Comparison · Lyon vs Strasbourg · France
Lyon vs Strasbourg
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Aldg692VX, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Lyon for Gastronomy and Bouchons; choose Strasbourg for Strasbourg Cathedral and Petite France. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 382 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 382 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Lyon
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Strasbourg
- May–June, September–October and December
Side by side
| Lyon | Strasbourg | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | France |
| Known for | Gastronomy, Bouchons and Vieux Lyon | Strasbourg Cathedral, Petite France and Christmas market |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | May–June, September–October and December |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$250 | $150–$260 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 28°C (82°F) | July, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 7°C (45°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | LYS | SXB, FKB, BSL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Lyon for…
Gastronomy and Bouchons. Lyon sits where the Saône meets the Rhône, with a UNESCO-listed historic centre that runs from the Roman theatres on Fourvière hill through the Renaissance lanes of Vieux Lyon to the silk-weavers' slopes of the Croix-Rousse. It is best known for food…
Choose Strasbourg for…
Strasbourg Cathedral and Petite France. Strasbourg, capital of Alsace on the Rhine border with Germany, mixes French and German culture in its food, architecture and dialect. The Grande Île, an island ringed by the River Ill, holds the pink-sandstone cathedral with its 142-metre spire and…
Top sights compared
| # | Lyon | Strasbourg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière | Strasbourg Cathedral |
| 2 | Vieux Lyon and the traboules | Astronomical Clock |
| 3 | Roman theatres of Fourvière and Lugdunum museum | Cathedral platform |
| 4 | Saint-Jean Cathedral | Petite France |
| 5 | Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse | Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban |
Food compared
| Lyon | Strasbourg |
|---|---|
| Pike quenelles | Choucroute garnie |
| Sausage in brioche | Tarte flambée |
| Lyonnaise salad | Baeckeoffe |
| Silk worker's brain | Bretzel |
Which is cheaper?
Lyon and Strasbourg cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $150–$250 in Lyon and $150–$260 in Strasbourg (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Lyon on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Lyon and Strasbourg are about 382 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Lyon and 3 in Strasbourg.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lyon or Strasbourg cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $150–$250 in Lyon and $150–$260 in Strasbourg (estimates).
+Is Lyon or Strasbourg better for a first trip?
Pick Lyon for Gastronomy and Bouchons, or Strasbourg for Strasbourg Cathedral and Petite France.
+How far is Lyon from Strasbourg?
About 382 km in a straight line.