A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bordeaux vs. Phoenix for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bordeaux or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Bordeaux or Phoenix? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Bordeaux and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Bordeaux, Bordeaux has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bordeaux is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. Bordeaux is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also home to Cathédrale Saint-André. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Bordeaux different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Bordeaux and Phoenix.

Bordeaux offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Bordeaux or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bordeaux is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Bordeaux have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Bordeaux or Phoenix has a better nightlife scene.

Bordeaux has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

If you're looking for night time activities Phoenix has a few options to choose from. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix is a good destination for hiking. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

Bordeaux is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bordeaux or Phoenix.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bordeaux. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Phoenix offers lots of family activities. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Bordeaux is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bordeaux is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bordeaux is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Bordeaux is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for Students?

Bordeaux is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Bordeaux. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bordeaux is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bordeaux. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Bordeaux or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Bordeaux is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bordeaux and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bordeaux than Phoenix 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 Bordeaux.

One day in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

In Bordeaux, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Phoenix offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

In Bordeaux, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bordeaux has to offer.

Phoenix 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phoenix, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bordeaux has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix 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.

A week in Bordeaux or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bordeaux. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a great place to explore. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bordeaux and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bordeaux is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Bordeaux.

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

Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux and Phoenix, 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 Bordeaux or Phoenix?

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 Bordeaux or Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Bordeaux during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Bordeaux is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bordeaux in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bordeaux. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Bordeaux is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 14°C (58°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Phoenix. The winter months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Bordeaux is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

In the spring, Bordeaux is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bordeaux in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Bordeaux