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

Should you visit Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Saint-Etienne, 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a under-rated, authentic, and affordable city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife and shopping.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Belfast and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Belfast than Saint-Etienne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Belfast is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Belfast is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". It is also well known for Belfast Castle. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Belfast different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Saint-Etienne is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Belfast and Saint-Etienne can be an enjoyable experience.

Belfast offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Saint-Etienne. 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 Belfast or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Both Belfast and Saint-Etienne are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Belfast or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

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 Belfast or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Belfast and Saint-Etienne are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly city. 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 Belfast or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Belfast or Saint-Etienne as a couple's destination.

Belfast is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Most people don't think of Saint-Etienne as a couple's destination. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Belfast or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Belfast is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Belfast and Saint-Etienne both are nice when exploring on foot.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

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

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

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

How long in Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Belfast or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Belfast 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 Belfast, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

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

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

One day in Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Belfast. 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.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. 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.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Belfast. This city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the city of Belfast. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Belfast and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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.

When is the best time to visit Belfast or Saint-Etienne?

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 Belfast or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Belfast is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belfast in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Belfast in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Belfast is generally much colder than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 9°C (48°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne and Belfast during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. Belfast can be very cold during winter. Belfast is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Saint-Etienne. The spring months attract visitors to Belfast because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the spring, Belfast is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belfast in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Belfast usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Belfast