A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bath vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bath or Saint-Etienne?

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

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 Bath and Saint-Etienne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bath

Bath is a charming, historical, and beautiful spa town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Bath and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bath than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Bath, Bath has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bath is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Bath is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. It is also well known for The Historic Roman Baths. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

The Historic Roman Baths

How is Bath different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

Bath is an amazing spa town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Bath are world-renowned. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Bath or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bath is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bath has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Both Bath and Saint-Etienne have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bath. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Saint-Etienne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Bath is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for its hiking trails. However, Bath is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Bath is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

Bath is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Bath is well-known for its shopping. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Bath or Saint-Etienne.

Bath is a family-friendly spa town. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Saint-Etienne. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Bath is an amazing spa town to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Bath is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bath is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bath. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Bath is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Bath. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Bath and Saint-Etienne.

Bath has some public transit options. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Saint-Etienne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Bath or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Bath is an amazing spa town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Bath is a very easy spa town to get around on foot. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable spa town. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Bath Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Bath?

How long in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bath or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bath than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bath, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bath than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bath that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bath than Saint-Etienne 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 Bath.

One day in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Bath. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the museums, 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bath. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

Saint-Etienne is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the architectural destination of Bath. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This spa town 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bath or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful spa town of Bath. 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.

The authentic city of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bath or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Bath and Saint-Etienne, 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.