Should you visit Auxerre or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auxerre and Mont-Saint-Michel can help you decide which place is right for you.
Auxerre
Auxerre is a town in France on the Yonne River and in the Yonne department of the Burgundy region. Historically, the town owes its importance to its important position on the river, and also to the once important trade route between the Mediterranean and the North Sea. Auxerre has received the classification of a protected Historic Town in France as well as being one of the French towns of art and history. Auxerre is an interesting place to visit, with the town center towered over by the cathedral and by several churches. The part of the town of most interest to visitors occupies the hill that runs up from the west bank of the river, and includes the major churches and the historical old town.
Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.
Which city is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel or Auxerre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Auxerre is €90, while the average daily cost in Mont-Saint-Michel is €125. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Auxerre and Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around €82 in Auxerre For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Mont-Saint-Michel's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is €112. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is €56.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Auxerre cost around €27 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €11.
The average traveler spends about €35 per day in Mont-Saint-Michel for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Auxerre €27
Mont-Saint-Michel €35
Local Transportation
Auxerre's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €37 per person, per day on transportation in Auxerre.
The average price of local transportation around Mont-Saint-Michel is €56 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mont-Saint-Michel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mont-Saint-Michel:
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Private Transfer: Mont Saint-Michel to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG):
$1,096
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Private Transfer from Mont Saint-Michel to Rennes - Up to 7 People:
$297
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Auxerre can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €14 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Mont-Saint-Michel's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €24 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Auxerre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Auxerre.
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Touristic highlights of Auxerre a Private half day tour (4 Hours) with a local:
$124
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Private Half-Day Cruise Tour on the Canal-du-Nivernais:
$1,555
Tours and Activities in Mont-Saint-Michel
Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Private 3-hour Walking Tour of Mt St. Michel with official tour guide:
$249
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Private Mont Saint-Michel Family Walking Tour:
$391
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Private Walking Tour of Mont-St-Michel and Surroundings:
$217
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Auxerre, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €4.91.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Mont-Saint-Michel may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €6.29 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Auxerre
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Auxerre:
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Organic, biodynamic and natural wine tours in Burgundy (Chablis & Beaune):
$199
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Chablis & Northern Burgundy Wine Tour:
$205
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auxerre and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Auxerre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Auxerre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auxerre 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel than you might in Auxerre.
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