

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

In Zurich, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Rotorua?

In Zurich, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotorua. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Zurich. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Rotorua. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Rotorua?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zurich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Zurich or Rotorua in the Summer?

Both Rotorua and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Zurich is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Rotorua. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In October, Zurich is generally cooler than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Rotorua in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Rotorua. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. Zurich is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Zurich is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Zurich