A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basel vs. Toulouse for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Basel or Toulouse?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Toulouse, 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.

Basel

Basel is a easily accessible, beautiful, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Toulouse: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Toulouse?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulouse than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toulouse is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Basel is known for its impressive beauty. Basel is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also home to Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Basel different from Toulouse?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Basel or Toulouse?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Basel and Toulouse.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

Is the Food Better in Basel or Toulouse? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulouse is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Toulouse is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Basel or Toulouse Better for Nightlife?

Toulouse is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Toulouse has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Basel or Toulouse Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Toulouse both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Basel to see the historical old town. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Toulouse?

Both Basel and Toulouse are high quality shopping destinations.

Basel is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Basel or Toulouse Better for Families?

Basel and Toulouse are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toulouse. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Basel or Toulouse Better for Couples?

Toulouse is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Toulouse Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Basel or Toulouse Better for Students?

Basel is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Is Basel or Toulouse Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Basel offers a very effecient public transportation network. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Basel or Toulouse a more walkable city?

Basel is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Basel is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Toulouse Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulouse or Basel?

How long in Basel or Toulouse?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel or Toulouse. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Toulouse due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-4 days is enough time in Toulouse.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Toulouse 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 Basel.

One day in Basel or Toulouse?

The beautiful city of Basel offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Toulouse, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this relaxed destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Basel or Toulouse?

Basel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Basel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Basel or Toulouse?

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Toulouse. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Toulouse?

Basel is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Toulouse?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Toulouse, 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 Basel or Toulouse?

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 Basel or Toulouse in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Toulouse. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Basel is around the same temperature as Toulouse. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Toulouse averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulouse. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Toulouse. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Toulouse in the Autumn?

Both Toulouse and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Toulouse in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Basel is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Toulouse in the Winter?

Both Toulouse and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toulouse for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Basel can get quite cold in the winter. Basel is much colder than Toulouse in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Toulouse fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Toulouse. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Toulouse in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Toulouse. Most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Basel is around the same temperature as Toulouse. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Toulouse averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulouse and Basel