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

Should you visit Geneva or New York City?

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 Geneva and New York City. 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.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Geneva is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Geneva travel costs.

New York City

New York City is a vibrant, energetic, and cosmopolitan city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. New York City is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See New York City travel costs.

Geneva and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or New York City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New York City than Geneva, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New York City is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Geneva is known for its historical sights. New York City is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also home to The Statue of Liberty. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Geneva different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or New York City?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in New York City that are not to be missed. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Geneva or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is an unbeatable place for theatre. However, Geneva is not a theatre destination.

New York City is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Geneva is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through New York City, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific 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 Geneva or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in New York City is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

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 Geneva or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Geneva is not a live music destination.

New York City is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Geneva is not a live music destination.

Is Geneva or New York City Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a good destination for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

Geneva is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or New York City?

Shopping is a popular activity in both New York City and Geneva.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Known for shopping, New York City draws large crowds to its stores. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Is Geneva or New York City More Beautiful?

Geneva and New York City both are comparable with their good scenery and beauty.

Geneva is a gorgeous place to visit. Located on the edge of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the Alps, the city is both bustling and beautiful.

New York City is a beautiful place to visit, too. The beauty of the skyline at night or the views from the top of the Empire State Building will take your breath away.

Is Geneva or New York City Better for Families?

New York City is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

New York City is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

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 Geneva or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

New York City is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

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 Geneva or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City 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 New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

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 Geneva or New York City Better for Students?

New York City is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

New York City is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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 Geneva or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Geneva and New York City.

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

New York City has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Is Geneva or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around New York City on foot is easy. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or New York City?

Both Geneva and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City 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 New York City.

One day in Geneva or New York City?

Geneva is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the big city destination of New York City. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or New York City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse big city of Geneva. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New York City. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Geneva. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the cosmopolitan big city of New York City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and New York City, 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 Geneva or New York City?

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 Geneva or New York City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Geneva as well as New York City. The summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

Geneva is cooler than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in New York City. Geneva usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or New York City in the Autumn?

Both New York City and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Geneva is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In October, Geneva usually receives around the same amount of rain as New York City. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City and Geneva during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

New York City can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. In January, Geneva is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

Geneva usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or New York City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and New York City. Many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Geneva is around the same temperature as New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In April, Geneva usually receives less rain than New York City. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Geneva