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

Should you visit Lyon or New York City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or New York City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Lyon is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Lyon travel costs.

New York City

New York City is a cosmopolitan, one-of-a-kind, and vibrant city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. New York City is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife. See New York City travel costs.

Lyon and New York City: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in New York City than Lyon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New York City is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Lyon attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. New York City is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also well known for The Statue of Liberty. Lyon is famous for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

How is Lyon 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 Lyon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Plenty of people visit the world-class sights and museums in both Lyon and New York City.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, New York City has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Is Lyon or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its theatre productions. However, Lyon is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in New York City. 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.

Lyon is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and New York City can be difficult as they are each world-class in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Many restaurants in New York City have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Is Lyon or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

New York City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is Lyon or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in New York City Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Lyon can be explored in its historical center. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or New York City?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in New York City make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Lyon or New York City More Beautiful?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Lyon is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.

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 Lyon or New York City Better for Families?

Lyon and New York City are both great destinations for the whole family.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in New York City. 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.

Is Lyon or New York City Better for Couples?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

New York City has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Lyon or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lyon and New York City are great destinations for backpackers.

Lyon is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Is Lyon or New York City Better for Students?

Lyon and New York City are both world-class destinations for students and younger travelers.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

New York City is a very popular city 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.

Is Lyon or New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Lyon and New York City offer world-class public transit options.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

New York City has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere 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 Lyon or New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around New York City on foot. 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.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

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

How long in Lyon or New York City?

Both Lyon 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 Lyon. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

Families should spend more time in New York City than Lyon. 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 Lyon. 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 Lyon 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 Lyon or New York City?

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of New York City. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Lyon or New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or New York City?

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the vibrant big city of New York City. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Lyon or New York City?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Lyon. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cosmopolitan city of New York City. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 Lyon and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lyon 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 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 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 Lyon.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon or New York City in the Summer?

Both New York City and Lyon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to New York City in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lyon is generally cooler than New York City. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 22°C (71°F), and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lyon usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Lyon 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 Lyon or New York City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and New York City. Many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors 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 during these months.

Lyon is around the same temperature as New York City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In October, Lyon usually receives around the same amount of rain as New York City. Lyon 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 Lyon or New York City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lyon as well as New York City. Most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to New York City because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in New York City can be very cold. Lyon can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Lyon is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lyon in January average around 4°C (39°F), and New York City averages at about 31°F (-1°C).

Lyon usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Lyon 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 Lyon or New York City in the Spring?

Both New York City and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In April, Lyon is generally around the same temperature as New York City. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 11°C (53°F), and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In April, Lyon usually receives less rain than New York City. Lyon 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 Lyon