A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Christchurch vs. Geneva for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Christchurch or Geneva?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Christchurch or Geneva? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Christchurch

Christchurch is a cultural, outdoorsy, and adventure-filled city. Christchurch is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Christchurch travel costs.

Geneva

Geneva is a professional, classy, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Geneva is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Geneva travel costs.

Christchurch and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Christchurch or Geneva?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Geneva than Christchurch. While Christchurch is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Christchurch attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Christchurch is famous for its outdoor beauty and relaxing, scenic atmosphere. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Christchurch different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Geneva and Christchurch. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Christchurch or Geneva?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Christchurch and Geneva.

Christchurch offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with street art and local galleries. There's also Canterbury Museum, the International Antarctic Centre, the Arts Centre, and the Riccarton House & Bush.

Many visitors head to Geneva specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Is the Food Better in Christchurch or Geneva? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Christchurch and Geneva.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Christchurch. There's a mix of cozy cafes and casual eateries around town. You'll also find some fine dining restaurants as well as international flavors.

Geneva has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Christchurch is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Christchurch know how to have a good time. The city has its share of dance clubs, live music venues, and laid back bars. You'll find a number of popular hangout spots around Oxford Terrace or on the historic New Regent Street.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Beaches?

Christchurch is a great destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Christchurch for it's beautiful beaches. There are sandy beaches in the area with water sports and various amenities. The summer months are the most popular time for hanging out at the beach, and you'll find local families playing in the sun or enjoying a picnic.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a popular place for its old town. However, Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Geneva to see the old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Christchurch does not have a historic old town.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Hiking?

Christchurch is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Christchurch. There are many beautiful hikes in the area that take you along the coastline or past local historic sights. The landscape is diverse and you'll find many amazing parks in the area. Hooker Valley Track is one of the best hiking routes nearby.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Christchurch or Geneva?

Geneva is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Geneva make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Christchurch. There's a mix of boutique shops, outlet malls, and open air markets. Some of the best shopping places include the Tannery and the Colombo.

Is Christchurch or Geneva More Beautiful?

Christchurch and Geneva are somewhat similar when it comes to the nice scenery.

Christchurch is a beautiful place to visit, too. With its many beautiful parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces, this is a very scenic city.

Geneva offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Located on the edge of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the Alps, the city is both bustling and beautiful.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Families?

Christchurch is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Christchurch is very family-friendly. The International Antarctic Centre is a thrilling and fun experience. There's also the Orana Wildlife Park or Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. For adrenaline junkies there are the ropes courses at the Adrenalin Forest. There are also many indoor playgrounds and rock climbing facilities.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Couples?

Christchurch is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Christchurch frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Punting on the Avon River is one of the most romantic activities in the city. There are also botanical gardens, parks, and natural areas that are fun to explore. Nearby, you can do a wine tour, or there are cocktail bars and charming restaurants in town. The city also has a nice theater and many other date night activities.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Christchurch is a great destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Christchurch. There's no shortage of hostels around town, and many backpackers pass through Christchurch on their epic New Zealand adventure.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Students?

Christchurch and Geneva are superb places to visit for students.

Christchurch is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's the largest city on the South Island and there are plenty of activities and nearby trips that you can enjoy.

Geneva is very popular with students. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Is Christchurch or Geneva Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is terrific for its public transit. Also, Christchurch is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Geneva can take you anywhere. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

While Christchurch offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's not a diverse transit system, the buses are well connected and offer the cheapest way to get around town.

Is Christchurch or Geneva a more walkable city?

Christchurch and Geneva both are superb when exploring on foot.

Christchurch is a very walkable city. The city center is relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

Geneva is a very walkable destination. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Christchurch Worth Visiting? and Is Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Christchurch?

How long in Christchurch or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Christchurch and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Christchurch than in Geneva. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Christchurch, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

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

Couples should spend more time in Christchurch than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Christchurch that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Christchurch than Geneva 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 Christchurch.

One day in Christchurch or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Christchurch. 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.

Each neighborhood in Geneva has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Christchurch or Geneva?

Christchurch 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.

Geneva is a fun place to experience. 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.

Five days in Christchurch or Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Christchurch. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the classy big city of Geneva. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Christchurch or Geneva?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Christchurch. This city 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.

Geneva is a popular place to visit. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific and Geneva is in Europe, 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Geneva?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch and Geneva, 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 Christchurch or Geneva?

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

Should I visit Christchurch or Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Christchurch is generally cooler than Genevain July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Geneva. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during summer. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Genevain July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Christchurch or Geneva in the Autumn?

Both Geneva and Christchurch during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

Christchurch is around the same temperature as Geneva in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F)in October.

In the autumn, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Genevain October. Christchurch gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Genevain October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Christchurch or Geneva in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. In the winter, Christchurch is much warmer than Geneva. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and Geneva averages at about 4°C (39°F)in January.

Christchurch usually receives more sunshine than Geneva during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Christchurch usually receives more rain than Genevain January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Christchurch or Geneva in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Geneva. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In October, Christchurch is generally around the same temperature as Genevain April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In the spring, Christchurch often gets more sunshine than Genevain April. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun.

Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Genevain April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Christchurch