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

Should you visit Birmingham 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 Birmingham and Saint-Etienne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

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.

Birmingham and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham than Saint-Etienne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Birmingham is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Birmingham is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Birmingham different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Birmingham is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Birmingham. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

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 Birmingham or Saint-Etienne Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for its theatre productions. However, Saint-Etienne is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Saint-Etienne is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Birmingham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

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 Birmingham or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Birmingham or Saint-Etienne Better for Music?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Birmingham. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for hiking. However, Birmingham 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.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

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

Birmingham is well-known for its shopping. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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 Birmingham or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Birmingham is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Birmingham is very family-friendly. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Birmingham or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Birmingham is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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 Birmingham or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham and Saint-Etienne both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

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

Is Birmingham or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Birmingham is great 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.

Birmingham is a very walkable city. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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

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

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

How long in Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Birmingham or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Birmingham than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Birmingham 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 Birmingham.

One day in Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, 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.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Saint-Etienne, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint-Etienne, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, 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.

With nightlife and museums around the destination of Saint-Etienne, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the bustling destination of Birmingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the city of Birmingham. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Saint-Etienne?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Birmingham is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Saint-Etienne and Birmingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Birmingham is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Saint-Etienne. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. Birmingham is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Birmingham is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Birmingham